Mekhi Phifer Calls Fatherhood a Privilege

Tags: Dads, Parenting

Bauer-Griffin

In a Tuesday appearance on The Bonnie Hunt Show, Mekhi Phifer said that because he was raised by a single mom, he considers fatherhood "a privilege." It was his own mom — recently retired school teacher Rhoda Phifer — whom Mekhi credits with laying a foundation which has enabled him to stay on the right track both in life, and as a dad to Omikaye, 9, and Mekhi Thira, 10 months. Family life is "lovely," the 32-year-old ER actor says. "I love kids, outings, camping, sports, Legoland, all the Daddy stuff. I love it. I wish I could just do that, but I have to work too." Even when he is working, however, Mekhi says that family remains the priority.

"That’s what it’s all about. When you’re working and making money, that’s all good, but there has to be something that provides a substance, I think. [Family] is the backbone, the foundation that keeps me going."

Omikaye "is great" and taking after his father academically, Mekhi shares, for he excels in math; he also plays tennis, the piano, and is studying foreign languages including Spanish. A "wobbly" Mekhi Thira, on the other hand, is just beginning to crawl and stand up on his own. "He’s a cutie," Mekhi said. Omikaye is Mekhi’s son with ex-wife Malinda Williams. Mekhi Thira is his son with fiancée Oni Souratha.

The 15th — and final — season of ER premieres tonight on NBC.

Source: The Bonnie Hunt Show

• Posted on Sep 25, 08 at 12:30PM
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4 Responses to “Mekhi Phifer Calls Fatherhood a Privilege”

1. THBS Says:
   September 25th, 2008 at 4:03 pm

   Mekhi was a great guest. Bonnie usually gets all of her guests to talk about their children. See live blogs, commentaries and other items at this blog devoted to The Bonnie Hunt Show.

   http://huntbonnie.blogspot.com/

2. Aya Says:
   September 25th, 2008 at 4:35 pm

   I really hope the rumours aren’t true, I hope they aren’t killing his character off !

3. lady t Says:
   September 26th, 2008 at 12:31 pm

   Well…I am devastated that his character was killed off last night on ER but glad to see him so happy and enjoying fatherhood…God bless him =)

4. Anais Says:
   September 26th, 2008 at 7:58 pm

   I absolutely adore him, have for years and years. Can’t stand ER but I just love him.

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