Life Imitates Art for Actor Erik Thomson

Tags: Aussie, Dads, Parenting

Patrick Riviere/Getty

In the Australian show Packed to the Rafters, actor Erik Thomson plays a father juggling the demands of a full house which includes a daughter in her 20s. While his real life daughter Eilish is just 14 months old, "there are a lot of parallels" between the two, Erik says. "In episode two, there is that scene with Jessica Moray [who plays Erik's daughter, Rachel Rafter] where I tell her that I’ll look out for her until the day I die," Erik explains. "That emotion is very much at the forefront for me at the moment because I have a very vulnerable young baby." Still, it was important to Erik, 41, that the part of Dave Rafter "wasn’t going to be written as a dad, but rather a man who has children."

"Being in my early 40s and a new dad, my life is my life. I continue to have hopes and dreams for myself. I don’t feel like I’ve suddenly become a stereotype because I have a child."

Instead, Erik says, when you become a dad "a lot of dominos start to fall into place as you understand a whole lot more about a side of yourself that you’ve never really had before." Part of that new understanding involves a new appreciation of the simple things. Erik says that a "really great" Saturday morning for him includes grocery shopping with Eilish.  "[It] sounds mundane but I find it fantastic," he says. 

"Because I’m more interested in her well-being I get on with things a lot more. I’m very now and in the moment."

Eilish is the first child for Erik and his wife Caitlin McDougall.

Source: Herald Sun 

• Posted on Sep 27, 08 at 3:00PM
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7 Responses to “Life Imitates Art for Actor Erik Thomson”

1. Fifi Says:
   September 28th, 2008 at 12:05 am

   Eilish is an interesting name, does anyone know how it’s pronounced??

2. lulusass Says:
   September 28th, 2008 at 2:46 am

   Eye-lish…it’s Irish, i believe.

3. Suse Says:
   September 28th, 2008 at 5:13 am

   From Behindthename.com:
   Eilish [IE-leesh] it’s the anglicized form of Eilís [same pronunciation], which it’s the Irish Gaelic form of Elizabeth.

4. Caitlin Says:
   September 28th, 2008 at 6:22 am

   I’m guessing it’s an anglicised version of the Irish name Eilís…and pronounced “Eye-leesh”?

5. Mary Beth Says:
   September 28th, 2008 at 7:23 am

   I think the name Eilish is of Irish origin-

6. bron from oz Says:
   September 28th, 2008 at 8:39 am

   It’s pronounced “ay + lish” and is the Irish version of Alice – to hear it and other Irish names pronounced go to http://www.babynamesofireland.com/pages/girl-names-a-c.html

7. bron from oz Says:
   September 28th, 2008 at 9:03 am

   It’s pronouned “Ay + lish” and is the Irish version of Alice.

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