The ‘Reasonable Doubt’ actor is a proud parent to his two kids whom he shares with his wife, Pam Byse
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With more than 30 years of acting on his resume, Morris Chestnut is one of Hollywood’s biggest stars in the film and TV industry. However, his most significant life achievement is being a proud dad to his son and daughter, Grant and Paige.
The Reasonable Doubt star shares two 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren with his wife, Pam Byse. The pair tied the knot in 1995 and have been inseparable ever since. Soon after they wed, Morris and Byse welcomed Grant. In November 1998, they expanded their family once again with the 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 of Paige.
“Since you guys have been 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧, you have been a true inspiration and motivation,” Morris said in 2022 while accepting his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. “Seeing you guys grow up has been a wonder to me. I love you guys, and thank you so much for being a part of everything that I am.”
While Morris is not a stranger to the spotlight, the actor has managed to keep his personal life private throughout the years. However, he has spoken about not allowing his public image to impact his parenting as he’s tried to raise his 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren to always do the right thing.
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The Chestnut family in a throwback Christmas photo.
Morris Chestnut/Instagram
“I never let my public image affect how I parent my kids,” he told Rolling Out in June 2023. “Other than to use it as an example, my experiences are supposed to convey a point, but I don’t let it interfere with how I parent.”
With a demanding career, Morris has opened up about the challenges of parenting, including missing pivotal moments in his kids’ lives. But he doesn’t allow acting to prevent him from spending quality time with his family.
“When I’m home for three months, I’m right back in the mix with the family,” Morris told Rolling Out. “I try to make a lot of positive moves as a parent.”
From their own budding careers to how Morris plans on leaving a legacy for them, here’s everything to know about Morris Chestnut’s kids, son Grant and daughter Paige.
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Morris Chestnut and his son at 20th Century Fox’s premiere of ‘Like Mike’ at the Mann Village & Bruin Theatre in Westwood, Calif. on June 27, 2002.
Eric Charbonneau®Berliner Studio/BEImages/Shutterstock
Morris and Pam began their parenting journey more than 20 years ago with their son, Grant.
The Hollywood star has talked about having a close bond with his father before his death. Their relationship encouraged him to build a strong connection with his 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren, especially his son.
“I was a latchkey kid,” Morris said in 2022 during an interview with Brooklyn Mclinn. “My mother and father worked … What I didn’t have with my father because he was gone, I wanted to be that for my son … I try to be there for my son in ways that my father wanted to be for me but couldn’t.”
Grant grew up in Calabasas, Calif., with his parents and younger sister. Unlike his father, Grant strayed away from acting or pursuing a career in the entertainment industry. Instead, he embarked on a different profession after graduating from high school and leaving home for college.
Grant attended the University of Colorado Boulder in 2015, where he studied business administration, per his LinkedIn. He has since worked at prominent companies such as EF Educational Tours, Atlas Consulting Group and Oracle. As a student, Grant put his education to the test as he competed in a rigorous business competition in 2018.
As one of four selected students, Grant participated in a Proctor and Gamble CEO challenge with his university to showcase his strength in business strategy and problem-solving. The challenge consisted of four rounds, where he and his teammates won first place in the third round of the regional competition. During the last round, Grant traveled to Dubai to face other top business students. Although he didn’t take home the winning trophy, his team came in fifth place globally.
He graduated in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in strategic communications, specializing in marketing and advertising. According to his LinkedIn, Grant is currently an account executive at NuVet Labs, a laboratory that produces high-quality pet supplements.
Despite choosing a career outside the spotlight, Grant’s father taught him the importance of using his voice and making an impact in any industry.
“I tried to teach my son when he was younger to use his voice and articulation as power,” Morris said on The Kelly Clarkson Show in January 2022. “And that he has an opportunity to effect change as well.”
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Morris Chestnut, Pam Byse, Paige Chestnut and Grant Chestnut in 2022.
Morris Chestnut/Facebook
Morris and Pam added a new addition to their family with the 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 of their daughter, Paige, on Nov. 26, 1998.
Like her older brother, Paige was also raised in Calabasas. Taking a page from her dad’s playbook, Paige has embraced being in the limelight. Paige is a commercial, print and runway model signed to Wunder Management.
According to her Instagram, Paige’s interest in modeling can be traced back to 2017 as she posed on the runway for her first Los Angeles Fashion Week. Since then, Paige’s career has grown as she balances making a name for herself in L.A. and New York’s fashion scene as an emerging model.
She’s walked in fashion shows wearing looks by clothing designers such as Michael Ngo, Marisa P. Clark, Nyki Allen and others, and has also appeared in magazines, with her first placement in the March 2019 issue of ESSENCE.
While building her career, Morris has been proudly supportive of her along the way. Before the pandemic, her dad was among the crowd watching as Paige walked in her first New York Fashion Week show for Matt Sarafa in February 2020.
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Morris Chestnut and his family in 2007.
Noel Vasquez/Getty Images
“I had a wonderful time working with his incredible team and models,” she wrote on Instagram. “This was my first time walking in NYFW and I’m so glad I got to experience it with such a talented, fun, and down to earth group of people.”
Sitting in the front row, Morris shared his proud dad moment on Instagram with a video of Paige strutting down the catwalk. “There’s a saying, ‘A daughter may outgrow your lap, but will never outgrow your heart.’ That … is very true,” the actor captioned the post.
As a proud parent of two, Morris’ legacy extends beyond the longevity of his career.
“When I think about my legacy, it’s as long as I left my kids prepared and my family comfortable,” he told Mclinn. “That’s what it [legacy] is for me.
