When audiences watch Jimmy Smits command the screen as an Emmy-winning attorney, a steadfast NYPD detective, or a noble galactic senator, they see decades of intense, gravitas-filled performances. Yet away from the flashbulbs of Hollywood premieres and intense production sets, the veteran actor has maintained a remarkably grounded personal life. Central to that private world are his children, Taina and Joaquin, whose upbringing reflects a conscious choice to shield family from the relentless scrutiny of the entertainment industry.
Understanding the man behind iconic roles in L.A. Law, NYPD Blue, and the Star Wars franchise requires looking beyond the red carpets. Smits has navigated a decades-long career while keeping his children largely out of the public eye. This approach allowed his family to grow with a sense of normalcy that few celebrity households manage to achieve.
The Early Roots of Fatherhood
Parenting entered Jimmy Smits' life long before he achieved household-name status on prime-time television. Born in Brooklyn, New York, to a working-class family, Smits pursued his passion for the stage while studying at Brooklyn College. During his college years, when he was just twenty years old, his daughter Taina was born.
Facing the realities of early parenthood while finishing an undergraduate degree shaped his perspective on responsibility. In past interviews, Smits noted that he was fully committed to the obligations of fatherhood from day one, even as he balanced the demanding schedules of higher education and theatrical training. He later married Barbara Smits in 1981, with whom he welcomed their second child, a son named Joaquin, before the couple divorced in 1987.
Balancing a young family with the erratic hours of an aspiring actor testing the New York theater scene required immense discipline. Long before landing his breakout television roles, Smits drove cabs and worked odd jobs to support his household, grounding his work ethic in the daily needs of his family.
Taina and Joaquin: Life Out of the Spotlight
Unlike many second-generation Hollywood families who grow up chronicled by tabloid journalism, Taina and Joaquin Smits grew up with privacy as a primary boundary. Smits and his former wife made a concerted effort to keep their children away from premiere parties, flashbulbs, and industry gossip columns.
This protective stance wasn't about secrecy; it was about giving his children the freedom to choose their own paths. While many celebrity offspring naturally gravitate toward acting or modeling, Taina and Joaquin pursued private careers outside the entertainment spotlight. Details regarding their adult professions, education, and personal lives remain sparse by design—a testament to an actor who successfully separated his public craft from his private duties as a father.
Maintaining this boundary required deliberate choices. Smits operated primarily out of Los Angeles for his television series but structured his professional commitments to ensure he remained an active, present parent during his children's formative years.
Balancing Stardom and Domestic Stability
Achieving longevity in television is notoriously difficult. During the peak years of L.A. Law and NYPD Blue, Smits worked grueling 14-hour days on network soundstages. Yet colleagues often noted his ability to maintain a steady emotional anchor.
Since 1986, Smits has shared his life with actress Wanda De Jesus, creating a stable, long-term partnership in Los Angeles that helped anchor the blended family dynamic. This domestic stability provided a counterweight to the high-stakes characters Smits portrayed on screen. Whether playing a politician running for the White House in The West Wing or an underworld figure in Sons of Anarchy, Smits frequently credited his grounded home life with keeping him centered.
For fans interested in learning more about his broader cultural impact, the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts offers insight into advocacy work that Smits co-founded to expand opportunities for Latino artists.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many children does Jimmy Smits have?
Jimmy Smits has two children, a daughter named Taina and a son named Joaquin, born from his previous marriage to Barbara Smits.
Are Jimmy Smits' children actors?
No. Unlike their father, Taina and Joaquin have chosen private lives and careers outside of the entertainment industry, avoiding public media attention.
Who is Jimmy Smits' long-term partner?
Smits has been in a long-term relationship with actress Wanda De Jesus since 1986. They reside in Los Angeles.
When did Jimmy Smits become a father?
Smits became a father at a young age during his college years at Brooklyn College, before he achieved mainstream television success.
