Skeet Ulrich is probably remembered these days as “that guy from Scream,” a genuine has been, and all of it purposeful. It’s not that Ulrich didn’t enjoy acting. It’s just that he adored his children more.
Ulrich was up in a shattered household, having been kidnapped by his father and dragged throughout the country for three years, only to end up living with his mother when his father vanished.
So when Ulrich’s marriage to Georgina Cates ended in divorce when his children were only four years old, he couldn’t just sit back and let history repeat itself.
Skeet Ulrich and His Then-Wife Gave Birth to Twins
On March 9, 2001, Ulrich and his ex-wife, Cates, had two gorgeous fraternal twins, Jakob and Naiia. Unfortunately, Ulrich and his wife’s marriage did not work out, and the couple divorced in 2005. After all, was said and done, the father was awarded custody of the children.
Sticking to acting would have allowed Ulrich to employ an army of nannies to care for and provide for his children. However, because of his hectic schedule, he would have much less time with his children.
A choice had to be made.
To an ignorant observer, Ulrich may appear to be a Hollywood flop — a passing trend. However, following closer study, it was clear that his withdrawal was highly deliberate.
Skeet Ulrich chose to spend time with the children
During an interview with Fatherly, the actor explained that his decision to stay at home following his divorce from his wife and continue caring for his children was a reaction to the circumstances in which he was raised.
“I won’t go into the specifics of my upbringing or the lack of parenting I had, but I would never make my children feel unloved.”
The actor sought professional counseling as a young adult to help him work through his sentiments concerning his formative years. But no matter how many times he ran in his early years, it didn’t add up.
When he was finished with the notion and realized that his childhood trauma could never be repaired, his analyst advised him that the memories would only be okay after he had his children.
“I didn’t get it when I was 23, but he was correct,” he admits. “I get to relive my own youth in a new way. And I get to be the parent I wish I’d had.”
Since then, the actor has made it a point only to take on jobs that will keep him in Los Angeles – a career disadvantage.
Riverdale was the only occasion he claimed to have worked on a project outside the City of Angels. Ulrich also acknowledged employing a nanny. Even so, he’d only had to do it twice before.
“When I was doing the first season of Jericho, I hired a babysitter,” Ulrich revealed. “They were starting kindergarten, and when I finished Law & Order, I hired a babysitter once more. That’s all.”
He began contemplating acting assignments outside of Los Angeles only once his children reached the age of eighteen.