Actor and bestselling author Hill Harper opens up about his decision to adopt a son just over a year ago at the age of 50. He said that his decision to have little Pierce has been the biggest blessing of his life.
In a special with good morning America, he talked about his life as a single dad and how he was inspired to adopt by a friend of his.
Via ABC news:
“I always thought I was going to get married, have my own kids and I was going to adopt,” Harper, 51, said. “I had talked about adopting and I had talked about wanting to be this dad, and she said, ‘You’re going to be a great dad but I think you’re waiting too long. You may get to a point where you’ll decide you’re not going to do it. Even though you’re not married, why can’t you just be a dad now?’”
After that conversation he decided to talk to an adoption person and learn the process:
“I talked to the guy and I said, ‘You know, listen. I really appreciate you giving me the information, I’m just not ready. I’m not there,’” the “Limitless” actor recalled of their initial conversation. “And then fast-forward to right before Thanksgiving of that year, I get a call from him. I was shooting a show called ‘Limitless’ at the time. I was in my dressing room and I didn’t know why he was calling me. He says, ‘There’s a wonderful young woman who is having a son in three weeks. Would you be interested in adopting him?’”
Despite being initially caught off guard, he agreed and said he’s honored to be Pierce’s father.
He was even in the delivery room when his son was born.
“I actually went from the set of ‘All Eyez on Me,” flew to where she was giving birth and I was there in the delivery room and I cut the cord,” he said. “I’m so proud that Pierce — his name is Pierce Hill Harper– that Pierce chose me to be his dad.
“It’s the biggest blessing of my life,” Harper added. “The biggest role, and certainly the biggest blessing.”
Harper, who rose to fame for his role as Dr. Sheldon Hawkes on the CBS drama “CSI: NY,” hopes his story will inspire and encourage anyone considering becoming an adoptive parent to follow through.
“Every day you’re making a different set of decisions that you feel impact the future of this wonderful person,” he said. “That’s a challenge. It’s a beautiful challenge but it’s a challenge.”
The most rewarding aspect of adoption?
“I never felt I could love this deeply. I love him and he’s my son,” said Harper.
Much blessings to Hill Harper and his beautiful son!
