Paul Anthony Kelly Welcomes First Baby With Wife Syd

Paul Anthony Kelly Welcomes First Baby: ‘Love Story’ Star Becomes a Dad

February 25, 2026 — Actor Paul Anthony Kelly, best known for portraying John F. Kennedy Jr. in the upcoming FX miniseries Love Story (Ryan Murphy’s anthology series chronicling JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s romance), has joyfully announced the arrival of his first child with wife Syd Widziszewski-Kelly.

The 38-year-old Canadian actor confirmed the happy news during a recent appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show (aired February 23, 2026), sharing that the baby was born in January 2026.

Kelly kept details private, not revealing the newborn’s name, gender, or exact birthdate, but described the experience as overwhelming in the best way: “That’s, like, an understatement, for sure.”

The Backstory: From Pregnancy Reveal to New Parenthood

Kelly first shared the pregnancy news in a December 2025 Interview magazine profile, explaining how he learned about the baby on a pivotal day.

While in Portland (the couple’s home base) preparing for a producer callback Zoom for Love Story, his wife surprised him right before their second wedding anniversary dinner: “She tells me we’re pregnant.”

He noted the original due date was January 7—coincidentally the birthday of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, whose role Sarah Pidgeon plays opposite him in the series.

After wrapping filming, the pair planned to “start nesting” back home in preparation. The baby arrived as expected in January, marking a major personal milestone amid Kelly’s rising career buzz from the high-profile role (which has drawn both praise and backlash for its portrayal of the iconic couple).

About Paul Anthony Kelly and His Wife

Paul Anthony Kelly (age 38): A relatively low-profile actor until landing the JFK Jr. part, Kelly has been building his resume steadily. The Love Story project has put him in the spotlight, with first-look images and interviews highlighting his preparation for the weighty role (including scenes recreating emotional moments with JFK Jr.’s family).
Syd Widziszewski-Kelly: A production manager in the industry, Syd keeps a private life but has been supportive throughout Kelly’s career journey. The couple married around 2023 (based on their second anniversary mention in 2025) and reside in Portland, Oregon.

The family has chosen to keep the newborn out of the public eye—no photos or further details have been shared.

Fans and media have reacted positively, with many congratulating the couple on social media amid the excitement for Love Story‘s release.

This sweet personal win comes as Kelly’s professional life heats up—Love Story continues to generate headlines, and the new dad is embracing both fatherhood and the spotlight. Congrats to Paul and Syd on their growing family! 🎉

Rachel Harper

Rachel Harper is a reality TV enthusiast and freelance writer with a passion for uncovering the behind-the-scenes magic of shows like Big Brother. A self-proclaimed superfan, Rachel has followed every season since 2010, even attending an open casting call for Season 22 in 2020—where she made it to the callback round! With a degree in Media Studies from UCLA and over five years of experience covering entertainment for outlets like Reality Rewind and Pop Culture Pulse, Rachel brings insider insights and fan-driven energy to her writing. When she’s not analyzing houseguest strategies or sharing audition tips, you can find her hosting Big Brother watch parties in Los Angeles or tweeting her hot takes @RachelLovesBB. Her mission? To help dreamers like you step into the Big Brother house and make reality TV history!