Having your father around in your life is necessary for you to grow up feeling secure. And if you have the luck of having a father who is heavily involved in your life, then you are geared towards success.
Actor Dean Cain made sure he was the kind of father who was always there for his son, no matter what. Even if it meant giving up his successful career.
Dean Cain is a very familiar face. The actor has been a staple on our screens for years, playing superman or hosting our favorite reality show. But becoming an actor was not his first choice, he wanted to be a football player. A knee injury ended his career early on, and this is when he turned to football.
The actor is best known for his breakout role in the 1993 “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman,” after which he landed a lot of leading and major roles.
Cain was born Dean George Tanaka on July 31, 1966, in Michigan. His biological parents are Sharon Tanaka and Roger Tanaka but the story of who raised Cain is interesting.
His biological father abandoned his family just after two years of marriage to Cain’s mother. When he was three years old, however, his mother moved on and remarried. She married director Christopher Cain, who legally adopted both Dean Cain and his brother.
Dean legally changed his last name to Cain. And of his biological father, he said, “My biological father is Japanese. I never knew him, never met him.” Showing that he did not share a relationship with his birth father.
It was reported that Roger Tanaka; Dean Cain’s birth father moved on and remarried in 1982 but apparently, he never tried to reconcile his relationship with his two sons.
Cain was known for being a lady’s man and did not want to get tied down from what it seemed. However, he became a father in June 2000, when his ex-girlfriend, Samantha Torres who was formerly a model and Playboy Playmate gave birth to their son.
He named his son Christopher to honor his adoptive father. He was incredibly happy at finally becoming a father but his relationship with his son’s mother deteriorated further which lead the couple to fight for custody of their child.
But Cain wasn’t one to give up easily. He fought tirelessly for custody of his son, and in 2011, his determination paid off — he was awarded sole custody.
As a father, Cain is deeply hands-on. He takes pride in being present for every aspect of his son’s life, including cooking all his meals. In one interview, he shared, “I cook every meal for my child. If I don’t cook, he doesn’t eat. I cook a very mean steak. I’m also very good at taking the nine leftovers I have and turning it into something.”
Cain has always prioritized being there for his son — but it wasn’t without sacrifice. He faced tough choices, often having to weigh career opportunities against commitments like PTA meetings and school events. Ultimately, he decided that nothing was more important than his son’s well-being.
Being his son’s primary caretaker was never easy, but Cain made sure to put his son’s needs above his own. Balancing the demands of his career—as a writer, producer, director, talk show host, and political analyst—with the responsibilities of parenting was a constant challenge, yet he managed it all.
It wasn’t until his son turned 18 and graduated from high school that Cain began taking on leading roles again. While fans wondered why he had been turning down opportunities, Cain was clear that his son’s well-being always came first.
He made it a priority to attend Christopher’s football games and jujitsu tournaments. In one interview, Cain said, “I’m there. I’m a very present father, and I would never do it otherwise. I’m blessed to have the ability to do so many different things and still be a father first.”
Cain’s commitment to putting his son’s needs first and prioritizing fatherhood over acting has clearly paid off, reflected in the close bond he shares with his son.
He often shares moments with his son on Instagram, including a memorable tour of Princeton—Cain’s alma mater—where he showed his son the roots of his own journey.
The father-son duo appears to enjoy many trips together and genuinely have a great time in each other’s company, judging by the joyful photos they post.
Christopher also has two half-siblings from his mother: twins Elijah and Isabelle. They spend plenty of time with their older brother and frequently visit the Cain household. Cain once said, “I’d do anything for those two. It can be defined as a broken home, but if you hang out at our house, that’s the last thing you’ll think.”
This shows how much Cain appreciates children and would go to any lengths for them.
Cain thinks he has done a great job when it comes to his relationship with his son. And he genuinely enjoys his son’s company and presence in his life, “My best day would be just to wake up, and me and my son have a great day at home,” he says.
This father and son duo really shares an enviable and strong bond. We wish them both the very best for their future!
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