Liev Schreiber praises his trans daughter Kai with Naomi Watts: ‘Such a fighter'

USA Today

09-05-2025

Liev Schreiber praises his trans daughter Kai with Naomi Watts: 'Such a fighter'
Show Caption
Hide Caption
Elon Musk says trans child was 'killed' by the 'woke mind virus'
Elon Musk claimed his daughter was "killed" by the "woke mind virus" after he was tricked into agreeing to gender-affirming care procedures.
unbranded - Newsworthy
Liev Schreiber is supporting his 16-year-old trans daughter Kai, whom he calls "a fighter."
The proud dad praised his youngest child, shared with ex-wife and two-time Oscar nominee Naomi Watts, in an interview with Variety published May 8.
"Kai was always who Kai is," Schreiber said. "But I suppose the most profound moment was her asking us to change her pronouns. To be honest with you, it didn't feel like that big of a deal to me only because Kai had been so feminine for so long." The pair of A-list exes also share son Sasha, 17.
"Kai is such a fighter, it's important that she goes, 'Hey, I am trans,' and 'Look at me,'" Schreiber said. His daughter walked at the Valentino fall/winter show during Paris Fashion week in March.
Kai will also appear alongside her famous dad and her stepmom Taylor Neisen at the Place at the Table Gala on the night of May 9 in New York City to benefit the Ali Forney Center, which provides housing and support for homeless LGBTQ+ youth.
Schreiber's comments come as President Donald Trump has issued executive orders that seek to restrict the rights of transgender Americans and curb their ability to serve in the military, participate in school sports and obtain government documentation, including passports that reflect their gender identity.
Schreiber seems hopeful about the future for trans youth like Kai, telling Variety that he doesn't "like to dwell on it too much. To some degree, I feel like I don't want to overcook that fear or that anxiety," he explained. "There's enough in the world to be anxious and afraid about."
Liev Schrieber said the trans community 'desperately needs' support
The "Ray Donovan" star also spoke out about the need to help other LGBTQ+ youth. "This isn't just about representing the trans community," he said. "This is actually a community of people who don't have great resources, who don't have access to help, who aren't being protected and looked after by their families. These are people who are being rejected. These are people who are experiencing the harshest version of humanity that we can offer, and some of them are not surviving it."
Liev Schreiber on 'Ray Donovan' in NY, ex-Trump fixer's Ray embrace, 'SNL' hosting nerves
However, Schreiber isn't running to give advice to other parents of trans kids, admitting that he doesn't know everything.
"I don't know the answer for your kid," he continued. "I don't know what it's like for you to be a trans dad. I don't know how you were brought up. I don't know what religion you encountered or what your spirituality is. And for me to tell you what I think about my kid feels like an overstep."
Contributing: Naledi Ushe, Saleen Martin, Fernando Cervantes Jr.