Steve Carell Reveals Key To Being 'A Cool Dad'

Despite his status as an A-list TV and film star, Steve Carell says his kids don’t think he’s “cool.”

“They know I’m not a cool guy,” the 50-year-old actor told Access Hollywood at the junket for his new movie, “Despicable Me 2” in Los Angeles, when asked if voicing the lead in the blockbuster animated movie has made him “cooler” with his kids.

Steve, who has two children with wife Nancy Walls, said that as his kids get older, they are easily embarrassed by his antics, and he thinks parents fall into traps when they try too hard to be something they’re not.

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“I think the key to being a cool dad is to not ever attempt to be cool,” he told Access. “As soon as you start doing that, your kids think you’re lame.”

Adding, “So, if you’re just a dad, that’s good.”

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The first “Despicable Me” was a huge hit at the box office (earning over $500 million worldwide) – and even Steve’s kids were momentarily impressed.

“I was very proud. I was so cool – [my] kids — they thought it was the best thing ever,” Steve said of the 2010’s film’s success, adding, “It’s just nice to be a part of something that actually puts something good out there. And [it’s] fun. It’s sweet.”

“Despicable Me 2” hits theaters on July 3.

-- Erin O’Sullivan

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