In fact, whether he’s in Prague, France, India or LA, one thing never wavers: Brad’s devotion to Maddox, 5, Pax, 3, Zahara, 2, and Shiloh, 1. “I love being a dad,? Brad recently said. “It’s the best thing that ever happened to me.?
And his enthusiasm shows. “You couldn’t ask for a better father than Brad,? notes a second insider. “He’s always been the one to get up for the midnight feedings, take care of the kids when they don’t feel well and play soccer or board games with them.?
And no one admires his fatherhood skills more than Angie. “He’s a great combination of what I think a father needs to be,? she says in the July issue of Marie Claire. “He’s very strong. He’s a caretaker who will teach them right from wrong…but he can [also] get them laughing so hard and have so much fun with them.?
While Brad’s and Angie’s roles may soon reverse — she says she’ll take a year off to focus on the family — for now Brad’s making the most of his one-on-one time with the kids. “He spends every moment he possibly can with them,? says the second insider. “The kids are his whole world.?
2. TOBEY MAGUIRE
He won’t let Ruby out of his sight!
“When she smiles, it’s the most fantastic thing ever,? says Tobey Maguire, 31, about 7-month-old daughter Ruby. And he can’t get enough: Fiancée Jennifer Meyer begs him for date nights, but the new dad doesn’t like to leave Ruby with a baby sitter, an insider says. And he insisted that Jennifer and Ruby come along to promote Spider- Man 3, even in Tokyo, requesting a rocking chair for the hotel bedroom! Tobey, says the insider, “is fascinated by every move Ruby makes!?
3. JOHNNY DEPP
He’s tying the knot for his kids!
In March, Johnny Depp stayed by the side of daughter Lily- Rose, 8, as she spent nine days in a hospital after E. coli poisoning shut down her kidneys. She’s now healthy, but the scare made Johnny, 44, re-evaluate his life — and decide to wed longtime girlfriend Vanessa Paradis this fall in France now that Lily- Rose and son Jack, 5, are old enough to wonder why their parents aren’t hitched. What’s most important, says Johnny, is that “we surround ourselves with those we love.?
4. BEN AFFLECK
Ben lives to make Violet laugh!
Ben Affleck has a reputation as a funny guy — and he’s putting it to good use with Violet, 1, his daughter with wife Jennifer Garner. “He just loves to get a laugh out of Violet,? says an insider. “He makes funny faces and clowns it up for her, and he likes teaching her to dance.? He’s also making sure she shares one of his main interests: “Ben is training Violet to be a huge Red Sox fan,? says pal Todd English, an executive chef at Olives restaurant, “like any proper Boston father would.?
5. WILL SMITH
Will and his son share top billing!
Will Smith is thrilled that he got to share the spotlight with his Pursuit of Happyness co-star, son Jaden, 8. “To be able to spend that many hours a day together,? says Will, “our bond took off in a way I never imagined.? Of course, Will, 38, also makes movie time for his other kids, Trey, 14, and Willow, 6. Says an insider, “Will films the kids playing, puts on little plays for Willow and Jada, you name it!?
6. LARRY BIRKHEAD
He was born to be a dad!
Larry Birkhead, 34, battled to prove he was the dad of Anna Nicole Smith’s daughter, Dannielynn. Now that he’s with her, he’s put his photography career on hold to raise the 9-month-old in Kentucky. “He loves to take her swimming and to the zoo,? his sister
Judy Birkhead tells Life & Style. “He’s really protective of her, and he loves making her laugh.? Says Larry, “It feels like I was born to be a daddy. We’re having fun.?
7. PATRICK DEMPSEY
McDreamy is always tons of McFun!
He’s McDreamy to Grey’s Anatomy fans (and to wife Jillian), but when Patrick Dempsey’s daughter, Talula, 5, saw him feeding her 4-month-old twin brothers, Darby and Sullivan, at the same time, she promptly dubbed him Superdaddy. The love is mutual. “She’s a great buddy,? says Patrick, 41. “We go cycling…. We have great conversations.?
8. DAVID ARQUETTE
David has daddy-daughter dates!
David Arquette, 35, will do whatever it takes to bond with daughter Coco, 3, including practicing ballet and hosting tea parties with her. “He even lets Coco smear makeup on his face,? says an insider. “It cracks Coco up!?
9. TOM CRUISE
He is totally hands-on!
“I’ve always wanted to be a father,? says Tom Cruise — and with three kids
(Isabella, 14, Connor, 12, and Suri, 1), Tom, 44, is enjoying fatherhood to its fullest. In fact, even with a household full of helpers, he changes Suri’s diapers himself and comforts her when she cries. “You have to celebrate the joy,? Tom told Vanity Fair. “And that’s what Suri is — the joy.? Katie Holmes even had a T-shirt made for Suri that reads “Daddy’s little princess.? Aww!
10. GAVIN ROSSDALE
He makes music for his li’l King!
Sure, Gavin Rossdale is a rock star, but he’s an all-star to look-alike son Kingston, 1. “Gavin holds King all the time and sings to him,? says an insider. “He even wrote a handful of songs just for him.? And while wife Gwen Stefani’s the designer, Gavin, 41, had a blast buying baby clothes at the Desert Hills Premium Outlets in Palm Springs, Calif., recently. “He was bouncing Kingston and making him giggle the whole time,? says a witness. No wonder he’s told Gwen he wants more kids!
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