Let me tell you a story that’s truly heartwarming. In an exclusive sit-down with Closer Weekly, legendary filmmaker Judd Apatow got candid about having his daughters, Maude, 19, and Iris, 15, following in their parents’ footsteps in the entertainment industry. If you’re a fan of the Apatow-Mann family, you probably remember when Maude and Iris stole the spotlight alongside their mom, Leslie Mann, in Judd’s hit movies Knocked Up and This Is 40. It’s like a family dynasty in showbiz, and it’s pretty incredible to watch them all thrive together.

Empowering Women in Hollywood: Judd’s Perspective

Judd took a moment to reflect on the importance of empowering women in the entertainment world. He shared an inspiring story about Leah Donovan, someone he had the privilege of working with. “Leah showed me what it means to build a career by mastering every aspect of the craft—writing, directing, starring, and producing. That’s exactly what women in our industry need to do,” Judd said passionately. “They shouldn’t just aim to act; they should strive to be the ones calling the shots, creating projects, and leading the way. It’s about taking control of your destiny and making it happen.”

Encouraging His Kids to Follow Their Dreams

When it comes to his own daughters, Judd is all about encouraging them to chase their dreams in the industry—if that’s what they want. “If my kids want to be in this business, I’d tell them to learn every single part of it. Iris is already shining as one of the stars of our Netflix show, and she’s honestly an incredible actress. Maude, meanwhile, is making waves at Sundance this year with her movie Affirmation Nation. I always tell anyone who’ll listen: don’t get a real job. If you’re passionate about something, go for it with everything you’ve got,” he said with a laugh.

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Returning to Stand-Up: A Dream Revisited

Judd also opened up about his latest project, Judd Apatow: The Return, a Netflix special that marks his first time performing stand-up comedy in two decades. “I realized how much I missed it while working with Amy Schumer on Trainwreck. Watching her tour reminded me of my original dream—to be a comedian. There’s something magical about connecting with an audience live,” he explained. “I was performing in Montreal when Netflix approached me about doing a special. I told them, ‘Sure, but give me a year.’ That extra time let me really focus and refine my material, and I hope it paid off.” And let me tell you, it absolutely did, Judd!

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