Skeet Ulrich Reflects on Reconnecting With His Father After Childhood Kidnapping

Skeet Ulrich Recalls Reuniting With His Father Twice After He Kidnapped Him During Childhood

Skeet Ulrich. Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for AMC

Skeet Ulrich recently shared about his difficult relationship with his birth father, who allegedly kidnapped him when he was a child. During an episode of the “Inside of You With Michael Rosenbaum” podcast, Ulrich, 54, revealed that he and his brother were taken when they were just 6 years old. Their birth father, whom they did not know well as he was never present in their lives, handed them over to a woman he was married to. This woman then passed them on to her parents, leading to a lot of moving around for the siblings. Ulrich expressed that his well-being was not a top priority during this time.

Michael Rosenbaum was visibly shocked to hear his guest, Ulrich's, story. He asked if Ulrich's birth father had ever gotten in trouble with the law. Ulrich explained that while there may have been stuff filed and charges, his birth father did not face any legal consequences. Ulrich mentioned that there may be more to the story that he doesn't know or understand, but ultimately, the answer was no and he was okay with that.

Before making a name for himself as an actor in popular shows like Scream and Riverdale, Ulrich fondly recalls the time he spent bonding with his older brother in unfamiliar cities.

They didn't have a set plan, but simply enjoyed exploring and figuring things out as they went along.

Ulrich shared that when they were 6 and 7 years old, they used to explore the streets of Miami freely. It was nothing extreme, just wandering around and returning to an empty house every day.

Ulrich was able to reconnect with his birth mom when he was 10 years old. Despite this, he still had encounters with his father. During his time at NYU in the early ‘90s, the Miracles actor decided to look for his dad’s phone number and gave him a call.

"He came to New York for a brief hour," Ulrich remembered. "He didn't delve into the past much. He mainly focused on talking about himself."

After relocating to Virginia to raise his twins Jakob and Naiia Rose with ex-wife Georgina Cates, Ulrich had a surprising encounter with his dad thanks to directions given by the police to his neighborhood home.

"He came to my farm when I was around 32 years old, stayed for about an hour," he remembered. "I was pretty upset about that."

After going to therapy to work through his emotions, Ulrich is now trying not to harbor any anger towards his father. Instead, he is dedicated to being a great dad to his own children, who recently celebrated their 23rd birthday.

"I don't really have strong feelings towards him," Ulrich revealed about how he currently feels. "My children and I have a strong bond."

Editor's P/S:

Skeet Ulrich's harrowing account of his childhood abduction and estrangement from his birth father is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Despite being uprooted from his home and subjected to an unstable upbringing, Ulrich found solace in the bond he shared with his brother. Their shared experiences in unfamiliar cities fostered a sense of adventure and self-reliance that would serve them well in later life.

Ulrich's decision to confront his past and reconnect with his birth father, even after years of unanswered questions, demonstrates a remarkable strength of character. While the encounter did not provide the closure he may have hoped for, it allowed him to let go of anger and focus on the positive relationships in his life. Ulrich's dedication to being a present and loving father to his own children is a testament to the transformative power of forgiveness and the enduring bonds of family.