Laura Dern honours son Ellery's 25th birthday with Paris memory
Synopsis
Laura Dern's birthday post for son Ellery wasn't a typical celebrity shoutout — it was a 24-year loop closing in Paris, the same city where she celebrated his first birthday. The Oscar winner's tribute also quietly revealed that Ellery is carving out his own path as an artist, with a new song already out.
Key Takeaways
Laura Dern celebrated son Ellery Walker Harper's 25th birthday on 21 August with an Instagram tribute.
Dern was in Paris for both his first and 25th birthdays, a coincidence she highlighted in the post.
She praised Ellery as 'a son, a human, and an artist' and thanked him for his 'new song', indicating he is pursuing music.
Ellery is Dern's son with musician Ben Harper ; the couple married in 2005 and also have a daughter, Jaya .
Dern's honours include an Academy Award , a BAFTA , a Primetime Emmy , and five Golden Globes .
Oscar-winning actress Laura Dern marked her son Ellery Walker Harper's 25th birthday on 21 August with an emotional Instagram tribute, recalling a full-circle moment: she was in Paris when he turned one, and found herself in the same city as he turned a quarter-century old.
The Birthday Message
Dern shared a series of photographs of Ellery alongside a heartfelt note. 'As I wake up in Paris to my son's birthday, August 21, I remember being here in this city, with him turning ONE!!!! And now 25!!!' she wrote.
She continued: 'How profoundly blessed I am to know you Ellery. I am in awe of you as a son, a human, and an artist. It's a miraculous life ride, getting to be with and love you with everything and forever. Happy birthday! And thank you for your new song!'
Who Is Ellery Walker Harper
Ellery is the son of Laura Dern and musician Ben Harper, whom Dern began dating in autumn 2000 after meeting at one of his concerts. The couple married in 2005 at their home in Los Angeles and also share a daughter, Jaya. The reference to Ellery's 'new song' in the post suggests he is pursuing a music career, following in his father's artistic footsteps.
Laura Dern's Career and Honours
Dern, born to actors Bruce Dern and Diane Ladd, launched her acting career in the 1980s, drawing early acclaim for roles in Peter Bogdanovich's Mask, Joyce Chopra's Smooth Talk, and David Lynch's Blue Velvet and Wild at Heart.
She reached global audiences as Dr. Ellie Sattler in Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park, a role she reprised in Jurassic Park III and Jurassic World Dominion. Her career spans prestige drama — Citizen Ruth, Inland Empire, Certain Women, The Tale — and major studio productions including Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Little Women, and Marriage Story.
Her accolades include an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and five Golden Globes — two of which came for her portrayal of Katherine Harris in the television film Recount.
A Moment That Resonated
The post drew wide attention for its sincerity, with Dern — one of Hollywood's most decorated performers — stepping out of the spotlight entirely to celebrate her son's artistry. Notably, the Paris coincidence across 24 years gave the tribute an unusually personal texture rarely seen in celebrity birthday posts.
Point of View
But Dern's stands out for what it reveals rather than what it performs. The mention of Ellery's 'new song' is the real story — a Hollywood dynasty quietly extending into a second generation, this time through music rather than film. Dern has consistently kept her children out of the public eye, making this glimpse unusually candid. The Paris symmetry is a detail that PR teams would have scripted; the fact that it appears to be genuine is precisely why it landed.
NationPress
22 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ellery Walker Harper?
Ellery Walker Harper is the son of actress Laura Dern and musician Ben Harper. He turned 25 on 21 August, and his mother's birthday post referenced a new song he has released, suggesting he is pursuing a music career.
What did Laura Dern write in her birthday post for Ellery?
Dern wrote on Instagram that she was in Paris — the same city where she had been when Ellery turned one — and described feeling 'profoundly blessed' to know him. She praised him as a son, a human, and an artist, and thanked him for his new song.
Who are Laura Dern's children?
Laura Dern has two children with her former husband, musician Ben Harper: son Ellery Walker Harper and daughter Jaya. The couple married in 2005 and later separated.
What awards has Laura Dern won?
Laura Dern has won an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and five Golden Globes, including two for her role as Katherine Harris in the television film Recount.
What is Laura Dern best known for?
Dern is best known internationally for playing Dr. Ellie Sattler in Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park and its sequels. She is also acclaimed for her work in David Lynch's films, Marriage Story, Little Women, and Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
