Warren Beatty Called His Daughter Who Went through Transition His ‘Hero’ – Meet Her New Look as Stephen

• Warren Beatty, the former Hollywood heartthrob and husband to actress Annette Bening, has four children, one of whom is transgender.
• Stephen Beatty, who was born Kathlyn, transitioned to male in his early twenties and is now a poet and writer.
• Beatty calls his son his “hero” — praising his intelligence and courage — while Bening is an outspoken advocate for trans rights.

Warren Beatty, a father of four, was once a Hollywood heartthrob with a long list of romantic conquests, including the likes of Madonna, Diane Keaton, and Julie Christie. However, his life changed when he met the talented Annette Bening, whom he married and started a family with.

She and Beatty have four children together — Stephen (formerly Kathlyn), Ben, Isabel, and Ella. Beatty was introduced to Bening in 1990 while casting for his mafia drama “Bugsy.” Bening ignored her agent’s warnings about Beatty’s reputation and agreed to have lunch with him. This meeting was a game-changer for Beatty.

He was so smitten with Bening that he lost interest in his meal within minutes. After lunch, he called his director and declared his love for Bening and his intention to marry her. In 1992, Beatty and Bening tied the knot, surprising many who had been following Beatty’s romantic escapades.

The Hollywood heartthrob, however, had no doubts. He once said that he wasn’t trying to avoid marriage, but divorce. He knew when he met Bening that it was time to get married and have a family. His wife, Bening, recently got her fifth Oscar nomination, this time, for her role in “Nyad.”

Bening, a renowned actress and an outspoken advocate for trans rights has a deeply personal connection to the cause. Her first child, Kathlyn Elizabeth, now known as Stephen Ira, is transgender. Bening’s journey as a mother to a trans child has shaped her advocacy and understanding of the trans community.

In the beginning, Bening was protective of Stephen’s privacy, given the public scrutiny that comes with being the child of famous parents. However, as time went on and political processes began to unfairly target trans people, Bening felt compelled to speak out.

She expressed her hope that people would find someone in their lives who is trans, whether it be a grocery store worker, a doctor, a teacher, or even a family member. Having a trans person in one’s life, she believes, fosters understanding and compassion, replacing judgment with love.

Bening speaks with pride about her son’s transition, noting that he has navigated the challenging process with style and intelligence. She describes Stephen as an articulate and thoughtful person, adding, “I’m very, very proud of him.” Bening’s approach to parenting has evolved over the years.

She admits that when she was younger, she thought she could shield her children from suffering. However, she has come to realize that struggles are a part of life and that her role as a parent is less about holding on than about letting go. Today, all of her children are adults and, in her words, “very much their own people.”

Beatty is also a very loving and supportive father. His former co-star, Lily Collins, portrays him as someone who keeps up with the times, whether it’s through his children or his passion for his craft. According to Collins, the actor and his wife, Bening, have nurtured a wonderful family that, in all respects, is ordinary.

In parallel to Beatty’s role as a sexual revolutionary in the years following the stringent customs of the 1950s, his eldest child, Stephen, is also a trailblazer. Stephen is pushing the boundaries of societal norms around sexuality and is an advocate for the transgender community.

As a poet and writer, Stephen shared an “Answer to Seven Questions” about his gender identity on the “WeHappyTrans” website. His nonchalant intelligence is remarkable and demonstrates a unique blend of playfulness, scholarly depth, and eloquence.

When questioned about Stephen, Beatty doesn’t hesitate to express his admiration, saying, “He’s a revolutionary, a genius, and my hero, as are all my children.”

As his children matured and left the nest, Beatty gravitated back toward his other passion – filmmaking. He compares the process of making movies to raising children. Echoing the words of French poet Paul Valery, “A poem is never finished, it’s only abandoned,” Beatty believes the same holds for movies and children. You continue to nurture them, but eventually, you have to let them go.

Stephen, now 32, began to identify as transgender at the age of 14, adopting men’s clothing and a short hairstyle. In 2008, gossip blogger Perez Hilton posted a blind item asking about the teenage daughter of a superstar couple living life as a transgender boy. This post sparked a flurry of comments speculating that the item referred to Kathlyn, who was then 16.

When he was 18, reports surfaced that he was planning to undergo a sex-change operation. These reports suggested that Beatty was deeply affected by his child’s decision. At the age of 20, Stephen publicly announced his transition and expressed the liberation he felt in being able to reveal his true identity.

“It’s nice to finally be able to have my identity be legible to people,” he wrote. In a video presentation, Stephen made several pointed references to his desire for greater empathy and appreciation of human complexity. Interestingly, he omitted any mention of family when expressing gratitude to the most supportive people in his life.

During this time, US media reports suggested that Bening was distressed by her child’s decision to transition and that Beatty was also struggling. Despite the speculations, Stephen remained optimistic about his future. He revealed his dreams of becoming a teacher and his hopes of becoming a father one day.

“I am going to have babies and give them onesies with ‘this is what a transfeminist looks like’ on them,” he declared. Stephen’s journey towards self-discovery and transition has been both a personal and public endeavor. He frequently shares glimpses of his life and passions on his Instagram page, inspiring others with his authenticity and bravery.

On October 9, 2017, Stephen posted a photo of himself that garnered positive responses from his followers. Compliments flowed in, praising his appearance and celebrating his authentic life. One fan exclaimed, “Stephen! You’re so handsome,” while another commented, “Handsome. The best authentic life.” Another follower simply wrote, “Cute.”

These reactions highlight the profound impact Stephen has had on his followers. His bravery to live authentically and share his journey publicly has not only earned him admiration but also made him a beacon of inspiration for many. His story serves as a reminder that embracing one’s true self is not only liberating but also empowering.