Being a Mom Is as Good as It Gets! Meet Helen Hunt’s Daughter Makena and Stepson Emmett

When it comes to motherhood, Helen Hunt has it as good as it gets. The Mad About You actress is the loving mom of her daughter, Makena Lei Gordon Carnahan, as well as the stepmom of her stepson, Emmett Carnahan.

Helen welcomed her only child during her relationship with ex-boyfriend Matthew Carnahan. The As Good As It Gets star and the Valley of the Boom writer first became a couple in 2001, and at that time, Helen became the stepmother of his eldest son, Emmett, whom he welcomed during a previous relationship.

After experiencing motherhood with Emmett, Helen went on to have a child of her own. In 2004, the Oscar winner and the House of Lies director welcomed their little girl. At the time Makena arrived, Helen took a step back from her career as a Hollywood actress so she could be there for her kiddos as they were growing up.

“I fell in love, I had a daughter,” Helen sweetly shared with People in 2008. “It was hard to find a part that was as interesting as watching her grow up.”

Once the Golden Globe winner’s daughter was born, Helen realized her life just wasn’t the same anymore. “Why go off and pretend to be someone’s mother, or pretend to be someone’s wife, when I finally had the chance to have that experience in my real life?” she said.

Helen and Matthew raised their blended family for more than a decade before calling it quits in 2017. Although the pair “always appeared to be super in love,” a source told In Touch Weekly at the time, Helen could not work past her “trust issues” and they decided to call it quits.

After everything that happened, however, the Twister alum continues to be the best mom. She simply does this by being very open with her kids. “Tell the truth,” Helen exclusively told Closer Weekly about the best parenting advice she has to offer.

With Helen as a role model, there’s no doubt both Emmett and Makena have a bright future.

Scroll through the gallery below to learn more about the actress’ daughter and stepson!