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Actress Frances McDormand is known for her many incredible roles in film. From “Fargo” to “Nomadland,” the Academy Award winner has moved audiences around the world for her incredible performances over the past several years. One of the most profound experiences the star has experienced, however, is parenthood. Did you know that Frances McDormand’s son was adopted?
Frances McDormand and her husband – Filmmaker Joel Coen – adopted their son, Pedro, from Paraguay as an infant. Frances and Joel met while working on the film “Blood Simple” together in 1984. The Hollywood power couple have enjoyed a solid, steady relationship for more than 40 years, and have eight Academy Awards between them, but one of the most rewarding experiences of their lives has been raising their son together. If you are a fan of the filmmakers, you may be interested in the Frances McDormand adoption story, as well.
The Journey to Parenthood
Before meeting her husband, Frances McDormand knew she wanted to start a family.
“I had always, always, from early adulthood, wanted to be a mother, and I really yearned for that,” she explained in an interview with The Times in 2017. “It was a physical ache in my groin.”
The road to parenthood proved to be a challenging one, however. Frances and Joel learned they could not have a child biologically.
“We tried, but nature didn’t come through,” she shared.
While she could have pursued fertility treatments, Frances decided against it.
“Infertility was a different thing, and it was kind of like, from a woman’s point of view, becoming a science experiment – and I really didn’t want to become a science experiment. I wanted to become a parent.”
Finally, her wish was granted – when she decided on adoption.
A Family History of Adoption
The decision to adopt must have been a natural one for Frances, who comes from an adoptive family herself. Born Cynthia Ann Smith in in 1957 Illinois, she was adopted by Noreen and Vernon McDormand as an infant. The couple raised her – along with her other adopted siblings – in the greater Pittsburgh area.
Frances spoke about her family upbringing in an interview with The New York Times. She explained that her adoptive parents adopted three children, but there were nine kids in total, including those that were fostered.
“They even took in stray cats,” she explained.
As a teenager, Frances had the opportunity to meet her birth mother but decided against it.
She has expressed the deep respect she holds for her adoptive parents, describing them as “solid, working-class, educated people.”
Parenting Pedro
In 1995, McDormand and Coen adopted Pedro, an infant born in Paraguay. The experience was deeply moving for Frances. Her son’s adoption, in fact, left the actress considering writing a book about adoption, drawing from her personal experiences with adoption.
“As a mother, you live on the edge of disaster. I didn’t give birth to my son – I met him at six months old – but from the minute I held him and smelled him, I knew it was my job to keep him alive,” Frances told the Belfast Telegraph.
Frances and Joel decided to raise Pedro in New York throughout the many successful years of their careers. The family of three celebrated pagan holidays instead of the Christian holidays of which Frances was accustomed.
“I couldn’t commit to Christianity,” she explained to Vogue, “But nature – I could always commit to that, and the power of it.
Pedro has maintained a close relationship with his parents over the years. Now all grown up, and working as a personal trainer and massage therapist, Pedro frequently shares photos and appreciation posts highlighting his famous parents. He has also expressed interest in starting a career in Hollywood, much like his parents. Pedro also holds pride in his country of birth. He keeps the Paraguayan flag on his Instagram profile and on his skin – an arm tattoo that he has proudly shared on social media, as well.
Pedro has served as an inspiration for Frances in her career, including her Oscar-winning role in “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.” During an interview with Belfast Telegraph, she shared that her character’s anger as a mother struck a chord with her, because “as a parent, you also come to see how the worry and the anxiety that goes along with protecting someone who you give yourself to in that way – that you surrender to – can become degenerative.” She went on to share how she used her own fierce sense of protection for her son as fuel for her performance.
Frances McDormand’s son has also helped her realize her purpose in life. Back in 2000, she explained to the Tampa Bay Times that Pedro and Coen’s relationship is one of her greatest fulfillments.
“The reason I was born was to introduce Joel and Pedro together. The first time I saw them together I knew that’s why I was born.”
Frances McDormand and Joel Coen’s adoption story is a powerful example of how family is made from love, commitment, and shared experiences – not just DNA. Their family story is unique and beautiful and can serve as an inspiring tale for anyone considering adoption.
Learn More About Adoption
If you would like to learn more about adoption – whether you are an expectant/birth parent or a hopeful adoptive parent – reach out to Adoptions With Love. We can help you throughout the adoption process, offering the support, guidance, and care you deserve. Call 800-722-7731, text us confidentially at 1-617-777-0072, or contact us online.