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Max Greenfield’s Children: Meet Lilly and Ozzie

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Max Greenfield and his family are sitting together on the grass in front of a brick wall, smiling for a photo.
Credit: Tess Sanchez/Instagram

Max Greenfield’s children, Lilly and Ozzie, were born to the actor and his wife, former casting executive Tess Sanchez. Lilly, the couple’s first child, was born in 2010, while Ozzie arrived in August 2015. Over the years, Lilly has explored performing and volleyball, while Greenfield has described Ozzie as naturally funny and a joy to be around. Although Greenfield occasionally shares stories about his children, much of what is publicly known about them comes from him and Sanchez. Their comments offer a glimpse into their family life while keeping the focus on their experiences as parents.

Who are Max Greenfield’s Children?

Max Greenfield is best known for playing Schmidt on “New Girl” and Dave Johnson on “The Neighborhood.” He and Sanchez married in 2008 and welcomed Lilly in 2010 and Ozzie in 2015. The two children arrived at different points in Greenfield’s career. When Lilly was born, Greenfield was out of work and had considered stepping away from acting. He offered to take care of their baby while Sanchez continued working. 

Greenfield later spoke openly about how unprepared he felt for fatherhood the first time.“I definitely didn’t think I was ready,” he told Parents. He also joked about the challenges of adjusting to life with a newborn. Becoming a father again brought a different experience. By the time Ozzie was born, Greenfield was working on “New Girl” and balancing the demands of the series with family life.

Who is Max Greenfield’s Daughter, Lilly?

Lilly is Greenfield and Sanchez’s first child. She was born in 2010 and grew up as her father’s acting career gained momentum. Greenfield has spoken about Lilly’s interest in performing since she was young. In 2016, he told PEOPLE that she had participated in children’s productions, including “Mary Poppins” and “Annie.” Her interest in performing later extended to television when she appeared with her father on “The Neighborhood.”

Lilly has also developed interests outside acting. Greenfield told Parade in 2025 that his daughter had started playing volleyball and said he was an “all-in” sports parent. Her interests have given Greenfield another way to support her as she grows older. Rather than focusing only on her connection to his acting career, he has spoken about being there for the activities she chooses.

What has Max Greenfield Shared About His Daughter?

Greenfield and Lilly became especially visible together during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he helped homeschool her. In 2020, Greenfield told Fatherly that he felt overwhelmed when he suddenly had to take on the role of her teacher. The experience also became a bonding opportunity. Greenfield and Lilly made humorous videos during breaks from schoolwork, which he said made the difficult period more enjoyable for both of them.

Their videos also showed Lilly’s sense of humor. Greenfield has continued to share occasional moments involving his daughter as she has grown older, including his support for her interests outside acting. In 2025, he spoke about attending her volleyball activities and described himself as an enthusiastic sports parent. He has also attended concerts with Lilly, giving fans another glimpse into their relationship as she has grown into her teenage years.

Who is Max Greenfield’s Son, Ozzie?

Ozzie is Greenfield and Sanchez’s younger child. He was born Aug. 24, 2015, about five years after Lilly. Ozzie was born while Greenfield was working on “New Girl,” adding another layer to the actor’s already busy schedule. Greenfield has spoken about how different parenting felt with two children compared with becoming a father for the first time.

Greenfield has described having two children as a major adjustment. He has spoken about the exhaustion that came with caring for a young child while continuing to work, but he has also made it clear that he enjoys being a father. Unlike the public stories about Lilly’s performing and sports interests, Greenfield has mostly highlighted Ozzie’s personality when talking about him.

What has Max Greenfield Said About Ozzie?

Greenfield has described Ozzie as naturally funny and interested in making people laugh. He has also talked about his son gradually understanding what his father does for a living.

For Greenfield, Ozzie’s reaction to his work has been less about understanding his father as an actor and more about whether he can make people laugh. Those comments have given fans a small glimpse into Ozzie’s personality without Greenfield sharing too much about his private life. Greenfield has also shared occasional humorous moments involving his son on social media, but he generally keeps the details of Ozzie’s life private.

How has Max Greenfield Balanced Fatherhood and His Acting Career?

Greenfield became a father while building his acting career. When Lilly was born, he was out of work and took on more responsibility at home while Sanchez continued working. Later, his career became busier as “New Girl” established him as a recognizable television actor.

By the time Ozzie arrived in 2015, Greenfield was balancing his role on “New Girl” with life as a father of two. He has spoken about how much more demanding parenting became after having a second child. Fatherhood has also influenced Greenfield’s creative work. His experiences with his children helped inspire his first children’s book, “I Don’t Want to Read This Book,” which was published in 2021.

The book centers on a child who does not want to read, connecting to Greenfield’s own experiences trying to encourage his children to read. Greenfield has since published more children’s books, expanding his work beyond acting.

What has Max Greenfield Shared About Raising His Children?

Greenfield and Sanchez have spoken about the values they want to teach their children. In a 2021 interview with Parents, Sanchez said they place particular importance on kindness and compassion. The couple has said they are relaxed about many things but pay close attention to how their children treat and speak to other people.

Greenfield has also spoken about the changing nature of parenting as children grow. His stories about Lilly and Ozzie often focus on everyday experiences, including school, humor, sports and the challenges of raising two children. Those experiences have given him material for his work while also shaping how he approaches fatherhood.

Why Does Max Greenfield Keep His Children’s Lives Private? 

Greenfield does share occasional photographs, videos and stories involving Lilly and Ozzie, but he does not publicly discuss every part of their lives. Much of the information available about the children comes from Greenfield and Sanchez when they choose to talk about their family.

That means there is limited public information about the children beyond the details their parents have shared. Greenfield’s interviews tend to focus on what he has learned from being a father rather than presenting Lilly and Ozzie as celebrities themselves.

For Greenfield, fatherhood appears to be less about putting his children in the spotlight and more about supporting them as they grow. From helping Lilly with school during the pandemic to cheering her on at volleyball and celebrating Ozzie’s sense of humor, he has shared small moments that show how his role as a father has changed over the years.









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