Single Dad Dean Cain Cooks Every Meal for Son It Took 'A Split Second' to Choose Baby over Caree

May 18, 2024

Dean Cain has never gotten married, but he has a son he walked away from acting to raise. His boy has left the nest for college, and Cain is finally ready to start a new chapter of his life, hoping to meet the right woman with whom he can set down roots.

Dean Cain never knew his father. The man had been from Japan, and Dean, originally named Tanaka, had never met him. When his mom married again when he was four, he took the Cain name.

His stepfather, film director Christopher Cain, adopted him and his big brother, Roger, after he married their mom, Sharon Thomas, in 1969. Christopher did right by Dean and his family, and the actor did not take that lightly.

Dean Cain attends the Chiller Theatre Expo Halloween 2022 at Hilton Parsippany on October 28, 2022, in Parsippany, New Jersey. | Source: Getty Images

His experience as an adoptee influenced him later in life, and he even named his son after his adopted father. He once stated that having a father who stepped up to raise him was one of the biggest factors in his life.

Dean believes that being a father is an important responsibility, and in the absence of a man to fill the role, a child is more likely to end up in jail, in trouble, or both. His sentiments and experience influenced his decision to pick fatherhood over being an actor.

When he found out he was to be a father, he knew what would need to happen. He had been adopted at four and could still remember how important it was for his life. Even his choice of career was influenced because of how much time he spent around Christopher.

Dean Cain attends the 2022 Fandemic Tour at Georgia World Congress Center on March 19, 2022, in Atlanta, Georgia. | Source: Getty Images

As earlier stated, the man was a director, which meant he spent a lot of time on sets. Dean lived most of his childhood moving from set to set, and he loved it. He said

"There's something about it which is really interesting."

He Didn’t Hesitate When It Came to Choosing Family

Dean Cain once opened up about how hard it was to date a woman in Hollywood. The actor said it was not difficult to get a date; however, the same could not be said for the second date.

Dean Cain speaks during Dr. Oz Honored With Star On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame on February 11, 2022, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images

The handsome actor also has a standard when it comes to women. According to him, there has to be physical attraction, she has to be very kind, and above all, her intellect must be very sharp.

His son is now old enough to have girlfriends and has been asking Dean for advice.

Perhaps, that's why Dean has never married, even though he is a suitable bachelor. The woman he may have gone that far with was his girlfriend, Samantha Torres, who eventually had his only child, Christopher, but they never made it to the altar.

Dean Cain attends the 24th Family Film Awards at Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City on March 24, 2021, in Universal City, California. | Source: Getty Images

After the couple split up, they had a terrible custody battle for 18 months. It ended in 2003, three years after their son, Christopher Dean Cain, was born. They were awarded joint custody, which lasted for years, but things changed in 2011.

Torres and Dean agreed that it was best for their son to live permanently with the actor for stability. A judge accepted their agreement based on the need for Christopher to be raised in one household, but according to Dean, he still saw his mom as much as he wanted.

Dean Cain pictured carrying Teri Hatcher while portraying Superman. | Source: Getty Images

He hinted at what may have made them take that step when he said: "... she's got her hands full, and he's got a stable place with me." Dean takes his job as a father very seriously, and he is as single as they come. The actor has stated many times that, contrary to popular opinion, he has never been married and is just a single father.

After getting full custody of his son, Dean realized he could not afford to be absent as he now had to raise his son alone. Dean has been vocal about how he regrets missing some things Christopher did and that it was terrible.

Dean Cain and son Christopher during "Home on the Range" Premiere - Arrivals at El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California, United States. | Source: Getty Images

Later, Dean revealed that he had to turn down some great career opportunities to focus on being a father to his son. He said:

"It affected my career like I can't even explain. I turned down being one of, if not the highest-paid actor on television, for a show that ended up going six years."

Dean said the contract was alluring, but he knew he had to forego being a present father by taking the deal, so he decided to choose his son. According to Dean, it took him less than a second to know his answer.

Christopher Cain and Dean Cain during Aspen Peak at the Opening of The New Ralph Lauren Aspen Store at The New Ralph Lauren store in Aspen in Aspen, Colorado, United States. | Source: Getty Images

The proud father spent 18 years like that, making career decisions based on how they affected his priority which was being a present father. He has admitted to getting a lot of taunts and jabs from netizens, but he only cares about doing work that does not keep him away from his kid.

He turned down rigorous jobs, but even the simpler ones still taxed him greatly. He had to endure the pressure of being a single parent, but through it all, one thing was constant: his child over everything else. Dean's friend, Kristi Swanson, said:

"He's the kind of dad everybody wishes for. He's so proud and just madly in love with his child."

Catering to Christopher takes up most, meaning Dean hardly ever has time to socialize, not to mention go out on dates, even though he has been hoping to meet his missing rib for some time now. When he is not with Dean, Christopher sometimes spends time with his grandfather, whom he was named after.

His Son Prefers His Food

Given how much time they spend together, it is not shocking that Christopher and his father share a close bond. The actor has revealed that he cooks every meal for his son. He seems to enjoy it, and fortunately, Christopher likes it too.

Dean Cain and Christopher Dean Cain attend the premiere of Open Roads Films' 'The Promise' at TCL Chinese Theatre on April 12, 2017, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images

Dean once told his fans about how they went to a steak restaurant one day, but his son just wanted some he made because he believed they were better. Dean takes pride in his parenting skills and has tagged himself as a fun parent who even allows playing football inside the house.

He also spends time with Christopher's half-siblings, Torre's twins, Elijah and Isabella. According to him, they came by often, and he would "do anything" for them.

Dean believes that he has forged a powerful bond with his son and that not even the teenage angst most parents have to face at some point will affect it. Dean says Christopher will have to "fight" to stop him from "kissing" him.

He may be right because his son is now old enough to have girlfriends and has been asking Dean for advice. The only thing the proud father is worried about is the rapid rate at which his son's height is increasing.

He Still Searches for Mrs. Right

Dean has been a great father, but his love life is stunted. The handsome actor remains steadfast on his potential wife's standards and hopes that waiting until a certain age would work in his favor.

Dean Cain attends Comic-Con Revolution held at Ontario Convention Center on December 18, 2021, in Ontario, California. | Source: Getty Images

Dean, who used to be a casanova on the Hollywood scene, has dated the likes of Brooke Shields, Pam Anderson, and the late Mindy McCready.

He says he has more clarity now and has stated that his son needs to sign off on the woman but that he wants to meet the right one he can marry. Christopher supports him in his desire. He says he wants Dean to "enjoy life" and "have peace."

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