Owen Tyler Sussman is the younger son of legendary American talk show host and actress Ricki Lake and the late American illustrator Rob Sussman. Born on 18 June 2001, Owen has become one of America’s most quietly admired celebrity children, deliberately choosing education, art, environmental activism, and music over the Hollywood spotlight his mother famously occupied.
Famously born via water birth in the family bathtub, a moment later featured in the 2008 documentary The Business of Being Born (produced by his mother), Owen has spent his entire adult life avoiding public attention, even while his name continues to attract online curiosity. After being homeschooled early on, he later attended college in Chicago, Illinois.
This is the most complete and accurate profile of Owen Tyler Sussman available, covering his parents, brother Milo, education, hobbies, the documentary he appeared in as a newborn, and his 2026 net worth.
Owen Tyler Sussman Bio/Wiki
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Owen Tyler Sussman |
| Nickname | Tyler |
| Date of Birth | 18 June 2001 (per IMDb / Rob Sussman’s verified biography) |
| Age (2026) | 24 years old |
| Zodiac Sign | Gemini |
| Place of Birth | Manhattan, New York / Los Angeles (sources conflict) |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White (Caucasian) |
| Mother | Ricki Lake (talk show host, actress) |
| Father | Rob Sussman (illustrator; deceased 2007) |
| Brother | Milo Sebastian Sussman (born 22 March 1997) |
| Education | Homeschooled (early years); college in Chicago, Illinois |
| Interests | Music (guitar), photography, surfing, environmental activism, technology |
| Documentary Appearance | The Business of Being Born (2008) |
| Marital Status | Single (no publicly confirmed relationships) |
| Girlfriend | None publicly confirmed |
| Children | None |
| Estimated Net Worth (2026) | ~$1 million (unverified) |
Who Is Owen Tyler Sussman?
Owen Tyler Sussman is one of the most quietly intentional young adults in American celebrity-child culture. Born into a household with one of the most recognizable daytime television personalities of the 1990s and 2000s, his mother Ricki Lake, Owen could have leveraged his last name for instant access to Hollywood. He didn’t.
Instead, he was homeschooled to shield him from media attention, later attended college in Chicago, and has built a private adult life centered on music, photography, surfing, environmental activism, and technology, none of which he has tried to monetize through fame. He maintains no public social media accounts and has given zero interviews as an adult.
What makes Owen’s story unique is how it began. He was born via water birth in the family bathtub, a moment captured on film and later featured in his mother’s 2008 documentary The Business of Being Born. He is, in a very literal sense, one of the most-watched newborns in American film history, and now, as a 24-year-old in 2026, one of the least-seen celebrity adults.
The Famous Water Birth Story
Owen’s birth is one of the most documented home births in American culture. When Ricki Lake gave birth on 18 June 2001, she chose to do so via water birth in the family’s bathtub, attended by a midwife, two assistants, and his father, Rob Sussman.
The details:
- Weight at birth: 8 lbs 7 oz
- Location: Family bathtub (home water birth)
- Attendants: Midwife + two assistants + father Rob Sussman
- Type: Natural, unmedicated home birth
Seven years later, that birth would become the opening footage of The Business of Being Born (2008), a Ricki Lake–produced documentary that challenged the medicalization of American childbirth and inspired a wave of home-birth interest across the United States.
In other words, Owen Tyler Sussman’s birth itself became a cultural moment, even before he could speak.
Early Life and Background
Owen Tyler Sussman was born on 18 June 2001, with most sources listing his birthplace as Manhattan, New York, though a few cite Los Angeles, California. Given the family’s bicoastal life during this period (Ricki Lake’s talk show was filmed in New York while she maintained ties to LA), both cities played a role in his early childhood.
His childhood was unusually well-documented:
- His parents had been married for seven years at the time of his birth (married 26 March 1994 in Las Vegas)
- His older brother Milo was four when he was born
- His birth was filmed for the documentary that would later go global
- His mother was at the peak of her daytime-TV fame with The Ricki Lake Show still airing
Despite the spotlight surrounding the family, Owen’s parents made deliberate choices to shield him from media exposure, choices that have shaped every part of his life since.
Owen Tyler Sussman’s Education
Owen Tyler Sussman was initially homeschooled, a deliberate choice by his mother Ricki Lake, who wanted to protect him from paparazzi and unwanted public attention during his formative years. Homeschooling allowed him to develop his interests in music, art, and technology in a peaceful environment, away from the pressures of being a recognized celebrity child.
After completing his earlier education, Owen moved away from the family’s main residences to attend college in Chicago, Illinois, a choice that reflects his desire for independence and privacy away from the entertainment industries of New York and Los Angeles.
His specific major and degree have not been publicly disclosed, in keeping with his lifelong privacy approach. What is known is that he pursued higher education on his own terms, valuing personal growth over publicized achievements.
Owen Tyler Sussman’s Age and Zodiac
Owen Tyler Sussman is 24 years old in 2026, born on 18 June 2001. His zodiac sign is Gemini, fitting for someone with wide-ranging interests spanning music, photography, surfing, environmental activism, coding, and travel.
Geminis are traditionally associated with adaptability, intellectual curiosity, and versatility, all of which appear consistently in available descriptions of Owen’s personality and pursuits.
Owen’s Height, Weight, and Physical Appearance
Owen Tyler Sussman’s exact height, weight, and physical measurements have not been publicly disclosed. Like many private celebrity children, he has kept these details out of the public record, and any specific numbers circulating online should be considered unverified.
What can be reasonably inferred from family photographs:
- Build: Slim, athletic, consistent with his interest in surfing and outdoor activities
- Hair Colour: Brown
- Eye Colour: Brown
- Style: Casual, understated, typical “low-key college student” aesthetic rather than Hollywood-glam
He carries himself in a relaxed and calm manner that matches his quiet, private personality. He has never appeared in professional photoshoots or red-carpet events as an adult, making detailed physical descriptions difficult to verify.
Owen Tyler Sussman’s Parents
Mother: Ricki Lake
Ricki Pamela Lake was born on 21 September 1968 in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. She rose to fame in the late 1980s as a teen star in John Waters’s films Hairspray (1988) and Cry-Baby (1990), then transitioned to daytime television with The Ricki Lake Show, which aired from 1993 to 2004 and made her one of the youngest and most successful talk-show hosts in American television history.
Beyond her on-camera work, Ricki is also a producer, most notably of the 2008 documentary The Business of Being Born, which featured Owen’s birth and reshaped American conversations about natural childbirth.
Father: Rob Sussman
Robert “Rob” Sussman was born in 1966 in New York and worked as an American illustrator, with his work appearing in major publications including The New York Times and Wired Magazine. He was widely respected in editorial-illustration circles for his artistic sensibility, creativity, and political work.
Sadly, Rob Sussman passed away in 2007 when Owen was just 6 years old, a devastating loss for the family. Despite his short life with his son, Rob’s artistic legacy is widely credited as a major influence on Owen’s interests in music, photography, and visual creativity.
Their Marriage and Divorce
After roughly 9 years of marriage, Ricki and Rob divorced in 2003 or 2004 (sources vary slightly on the exact year).
Despite the divorce, they remained committed co-parents, and Rob remained closely involved with both Milo and Owen until his death in 2007.
Owen Tyler Sussman’s Brother
Owen has one older brother, Milo Sebastian Sussman, born on 22 March 1997, making him approximately four years and three months older than Owen.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Milo Sebastian Sussman |
| Date of Birth | 22 March 1997 |
| Age (2026) | 29 years old |
| Place of Birth | New York, USA |
| Parents | Ricki Lake and Rob Sussman |
| Public Profile | Private, like Owen |
The four-year age gap between Milo and Owen has fostered a strong, protective sibling bond. Both brothers were raised under their mother’s spotlight but deliberately encouraged by both parents to value privacy, education, and personal growth over celebrity status. Milo, like Owen, has chosen to maintain a very low public profile.
The Lake-Sussman Family Tree
| Family Member | Relationship to Owen |
|---|---|
| Ricki Lake | Mother (born 21 September 1968) |
| Rob Sussman | Father (born 1966; died 2007) |
| Milo Sebastian Sussman | Older brother (born 22 March 1997) |
| Christian Evans | Former stepfather (Ricki’s second husband; deceased 2017) |
| Ross Burningham | Current stepfather (Ricki’s third husband; married 2022) |
Owen Tyler Sussman’s Marital Status and Relationships
Owen Tyler Sussman is currently single, with no publicly confirmed marriage or romantic relationship as of 2026.
Consistent with his lifelong commitment to privacy, Owen has never publicly confirmed a girlfriend, dating life, or relationship status at any point. He has:
- No public dating history
- Never appeared with a partner at public events
- Never been photographed with a romantic interest
- Never publicly discussed his sexual orientation
This is deliberate, not coincidental. While most 24-year-olds have an active dating presence on social media, Owen has chosen to keep his romantic life completely off the record, in keeping with how his entire family has approached his identity since birth.
Any specific names of girlfriends or relationships circulating online should be considered unverified speculation, as no authoritative source has reported on Owen’s romantic life.
Owen Tyler Sussman Children
No. Owen Tyler Sussman has no children as of 2026. At 24 years old and with no publicly known marriage or long-term partnership, Owen has not yet started a family.
Given his deeply private lifestyle, it’s unlikely he would publicly announce a future relationship or family milestone unless he chose to do so on his own terms.
Owen Tyler Sussman on Wikipedia
Owen Tyler Sussman does not currently have his own dedicated Wikipedia page as of 2026. He is referenced briefly in the Wikipedia entry for his mother Ricki Lake and in connection with The Business of Being Born documentary, but he has not met Wikipedia’s notability standards as an independent subject, a direct consequence of his deliberate choice to stay out of public life.
Owen Tyler Sussman’s Social Media
Owen Tyler Sussman maintains no verified public social media accounts.
- Instagram: No verified public account
- X / Twitter: No verified public account
- Facebook: No public profile
- TikTok: No public presence
This is unusual for a 24-year-old in 2026, and it tells you everything you need to know about his priorities. While most people his age maintain active social media, Owen has deliberately stayed offline, consistent with the privacy-focused upbringing his parents emphasized.
Owen Tyler Sussman’s Interests and Activities
Although Owen has not pursued a public career, he is widely reported to have a range of meaningful interests:
Music
Owen is known to play the guitar and has reportedly performed at small local venues and bars, choosing intimate settings over large public stages. Music appears to be his deepest creative outlet, a natural extension of growing up with a performer mother and an artist father.
Photography
He is passionate about photography, particularly landscape and nature work, a hobby that pairs naturally with his interests in surfing, the outdoors, and environmental causes.
Surfing
Owen learned to surf during family trips to Hawaii and has continued the hobby into adulthood. Surfing aligns with his overall outdoor-and-nature-focused lifestyle.
Environmental Activism
He has reportedly been involved in climate change awareness and ocean preservation efforts, demonstrating a values-driven approach to public engagement that doesn’t require fame.
Technology and Coding
Owen has also worked in coding and app development, showing the kind of tech literacy that defines his Gen-Z generation. This interest, combined with his environmental focus, suggests he may be drawn to sustainability technology or related fields.
Travel
He enjoys traveling to culturally significant destinations around the world, another hobby consistent with his curious, exploratory personality.
The Business of Being Born Documentary
Owen Tyler Sussman’s birth is featured in the opening of The Business of Being Born, a 2008 American documentary produced by Ricki Lake and directed by Abby Epstein. The film explores the medical industry around childbirth in the United States and advocates for natural-birth options including midwifery and home birth.
Owen’s home water birth was used as a personal anchor for the film’s broader argument, making his birth one of the most-viewed births in American documentary history. The film:
- Premiered at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival
- Was released theatrically in 2008
- Helped spark a major national conversation about home birth and midwifery in the US
- Was followed by sequels (More Business of Being Born, The Business of Being Born: Life After)
So while Owen has spent his adult life avoiding cameras, his earliest moments are part of one of the most influential health-policy documentaries of the 2000s.
Owen Tyler Sussman’s Net Worth in 2026
Estimating Owen’s net worth requires honesty: no verified financial disclosure exists.
His wealth almost certainly comes from a combination of:
- Family financial support, Ricki Lake is estimated to have a net worth of $16 million or more
- Possible inheritance from his late father Rob Sussman’s estate
- No publicly known career income since he has not pursued a public profession
A reasonable, conservative 2026 estimate is approximately $1 million, primarily reflecting family wealth and likely inheritance rather than personal career earnings. Sources publishing higher figures are speculating without evidence.
Why Owen Tyler Sussman Stays Private
Several factors explain his deliberate privacy:
- His birth was already over-documented through The Business of Being Born
- His mother experienced public-eye challenges (depression, weight struggles, self-esteem) that she has openly discussed
- His father’s 2007 death when Owen was 6 likely shaped his sense of what truly matters
- His parents deliberately homeschooled him to avoid media exposure
- He chose college in Chicago specifically to escape New York / LA paparazzi
- His personality is described as calm, thoughtful, and reflective
Privacy, for Owen, isn’t a marketing strategy. It’s a life decision rooted in family experience.
Lesser-Known Facts About Owen Tyler Sussman
- His correct birth date is 18 June 2001, not 29 August 2001 as several online sources incorrectly claim.
- He was born in his family’s bathtub via water birth, weighing 8 lbs 7 oz.
- His birth was the opening of his mother’s 2008 documentary The Business of Being Born.
- His father Rob Sussman died in 2007, when Owen was just 6 years old.
- His parents married in Las Vegas on 26 March 1994 after meeting on Halloween 1993.
- He was homeschooled during his early years to protect his privacy.
- He attended college in Chicago, choosing a city specifically removed from NY and LA fame circles.
- He plays the guitar and has performed at small local venues rather than large stages.
- He learned to surf during family trips to Hawaii.
- He goes by the nickname “Tyler” in private settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Owen Tyler Sussman?
Owen Tyler Sussman is the younger son of American talk show host and actress Ricki Lake and the late illustrator Rob Sussman. Born on 18 June 2001, he has chosen a private life focused on music, photography, surfing, and environmental activism.
How old is Owen Tyler Sussman?
Owen Tyler Sussman was born on 18 June 2001, making him 24 years old in 2026. His zodiac sign is Gemini.
When is Owen Tyler Sussman’s birthday?
His birthday is 18 June, not 29 August as some online sources incorrectly state. The correct date is confirmed by IMDb’s verified biography of his father, Rob Sussman.
Who are Owen Tyler Sussman’s parents?
His mother is Ricki Lake, the famous American talk show host and actress, and his father was Rob Sussman, an American illustrator who passed away in 2007.
Does Owen Tyler Sussman have siblings?
Yes. He has one older brother, Milo Sebastian Sussman, born on 22 March 1997. The brothers share a close bond and were raised together by their parents.
Where did Owen Tyler Sussman go to college?
He attended college in Chicago, Illinois, after being homeschooled in his earlier years. His specific major and university have not been publicly disclosed.
What does Owen Tyler Sussman do for a living?
Owen has no publicly known full-time career as of 2026. He is known to pursue interests in music (guitar), photography, surfing, environmental activism, and coding, but has not pursued public professional work.
Is Owen Tyler Sussman on social media?
No. Owen does not maintain any verified public social media accounts, consistent with his lifelong commitment to privacy.
Is Owen Tyler Sussman on Wikipedia?
No. He does not currently have a dedicated Wikipedia page as of 2026. He is referenced only in entries for his mother and The Business of Being Born documentary.
What is Owen Tyler Sussman’s net worth?
A reasonable 2026 estimate is approximately $1 million, based primarily on family wealth and likely inheritance. No verified financial disclosure exists.
How tall is Owen Tyler Sussman?
His exact height has not been publicly disclosed. He is described as having a slim, athletic build based on family photographs.
What documentary featured Owen Tyler Sussman as a baby?
His water birth in the family bathtub was featured in his mother’s 2008 documentary The Business of Being Born, which advocated for natural-birth and midwifery options in American childbirth.
When did Owen Tyler Sussman’s father pass away?
Rob Sussman passed away in 2007, when Owen was just 6 years old.
Why is Owen Tyler Sussman so private?
He grew up in a family that deliberately chose to shield him from media attention, was homeschooled to protect his privacy, and chose college in Chicago specifically to escape New York and LA celebrity circles. His privacy is a deliberate life choice, not accidental.
Is Owen Tyler Sussman in a relationship?
No publicly confirmed relationship. He keeps his personal and romantic life entirely private, there is no verified information about a girlfriend or partner.
Does Owen Tyler Sussman have children?
No. As of 2026, Owen Tyler Sussman has no children. At 24 years old with no publicly known marriage or long-term relationship, he has not started a family.
Is Owen Tyler Sussman married?
No. Owen Tyler Sussman is not married and has never been married. He keeps his personal life entirely private.
Final Thoughts
Owen Tyler Sussman’s story is the story of choosing your own life when fame is offered to you on a plate. His birth was filmed and turned into a documentary watched by millions. His mother is one of the most recognizable TV personalities of her generation. His father was a respected New York illustrator. He had every advantage to build a Hollywood career, and he chose not to.
Instead, he picked up a guitar, learned to surf, started taking landscape photos, got into coding, moved to Chicago for college, and disappeared from the public eye almost entirely. In a culture obsessed with monetizing every aspect of celebrity identity, that quiet exit isn’t just unusual, it’s the most interesting thing a celebrity kid can do.
At 24, he represents a new model of celebrity-child success: not the one with the most followers, not the one launching a fashion line, not the one selling a memoir, but the one who simply lives a meaningful, private life on his own terms. And in that sense, his greatest accomplishment is that you barely know who he is.
Key Takeaways
- Owen Tyler Sussman is the younger son of Ricki Lake (American talk show host) and the late Rob Sussman (illustrator).
- He was born on 18 June 2001, NOT 29 August as some online sources incorrectly state.
- He was born via water birth in the family bathtub, weighing 8 lbs 7 oz.
- His birth was featured in his mother’s 2008 documentary The Business of Being Born.
- His father Rob Sussman died in 2007 when Owen was just 6 years old.
- He has one older brother, Milo Sebastian Sussman, born 22 March 1997.
- He was homeschooled during his early years and later attended college in Chicago, Illinois.
- His interests include music (guitar), photography, surfing, environmental activism, and technology.
- His estimated 2026 net worth is approximately $1 million (unverified).
- He maintains no verified public social media accounts, in keeping with his lifelong commitment to privacy.