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 that his mother famously occupied.
Famously born through a 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 though his name continues to attract online curiosity. After being homeschooled during his early years, 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 in which he appeared as a newborn, and his estimated net worth in 2026.
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 among American celebrity children. Born into a family led by one of the most recognizable daytime television personalities of the 1990s and 2000s, his mother, Ricki Lake, Owen could have used his family name to gain instant access to Hollywood. He chose not to.
Instead, he was homeschooled to protect him from media attention, later attended college in Chicago, and built a private adult life centered on music, photography, surfing, environmental activism, and technology. He has not attempted to turn any of these interests into fame. He maintains no public social media accounts and has given no interviews as an adult.
What makes Owen’s story unique is how it began. He was born through a 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 real sense, one of the most-watched newborns in American documentary 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 have a 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, and father Rob Sussman
Type: Natural, unmedicated home birth
Seven years later, that birth became the opening footage of The Business of Being Born (2008), a documentary produced by Ricki Lake that challenged the medicalization of childbirth in the United States and inspired renewed interest in home births across the country.
In other words, Owen Tyler Sussman’s birth became a cultural moment even before he could speak.
Early Life and Background
Owen Tyler Sussman was born on 18 June 2001. Most sources list his birthplace as Manhattan, New York, while a few cite Los Angeles, California. Given the family’s bicoastal lifestyle during that period, with The Ricki Lake Show filmed in New York while Ricki Lake maintained ties to Los Angeles, both cities played important roles in his early childhood.
His childhood was unusually well documented:
His parents had been married for seven years when he was born (they married on 26 March 1994 in Las Vegas).
His older brother, Milo, was four years old when Owen was born.
His birth was filmed for the documentary that would later gain worldwide attention.
His mother was at the height of her daytime television career while The Ricki Lake Show was still on the air.
Despite the spotlight surrounding the family, Owen’s parents made a deliberate effort to protect him from media exposure. Those decisions have shaped nearly every aspect of his life ever since.
Owen Tyler Sussman’s Education
Owen Tyler Sussman was initially homeschooled, a deliberate decision made 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 growing up as the child of a well-known celebrity.
After completing his early education, Owen moved away from the family’s primary residences to attend college in Chicago, Illinois. This decision reflected 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, consistent with his lifelong preference for privacy. What is known is that he pursued higher education on his own terms, valuing personal growth over public recognition.
Owen Tyler Sussman’s Age and Zodiac
Owen Tyler Sussman is 24 years old in 2026, having been born on 18 June 2001. His zodiac sign is Gemini, which suits someone with a wide range of interests, including music, photography, surfing, environmental activism, coding, and travel.
Geminis are traditionally associated with adaptability, intellectual curiosity, and versatility, qualities that appear consistently in the available descriptions of Owen’s personality and interests.
Owen Tyler Sussman’s Height, Weight, and Physical Appearance
Owen Tyler Sussman’s exact height, weight, and body measurements have not been publicly disclosed. Like many private celebrity children, he has kept these details out of the public record, and any specific figures circulating online should be considered unverified.
What can reasonably be observed from family photographs:
Build: Slim and athletic, consistent with his interest in surfing and outdoor activities
Hair Colour: Brown
Eye Colour: Brown
Style: Casual and understated, with a typical low-key college student appearance rather than a Hollywood-inspired style
He carries himself in a relaxed and calm manner that reflects his quiet, private personality. As an adult, he has never appeared in professional photoshoots or on red carpets, making detailed descriptions of his appearance 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 teenage star in John Waters’s films Hairspray (1988) and Cry-Baby (1990). She later 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-screen career, Ricki is also a producer, most notably of the 2008 documentary The Business of Being Born, which featured Owen’s birth and helped reshape public discussions about natural childbirth in the United States.
Father: Rob Sussman
Robert “Rob” Sussman was born in 1966 in New York and worked as an American illustrator. His artwork appeared in major publications, including The New York Times and Wired magazine. He was widely respected in editorial illustration for his artistic talent, creativity, and political artwork.
Sadly, Rob Sussman passed away in 2007, when Owen was just six years old, a devastating loss for the family. Despite having only a few years with his son, Rob’s artistic legacy is often credited as an important influence on Owen’s interests in music, photography, and visual creativity.
Their Marriage and Divorce
After approximately nine years of marriage, Ricki Lake and Rob Sussman divorced in either 2003 or 2004, as sources differ slightly on the exact year.
Despite their divorce, they remained committed co-parents, and Rob stayed actively involved in the lives of both Milo and Owen until his death in 2007.
Owen Tyler Sussman’s Brother
Owen has one older brother, Milo Sebastian Sussman, who was 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
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 having a girlfriend, discussed his dating life, or revealed his relationship status. He has:
No public dating history
Never appeared with a partner at public events
Never been photographed with a romantic partner
Never publicly discussed his sexual orientation
This is a deliberate choice, not a coincidence. While many 24-year-olds maintain an active dating presence on social media, Owen has chosen to keep his romantic life completely private, consistent with the way his family has protected his privacy since birth.
Any names of girlfriends or relationships circulating online should be treated as 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, with no publicly known marriage or long-term relationship, he has not started a family.
Given his deeply private lifestyle, it is unlikely that 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 a dedicated Wikipedia page as of 2026. He is briefly referenced in the Wikipedia entry for his mother, Ricki Lake ,and in connection with The Business of Being Born documentary.
However, he has not met Wikipedia’s notability guidelines as an independent subject, largely because of his deliberate decision to stay out of public life.
Owen Tyler Sussman’s Social Media
Owen Tyler Sussman does not maintain any 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 reflects his priorities. While many people his age actively use social media, Owen has deliberately remained offline, consistent with the privacy-focused upbringing encouraged by his parents.
Owen Tyler Sussman’s Interests and Activities
Although Owen has not pursued a public career, he is widely reported to have a variety of meaningful interests.
Music
Owen is known to play the guitar and has reportedly performed at small local venues and bars, choosing intimate settings instead of large public stages. Music appears to be his strongest 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 photography, a hobby that naturally complements his interests in surfing, the outdoors, and environmental conservation.
Surfing
Owen learned to surf during family trips to Hawaii and has continued the hobby into adulthood. Surfing aligns with his outdoor lifestyle and appreciation for nature.
Environmental Activism
He has reportedly participated in climate change awareness and ocean conservation efforts, demonstrating a values-driven approach to public engagement that does not depend on fame.
Technology and Coding
Owen has also explored coding and app development, reflecting the technological interests common among his generation. Combined with his passion for environmental issues, this may suggest an interest in sustainability-related technology.
Travel
He enjoys traveling to culturally significant destinations around the world, another interest that reflects his curious and adventurous personality.
The Business of Being Born Documentary
Owen Tyler Sussman’s birth is featured at the beginning of The Business of Being Born, a 2008 American documentary produced by Ricki Lake and directed by Abby Epstein. The documentary examines the childbirth industry in the United States and advocates for natural birth options, including midwifery and home birth.
Owen’s home water birth serves as the documentary’s personal starting point, making his birth one of the most widely viewed births in American documentary history. The film:
Premiered at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival
Received a theatrical release in 2008
Helped spark a nationwide conversation about home birth and midwifery in the United States
Was followed by sequels, including More Business of Being Born and The Business of Being Born: Life After
Although Owen has spent his adult life avoiding public attention, his earliest moments became part of one of the most influential health documentaries of the 2000s.
Owen Tyler Sussman’s Net Worth in 2026
Estimating Owen’s net worth requires honesty because no verified financial disclosure exists.
His wealth most likely comes from a combination of:
- Family financial support, as Ricki Lake’s estimated net worth exceeds $16 million
- Possible inheritance from his late father Rob Sussman’s estate
- No publicly known personal career income, since he has not pursued a public profession
A reasonable and conservative estimate for 2026 is approximately $1 million, reflecting family wealth and likely inheritance rather than personal earnings. Sources reporting significantly higher figures are speculating without evidence.
Why Owen Tyler Sussman Stays Private
Several factors help explain his commitment to privacy:
- His birth was extensively documented through The Business of Being Born
- His mother has openly discussed the challenges of living in the public eye, including depression, weight struggles, and self-esteem issues
- His father’s death in 2007, when Owen was only six years old, likely influenced his perspective on what truly matters
- His parents deliberately homeschooled him to protect him from media attention
- He chose to attend college in Chicago to stay away from the celebrity culture of New York and Los Angeles
- His personality has consistently been described as calm, thoughtful, and reflective
- For Owen, privacy is not a branding strategy. It is a personal life choice shaped by family experience.
Lesser-Known Facts About Owen Tyler Sussman
His correct birth date is 18 June 2001, not 29 August 2001, as some online sources incorrectly claim.
He was born through a water birth in his family’s bathtub, weighing 8 lbs 7 oz.
His birth appears at the beginning of his mother’s 2008 documentary The Business of Being Born.
His father, Rob Sussman, passed away in 2007 when Owen was just six years old.
His parents married in Las Vegas on 26 March 1994 after meeting on Halloween in 1993.
He later attended college in Chicago, choosing a city away from the celebrity culture of New York and Los Angeles.
He is reportedly known by the nickname “Tyler” among family and friends.
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, environmental activism, and technology.
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 claim. The 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 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, who was born on 22 March 1997. The brothers share a close relationship and were raised together.
Where did Owen Tyler Sussman go to college?
He attended college in Chicago, Illinois, after being homeschooled during his early years. His university and major 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 for his interests in music, photography, surfing, environmental activism, and coding, but has not pursued a public profession.
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. He is mentioned only in entries related to his mother and The Business of Being Born.
What is Owen Tyler Sussman’s net worth?
A reasonable estimate for 2026 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. Based on family photographs, he is described as having a slim and athletic build.
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 promoted natural birth and midwifery options.
When did Owen Tyler Sussman’s father pass away?
Rob Sussman passed away in 2007, when Owen was just six years old.
Why is Owen Tyler Sussman so private?
He grew up in a family that intentionally protected him from media attention. He was homeschooled to preserve his privacy and later chose to attend college in Chicago to stay away from the celebrity culture of New York and Los Angeles. His private lifestyle is a deliberate personal choice.
Is Owen Tyler Sussman in a relationship?
There is no publicly confirmed relationship. He keeps his personal and romantic life entirely private, and 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 publicly reported to have been married.
Final Thoughts
Owen Tyler Sussman’s story is about choosing your own path when fame is readily available. His birth was filmed and featured in a documentary watched by millions. His mother is one of the most recognizable television personalities of her generation, and his father was a respected New York illustrator. He had every opportunity to build a career in Hollywood, yet he chose a different direction.
Instead, he learned to play the guitar, developed a passion for surfing and landscape photography, explored coding, moved to Chicago for college, and stepped away from public attention. In a culture where many people seek to profit from celebrity status, his decision to live privately is perhaps the most remarkable aspect of his story.
At 24, he represents a different model of success for celebrity children. Rather than seeking followers, launching brands, or writing memoirs, he has chosen to build a meaningful and private life on his own terms. In many ways, that may be his greatest achievement.
Key Takeaways
- Owen Tyler Sussman is the younger son of Ricki Lake, the American talk show host, and the late illustrator Rob Sussman.
- He was born through a 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, passed away in 2007 when Owen was six years old.
- He has one older brother, Milo Sebastian Sussman, born on 22 March 1997.
- He was homeschooled during his early years before attending college in Chicago, Illinois..
- His estimated net worth in 2026 is approximately $1 million (unverified).