Helen Hunt, known for her award-winning performances, shifted her focus from the bright lights of Hollywood to the joys of motherhood when she welcomed her daughter, Makena Lei. Take a closer look at the actress’s journey through motherhood and meet her mini-me.
Helen Hunt is widely known for her incredible career as an actress, but to one special girl, she’s simply Mom. After welcoming her daughter later in life, the Hollywood star fell so much in love with her that she took a step back from her thriving acting career to focus on raising her child.
Helen Hunt at the Emmy Awards Show on September 8, 1996, in Pasadena, California. | Source: Getty Images
Her daughter is now a talented and creative young woman. Get to know the actress’s striking redheaded daughter, who social media users called Helen’s twin due to her uncanny resemblance to her famous mother.
Helen Hunt at the 2021 Gotham Awards on November 29, 2021, in New York. | Source: Getty Images
Becoming a Mother
Helen welcomed her first and only child, a daughter named Makena Lei Gordon Carnahan, in May 2004, during her 16-year relationship with producer Matthew Carnahan.
Helen Hunt and Matthew Carnahan at the premiere of “Empire Falls” on May 9, 2005, in New York. | Source: Getty Images
Matthew, who already had a son from a previous relationship, and Helen built their family around the joys and challenges of raising Makena. While their relationship faced ups and downs, the pair remained committed to their daughter.
Born in Los Angeles, Makena arrived when her actress mother was at the peak of her career, marking a pivotal moment in the Hollywood star’s life.
Helen Hunt spotted with her daughter on October 30, 2004, in New York. | Source: Getty Images
At 40, Helen embraced motherhood with open arms, even as it meant stepping away from the spotlight she had dominated for decades. Having achieved immense success, including an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in “As Good as It Gets,” she shifted her focus.
Reflecting on her decision, Helen shared, “I fell in love. I had a daughter. It was hard to find a part that was as interesting as watching her grow up.”
She further questioned, “Why go off and pretend to be someone’s mother, or pretend to be someone’s wife, when I finally had the chance to have that experience in my real life?”
Helen Hunt during the AFI Fest 2006 Black Tie Opening Night Gala and US premiere of “Bobby” in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
During these years, the actress’s filmography became more selective following her blockbuster hits like “What Women Want” and “Cast Away” in 2000.
However, she didn’t stray too far away from the industry as she wrote, directed, and starred in two films while also devoting herself to raising Makena. “That’s a lot. You know, for me, that’s plenty,” the actress said.
Helen Hunt at the 13th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in 2007. | Source: Getty Images
About the transition, Helen added, “I’ve been so in deep, deep love and care of this human being that I’ve gotten to mother that I really haven’t been paying attention to what people think about that.”
Helen Hunt at the “Then She Found Me” premiere during The 32nd Annual Toronto International Film Festival on September 7, 2007. | Source: Getty Images
When the actress fully stepped back in front of the camera, she worked on projects that resonated with her. This included “Then She Found Me,” a 2007 film in which her character, April, longed for motherhood — a storyline that was later included as the actress felt it was important.
Helen Hunt speaking during a Q&A following the screening of “Then She Found Me” on April 14, 2008, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
“I thought, April has to want something really badly. It has to be something we can watch her go after. And I always wanted a baby very badly, so it just seemed right that she should want a baby. People have asked if it’s my story, and on the surface it is,” Helen said.
Helen Hunt at the premiere of “Then She Found Me” on April 21, 2008, in New York. | Source: Getty Images
The actress also chose projects that allowed her to maintain her family life, such as “Soul Surfer,” a 2011 film she shot in Oahu, Hawaii, with her daughter by her side. “They were like, ‘Do you want to go to Oahu and bring your daughter and surf in a movie?’ I went, ‘Okay!'” Helen joked.
Helen Hunt at the Palm Springs Film Festival opening night reception on January 3, 2008, in Palm Springs, California. | Source: Getty Images
However, in 2017, her family life changed as reports emerged that she and Matthew were going their separate ways. The couple, who had never married, reportedly faced ongoing challenges in their relationship.
Helen Hunt at Saint John’s Health Center Foundation’s 75th Anniversary Gala on October 21, 2017, in Culver City, California. | Source: Getty Images
A source close to the actress, who was married to actor Hank Azaria for 17 months in the ’90s, revealed, “They had a rocky relationship and many offs and ons over the years. They stayed together as long as they did because of their daughter.”
Meet Makena Lei
Helen’s daughter carries a name rich with meaning and family history. Her first name, Makena, was inspired by Helen’s friend’s dream and was also inspired by the name of a beautiful beach in Maui, Hawaii. Her middle name, Lei, honors her grandfather, Gordon Hunt, a television director.
In May 2024, Helen took to Instagram to celebrate her daughter’s birthday, sweetly sharing, “Happy Birthday @makenalei I’m so proud to walk alongside as you live this righteous life. I love you forever and beyond. Mama.”
In June 2022, Makena celebrated a major life milestone — high school graduation. Her mom proudly marked the occasion by sharing a heartwarming photo on Instagram.
In the picture, the actress radiated joy as she stood beside her daughter, who wore a hunter-green graduation gown for the ceremony. “The Graduate. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️,” Helen wrote in the caption.
Makena has already begun to follow in her mother’s artistic footsteps with a budding entertainment career. She holds a few acting credits, including appearances in the 2019 revival of “Mad About You.”
She also had small roles in “The Miracle Season” in 2018 and “Ride” in 2014, where she shared the screen with her mother.
Beyond acting, Makena has explored her creative talents as a musician. During high school, she formed a musical duo called Thea with her friend Rhea Garten.
The pair released their debut EP, “July,” on July 28, 2022, marking another impressive achievement for the young artist. Recently, the redhead also took to Instagram to share snaps of herself performing.
In addition to her immense talent, Makena has received attention for her striking resemblance to her mother. “Just a mini you ❤️❤️❤️,” one social media user commented on an Instagram post of the mother-daughter duo.
“Gorgeous strong resemblance,” another person shared in reaction to Helen’s post about Makena’s graduation. Another person typed, “So hard to believe she is so grown up! Congratulations Helen you all must be so proud!”
Helen Hunt and Makena Lei Gordon Carnahan at the Opening Night performance afterparty for “Working – A Musical” on June 26, 2019, in New York. | Source: Getty Images
In 2023, Helen shared a throwback snap of her and her daughter, and one person wrote, “She looks just like you🥰.” However, a more recent pic of the actress and her daughter captured just how much Makena has grown. “Twins!” one person commented. Another shared, “Beautiful daughter.”
From acting roles to musical achievements, Makena Lei has grown into a talented and creative young woman, following in her mother, Helen Hunt’s footsteps while making her own mark.
