Nadine Bosurgi
He may be starring in the new series Mom this fall, but French Stewart is all about dad – because he is one!
The actor and his wife Vanessa, an actress, welcomed daughter Helene Claire at 7 a.m. on Friday, June 28 in West Hollywood, Calif., Stewart’s rep confirms to PEOPLE.
“She was born six weeks early and could be held in the palm of your hand,” the proud papa, 49, tells PEOPLE.
The couple turned to their families for a bit of inspiration when choosing a name for their first child, paying tribute to both baby girl’s paternal and maternal sides.
“We named her after my lovely mother. My sister is also a Helene,” Stewart shares. “There are five wonderful Claires in Vanessa’s family so the tradition of it is very special for us.”
Despite her early arrival, baby Helene couldn’t have made her big debut at a better time. Stewart, who is also known for his former role on 3rd Rock From the Sun, admits his schedule lends to an easy balance between filming and family life.
“In the daytime I work on a special new show [Mom] with wonderful people. And at night I have new adventures with Vanessa and Helene,” he says of the new series, which premieres Sept. 23 on CBS.
“To tell you the truth, [the show] came at just the right time because my wife just had a baby a month ago. She’s in my pocket right now,” Stewart told PEOPLE at the Television Critics Association panel.
– Anya Leon with reporting by Patrick Gomez
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