Aaron Pierre says fatherhood—not fame—is shaping his biggest career decisions

In a new “GQ” profile, the “Lanterns” star says fatherhood has redefined success as he prepares to join the DC and “Star Wars” universes.

Aaron Pierre is stepping into the biggest moment of his career, but the actor says his greatest role has nothing to do with Hollywood.

In a new cover profile for GQ, the 32-year-old actor reflected on balancing blockbuster opportunities—including HBO’s “Lanterns” and the upcoming “Star Wars: Starfighter”—while keeping his priorities rooted in fatherhood.

Pierre, who has largely kept his personal life private, said becoming a father fundamentally changed the way he approaches his work. Rather than accepting every opportunity that comes his way, he now measures projects against one question: Are they worth the time spent away from his son?

“If ever I accept an opportunity that takes me away from him, it needs to be something that contributes to the legacy that I am building to directly inspire my son,” Pierre said.

That mindset helped shape his decision to lend his voice to family-friendly films like Disney’s “Mufasa: The Lion King” and this year’s animated feature “GOAT.” Pierre shared that his son even sat in on recording sessions for “GOAT,” offering notes on how the character should sound—a contribution the actor said ultimately influenced the performance.

Professionally, Pierre’s career continues to soar. He is set to portray John Stewart in HBO’s highly anticipated “Lanterns,” becoming the first actor to lead a live-action project centered on the iconic Green Lantern hero. He also joins one of cinema’s most beloved franchises with “Star Wars: Starfighter,” a full-circle moment after first seeing “The Phantom Menace” as a 5-year-old.

The profile also revisits Pierre’s rapid rise following Netflix’s “Rebel Ridge.” He admitted that the sudden attention initially caused him to withdraw from public life before encouragement from his younger sister helped him embrace his newfound visibility.

Still, Pierre says fame isn’t the foundation of his identity.

At the end of the interview, he listed the roles that matter most to him: father, son, brother, grandson and friend. Only then did he add “actor.”

It’s a perspective that underscores why Pierre has resonated with audiences. Even as his career expands across the DC Universe, “Star Wars” and beyond, he remains focused on building something more lasting than celebrity—a legacy his son can be proud of.