Gary Owen's Family Strain: The Story of His Estranged Children and New Twins
Comedian Gary Owen's children have been at the heart of a strained family dynamic following his highly publicized divorce from Kenya Duke in 2021. The entertainer has openly discussed his estrangement from his older kids—Austin, Kennedy, and Emilio—and the emotional toll of missing significant life events and family moments.
Key Takeaways on Gary Owen's Family
Gary Owen is a father of five children. He shares two biological children, Austin Owen and Kennedy Owen, with his ex-wife Kenya Duke, and Emilio Owen is his adopted stepson from Kenya's previous marriage. In 2023, Owen and his fiancée, Brianna Johnson, welcomed twin boys named Royal Blu and Rome Bohdi.
Despite the distance from his older children since the 2021 divorce, Owen had a breakthrough moment in October 2024 when he reunited with his son Austin, who met his younger half-brothers for the first time.
Profile Summary of Gary Owen
Full name: Gary Owen
Date of birth: 26 July 1974
Age: 51 years old (as of February 2026)
Place of birth: Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
Profession: Stand-up comedian and actor
Relationship status: Engaged to Brianna Johnson
Children: Five
Meet All of Gary Owen's Children
The comedian's family includes Austin, Kennedy, Emilio, and the twins Royal Blu and Rome Bohdi. Austin and Kennedy are his biological offspring with ex-wife Kenya Duke, while Emilio was adopted after Owen married Kenya. The twins are from his current relationship with fiancée Brianna Johnson.
Emilio Owen
Emilio Owen, born Emilio William Toliver on 18 January 1991, is Gary Owen's stepson, whom he adopted as a child. Emilio attended Lakota West High School in Cincinnati and studied at The Art Institute of Ohio–Cincinnati. Owen has expressed deep affection for Emilio, referring to him as his first son and sharing heartfelt birthday messages over the years.
Austin Owen
Austin Owen, born in November 2000, is the oldest of Gary Owen's biological children and works as a children's swim instructor. The relationship between father and son became strained after the 2021 divorce, with Owen noting they had not spoken for nearly three and a half years. However, in October 2024, Austin finally met his twin half-brothers, a moment Owen celebrated on social media.
Kennedy Owen
Kennedy Owen, born in 2002, is Gary Owen's only daughter. She has maintained a private life, focusing on her education. In 2020, she was accepted to North Carolina A&T State University, an HBCU, and graduated in December 2024 with a degree in journalism and mass communication. Efforts by Owen to reconnect with her have often been unsuccessful, with Kennedy reportedly avoiding contact.
Royal Blu Owen and Rome Bohdi Owen
Royal Blu and Rome Bohdi Owen, born on 20 July 2023, are the twin sons of Gary Owen and his fiancée Brianna Johnson. Owen has described them as having distinct features—one with white skin and blue eyes, the other with Black skin and brown eyes—and has spoken fondly of their bond during interviews.
What Led to the Strained Relationship with His Kids?
The bond between Gary Owen and his older children deteriorated following his 2021 divorce from Kenya Duke. Owen has publicly acknowledged the challenges, stating in an August 2022 interview that he had not spoken to them for over a year and a half, attributing it to their anger over the divorce. He revealed that the children learned about the split through media outlets like TMZ, rather than from their parents directly.
Owen's attempts to reconnect, particularly with his daughter Kennedy, have been met with resistance. He described trying to visit her at college and the airport without success. Kenya Duke has offered a different perspective, suggesting that Owen exacerbates the situation by discussing private matters in the media and not respecting the children's boundaries. In a May 2024 Instagram post, she emphasized that the kids want no contact due to these issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many biological kids does Gary Owen have? He has two biological children: Austin and Kennedy Owen.
- Who is Gary Owen's son? He has three biological sons: Austin, Royal Blu, and Rome Bohdi, plus a stepson, Emilio.
- Who is Gary Owen's daughter? His daughter is Kennedy Owen.
- Who is the mother of Gary Owen's twins? The mother is Brianna Johnson.
- Why did Gary Owen's kids stop talking to him? The estrangement began after his 2021 divorce from Kenya Duke, due to communication breakdowns and boundary disputes.
- When did Gary Owen and his ex-wife divorce? They divorced in 2021.
- How old are Gary Owen's twin sons? As of February 2026, they are 2 years old, born on 20 July 2023.
Gary Owen's family narrative involves five children from different relationships, highlighting the complexities of divorce and blended family dynamics. Despite ongoing challenges, Owen has expressed hope for reconciliation and stronger bonds with all his children in the future.
