Spy Kids’ Daryl Sabara Mourns Death of His Estranged Father: ‘He Did the Best He Could’

Daryl Sabara is grieving the loss of his father, Roland Sabara.

The Spy Kids actor, 34, shared the news via his Instagram on Friday, June 19, sharing a photo of himself with his dad just days before Father’s Day.

“My Dad, Roland Sabara, passed away last night,” Daryl captioned the image.

The actor, who has previously spoken candidly about growing up without a father, reflected on their complicated relationship in the emotional post.

“We only saw each other a couple of times, and I will cherish those memories forever,” he continued. “I know he did the best he could, and I know he’s in a better place now 🤍.”

Daryl shares three children with wife Meghan Trainor. The couple are parents to sons Riley, 5, and Barry, who turns 3 in July. They welcomed daughter Mikey Moon via surrogate in January 2026.

In an interview with Mr Feel Good in June 2023, Daryl explained how his childhood experience and absent father affected the approach he took to parenting.

“I grew up without a dad — he left when I was one,” he said. “So I didn’t have that traditional role model growing up and for me, especially as I’m about to be a dad of two boys, I feel like that was a blessing in some ways. I am able to create what that relationship is for me and my sons.”

The actor continued: “My mom was basically my mom and dad, and she did the best she could. But what I’m learning in my 30s, in therapy and doing my own healing, is that our parents subconsciously imprint onto us. So right now, I’m just figuring out the parts of me that I like and I want to teach my kids, and the parts of me I am not as sure about.”

Daryl also revealed that reaching certain milestones with his eldest son brought up difficult emotions.

“When Riley turned one, I had this kind of breakdown, as I’d surpassed the amount of time my dad was with me,” he said. “I couldn’t imagine ever leaving my son.

The actor shared a similar sentiment about the impact his father’s absence had on his life when speaking to People the same month.

Speaking to the outlet, Daryl doubled down on the idea that becoming a parent has helped him process feelings surrounding his own childhood.

“I’ll say that it’s pretty amazing because I didn’t have a dad growing up,” he said at the time. “My dad left my family when I was 1. So becoming a dad has kind of given me this existential experience of getting to become the dad that I always wanted.”