Nate Bargatze’s “The Breadwinner” Is Inspired by Not Knowing Where His Daughter’s School Is (Exclusive)
Nate Bargatze’s “The Breadwinner” Is Inspired by Not Knowing Where His Daughter’s School Is (Exclusive)
Georgia Slater, Jack SmartFri, May 15, 2026 at 5:40 PM UTC
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Nate Bargatze with wife Laura Bargatze and daughter Harper Bargatze
Credit: Nate Bargatze/Instagram
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Nate Bargatze's new movie draws from his real-life parenting experiences with his 13-year-old daughter Harper
Mandy Moore, Bargatze's costar, praised the film's celebration of moms but told PEOPLE it doesn't reflect her own family dynamic
Bargatze describes the film as a heartwarming throwback to classic family comedies meant for all ages to enjoy together
Nate Bargatze drew from his real-life experiences as a dad in his new movie, The Breadwinner.
Speaking to PEOPLE about the film, out May 29, the comedian, 47, revealed that some of the moments in the film actually came from his own life as a dad to 13-year-old daughter Harper.
Asked which parenting stories Bargatze drew from his life, the star, who co-wrote the film, shared, "A lot of it is with my standup, and so we have a running thing about me not knowing the school my daughters go to and all that."
"I mean, that was a real example that I've talked [about in] my standup where I got a call asking what bus my daughter was supposed to be on when she was in elementary school," he continued. "I didn't even know what to do. I asked them why. I go, 'Why did you call me? I would think you would go call the wife first.' And they said they tried. And I go, 'Well, I don't know what to tell you. She's on a yellow one, so just throw her on one, and I'll go find her.' "
As for Mandy Moore, Bargatze's costar in the film and a real-life mom of three, the scenes in the movie didn't exactly ring true to her actual life at home with husband Taylor Goldsmith.
"I loved this sort of celebration of moms and mom kind of being an entrepreneur and getting this incredibly unique opportunity. And in its own way, it's like Dad kind of switching roles and recognizing how much Mom really does contribute to the house and keeping the ship righted," she explained.
"So I loved all of that. I don't have that exact same experience in my life," she continued. "I feel like my husband's like a ... He's a really good partner and a great dad and could pivot and figure things out in a way that I don't worry about the kids or anything like that."
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Nate Bargatze and Mandy Moore arrive at "The Breadwinner" Nashville Premiere at Regal Hollywood & RPX on May 13, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee
Credit: Jason Kempin/Getty
In his first feature film role, Bargatze stars as Nate Wilcox, whose wife Katie (Moore) scores a major deal after appearing on Shark Tank that requires her to go on an extended business trip.
That means the lifelong breadwinner, Nate, has to "fend for his family as a first-time stay-at-home dad." A synopsis teases: "With three young daughters and little experience handling their day-to-day needs, Nate finds out quickly that running the household is the toughest gig he’s ever had."
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Nate Bargatze and Laura Bargatze with their daughter HarperNate Bargatze and Laura Bargatze with their daughter Harper
Credit: Nate Bargatze/Instagram
Bargatze, who shares his daughter with wife Laura Bargatze, previously told PEOPLE The Breadwinner is "hilarious, heartwarming and surprising."
"It's a throwback to the classic family comedy movies that we all love," he said. "I think there is a lack of entertainment that is made for entire families. There are so few movies where everyone of all ages can have a good laugh. So I decided to create one myself."
He added, "This is a movie with characters everyone can relate to, and it gives families and friends a great reason to go to a theater for an excellent night out."
The star said he related most to the film's family dynamics and wholesome chaos: "We have a lot of fun craziness that happens in the movie, but the family feels like a real family."
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
