Danica McKellar, known for her role as Winnie Cooper in "The Wonder Years," recently honored her son Draco on his 16th birthday with a touching Instagram post. The tribute included a collection of photos spanning Draco's life, from his newborn days to the present.
McKellar, 51, shared the first photograph ever taken of her and Draco, who was born in September 2010, alongside the most recent image of the pair. "How is my baby 16?? 🥲❤️," McKellar captioned the post. "Here’s the first picture I ever took with you, and the most recent, and then lots of pictures in between! Draco, I love you so much and I’m so proud of the (tall!) young man you’ve become!! Happy birthday!!!!"
Draco is McKellar's only child, whom she shares with her ex-husband, composer Mike Verta. The couple was married from 2009 to 2012.
In reflections on motherhood, McKellar has previously spoken about the profound impact it had on her life. In a 2013 interview with People, she described an unparalleled love for her son, stating, "You tap into this love that you didn’t even know was possible. I thought I knew what love was, but it’s crazy. I love Draco with everything that I am — there’s no question about it."
McKellar has been raising Draco outside of Nashville, Tennessee, after relocating from Los Angeles in 2022. She has spoken about her decision to leave the Hollywood sphere, explaining on the "Hey Dude.. The ’90s Called" podcast that she felt "very limited" by her "Wonder Years" fame. The actress recalled frequently being recognized solely for her role as Winnie Cooper, which overshadowed other aspects of her identity.
Following the conclusion of "The Wonder Years" in 1993, McKellar admitted to feeling insecure. This led her to enroll in classes at UCLA, aiming to pursue a field beyond acting. She found fulfillment when her classmates recognized her academic abilities rather than her television career. "It was the greatest feeling… It was just me," she shared.