Justin Baldoni celebrated his 42nd birthday with his family’s support amid his ongoing legal drama.
“Happy Birthday, Justin Louis Baldoni,” Justin’s dad, Sam Baldoni, wrote via Instagram on Saturday, January 24. “Being a new dad, I had no idea what to expect when Justin was born. His birth (our first) was not easy. [My wife] Sharon spent 34+hours in labor and we ended up [having a] cesarean. As a result, I got to hold him first and was able to put his little face against his mom’s cheek.”
Sam continued, “It was a spiritual, very exhilarating close to God kind of experience. This little guy filled our home with such joy all those years ago and to this day his presence lights up not only our lives, but all those around him.”
Sam further stressed that he remains “so proud” of Justin through the years.
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“I am so proud of my son for the man he has become and how he never stops learning about life, about love, about family and friendship and about how to show up for the people he cares about most,” Sam wrote. “I envy his continual dedication to his family and his love and admiration for his truly perfect partner, Emily [Baldoni], my dearly loved daughter-in-law.”
Sam closed out his social media tribute with a note specifically addressed to Justin.
“Son, in a year full of turmoil and injustice you have remained steadfast in your faith knowing that truth and justice will prevail,” he concluded. “Happy Birthday son, I love you with all my heart and soul.”
Justin has been embroiled in a messy legal battle with his former It Ends With Us costar Blake Lively. After Justin directed the 2024 adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel, Lively, 38, accused him of sexual harassment, fostering a hostile work environment and trying to destroy his reputation. (Justin and Lively played a couple in an abusive relationship in the film.)
Justin vehemently denied the accusations before filing a $400 million defamation suit against Lively. After the Gossip Girl alum rebuffed the allegations, a judge ruled to dismiss the case in 2025.
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As the legal battle continued, Justin has remained grateful for his inner circle’s support.
“We’re grateful to be with the family, man,” he told TMZ photographers last year. “We have amazing friends and family and faith.”
Justin’s mom, Sharon Baldoni, even shared a supportive birthday message of her own on Saturday.
“Happy birthday, my dear Justin,” Sharon wrote in an Instagram statement. “I never imagined I would see the words, ‘Justice for Justin’ from people all over the world in support of my son. I thank you all from the depth of my soul to those who have championed him to this point in these difficult times.”
Justin’s longtime friend and fellow actor, Travis Van Winkle, also penned an emotional birthday tribute.
“On your birthday, I want to express how meaningful our friendship has been,” Van Winkle, 43, wrote via Instagram. “It’s been your relationship to your parents and friends, your service to others, your kindness, heart, faith, integrity [and] I could go on. It’s the way you move through life — it’s both quietly and at times loudly influenced the way I live my own.”
