The onscreen love story between Maxwell Sheffield and Fran Fine remains one of the most beloved aspects of The Nanny. However, for Charles Shaughnessy’s kids, their father’s romantic scenes with Fran Drescher weren’t quite as enjoyable. In a recent interview, Shaughnessy humorously admitted that his children were less than pleased to see him kissing his co-star on television.
According to Shaughnessy, his kids—who were still quite young at the time—had trouble understanding that acting was just pretend. When they saw their father in romantic scenes, they voiced their discomfort, finding it strange and even upsetting. Despite his reassurances that it was all part of the job, they weren’t convinced.
This revelation sheds light on a unique challenge faced by actors who play romantic roles. While fans see the chemistry and storytelling, an actor’s family may have a very different reaction. For the Shaughnessy children, The Nanny wasn’t just a hit sitcom—it was a show where their dad was kissing someone who wasn’t their mom, and that was a tough pill to swallow.
Shaughnessy has since laughed about the situation, noting that his children eventually grew to understand his career. Still, their early reactions offer a charming insight into the personal side of Hollywood—proving that, sometimes, even actors’ biggest fans can be their most reluctant critics.
