Channing Tatum opens up about co-parenting struggles with ex Jenna Dewan

Channing Tatum seemed to be channeling his real life heartache into his new film, Roofman, bringing a personal edge to his role.

In his latest cover story published Tuesday, September 2, the Blink Twice star talked about the emotional parallels between his personal life his and his character in the film.

The 45-year-old actor plays Jeffrey Manchester, a former Army Ranger turned rooftop burglar, whose crimes are driven by his longing to stay close to his daughter in the upcoming film.

Reflecting on the role, he spoke candidly about his own experience co-parenting his 12-year-old daughter, Everly, with ex-wife Jenna Dewan.

"I know for a fact I’m able to understand it," the Magic Mike actor said. "Jenna and I are good now, but it was a painful break to have that fall apart, especially being so young."

He added, "It’s in the past. But it’s really tough not to have your daughter half the time. I wish I could just have her all the time," in the interview with Variety,

Tatum, who is last linked with Zoe Kravitz, and Dewan, 44, met as costars on the 2006 film Step Up, and got engaged two years later.

In 2009, the former couple tied the knot in Malibu before they got separated in 2018. 

Dewan officially filed for divorce in October 2018, and it was settled six years later in September 2024.