Seven Ages of Man, with Michael Rosen: 3. David Baddiel's in his 60s

Aging in one's 60s brings a heightened awareness of mortality, shifting the focus from personal anxiety to the desire for one's children to flourish. For 62-year-old comedian and author David Baddiel, this decade highlights the decline of physical strength and the loss of traditional masculine roles, yet it also fosters deeper empathy through fatherhood. By maintaining close, friendship-based relationships with his adult children, he avoids the self-centered rumination that once defined his fear of death. Rejecting the aggressive, irritable masculinity modeled by his own father, Baddiel prioritizes authenticity and humor as the foundations of his identity and domestic life. This transition reflects a broader generational shift, where vulnerability and open communication replace the stoic, disconnected behaviors of the past, allowing for a more honest and grounded experience of manhood.