In a Variety interview posted on Wednesday, Jan. 22, the actor, 48, shared that since he's become a father - he shares sons Christopher "Kit," 9, Hal, 7, and Finn, 6, with wife Sophie Hunter -- his priorities in life have shifted.
"The minute you have kids this sense of time sinks in far more profoundly," he told the outlet.
"My youngest is turning 6 tomorrow, and I'm like, 'I will be in my 60s when he's 21,' you know? It's crazy. It's gone so fast," Cumberbatch continued. "So there's a huge shift in priorities, and it makes you value what you do with your life in a very different way."
He added, "It does weigh on me. When you become a parent, your thoughts turn more towards mortality."
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Although Cumberbatch rarely speaks about his kids, in February 2022 the actor referenced his family in his speech while receiving his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
While praising his wife for her support, the actor noted, "Together, we've created an amazing family of three extraordinary little human beings, who again, I would say a lot about, but you know what I feel about them, and this is public."
"They're amazing, and they taught me a lot of what I now do and know, and they've also undone a lot of what I do," he added.
Cumberbatch then shared a bit about his family's home life, saying that his kids treat him just like any other parent.
He continued, "Should anyone wonder if I can't recover from this kind of celebration and ego pump, 'Shut up, daddy,' 'Stupid fart face,' being hit in the face, fought over ... is a daily occurrence for me at home, so thank you for keeping me grounded, boys."
Although he wasn't joined by his kids at the event, Cumberbatch shared that there might be a time in the future when his family visits the star.
He concluded, "One day in disguises, maybe we'll sneak out here and have a little photograph all together on daddy's star. You're my little stars, and I adore you."