At his daughter Anna’s wedding, Tony Goldwyn chose a unique approach for the father-daughter dance, which turned out to be a crowd-pleaser. During a promotional appearance for his film Ezra on Live with Kelly and Mark on November 5, the 64-year-old actor shared memories from his eldest daughter’s wedding on August 17.
He talked about the emotional speech he delivered and the lively dance they shared, one that didn’t follow traditional expectations. When Kelly Ripa asked if the duo had rehearsed for their big moment, Goldwyn revealed that no choreography was involved.
Goldwyn reveals they performed the jitterbug, a nostalgic dance they’ve shared since Anna’s childhood
Instead, they relied on the strong bond they’ve had over the years. “Anna suggested we skip the slow dance and do something fun,” he explained. “Since she was little, I’ve taught her swing dancing — the jitterbug — so we already had all those moves down.”
Goldwyn went on to explain that this dance was a nostalgic part of their relationship, saying, “We’ve been doing it together since she was a child, so she knew exactly what to do.” The father-daughter duo chose John Lennon’s “Rip It Up / Ready Teddy” for the dance, a song originally made famous by Elvis Presley, which turned out to be the ideal choice for their impromptu routine.
The song, paired with their energetic dancing, got everyone on the dance floor, making the wedding a memorable success. “It was a hit, and the wedding was a success,” Goldwyn added.
The Law & Order star, who shares daughters Anna and Tess, 29, with his wife Jane Musky, also revealed that he managed to deliver his wedding speech without breaking into tears, much to the surprise of his family.
Reflecting on his performance as a father at the wedding, Goldwyn confessed to co-host Mark Consuelos, “I honestly did great.” He shared that his family had doubted he would make it through the speech without becoming emotional, recalling, “For years, my kids said, ‘Dad, you’re going to cry, we’ll be embarrassed.'”
But he surprised everyone by remaining composed. “I said everything I needed to say,” he added. “It was beautiful, and an amazing experience.” Goldwyn had previously told PEOPLE that he expected to be a “mess” at the ceremony and worried about walking Anna down the aisle without tearing up. “I just get so emotional about my kids,” he admitted in May. “That’s what I’m most nervous about.”
