Home And Away fans have followed Ethan Browne’s Summer Bay journey with eager eyes since he made his debut at the start of 2020 as Tane Parata.
When we say eager eyes, we certainly mean it, the 30-year-old is far from an eyesore and has quickly established himself as one of the show’s most beloved heartthrobs.
While his Summer Bay character Tane has had quite the turbulent first year on screen, and to no one’s surprise equally tumultuous romantic story lines, Ethan keeps his personal life much more low-key.
Fans may have been surprised to the learn the New Zealand native has a 14-year-old daughter, Aaylah.
The New Zealand native has a 13-year-old daughter, Aaylah.
(Image: Instagram)Taking to Instagram over Christmas of 2020, Ethan shared gorgeous footage of the moment he reunited with Aaylah – who had no idea he was coming.
“Surprising my daughter after almost a year apart. A moment I have dreamed and fantasised about for so long,” Ethan captioned his post.
“I can’t articulate how tough this stretch has been. It’s indescribable and incomprehensible. COVID has taken away our ability to travel freely, and physically be with our loved ones.”
“Mini me,” Ethan captioned this cute snap with Aaylah.
(Image: Instagram)With Aaylah seemingly living in New Zealand and Ethan working in Australia on the Home And Away set, the actor shared his gratitude for finally being able to reunite with his child.
“But love transcends the physical, and the distance and lost time has only strengthened our bond. We’re here and now, and our hearts are full again ❤ ❤,” he wrote in the touching reunion video.
“To the parents who have been separated from their children because of this year’s events, and to those who can’t see their loved ones at Christmas, I send you all my love and strength. To my daughter, you are my entire heart. #Myangel #mylove #mylife.”
Ethan has played Tane Parata on Home and Away since 2020.
(Image: Instagram)Ethan was just 16 years old when he welcomed his daughter Aaylah, which his NIDA profile describes as a “dramatic turning point” in his life.
While Ethan rarely speaks publicly about his daughter, in September 2022, the young dad posted a sweet tribute to Aaylah, whose 14th birthday fell on Father’s Day.
“Happy 14th birthday to my amazing daughter, Aaylah 🥳 ❤️ truly blessed to have spent both Father’s Day and her birthday together 💫 heart is full ❤️,” he penned alongside a series of father/daughter snaps taken in his native New Zealand.
Ethan posted this photo on Aaylah’s 14th birthday, which happened to fall on Father’s Day 2022.
(Image: Instagram)Shifting his focus away from his acting pursuits. Ethan instead pursued a career in civil engineering, wanting to provide for his family, his career then led him to a job in Brisbane and eventually back to his dream of acting.
Ethan previously admitted acting was “frowned upon” by the locals in his hometown of Wairoa, New Zealand.
“I grew up in a small country town that was dominated by rugby culture. Acting wasn’t the thing a man would do,” he explained to the Daily Telegraph last year.
“I wanted to do it in high school but it was frowned upon by the boys, that sort of culture, it wasn’t the tough masculine thing to do. I waited until I was in Australia and no one knew me to actually give it a go just quietly,” he added.
