Daniel Stern recently found himself in legal trouble, and he’s now reportedly exited the ABC comedy pilot Do You Want Kids? Stern was allegedly charged with soliciting prostitution earlier this week. He was charged one month after being cited by Ventura County officials.
Daniel Stern reportedly departs ABC pilot Do You Want Kids?
Daniel Stern has reportedly departed the ABC comedy pilot Do You Want Kids? He had joined the cast a month earlier as a series regular. Stern was expected to star opposite Rachel Bloom and Rory Scovel.
The single-camera series, coming from 20th Television, follows a married couple. Rosie and Alex Zilbadolis, played by Bloom and Scovel, respectively, are the leads. The story will take place in two universes. One universe features Rosie and Alex having a baby, and another where they do not.
Stern’s role could now be recast, though it’s currently unclear as to who will replace him. Before his rumored exit, the 68-year-old was set to play Freddy, the patriarch of the Zilbadolis family.
Trent O’Donnell will direct the pilot, co-written by Bloom and her husband, Dan Gregor, a comedian, writer, director, and producer, recognized for his work on Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers, How I Met Your Mother, and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, the latter of which stars Bloom. Additionally, O’Donnell, Bloom, and Gregor will executive produce the pilot with Levitan Productions’ Steven Levitan and Danielle Stokdyk, and Jeff Morton.
Stern’s departure from the pilot comes a few days after he was reportedly charged with one misdemeanor count of soliciting a prostitute on January 12, 2026. His arraignment was originally scheduled for the following day, January 13, but has now been postponed to February 6.
The City Slickers actor was cited a month earlier, on December 10, 2025, at a hotel in Camarillo, California. At the time, he wasn’t booked by law enforcement but simply issued a ticket. Ventura County District Attorney spokesperson Joey Buttitta later told People that Stern was “cited at the location [the soliciting took place] and released.”
Originally reported by Abdul Azim Naushad on ComingSoon.
