Rosario Dawson's Parents Split before She Was Born – Meet Patrick C. Harris & Isabel Celeste

Rosario Dawson's parents separated when her mother was pregnant with her, and her adoptive father, Greg Dawson, married her mother before she was born. The actress grew up acknowledging him as her father.

Rosario Dawson has an amazing relationship with her adoptive father, Greg Dawson, who was instrumental in her acting career. When the actress's biological father, Patrick C. Harris, took off when her mother, Isabel Celeste, was pregnant, Greg Dawson raised her as his daughter.

Rosario Dawson considers Greg Dawson her hero, and even when he was battling cancer, she went above and beyond to support him during chemo treatments. Despite her demanding career, she created time to visit him on weekends.

Isabel Celeste Raised Her Daughter in a Squatter Apartment

Isabel gave birth to her daughter when she was 16, with the actress's biological father not in the picture. Her parents split before she was born. Rosario said she grew up knowing her dad was Greg Dawson, the man her mom married when she was a year old (but they have since gone their separate ways).

When she was four, her biological dad, Patrick, returned to her life briefly but clarified that he had nothing to offer. When Isabel was 22, she and her two young children, Rosario, who was six years old, and her son, who was only two, moved into an abandoned fire-damaged building that lacked electricity and running water.

Rosario, who co-starred with Idina Menzel and Taye Diggs in "Rent," once reflected on the first day of filming the musical drama movie. She mentioned that the shooting occurred on the very corner where she and her mother used to live.

Rosario's Adoptive Father, Greg Dawson, Was Diagnosed with Cancer

Despite the challenges of raising her children, Rosario's mom has made a name for herself. She is a producer, motivational singer, and entrepreneur. Per her LinkedIn page, Isabel is the founder of Live One Vida and Mosaic Talent Marketing Inc., a company she has run for over 19 years. She has also held senior positions at Advent FX and World Artists United LLC.

Jeffrey Underwood and Amanda Davila alleged that Isabel and Greg Dawson plotted to acquire their apartment by any means.

Rosario considers her adoptive father, Greg, her hero because he chose her and wanted her in his life. In 2019, she opened up about Greg being diagnosed with cancer and her creating time on weekends to be with him during his chemo treatments.

Greg's cancer diagnosis inspired his daughter to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Reflecting on her father's journey with cancer treatment, Rosario expressed how it taught her valuable lessons about the importance of gut health, which encompasses both physical and emotional well-being.

Drawing from Greg's experiences, his daughter embraced a nutritious diet, incorporating foods rich in fiber and probiotics. Rosario's biological father, Patrick, died in 2001. Patrick had met Greg the time he showed up when Rosario was four, and at the time, they didn't take any photos.

However, Greg told Rosario that when Patrick showed up, he spent much time with her, and she was excited to have two dads. At 15, Greg encouraged his daughter Rosario to pursue acting and take advantage of an opportunity when Vibe magazine was shooting a commercial on their block.

A few years ago, Rosario Dawson's parents were embroiled in a lawsuit over apartment issues. The complainants, Jeffrey Underwood and Amanda Davila, alleged that Isabel and Greg Dawson plotted to acquire their apartment by any means. The building, located in East Village, is where Rosario grew up.