Calista Adopts Baby Boy

ByABC News
January 11, 2001, 7:35 PM

Jan. 11 -- Add waifish actress Calista Flockhart to the growing list of single adoptive parents.

The 36-year-old Ally McBeal star, who plays a single lawyer on the Fox TV show, came clean today about her adoption of a baby boy after The National Enquirer ran photos of her carrying the infant.

"I have always wanted to adopt a child and I am overjoyed that I have been blessed with a beautiful and healthy son," Flockhart said in a statement. "I'm completely enchanted and awe-struck," she added.

She says that new motherhood won't interfere with her career, thanks to a "supportive company that offers a wonderful child-care facility, enabling me to spend a lot of time with my son while I'm working."

Calista Hip to Another Baby

The publicist for the thermometer-hipped actress says Flockhart "intends on keeping her new family life very private, [but] she has revealed that she plans on giving birth someday and may adopt another child."

More official details were sketchy, but according to the Enquirer's account, Flockhart was present in the delivery room for the arrival of her adopted son, who was born early New Year's Day at a San Diego hospital. Hospital staff members were reportedly unaware of the adoptive mother's identity until the actress removed her surgical mask moments after the baby was born.

McBeal spokeswoman Melissa Kates did not exactly confirm the tabloid's story to Reuters, but she did say, "We are very aware of the National Enquirer story, and I am not aware that anything is untrue."

Flockhart recently collapsed on the set of Ally McBeal, necessitating a short hospital stay. Her publicist chalked up the fainting spell to overwork, emotional stress, and dehydration.

Reuters contributed to this story.