Milo Sebastian Sussman: Ricki Lake’s Son, Artist, and Private Life
Milo Sebastian Sussman leads a life defined by artistic passion and intentional privacy. Born March 22, 1997, he’s now 27 years old and the eldest son of television personality Ricki Lake and illustrator Rob Sussman. While his mother built a career in the spotlight, Milo chose a different path—one centered on creative expression and personal authenticity rather than public attention.
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Growing up with a famous parent shaped Milo’s early years, but he’s built an identity that extends far beyond his family name. From childhood appearances on television to earning a fine arts degree and exploring music production, his story reveals someone who values substance over celebrity. This look at Milo’s life explores his family background, education, artistic pursuits, and the deliberate choices that keep him out of the tabloid cycle.
Who Is Milo Sebastian Sussman
Milo Sebastian Sussman entered the world on March 22, 1997, in New York City. As the firstborn of Ricki Lake—known for her groundbreaking talk show and role in Hairspray—and Rob Sussman, a professional illustrator, he experienced creativity from day one. His younger brother, Owen Tyler Sussman, was born June 18, 2001, in a water birth that Ricki documented in her influential film The Business of Being Born.
Despite his mother’s public profile, Milo’s parents shielded both boys from excessive media exposure. He attended quality schools in New York City and lived a childhood that balanced normal experiences with occasional brushes with fame. At age five, he appeared briefly in two episodes of Blue’s Clues, but those early screen moments never evolved into a career in entertainment.
The family prioritized education, creativity, and emotional development over publicity. This foundation allowed Milo to develop his own interests without the pressure that often accompanies celebrity children.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Milo Sebastian Sussman |
| Born | March 22, 1997 (age 27) |
| Parents | Ricki Lake, Rob Sussman |
| Sibling | Owen Tyler Sussman |
| Education | Oberlin College (B.A. Studio Art, 2019) |
| Interests | Visual arts, music production |
Early Life with Famous Parents
Ricki Lake’s television career meant cameras and public attention were never far away during Milo’s childhood. Her talk show ran for 11 years and made her a household name. Yet she and Rob worked to create boundaries between her professional life and their sons’ upbringing.
Milo attended private schools in New York City, participated in regular childhood activities, and developed friendships outside the entertainment industry. His parents wanted him to form his own identity without the constant weight of public scrutiny. While Ricki’s work often addressed progressive topics like natural childbirth and body positivity, she kept her children’s daily lives largely separate from her media presence.
This approach gave Milo space to explore interests at his own pace. He wasn’t paraded at red carpet events or used for publicity purposes. Instead, he experienced a childhood that felt normal despite the unconventional backdrop.
Bonding with His Younger Brother
The four-year age gap between Milo and Owen created a natural protective dynamic. After their parents divorced in 2004—Rob filed in August 2003, finalized February 25, 2004—the brothers relied on each other through the transition.
They shared bedrooms during visits between parents, navigated new family structures together, and maintained connections through all the changes. Having each other provided stability when their family life shifted. Their relationship demonstrates how siblings can anchor one another through divorce and blended family adjustments.
As adults, they’ve maintained their closeness while respecting each other’s privacy. Owen has similarly avoided the spotlight, suggesting both brothers share similar values about public attention.
Extended Blended Family
Ricki’s marriage to Christian Evans on April 8, 2012, brought stepsisters Willa and Jenna into Milo’s life. The blended family arrangement introduced new relationships and dynamics. However, the marriage faced challenges, and Ricki and Christian separated in late 2014, with their divorce finalized in 2015.
Tragedy struck when Christian Evans died by suicide in February 2015. He had struggled with bipolar disorder, and his death deeply affected everyone who knew him. For Milo and Owen, losing a stepfather to mental illness was devastating. Ricki spoke publicly about Christian’s battle, hoping to reduce stigma around mental health conditions and encourage others to seek help.
In January 2022, Ricki married Ross Burningham, a California-based businessman. This marriage appears more stable, and Ricki has expressed happiness in finding love again. For Milo, now an adult, his mother’s relationships carry different significance than they did in childhood.
Educational Life
Milo attended competitive private schools in New York City, where he demonstrated academic ability and creative talent. His parents emphasized education, encouraging both their sons to pursue intellectual and artistic growth.
When college application time arrived, Milo chose Oberlin College in Ohio. Founded in 1833, Oberlin is one of the nation’s oldest liberal arts colleges and carries a strong reputation for arts education. The school’s progressive values and creative environment aligned with Milo’s interests.
Oberlin offered Milo the chance to study seriously without the distractions of a big city or proximity to his mother’s fame. The college town atmosphere and focus on individual artistic development suited his personality and goals.
Graduation from Oberlin College
In May 2019, Milo completed his Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art. His coursework spanned multiple mediums including painting, sculpture, and digital media. The Studio Art program at Oberlin encourages experimentation and conceptual thinking rather than rigid technique.
During his four years there, Milo built a portfolio that reflected his personal aesthetic. He participated in student exhibitions and collaborative projects with classmates. The program’s emphasis on critique helped him develop confidence in discussing and defending his creative choices.
Graduating with a fine arts degree signals Milo’s commitment to artistic practice, even though he hasn’t pursued commercial success or gallery representation. For him, the degree represents personal growth and skill development rather than career credentials.
Foray into Making Music
Beyond visual arts, Milo has shown interest in music production and sound engineering. Ricki occasionally shares Instagram photos of Milo in recording studios with friends, working on equipment, and collaborating on tracks. These glimpses suggest he’s developed real technical ability with audio production software and instruments.
He hasn’t released music commercially or performed publicly, keeping this passion entirely private. His approach treats music as creative exploration rather than professional pursuit. Friends and family describe him as talented but uninterested in the business side of the music industry.
This choice reflects Milo’s broader philosophy: he engages with art for personal fulfillment rather than external validation. In an era where many people document every creative project online, his privacy feels countercultural and intentional.
Conclusion
Milo Sebastian Sussman’s journey shows that growing up with a famous parent doesn’t require following their path. At 27, he’s built a life centered on artistic expression, family relationships, and personal values rather than public recognition.
His education at Oberlin College provided technical skills and conceptual frameworks for his creative work. His interest in both visual arts and music demonstrates versatility and genuine passion. Most importantly, his choice to remain private proves you can honor your background while defining your own terms for success.
The challenges he’s faced—parental divorce, blended family adjustments, and the loss of his stepfather to mental illness—have shaped his character without defining his entire story. His close relationship with his brother Owen and continued connection to his mother show family bonds that transcend Hollywood’s superficial aspects.
Whether Milo eventually shares his art publicly or continues creating for personal satisfaction, his path offers a refreshing alternative to celebrity culture. He represents a generation of people who value authenticity over attention and substance over status. In choosing privacy and artistic integrity, he’s achieved something many people struggle to find: a life that genuinely reflects who he is.
