Rob Schneider, the 62-year-old actor known for his role in ‘Grown Ups,’ has opened up about his relationship with his estranged daughter, Elle King. Despite past challenges, Schneider remains hopeful for a brighter future with the ‘very talented’ country singer.

Speaking on Andrew Gold’s ‘Heretics’ podcast, Schneider shared insights into his struggle to be the father that King needed. He recounted a public moment of reflection where he realized, ‘I wasn’t the dad that my daughter needed.’

There’s an endemic – and I don’t know if in other cultures, but in the United States – an endemic of kids who went off to college and came back and said, ‘My daughter doesn’t want to have a relationship with me anymore,’ or, ‘I can’t see my grandkids.’ Schneider suggested a cultural vulnerability in the way relationships are sustained.

Elle King, on her part, has not shied away from sharing her experiences growing up. In 2024, King discussed her ‘toxic’ childhood during an appearance on BunnieXO’s ‘Dumb Blonde’ podcast. She revealed the strain in their relationship, saying her father would sometimes go ‘four or five years without talking’ to her.

After releasing an album, King noted people began to inquire about her father. It prompted a tense call from Schneider, instructing her, ‘Don’t talk about me in the press.’ King’s childhood memories included feeling overshadowed during summer visits to movie sets.

King expressed frustration, recounting how she felt lost in the shuffle and sometimes in ‘trouble’ on movie sets. Her candidness included memories of her father forgetting birthdays and the difficulty in making peace with his actions. Her attempts to mend their relationship included letters and varied approaches without success.

Schneider offered an apology for the past hurt and expressed uncertainty about its reception. He commented, ‘The door’s open, and I would say, I love you and … I’m there when you want.’ He urged parents to maintain love, availability, and openness, emphasizing, ‘My door’s always open.’

Schneider further reflected on the notion of acknowledging a ‘higher power’ to navigate difficult times. Emphasizing connection beyond fame and earthly attachments, he stated, ‘If you realize there is something higher than all of that, then at that point there’s nothing that anybody could do to you.’

He highlighted the importance of Christianity’s teachings, saying, ‘The thing about Christianity, it’s love others, and it’s really about forgiveness. And forgiveness isn’t something you give to somebody else. It’s a gift you give to yourself. You can’t carry stuff. You have to let go.’

As of writing, King’s representatives had not commented to Fox News Digital regarding Schneider’s remarks.