Charlie Austin Cryer: Jon Cryer’s Son and His Life Story

When you think of Jon Cryer, you probably picture Alan Harper from Two and a Half Men — the lovable, slightly desperate divorced dad who couldn’t catch a break. But off screen, Jon’s real life as a father has its own share of drama, heartbreak, and resilience. At the center of it all is his firstborn son, Charlie Austin Cryer.

Charlie isn’t a household name, and that’s by design. He’s grown up largely away from the Hollywood spotlight, even though both of his parents built careers in the entertainment industry. Here’s what we know about his life, his famous family, and where he stands today.

Early Life

Charles Austin Cryer was born on June 27, 2000, in Los Angeles, California. He arrived during a turbulent period in his parents’ relationship — they’d only tied the knot months earlier, in January 1999. Growing up in the LA area meant that Hollywood was never far away, but Charlie’s childhood wasn’t exactly the glamorous experience you’d expect from a celebrity kid.

His parents separated when he was just four years old. That’s young enough that he likely doesn’t remember a time when his mom and dad lived under the same roof. After the split, Charlie initially stayed with his mother, while the courts worked out custody and child support arrangements.

Things took a darker turn when Charlie was around nine. His mother, Sarah Trigger, was arrested and charged with felony child endangerment at her home in Hermosa Beach, California. The charges involved allegations that Charlie had been injured. After that incident, the court transferred custody to Jon Cryer, and Charlie went to live with his dad full time.

It wasn’t an easy start to life, but by all accounts, Charlie found stability once he moved in with his father and Jon’s second wife, Lisa Joyner.

His Father Jon Cryer

Jon Cryer doesn’t need much of an introduction. Born Jonathan Niven Cryer on April 16, 1965, in New York City, he came from an artistic family — his mother, Gretchen Kiger, was a playwright and actress, and his father, Donald David Cryer, was an actor and singer. Jon knew he wanted to act by age 12, and he never looked back.

His breakout came in 1986 when he played the unforgettable Duckie Dale in Pretty in Pink. That role made him a teen icon overnight. But it was his casting as Alan Harper on CBS’s Two and a Half Men in 2003 that turned him into one of the highest-paid actors on television. Jon stayed on the show for all 12 seasons, outlasting even Charlie Sheen, who left after season eight. At his peak, Jon was earning roughly $650,000 per episode.

Beyond the sitcom, Jon has had a varied career. He appeared in Superman IV: The Quest for Peace early on, and more recently portrayed Lex Luthor across several CW superhero shows, including Supergirl, Arrow, and Batwoman. With an estimated net worth north of $65 million, Jon has built a comfortable life for his family.

As a father, Jon has been open about the challenges he’s faced. His custody battle over Charlie was public and messy, but he stepped up when it mattered most. He’s spoken in interviews about wanting to give his kids a sense of normalcy despite the Hollywood chaos surrounding them.

His Mother Sarah Trigger

Sarah Trigger is a British-born actress who appeared in a handful of films during the 1990s, including Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey and Pet Sematary II. She met Jon Cryer in the late 1990s, and the two married in 1999 at The Cutting Room, a well-known event venue in New York City.

Their marriage didn’t last long. Sarah filed for separation, and the divorce was finalized in 2004. What followed was a drawn-out and bitter custody dispute over Charlie. Sarah initially had custody and sought increasing amounts of child support from Jon. Court filings revealed tensions that went far beyond typical divorce proceedings.

The situation escalated significantly when Sarah was charged with felony child endangerment involving Charlie. Jon also filed complaints alleging that Sarah and an ex-partner, Eddie Sanchez, had made threats against his life. Sanchez reportedly pointed the finger at Sarah, claiming she wanted both Jon and her previous husband, David Rickey, dead. Jon and his family had to increase their personal security during that period.

After these incidents, Sarah largely stepped out of the public eye. She hasn’t taken on any notable acting roles in years, and very little is known about her current life.

Siblings

Charlie doesn’t have any full siblings, but he does have half-siblings on both sides of his family.

On his mother’s side, Sarah Trigger was previously married to David Rickey. From that relationship, Charlie has a half-brother named Alex Rickey, who was born around 2006.

On his father’s side, Jon Cryer married entertainment reporter Lisa Joyner in 2007. Jon announced their engagement during an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. In September 2009, Jon and Lisa adopted a baby girl named Daisy Cryer. Daisy is Charlie’s half-sister and the youngest member of the Cryer household.

Jon has spoken warmly about his blended family. Despite the complicated history, it seems like the kids have been able to build their own relationships separate from the adult drama that surrounded their early years.

Life Today

Charlie Austin Cryer turned 25 in June 2025, and he’s remained remarkably private for someone with such a famous father. He doesn’t appear to maintain any public social media profiles — no verified Instagram, no X (formerly Twitter) account, no TikTok presence. That level of privacy is unusual for someone his age, but it’s clearly a deliberate choice.

We don’t know much about Charlie’s education or professional career. He hasn’t followed his parents into acting, at least not publicly. There are no film credits, no red carpet appearances, and no tabloid stories featuring him as an adult. He seems content to live his life outside the spotlight, which honestly might be the healthiest thing he could’ve done given his childhood.

Jon Cryer occasionally shares family moments on his social media, but he’s careful about how much he reveals regarding his children. It’s clear that protecting Charlie and Daisy’s privacy is a priority for him.

Whatever Charlie is up to these days, he’s managed to carve out a life that’s distinctly his own — separate from the sitcom fame, the custody battles, and the tabloid headlines that followed his family around for years.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is Charlie Austin Cryer?

Charlie was born on June 27, 2000, making him 25 years old as of 2025.

Who are Charlie Austin Cryer’s parents?

His father is actor Jon Cryer, best known for Two and a Half Men. His mother is British actress Sarah Trigger.

Does Charlie Austin Cryer have siblings?

He has a half-brother, Alex Rickey, from his mother’s marriage to David Rickey, and a half-sister, Daisy Cryer, who was adopted by Jon Cryer and Lisa Joyner in 2009.

Is Charlie Austin Cryer an actor?

No. As of 2025, Charlie hasn’t pursued a public career in acting or entertainment. He keeps a very low profile.

Does Charlie Austin Cryer have social media?

Charlie doesn’t appear to have any public social media accounts. He values his privacy and stays out of the spotlight.

Related Celebrities

• Jon Cryer — Charlie’s father, star of Two and a Half Men
• Ashton Kutcher — joined Two and a Half Men after Charlie Sheen’s departure