Let me tell you a story about a proud father named Don Johnson. If you're familiar with Hollywood, you probably know him as the suave detective from "Miami Vice." But today, we're not just talking about his acting prowess. We're diving into the heartwarming journey of how his daughter, Dakota Johnson, carved her own path in the entertainment world, much to his surprise and delight.

From Miami Vice to Parenting: Don Johnson's Unexpected Journey

Back in the day, Don Johnson never imagined that his life would take such an unexpected turn. He didn’t just become one of Hollywood’s most accomplished stars; he also became the father of children who followed in his footsteps. In a recent chat with The Guardian, the legendary actor opened up about how surprising it was to witness his daughter Dakota's success in the acting world.

"I had no idea she wanted to go into acting. She didn’t share that with us," Don revealed, reflecting on Dakota’s decision to pursue a career in Hollywood. At the time, Dakota was just 18, and Don found himself in a familiar parental conundrum. "I thought, 'Alright, I’ll keep an eye on her and be there if she needs me.' But let me tell you, she took off like a rocket!"

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don-johnson-dakota-johnson — Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

Don Johnson on Dakota's Independence and Talent

Despite his initial protective instincts, Don couldn’t help but marvel at how independent Dakota turned out to be. "Ha ha, that was the last I saw of Dakota. She’s got the goods," he chuckled, clearly proud of his daughter. Dakota skyrocketed to international fame after playing Anastasia Steele in the "Fifty Shades of Grey" trilogy, and Don couldn’t be prouder. "She’s an incredible actress," he gushed. "In some ways, she’s even better than her mom, Melanie Griffith, and me."

A Family Affair: Don Johnson's Five Kids

For those who don’t know, Don Johnson is the proud father of five children. His firstborn, Jesse Johnson, now 36, was born to his ex-girlfriend Patti D’Arbanville. Not long after, he welcomed Dakota with his ex-wife Melanie Griffith, who is now 62. After parting ways with Melanie, Don tied the knot with Kelley Phleger in 1999, and they went on to have three more children: Grace Johnson, 19, Jasper Johnson, and Deacon Johnson, 13.

The Johnson Legacy: Hollywood's Next Generation

Don, who made his film debut in 1970 with "The Magic Garden of Stanley Sweetheart," also spoke candidly about the topic of celebrity parents bankrolling their kids’ Hollywood dreams. "I could write books on that," he admitted, emphasizing the importance of drawing a line. "I believe you can destroy your kids if you do too much for them. You start off wanting better for them than what you had, but the more you do, the more you cripple them. Struggle is what fuels creativity and discovery," he explained.