You’d be forgiven for thinking that Todd Lasance might be trying to score some serious brownie points by gushing about his girlfriend, Jordan Cox, when he catches up with TV WEEK.
“She’s unbelievable; I’m constantly in awe of what she does and the sacrifices she’s made,” Todd says.
But it’s clear the former Home And Away star, who now calls Hollywood home, is full of genuine praise for his partner.
“I owe everything to her!” he declares. “She’s put her career on hold, uprooted herself from her home and allowed me to pursue what I love.”
The pair have been together for three years and have a two-year-old daughter, Charlie Rose.
Todd with girlfriend Jordan and daughter Charlie Rose.
Earlier this year, Todd was back in town shooting Bite Club, the Nine Network police drama that will see him return to Australian screens soon.
The trip was fleeting, however, with Todd very much a part of the Australian acting contingent that bounces back and forth between Los Angeles and the land down under.
It’s this near-nomadic lifestyle that inspires Todd to speak so glowingly about his partner.
“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Jordan, I know that’s a cliched thing to say, but I don’t really know what I’d do without her,” Todd, 33, muses.
“She’s such an unbelievable mother, she does everything for Charlie and I.”
For Todd and his little family, life is pretty sweet. They go where the work is, but base themselves in Los Angeles.
“Los Angeles is not the most family orientated city,” Todd, who was born and raised in Newcastle, before moving to Sydney, laments.
“It’s great career-wise and there’s a real energy there, but on the other hand it’s not the kind of place that you want to be long term.”
Todd stars in the upcoming series Bite Club, along with co-star Ash Ricardo.
Todd is pretty up front about his desire to return home, but for Jordan, who hails from Atlanta, Georgia, a move to Australia is no small feat.
“Because we’d close to my family here but then we’re further away from Jordan’s family,” he explains.
Ultimately, it comes down to what’s best for their little bundle of joy, which means Todd’s hometown might just get the nod.
“I’ve always been biased with wanting to raise her in Australia,” he says. “I mean, the Australian environment, plus the education and public health system, if you’re looking from a family perspective, it’s kind of unbeatable.”
By the sounds of it, Charlie might have some say in the matter, with Todd conceding she’s quickly becoming the boss of their tight knit trio.
“She is unstoppable, a force to be reckoned with,” he laughs. “It’s such an incredible experience to be a dad, watching her grow and develop, it’s better than I could have imagined.”
“She is unstoppable, a force to be reckoned with”. Todd with daughter Charlie Rose.
A prouder father you will not find and Todd’s voice beams as he speaks about Charlie, which must make it hard to pull himself away when it’s time work.
“It’s tough, I’m shooting 70 hours a week and I know we’re not saving anyone’s life as actors, but when you talk about time away from your family, you certainly have to make that sacrifice,” Todd says.
“I’m such a family man as well, so it can be hard, again that’s where Jordan comes in, she does an incredible job.”
While the loved up duo are yet to tie the knot, Todd hints the big day may not be too far away.
“It could be soon, we’ll see,” Todd teases. “Her Instagram feed just happens to have wedding related photos pop up just by chance, so I can’t say too much more.”
A wedding would be the perfect way to top off a big year for Todd, with his lead role in Bite Club tipped to be a career highlight.
“I owe everything to her!”. Todd with girlfriend Jordan.
A crime thriller with a twist, Bite Club sees Todd head up a killer cast including Pia Miller, Deborah Mailman and Damian Walshe-Howling. Todd plays top cop Detective Constable Dan Cooper, a character who offered a real challenge.
“Dan goes through this sort of life-altering traumatic experience at the start, which leads to all these different dynamics going on,” Todd says. “Part of the reason why I took it was because of what Dan was layered with.”
Also joining the show is Dominic Monaghan of The Lord Of The Rings fame.
“I’d just sit there at lunch and listen to all of The Lord Of The Rings stories,” Todd laughs. “I got his girlfriend to film his sword that Dom kept from the set and send it through to the cast, we were blown away.”
Between living life in Los Angeles and rubbing shoulders with Hollywood stars, Todd’s truly hitting his straps, but he’s never one to forget where he came from… Summer Bay!
Todd played heartthrob Aden Jefferies for five years, a role he looks back on fondly.
“I had such an amazing time, it started everything,” Todd, who left Home And Away in 2010, admits. “I’m always grateful for it.”
So grateful that he might pull a Chris Hemsworth and pop back in for a cameo?
“Absolutely, I’d love to do a fishing scene with Alf, speak to Ray and make it happen!”
Consider it done, Todd.
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