Each month, iParenting.com spotlights a father who inspires and moves us, who embodies the qualities that we all admire in a person, a man and a father. Above all, the Dad of the Month is dedicated to his children. Rich or poor, famous or not, he shines as an example of what fathering is all about.

Our choice for April is Daniel Markel, actor and father of three!

Gracing Hollywood's big and small screens wasn't enough for actor Daniel Markel (As the World Turns, Dark Angel, Murder She Wrote). "Acting was a lot of fun but actors have to be ready to hop on a plane with little notice anytime and that wasn't working for me - I wanted to be home with my family," he says. Markel also craved a more secure future for his wife and two kids (he now has three kids and one on the way).

Despite an active fan base, and honors as one of daytime's "50 Most Beautiful People" by several magazines (which his friends still tease him about), Markel decided to step from behind the camera. He launched a career in high finance for the love of his family, starting off by attending training at UCLA to learn "the biz." He proved a quick study and was soon spearheading his star-studded California real estate company DT Ventures, where his Hollywood connections help him attract entertainment clients as investors in properties, and Markel also manages more than $150,000,000 in assets for a major Wall Street firm. "It's very satisfying to have work that I'm in control of and that's essential because of my family - in the entertainment industry actors don't have a lot of say in the future," he says.

He credits his wife, Kathleen, with helping him ease the transition from actor to executive. "Having a very good marriage and close, supportive family made things easier for me," he says.

Family Life
Now that Markel isn't being tugged from coast-to-coast, as he was while acting, he savors playing at home with Vivian, 6, Maximillian, 4, and Jackson, 2. He makes sure to carve out special time with each of them on weekends and especially enjoys teaching them golf and tennis. He also savors taking them to T-ball and soccer, or just enjoying a quick trip out for Krispy Krème donuts.

Markel's favorite moments stem from watching his kids work toward their goals. He says, "Just yesterday my oldest son was trying to make a basket but he couldn't and it was frustrating to him. He kept going, though, and when he finally made it he felt so good. I was thrilled he'd kept trying." Markel adds, "Little things like this add up - I'm touched by my kids daily."

Parenting can be difficult and Markel's biggest challenge is remembering every day how much his kids look up to him and how important a role parents play in their kids' lives. "Everyday life can get busy but I try to keep all the promises I make to my kids and really listen what they say," he says. "It's like an investment in their future."

Markel is glad to be firmly grounded in the real world with his family. "In comparison to daytime TV, I'm very relieved to have normal loving relationships instead of a tortured life with outrageous problems," he laughs. Markel met Kathleen while the two of them were performing Oedipus Rex in high school in Nebraska. "It was love at first sight," he beams.

And their 10-year marriage still remains strong. "Kathleen is my best friend and we have a lot of fun together. Plus, she keeps me in line." The secret to their successful marriage is "pillow talk" - the couple often chats late into the night or early in the morning before the kids wake up.

As the parents of three kids, the Markels don't get much time alone, but they occasionally slip away for romantic weekends in Palm Springs. And to beat stress and relax, this busy dad enjoys barbequing Omaha steaks (a tribute to his Nebraska childhood), running or golfing with friends.

He's always been social. It's why he's excited about having four kids, and why he interacts so well with clients now, and fans in the past. Despite quitting showbiz, Markel still has many admirers that hope to see him make a TV/movie comeback. "Fans were the best part of the business - I was fortunate to meet so many great people. You never know what will happen ... but right now I'm very content."