Patrick Fabian Welcomes Daughter Abbey Ray

Mark Sullivan/WireImage

There’s a new charmer in town — and her name is Abbey Ray.

The Last Exorcism star Patrick Fabian‘s newborn daughter “is already batting her eyelashes,” says the proud dad of his first child, born Wednesday, Sept. 15.

The actor’s wife, comedienne and writer Mandy Steckelberg, gave birth to their daughter at the couple’s home in Los Angeles.

“Being a father for the first time is fantastic!” Fabian, 45, tells PEOPLE exclusively. “My love and admiration for what women can do has gone up 1,000 percent.”

The actor, who played Reverend Cotton Marcus in the Eli Roth horror flick, is also known for his role as Ted Price on HBO’s Big Love.

– Ulrica Wihlborg

Comments

I just know him from “Twitches” as Thantos because my daughter and I watch it around Halloween. Congrats.

- Marilyn on September 16th, 2010

I love Big Love! Now, I know him. Cute name, but I prefer Rae rather than Ray for a girl. Congratulations!

- Lacey on September 16th, 2010

Love the name, although I also prefer Abbey Rae

- Jaedyn on September 16th, 2010

Years ago, he was a member of the video store where I worked. He was always so incredibly nice… and cute. I had the biggest crush on him. So many struggling actors would come into the store and be the biggest jerks. He was sweet as pie. So happy his life is going well for him.

- giftbox on September 16th, 2010

congrats!

- sarah on September 16th, 2010

I prefer Ray myself. Rae looks likes it’s misspelled. Patrick Fabian will always be Mr. Price, the mean principal on Joan of Arcadia. Great actor!

- meghan on September 16th, 2010

I love the spelling of Abbey, it’s unique without being overbearing. The spelling of Ray is nice for a change too – there’s way too many trendy Rae’s out there. Congrats!

- Julie on September 16th, 2010

Yeah homebirth!!!!!!

- Holly on September 16th, 2010

total side note but I love that shirt tie suit combo

- t on September 16th, 2010

Thats quite old for a first time dad. My husband and I will have a 23 and 19 year old when we are that age

- Holiday on September 17th, 2010

Abbey’s middle name is spelled Ray to honor her late Great Grandfather. His name was Ray Steckelberg and he was my uncle. Abbey is named after Abbey Road as Patrick is a major Beatles fan. Just responding to comments about the spelling of her name. Congrats to the very happy family!

- Shari Nedved on September 17th, 2010

Holiday – being 22 with your first child is quite young imo. Nowadays everything is possible and being 45 for a man is old but ok I guess.

- Ella on September 17th, 2010

Wow a normal name…love it!

- Amanda on September 17th, 2010

Holiday, being a younger parent worked for you and this works for him. He’s 45 not 85.

- Taylor on September 17th, 2010

Sometimes you have to wait a few years longer than you expect to find the right person to have a family with. Congratulations to Patrick and Mandy. It sounds like their little girl will be very loved!

Shari, thanks for giving us the inside scoop on Abbey’s name!

- meghan on September 17th, 2010

I remember his character on Saved By the Bell: The College Years had a daughter named Abbey! Too cute!

- Kayti on September 17th, 2010

Im not saying its bad, I just dont know a single person who had a child at that age, kind of shocking to me.

- Holiday on September 17th, 2010

Holiday- And I don’t know a single person who had a child at 22. Times have changed

- Jo on September 18th, 2010

Kayti- I remember that! Maybe he’s always loved that name. lol

- annie on September 20th, 2010

I was just going to post that about his daughter on that saved by the bell episode being named Abbey too. lol That’s who I will always remember him as(the cute professor). lol congrats to them! very pretty name.

- Renee on September 20th, 2010

Cute guy and a nice name for his daughter..At least with the spelling of Ray, it has some meaning to it for him and his family, so it will be a name that she will cherish..

- Becky on September 21st, 2010

seriously? you ppl are voicing your unwelcome opinions about how the baby’s name is spelled? say congrats and move on!

- alexa on September 22nd, 2010

Like him a lot…wasn’t he on Reba and played a Reverend? The ladies were crazy about him! Best wishes on your newborn baby girl !:)

- london on September 23rd, 2010

Congratulations Patrick and Mandy. Welcome, Abbey Ray, to our family tree. (I’m your Mothers cousin) I have been keeping track of your career over the years and enjoy telling people “that’s my cousins son”. Keep up the good work.

Linda

- Linda Lou Guisewhite on October 6th, 2010