Watch: Paula Patton Shares How Son Julian Helped Her With Sobriety JourneyPaula Patton's mission to maintain her sobriety didn't feel impossible. After all, the Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol alum's 15-year-old son Julian Thicke-whom she shares with ex-husband Robin Thicke-inspired her to work on her relationship with alcohol. "My son, he is my best friend," Paula, 49, revealed during her August 7 appearance on Today. "When I got sober, it just changed my life. He and our neighbor were my two best friends. I got to live life again, like a kid through him and her.