Joshua Jackson has a built-in youth savior: fatherhood!

When asked how he has kept his fresh face over the years, the 46-year-old replied: Doctor Odyssey The actor joked to PEOPLE at the Walt Disney Company’s Emmy Awards on Sunday, September 15, “I think it’s like chasing a four-year-old. I think that keeps you young.”

Jackson, who has a daughter, Juno Rose Diana, with his ex-wife Jodie Turner-Smith, jokes about his appearance: “The grey hair might tell you otherwise.”

But he also points out that his youthful appearance may have something to do with his happiness and a change in facial hair.

“I think it’s actually just because I shaved,” Jackson says. “I mean, I’m happy. I’m very happy, but I think it’s because I shaved. I think I look a lot younger without a full COVID beard.”

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He goes on to tell us what he and Juno currently enjoy doing together: “We are in a big Lion King phase, so that’s good,” he says. “And yes, I mean, going to the park, sitting at home, doing crafts.

“She’s just great. She’s the funniest person in the world,” adds the Dawson’s Creek: The mysterious setting graduate, who was on hand at the Emmys earlier in the evening to present the teen drama’s executive producer Greg Berlanti with the Governor’s Award.

Juno is the only child of Jackson and Turner-Smith, 38. The former couple welcomed their daughter in 2020 after PEOPLE confirmed their marriage on August 18, 2019.

The Queen & Slim The actress filed for divorce in October 2023; the following month, she and Jackson agreed to joint custody of their daughter, with neither having to pay child support.

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Next up for Jackson is Doctor Odysseyin which he takes on the lead role of Max, a “ship’s doctor on a luxury cruise ship where the staff works hard and parties even harder.”

According to the series’ official logline, “It’s all hands on deck as Max and his small but mighty team of doctors navigate unique medical crises and support each other miles from shore.”

“It’s the first time in a long time that I’ve played a pretty straightforward guy,” said the Dr. Death And Small fires everywhere alum tells PEOPLE about the new series, which premieres Sept. 26 on ABC. “He’s a good doctor and a good man trying to get his life together.”

“But in reality, the show is not about a heavy, dramatic backstory. It’s not about secret drug addiction or affairs. It’s a funny, sexy, beautiful, fast-paced Ryan Murphy fantasy,” he adds.

Watch PEOPLE’s full coverage of the 76th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, broadcast live from the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles on ABC.