Ian Ziering Admits His Daughters Haven’t Seen ‘Beverly Hills, 90210’ (Exclusive)

Ian Ziering is best remembered for his breakout role as the charming troublemaker Steve Sanders on Beverly Hills, 90210.

Over the years, he’s built a career that stretches well beyond the zip code that made him famous – from battling outrageous storms in the Sharknado franchise to lending his voice to animated favorites like Biker Mice from Mars.

These days, the 61-year-old is juggling his acting career along with the responsibility of fatherhood.

At this year’s annual Los Angeles Mission + Hope the Mission’s Thanksgiving meal service, Ziering chatted with PEOPLE about the importance of family time around the holidays.

Ziering shares his two daughters, Mia Loren, 14, and Penna Mae, 12, with his ex-wife, Erin Ludwig.

Although his children are now old enough to understand what their father does for a living, he reveals that it hasn’t made him any cooler in their world.

“I get no cool points. Zero,” he tells PEOPLE. “It’s almost sometimes a little embarrassing, but at the end of the day, they’re very proud of me and I’m blessed with two beautiful, healthy girls that are my why for everything.”

When asked if they’ve seen him in Beverly Hills, 90210, Ziering says the two have yet to watch the hit series, noting that they’ve always been a bit “too young” for the teen drama.

“I have it on a hard drive, the original series, so one day we’ll sit and we’ll watch. It’s 396 episodes. It’s going to take a while, at any event,” Ziering, who starred on the FOX series for its entire 10-year run from 1990 to 2000, says.

The actor notes that he is dedicated to leading his children “by example” and intends to instill values that will guide both his girls towards good decision-making as they grow up.

“I wish they came with an instruction manual, but they didn’t. So I’m doing the best I can,” Ziering tells PEOPLE exclusively. “There’s going to be a point in their life where they’re on their own and hopefully I will have taught them enough to make good decisions and make decisions that they’ll be proud of themselves for making.”

Ziering spent the day giving back alongside the two girls, his girlfriend Caila Dean, and her three kids, as they passed out food to people experiencing homelessness.

“Homelessness here in Los Angeles is one of the biggest problems in the country. It’s an honor to be here today to help others that are in need,” Ziering shares.

“I feel very fortunate in my life, and I think it’s important not just for me, but to show my children who are here also, that it’s important to volunteer, to help others that are less fortunate to instill in them a sense of appreciation, a sense of compassion for others, a sense of community.”