Actresses Who Frequently Work With Their Partners

Some creative couples keep their personal and professional lives separate, while others turn that chemistry into repeated on-screen or behind-the-camera collaborations. Below are actresses who have teamed up with their partners multiple times—whether as co-stars, director–actor duos, or recurring creative partners across film, TV, and stage. For each pair, you’ll find concrete examples of projects they’ve shared, plus the roles they played in making those projects happen. It’s a handy shortcut to explore how real-life relationships can shape a body of work.

Helena Bonham Carter

Helena Bonham Carter collaborated extensively with Tim Burton, appearing in a run of his films across genres. Their shared credits include ‘Planet of the Apes’, ‘Big Fish’, ‘Corpse Bride’, ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’, ‘Sweeney Todd’, ‘Alice in Wonderland’, and ‘Dark Shadows’. She frequently took leading or pivotal supporting roles while Burton directed or produced. The pair’s collaborations span live-action and animation, with Bonham Carter also lending voice performances on several projects.

Emily Blunt

Emily Blunt and John Krasinski turned their partnership into a filmmaking team with ‘A Quiet Place’ and its sequel, where she starred and he wrote, directed, and co-starred. They developed the premise around sound-driven suspense and family dynamics, building the films through restrained dialogue and practical set-piece design. Blunt’s performance anchored the stories, while Krasinski managed direction and post-production shaping. Their work together expanded into producing responsibilities and close involvement in marketing and awards campaigns.

Penélope Cruz

Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem have shared the screen multiple times across international and Hollywood productions. Their joint projects include ‘Jamón, jamón’, ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’, ‘The Counselor’, ‘Loving Pablo’, and ‘Everybody Knows’. They’ve alternated between ensemble pieces and two-handers, often playing characters in complicated relationships. Beyond acting, they coordinate schedules around multilingual shoots and festival premieres where both promote their films.

Elizabeth Taylor

Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton built one of cinema’s most prolific on-screen pairings. They co-starred in ‘Cleopatra’, ‘The V.I.P.s’, ‘The Sandpiper’, ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?’, ‘The Taming of the Shrew’, ‘Boom!’, and ‘Hammersmith Is Out’. Their collaborations covered epics, dramas, and literary adaptations, often with major studio backing. The pair’s projects frequently involved intensive rehearsal processes, extended location shoots, and high-profile press tours.

Melissa McCarthy

Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone have an extensive actor–director–producer collaboration history. Their joint films include ‘Tammy’, ‘The Boss’, ‘Life of the Party’, and ‘Thunder Force’, with McCarthy starring and Falcone writing, directing, or co-starring. They also coordinate through their production company to develop vehicles tailored to her strengths. Beyond features, they’ve partnered on television appearances and recurring cameos that broaden their shared comedic brand.

Leslie Mann

Leslie Mann and Judd Apatow have worked together repeatedly across comedies and dramedies. Mann appears in Apatow-directed or produced projects such as ‘The 40-Year-Old Virgin’, ‘Knocked Up’, ‘Funny People’, ‘This Is 40’, and ‘The Bubble’. Their process typically involves improvisation during takes and script adjustments informed by rehearsals. Mann’s roles often expand in post through additional scene work that Apatow builds during editing.

Frances McDormand

Frances McDormand has collaborated with Joel Coen throughout her career, frequently under the Coen brothers’ banner. Shared titles include ‘Blood Simple’, ‘Fargo’, ‘The Man Who Wasn’t There’, ‘Burn After Reading’, and ‘Hail, Caesar!’. She’s participated in the films from development reads to awards-season promotion, often contributing to character backstory work. Many of these projects also involve recurring crews, reinforcing long-term working relationships.

Rita Wilson

Rita Wilson and Tom Hanks have appeared together on screen and collaborated behind the scenes. Shared projects include ‘Volunteers’, ‘Sleepless in Seattle’, ‘That Thing You Do!’—which Hanks wrote and directed with Wilson appearing—and ‘Larry Crowne’. Wilson also participates in producing and music-related tie-ins connected to certain releases. The couple’s collaborations span acting roles, production duties, and soundtrack contributions.

Goldie Hawn

Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell have co-starred across multiple decades. Their notable collaborations include ‘Swing Shift’, ‘Overboard’, and appearances together in ‘The Christmas Chronicles’ films. They balance lead and cameo roles, with Russell often fronting action-driven material and Hawn anchoring comedic beats. Joint projects regularly feature family-friendly positioning and holiday release strategies.

Greta Gerwig

Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach have collaborated as co-writers, actors, and director–actor partners. Gerwig acted in Baumbach’s ‘Greenberg’, co-wrote and starred in ‘Frances Ha’ and ‘Mistress America’, and co-wrote ‘White Noise’ and ‘Barbie’ with him. Their workflow typically includes script development through workshops and iterative drafts. They often share producing oversight, festival rollouts, and press duties tied to their co-written projects.

Zoe Kazan

Zoë Kazan and Paul Dano have combined acting, writing, and directing across several works. They co-starred in ‘Ruby Sparks’, which Kazan wrote, and collaborated on ‘Wildlife’, which she co-wrote and he directed. Their projects emphasize character-driven narratives developed through table reads and script refinement. The pair also works together on stage pieces, coordinating rehearsal schedules around film commitments.

Kate Beckinsale

Kate Beckinsale frequently collaborated with Len Wiseman during the ‘Underworld’ series. She headlined multiple entries while Wiseman directed or produced, helping to establish the franchise’s action and visual identity. Their teamwork extended to character continuity across sequels and stunt planning with returning crews. Marketing cycles often highlighted Beckinsale’s lead performance alongside Wiseman’s world-building.

Milla Jovovich

Milla Jovovich and Paul W. S. Anderson have maintained a long-running actor–director partnership. They teamed on numerous ‘Resident Evil’ installments, then reunited for projects like ‘The Three Musketeers’ and ‘Monster Hunter’. Jovovich’s roles frequently involve intensive stunt and fight choreography planning that Anderson integrates into pre-viz. Their collaborations also include franchise development and coordinated international releases.

Mary Elizabeth Ellis

Mary Elizabeth Ellis and Charlie Day have worked together repeatedly in television and film. On ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’, Ellis plays a recurring character opposite Day’s lead role, with both contributing to long-term character arcs. They’ve also appeared together in features and guest spots that leverage their comedic timing. Production schedules are often structured to accommodate their overlapping commitments.

Rose Byrne

Rose Byrne and Bobby Cannavale have shared projects across film, TV, and stage. They co-starred in ‘Adult Beginners’, performed together in theatrical productions like ‘Medea’, and Cannavale made guest appearances on Byrne’s series ‘Physical’. Their collaborations span lead roles and strategic cameos that support each other’s projects. The pair frequently participates in festival circuits and press tours as a unit.

Kirsten Dunst

Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons formed a recurring screen partnership starting with television and moving to film. They first acted together in ‘Fargo’ and later reunited for ‘The Power of the Dog’. Both projects positioned them in complex dramatic roles with extended rehearsal periods. Their collaborations often coincide with awards-season campaigns that showcase their joint performances.

Kristen Bell

Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard have worked together on several films and series. Joint credits include ‘When in Rome’, ‘Hit and Run’, and ‘CHiPs’, alongside guest appearances on each other’s TV projects. Shepard often serves as writer, director, or producer on their collaborations, with Bell fronting the on-screen roles. Outside releases, they coordinate brand partnerships and podcast cross-promotions tied to project launches.

Courteney Cox

Courteney Cox and David Arquette have collaborated frequently in film and television. They co-star in the ‘Scream’ franchise across multiple installments, maintaining character continuity through sequels. Beyond the films, they’ve worked together on production ventures linked to television. Publicity cycles for franchise entries typically involve joint interviews and fan-event appearances.

Jennifer Connelly

Jennifer Connelly and Paul Bettany have combined acting and directing collaborations. They appeared together in ‘A Beautiful Mind’ and ‘Creation’, and Connelly starred in ‘Shelter’, which Bettany wrote and directed. Their projects span biographical drama and intimate character studies. Development often includes research-heavy preparation, with Bettany and Connelly coordinating around location shoots and post-production.

Joanne Woodward

Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman established one of cinema’s most enduring collaborative partnerships. Their shared filmography includes titles such as ‘The Long, Hot Summer’, ‘Rally ’Round the Flag, Boys!’, ‘From the Terrace’, ‘Paris Blues’, ‘WUSA’, and ‘Mr. and Mrs. Bridge’. Newman also directed Woodward in features like ‘Rachel, Rachel’. Their collaborations encompassed studio pictures, independent dramas, and television productions, often with overlapping producing roles.

Sarah Michelle Gellar

Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr. have returned to the same sets and recording booths multiple times. They co-starred in ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ and re-teamed for ‘Scooby-Doo’ and ‘Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed’. Both also contributed voice work to ‘Star Wars Rebels’ during overlapping seasons. The pair’s collaborations include live-action leads, franchise work, and animation voice roles.

Mila Kunis

Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher built a long-running professional overlap out of television. They starred together on ‘That ’70s Show’ for eight seasons and later reunited for a guest appearance on ‘That ’90s Show’. Kunis also guest-starred opposite Kutcher on ‘Two and a Half Men’ for a meta cameo episode. Their work together spans multicam sitcom staging, nostalgia revivals, and network comedy promotions.

Amy Poehler

Amy Poehler and Will Arnett have appeared together across film and television. They co-led the sports comedy ‘Blades of Glory’ and shared scenes on ‘Arrested Development’ during Arnett’s run, with Poehler playing a memorable guest role. Poehler also featured Arnett for bits and appearances tied to ‘Parks and Recreation’ era publicity. Their collaborations range from ensemble comedies to recurring TV cameos engineered around their schedules.

Tina Fey

Tina Fey’s frequent collaborator at home is composer, director, and producer Jeff Richmond. He scored and executive-produced ’30 Rock’ and ‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’, and co-created the ‘Mean Girls’ stage musical before producing the film adaptation with Fey’s screenplay. Richmond also composes for ‘Girls5eva’, another Fey–Carlock production. Their partnership spans writing, scoring, showrunning logistics, and music supervision across TV, Broadway, and film.

Anna Paquin

Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer turned their screen partnership into multi-format collaboration. They co-starred across seven seasons of ‘True Blood’, with Moyer later directing episodes while Paquin produced. Paquin headlined ‘The Parting Glass’, which Moyer directed and they produced together. The pair continues to align on projects where acting, directing, and producing duties interlock.

Aubrey Plaza

Aubrey Plaza and Jeff Baena have a sustained actor–director pipeline. Plaza starred in Baena’s features ‘Life After Beth’, ‘Joshy’, ‘The Little Hours’, and ‘Spin Me Round’, frequently serving as producer as well. They also partnered on the anthology series ‘Cinema Toast’, with Baena creating and Plaza executive-producing segments. Their workflow often blends improvisation with ensemble casting from a recurring troupe.

Rachel Weisz

Rachel Weisz and Daniel Craig have collaborated on stage and screen. They co-starred in the psychological thriller ‘Dream House’ and later headlined a Broadway revival of ‘Betrayal’, performing opposite each other for an extended run. Outside of acting, they coordinate press and charitable appearances tied to those projects. Their joint work includes studio features and high-profile theater engagements.

Emily Mortimer

Emily Mortimer and Alessandro Nivola balance co-starring, cameos, and director–actor setups. They acted together in ‘Love’s Labour’s Lost’ and ‘Arthur’, with Nivola later appearing in Mortimer’s semi-scripted series ‘Doll & Em’. Mortimer wrote and directed ‘The Pursuit of Love’, casting Nivola in a central role. Their collaborations stretch from Shakespeare adaptations to prestige television.

Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s professional overlap extends beyond tabloid headlines. They teamed on ‘Gigli’ and ‘Jersey Girl’, and Lopez featured Affleck—briefly—in the ‘Jenny from the Block’ music video that accompanied their early-2000s projects. In recent years, they’ve leveraged joint appearances in branded spots and producing ventures. Their collaborations have included studio comedies, family dramas, and cross-promotional music–film tie-ins.

Lisa Bonet

Lisa Bonet and Jason Momoa have appeared together in film and television. Bonet co-starred in Momoa’s directorial feature ‘Road to Paloma’, and both appeared on the drama series ‘The Red Road’. Their collaborations combine indie filmmaking logistics with cable-series scheduling. The projects typically emphasize grounded character work and regional location shoots.

Jenna Fischer

Jenna Fischer and Lee Kirk turned a real-life partnership into a feature and TV cameos. Fischer starred in ‘The Giant Mechanical Man’, written and directed by Kirk, which they also shepherded through the festival circuit. Kirk made a memorable cameo as the lactation consultant in ‘The Office’ during Fischer’s run. Their work together spans indie production, studio television, and promotional tours.

Leslie Bibb

Leslie Bibb and Sam Rockwell have shared sets across multiple productions. They appear together in ‘Iron Man 2’, where Bibb’s reporter character crosses paths with Rockwell’s industrialist, and reunited for the comedy ‘Don Verdean’. The pair also coordinates festival appearances and Q&As when projects overlap. Their collaborations include superhero franchise work, independent features, and circuit promotion.

Rooney Mara

Rooney Mara and Joaquin Phoenix have built a steady on-screen collaboration. They share key scenes in ‘Her’, co-starred in ‘Mary Magdalene’, and both appeared in ‘Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot’. Their projects often involve directors known for character-driven storytelling, requiring extended rehearsal and research. They regularly align press schedules to support those releases.

Gillian Anderson

Gillian Anderson’s partnership with writer–producer Peter Morgan produced a major prestige-TV collaboration. Anderson portrayed Margaret Thatcher on ‘The Crown’, the royal drama Morgan created and showran, joining the ensemble in a pivotal season. Their professional overlap included research and dialect preparation aligned with the writers’ room. She participated in awards campaigns and global promotion tied to that series run.

Mary Steenburgen

Mary Steenburgen and Ted Danson have collaborated in TV movies and series guest spots. They co-starred in the miniseries ‘Gulliver’s Travels’ and later reunited for projects including the television film ‘It Must Be Love’. Both have also made appearances in overlapping comedy series like ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ during different seasons. Their joint work often combines network scheduling with cable or premium cameos.

Angela Lansbury

Angela Lansbury worked closely with producer Peter Shaw across ‘Murder, She Wrote’ and later TV movies in the franchise. Shaw’s producing role supported Lansbury’s continuing portrayal of Jessica Fletcher as the property expanded. Their collaboration included network negotiations, location planning, and post-series specials. The partnership kept the character active through stand-alone films after the series ended.

Claire Danes

Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy have collaborated on film, TV, and theater. They co-starred in ‘Evening’ early in their relationship and later intersected professionally when Dancy joined ‘Homeland’ for a recurring role opposite Danes. Both have also participated in staged readings and limited-run theater projects. The pair’s joint efforts blend prestige television with ensemble period drama.

Emily VanCamp

Emily VanCamp and Josh Bowman turned on-screen sparks into a long-term working arrangement on ‘Revenge’. They led the ABC series for four seasons, coordinating intensive network schedules and ensemble plotting. The show’s ongoing arc required joint press appearances and international promotion. Their collaboration is anchored in multi-season television production.

Nicole Kidman

Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise created a trio of high-profile collaborations. They co-starred in ‘Days of Thunder’, reunited for ‘Far and Away’, and later headlined ‘Eyes Wide Shut’. Each project placed them in different genres, from action drama to epic romance and psychological thriller. Their joint work involved large-scale location shoots and tightly managed studio rollouts.

Eva Mendes

Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling worked together on both sides of the camera. They co-starred in ‘The Place Beyond the Pines’, where their characters’ storyline anchors the film’s first act, and Mendes appeared in Gosling’s directorial debut ‘Lost River’. Their collaborations include on-set development around visual tone and music cues. The pair also managed festival premieres and press tied to those releases.

Share your favorite actress–partner collaborations in the comments and tell us which projects you think showcase their best teamwork!