Actors in Long, Lasting Marriages (40+ Years)

Some actors have balanced busy careers with relationships that truly stood the test of time. This list highlights men in Hollywood and beyond who have stayed married for four decades or more. You will find the year they married, a bit about how they met, and family details that show how these partnerships have grown right alongside their careers. It is a simple snapshot of commitment that has lasted through changing eras of film and television.

Alan Alda

Alan Alda married Arlene Alda in 1957 after meeting at a mutual friend’s dinner party. They settled in New Jersey and raised three daughters together. Arlene built a career as a photographer and author while Alan worked in acting and directing. The two have also supported science communication and arts education through public events and charitable work.

Michael Caine

Michael Caine married Shakira Caine in 1973 after seeing her in a coffee commercial and arranging an introduction. They have one daughter together and Michael has an older daughter from a previous marriage. Shakira worked as a model and businesswoman and often joined Michael on red carpets around the world. The couple split time between homes in the United Kingdom and the United States over the years.

Jeff Bridges

Jeff Bridges married Susan Geston in 1977 after they met while he was filming in Montana. They raised three daughters and later welcomed grandchildren. Susan worked as a producer and has appeared with Jeff at industry events and charitable functions. The pair have long supported causes related to hunger relief and environmental conservation.

Denzel Washington

Denzel Washington married Pauletta Washington in 1983 after meeting on a television set and reconnecting later. They have four children and have collaborated on stage and charity appearances. Pauletta is an actress and musician who has performed in theater and on screen. The family has supported scholarships and community programs through church and nonprofit work.

Samuel L. Jackson

Samuel L. Jackson married LaTanya Richardson Jackson in 1980 after meeting in college. They have one daughter who works in the entertainment industry. LaTanya is a Tony winning actress who has appeared on Broadway and in film and television. Together they established a foundation that funds education and health initiatives.

Christopher Walken

Christopher Walken married Georgianne Walken in 1969 after they met while working in theater. Georgianne became a successful casting director with credits on major television series and films. The couple chose not to have children and focused on their creative careers. They have maintained a home base in New York and often keep a low public profile.

Ron Howard

Ron Howard married Cheryl Howard in 1975 after they met in high school. They have four children including filmmaker and actor Bryce Dallas Howard. Cheryl is an author who has appeared in small roles in Ron’s films. The couple has supported libraries, film education, and community arts in California.

Dustin Hoffman

Dustin Hoffman married Lisa Hoffman in 1980 after reconnecting years after an early introduction. They have two children together and Dustin has four children from previous relationships. Lisa launched a fragrance and skincare brand and has worked on philanthropic projects with Dustin. The family has maintained close ties to the Los Angeles creative community.

Richard Jenkins

Richard Jenkins married Sharon R. Friedrick in 1969 after meeting in Illinois theater circles. They have two children and moved to Rhode Island where Richard built a long stage and screen career. Sharon is a choreographer and has been involved with regional arts organizations. The couple has supported local theaters and university programs in the state.

Sam Elliott

Sam Elliott married Katharine Ross in 1984 after they worked on projects together. They have one daughter and have shared credits on several films. Katharine is an acclaimed actress and author who has continued selective work. The couple has lived primarily in California and Oregon while supporting western heritage and literary events.

Amitabh Bachchan

Amitabh Bachchan married Jaya Bachchan in 1973 after co starring in multiple films. They have two children who both work in the Indian film industry. Jaya is an award winning actress and a member of India’s parliament. The Bachchan family is widely known in Mumbai for film, charity work, and public service.

Jackie Chan

Jackie Chan married Joan Lin in 1982 after she had established a successful acting career in Taiwan. They have one son together who pursued a career in entertainment. Joan stepped away from acting and has largely stayed out of the public eye. The couple has kept their family life mostly private while Jackie continued international film work.

Jeremy Irons

Jeremy Irons married Sinéad Cusack in 1978 after meeting in the theater. They have two sons including actor Max Irons. Sinéad is a prominent Irish actress with an extensive stage and screen career. The couple has supported theater companies and humanitarian causes across the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Billy Dee Williams

Billy Dee Williams married Teruko Nakagami in 1972 after she worked in the fashion world. They have a daughter together and Billy Dee has a son from a previous marriage. Teruko has appeared with him at film conventions and cultural events. The couple has made Los Angeles their long term home base.

Paul Newman

Paul Newman married Joanne Woodward in 1958 after they met working on a stage production and then a film set. They raised three daughters together and also blended a family with his children from a previous marriage. The couple founded a number of charitable efforts, including the Hole in the Wall camps supported by Newman’s Own profits. They remained married until his death in 2008.

Mel Brooks

Mel Brooks married Anne Bancroft in 1964 after meeting at a rehearsal in New York City. They had one son, who built a career in writing and direction. Brooks and Bancroft often collaborated on projects and supported arts institutions in Los Angeles and New York. Their marriage lasted until her death in 2005.

James Garner

James Garner married Lois Clarke in 1956 after a quick courtship in California. They raised two daughters and kept a home base in Los Angeles while Garner worked in film and television. Clarke maintained a low public profile and supported his career behind the scenes. They remained married until his death in 2014.

Sidney Poitier

Sidney Poitier married Joanna Shimkus in 1976 after meeting through the film community. They had two daughters, both of whom pursued creative careers. Shimkus worked as an actress and later focused on family and philanthropic interests. The marriage continued until Poitier’s death in 2022.

Ed Harris

Ed Harris married Amy Madigan in 1983 after they met during a theater production and then worked together on screen. They have one daughter and maintain homes in New York and Los Angeles. Madigan has an extensive career in film and television and has produced and taught acting. The couple often supports theater companies and educational programs.

Jerry Stiller

Jerry Stiller married Anne Meara in 1954 after they met at an agent’s office in Manhattan. They formed a successful comedy team and later raised two children who both entered the entertainment industry. Stiller and Meara appeared together on stage and television across decades. Their marriage lasted until her death in 2015.

Carl Reiner

Carl Reiner married Estelle Reiner in 1943 after meeting in New York’s performing arts circles. They had three children, including filmmaker Rob Reiner. Estelle performed as a singer and actress and appeared in several of Carl’s projects. The couple stayed married until her death in 2008.

Patrick Duffy

Patrick Duffy married Carlyn Rosser in 1974 after they met while she was a professional ballerina. They had two sons and made their home in Oregon and later in California. Rosser continued to support arts organizations and dance education. Their marriage continued until her death in 2017.

John Lithgow

John Lithgow married Mary Yeager in 1981 after meeting at a university event. They have two children together and have lived in both New York and Los Angeles during his stage and screen career. Yeager is a history professor who has published academic work and taught at the university level. The couple supports literacy and arts education initiatives.

Michael York

Michael York married Patricia McCallum in 1968 after meeting during a photo shoot. They lived in London and Los Angeles as his international film career expanded. Pat York became a noted photographer with gallery exhibitions and published collections. Their marriage lasted until her death in 2023.

Martin Sheen

Martin Sheen married Janet Templeton in 1961 after they met in New York theater circles. They have four children, many of whom built successful acting and directing careers. Templeton worked as an actor and producer and managed family and creative projects. The couple has been active in humanitarian and community causes for decades.

Donald Sutherland

Donald Sutherland married Francine Racette in 1972 after meeting on a film set in Europe. They raised three sons who pursued acting and music. Racette worked extensively in French and Canadian cinema and later focused on family life. The marriage lasted until his death in 2024.

Christopher Plummer

Christopher Plummer married Elaine Taylor in 1970 after they met through mutual friends in the London theater world. They made a home in Toronto and also spent time in the United Kingdom. Taylor worked as an actress and later concentrated on family and charitable interests. Their marriage lasted until his death in 2021.

Michael Palin

Michael Palin married Helen Gibbins in 1966 after they first met as teenagers on a holiday in Southwold and reconnected at university. They had three children and lived primarily in North London. Helen supported his writing and travel projects and was active in local community work. Their marriage continued until her death in 2019.

Bob Newhart

Bob Newhart married Virginia Quinn in 1963 after being introduced by a mutual friend in show business. They had four children and lived in Los Angeles during his television and stand up career. Ginny Newhart helped manage aspects of his career and supported charity events, including medical causes. Their marriage lasted until her death in 2023.

Sean Connery

Sean Connery married Micheline Roquebrune in 1975 after they met at a golf tournament. They made their home between the Bahamas and Europe while he continued major film work. Roquebrune is a painter who exhibited internationally and supported arts causes. Their marriage lasted until his death in 2020.

Kirk Douglas

Kirk Douglas married Anne Buydens in 1954 after meeting on a film set in Paris where she was working in publicity. They raised two sons together and were active in philanthropy through the Douglas Foundation. Anne later wrote about their life and charity projects. Their marriage continued until his death in 2020.

Henry Winkler

Henry Winkler married Stacey Weitzman in 1978 after they met at a clothing shop in Los Angeles. They have two children together and also raised her son from a previous relationship. Weitzman ran a public relations firm and later worked with health charities. The couple has supported dyslexia awareness and literacy programs for many years.

David McCallum

David McCallum married Katherine Carpenter in 1967 after meeting during a photo shoot in New York. They had two children and balanced family life with his steady television and film work. Carpenter pursued a modeling career and later focused on charity fundraising. Their marriage lasted until his death in 2023.

Christopher Lee

Christopher Lee married Birgit Kroencke in 1961 after an introduction in Copenhagen. They settled in London where he built a prolific screen career. Birgit worked in fashion and kept a low public profile while supporting his projects. The couple remained together until his death in 2015.

Richard Attenborough

Richard Attenborough married Sheila Sim in 1945 after meeting in the British theater scene. They both acted on stage and later supported drama schools and museums. The pair became noted patrons of the arts and led fundraising for hospital and education initiatives. Their marriage lasted until her death in 2014.

Gregory Peck

Gregory Peck married Veronique Passani in 1955 after meeting during a press interview in France. They had two children and divided time between Los Angeles and Europe. Veronique worked as a journalist and later chaired cultural and charitable events. They remained married until his death in 2003.

Charlton Heston

Charlton Heston married Lydia Clarke in 1944 after they met in college theater. They had two children and lived in Los Angeles while he pursued film and advocacy work. Clarke was a photographer whose images appeared in exhibitions and publications. Their marriage continued until her death in 2018.

Bryan Brown

Bryan Brown married Rachel Ward in 1983 after they met while working together in Australia. They raised three children and supported film development in the region. Ward built a career as an actor and director and worked with community projects. The couple maintained homes in Sydney and rural New South Wales.

Tatsuya Nakadai

Tatsuya Nakadai married Yasuko Miyazaki in 1958 after they connected through theater circles in Tokyo. They remained based in Japan while he worked across film and stage. Miyazaki has been involved with arts education and administrative roles for theater groups. The couple has supported acting schools and cultural festivals for decades.

Rajinikanth

Rajinikanth married Latha Rajinikanth in 1981 after they met during a college interview she conducted. They have two daughters who both pursued creative careers. Latha has managed educational institutions and charitable foundations in Chennai. The family is active in cultural and community programs in Tamil Nadu.

Dharmendra

Dharmendra married Hema Malini in 1980 after collaborating on numerous productions. They have two daughters who entered the film industry. Malini built a parallel career in dance and public service and has served in parliament. The couple has supported cultural schools and humanitarian efforts in Maharashtra and beyond.

Mohanlal

Mohanlal married Suchitra in 1978 after an arranged introduction by their families. They have two children and reside in Kerala while he continues major roles in Indian cinema. Suchitra manages family businesses and philanthropic work. The couple contributes to relief drives and arts education in the state.

Anil Kapoor

Anil Kapoor married Sunita Kapoor in 1984 after a long courtship that began early in his career. They have three children who work in film and fashion. Sunita has been a costume designer and entrepreneur and has overseen charity events. The family supports health initiatives and creative education programs in Mumbai.

Shatrughan Sinha

Shatrughan Sinha married Poonam Sinha in 1980 after meeting during modeling and film assignments. They have three children, several of whom work in entertainment and public life. Poonam has worked as an actor and later devoted time to social causes. The couple remains active in cultural and community events in India.

Share your favorite examples in the comments and tell us which long lasting partnership inspires you most.