Black Actresses in Long, Lasting Marriages (30+ Years)

In the entertainment industry, maintaining a relationship under the public eye is a significant challenge. Many couples struggle to balance demanding careers with their personal lives, yet some defy the odds with decades of commitment. These Black women have built enduring unions that have withstood the test of time and fame. From Hollywood icons to celebrated vocalists with acting credits, these figures exemplify longevity in love. The following list highlights forty-five accomplished women who have sustained marriages for thirty years or more.

LaTanya Richardson Jackson

This accomplished actress has been a steady force in Hollywood alongside her husband Samuel L. Jackson since their college days. They met while attending Morehouse and Spelman colleges in Atlanta and married in 1980. Their union has spanned over four decades and they have raised a daughter together. She continues to act in film and theater while maintaining one of the most respected marriages in the industry.

Pauletta Washington

Known for her work on stage and screen, she has been married to Denzel Washington since 1983. The couple met on the set of the television film ‘Wilma’ and have since become one of Hollywood’s most enduring pairs. They share four children and often speak about the work required to keep a marriage strong. Her grace and dedication have made their partnership a model of stability.

Alfre Woodard

The celebrated star of ‘Cross Creek’ and ‘Juanita’ married writer Roderick Spencer in 1983. Their relationship has thrived for more than forty years amidst her busy schedule as an award-winning actress. They share two children and have collaborated on various creative projects throughout their lives. She often credits mutual respect and shared values for their lasting bond.

Debbie Allen

As a director, choreographer, and actress, she is a legend in the entertainment world who married former NBA player Norm Nixon in 1984. Their dynamic partnership has lasted over four decades and produced three children. She balances her demanding career with a supportive home life that centers on family and artistic expression. Their union represents a powerful merging of sports and entertainment excellence.

Marilyn McCoo

Best known as a lead singer of The 5th Dimension and host of ‘Solid Gold’, she has been married to Billy Davis Jr. since 1969. The couple has performed together for over fifty years and their marriage is one of the longest in music history. They often tour as a duo and attribute their success to friendship and faith. Her career spans acting and singing while maintaining a steadfast relationship.

Leslie Uggams

This Tony and Emmy award-winning star of ‘Roots’ has been married to Grahame Pratt since 1965. Their marriage defied the racial prejudices of the time and has remained strong for six decades. She continues to work in film and television while celebrating a love story that began while she was touring in Australia. Her personal life stands as a testament to commitment and resilience.

Berlinda Tolbert

Famous for her role as Jenny Willis Jefferson on ‘The Jeffersons’, she married journalist Bob Reid in 1979. Their relationship began quickly after meeting and has endured for more than forty-five years. She has kept a relatively private profile since her sitcom days but remains happily married. Their union is a rare example of a whirlwind romance transforming into a lifetime partnership.

Bern Nadette Stanis

The actress beloved for playing Thelma on ‘Good Times’ has found lasting happiness with her husband Kevin Fontana. They have been married since the early 1980s and share a daughter. She serves as an author and advocate while he supports her career as her manager. Their partnership has navigated the shifts in her career with unwavering support.

Daphne Maxwell Reid

Best recognized as the second Vivian Banks on ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’, she married actor Tim Reid in 1982. They have worked together on numerous projects including operating a production studio in Virginia. Their creative partnership extends beyond acting into photography and clothing design. They celebrated four decades of marriage grounded in shared creative passions.

Vanessa Bell Calloway

This versatile actress known for ‘Coming to America’ has been married to anesthesiologist Dr. Anthony Calloway since 1988. They have two daughters and have navigated her breast cancer battle together with strength. She frequently shares the joy of their long union on social media. Their marriage balances the spotlight of Hollywood with a grounded medical profession.

Shari Belafonte

The actress and model daughter of Harry Belafonte has been married to actor Sam Behrens since 1989. They live a quiet life in California and often appear together at industry events. Her career has spanned television and film while maintaining a stable home life for over thirty-five years. Their relationship showcases how two actors can build a supportive and lasting world together.

Tamela Mann

A powerhouse in the gospel and acting worlds, she married actor David Mann in 1988. They are known for working together in Tyler Perry productions and their own reality shows. Their playful dynamic and public displays of affection highlight a friendship that anchors their family. They have become a symbol of Black love and faith in the entertainment industry.

Regina Belle

The Grammy-winning vocalist known for ‘A Whole New World’ married former NBA player John Battle in 1991. They have raised five children together and survived serious health challenges including her brain tumor diagnosis. Their shared faith and commitment to ministry have strengthened their bond over more than thirty years. She continues to perform while he serves as a pastor.

Oleta Adams

The soulful singer and pianist married drummer John Cushon in 1994. They met while working on a demo tape and their professional relationship blossomed into a lasting marriage. He often plays extensively in her band during tours and recording sessions. Their partnership is built on a shared passion for music and faith.

Holly Robinson Peete

After meeting on the set of ‘Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper’, she married NFL quarterback Rodney Peete in 1995. They have navigated the challenges of raising a son with autism and founded a charity to help others. Her career as an actress and host has flourished alongside their thirty-year union. They remain one of the most visible and supportive couples in Hollywood.

Chip Fields

The mother of actress Kim Fields is an accomplished actress and director who married Erv Hurd in 1994. She is known for her roles in classic sitcoms like ‘Good Times’ and ‘Living Single’. Her marriage has crossed the three-decade mark while she works behind the scenes in television production. She maintains a strong family unit within the entertainment business.

Hattie Winston

Best known for her role on the sitcom ‘Becker’, she married composer Harold Wheeler around 1979. They have supported each other’s careers on Broadway and in television for over forty-five years. Her work in ‘The Electric Company’ and other shows complements his success as a musical director. Their long-standing union is a pillar of the New York theater community.

Ella Joyce

The actress famous for her role as Eleanor on ‘Roc’ married actor Dan Martin in the early 1990s. They have sustained a marriage for over thirty years while working consistently in television and theater. She brings a strong presence to her roles which is mirrored by her stable personal life. Their partnership is a quiet success story in the acting world.

Judyann Elder

A veteran of stage and screen with roles in ‘Family Matters’ and ‘Martin’, she has been married to her husband for over thirty years. She is also an accomplished director and writer within the theater community. Her career longevity is matched by her commitment to her personal relationships. She continues to be a respected figure in the arts.

CeCe Winans

The best-selling gospel artist married Alvin Love II in 1984. They founded a church together in Nashville and work closely in ministry and music. Their marriage has lasted more than forty years and serves as a foundation for their entire family. She frequently speaks about the importance of faith in sustaining their long union.

Karen Clark Sheard

A member of the legendary Clark Sisters, she married Bishop J. Drew Sheard in 1984. Her career as a gospel soloist and reality television star has grown alongside her role as a first lady of the church. They have two children and have partnered in business ventures like their record label. Their marriage blends high-profile ministry with musical excellence.

Shirley Murdock

Known for her R&B hits and roles in gospel plays, she married Dale DeGroat in 1988. He has served as her musical director and producer throughout her career. Their partnership has spanned over thirty-five years of recording and touring. She credits their shared faith and working relationship for their marital longevity.

Chandra Currelley-Young

A favorite in Tyler Perry’s stage plays and films, she has been married since 1990. Her powerful voice and acting skills have made her a staple in urban theater for decades. She keeps her personal life relatively private but has celebrated over thirty-five years of marriage. Her stability at home allows her to deliver consistent performances on stage.

Ruby Dee

This legendary actress was married to Ossie Davis from 1948 until his passing in 2005. Their fifty-seven-year union was a partnership in both art and civil rights activism. They often appeared together on screen and stage as equal partners. Her marriage remains the gold standard for couples in the arts.

Marla Gibbs

Famous for her role as Florence on ‘The Jeffersons’, she was married to Jordan Gibbs from 1955 until his death in 2006. Their marriage lasted over fifty years while she built a legacy in television and jazz. She also ran a jazz club in Los Angeles with her family’s support. Her long marriage provided a stable foundation for her iconic career.

Judy Pace

A glamorous actress of the 1970s, she was married to actor Don Mitchell from 1972 until his death in 2013. Their union lasted forty-one years and they raised two daughters who are also actresses. She was known for her beauty and talent in films like ‘Cotton Comes to Harlem’. Her marriage was a steadfast partnership until she was widowed.

Etta James

The legendary singer known for ‘At Last’ was married to Artis Mills from 1969 until her death in 2012. Their marriage spanned forty-three years through various personal struggles and triumphs. He remained by her side as her primary supporter and caregiver. Her enduring love story was as deep and complex as her music.

Pearl Bailey

The Tony Award-winning entertainer was married to jazz drummer Louie Bellson from 1952 until her death in 1990. Their interracial marriage was controversial at the time but endured for thirty-eight years. They adopted two children and performed together frequently. Her marriage was defined by deep mutual respect and musical collaboration.

Nancy Wilson

The celebrated song stylist and actress was married to Wiley Burton from 1973 until his death in 2008. Their thirty-five-year marriage was a quiet haven away from the spotlight. She often prioritized her family over touring to ensure a stable home life. Her dedication to her marriage was as strong as her dedication to her craft.

Shirley Caesar

The First Lady of Gospel Music married Bishop Harold Williams in 1983. They served as co-pastors of their church for thirty-one years until his passing in 2014. Her career continued to flourish with his support in ministry and music. Their union was a powerful example of leadership and partnership in the gospel community.

Angela Robinson Witherspoon

She was married to comedian and actor John Witherspoon from 1987 until his death in 2019. Their thirty-two-year marriage was filled with laughter and two sons. She is an actress and artist who documented their family life and his legacy. Their relationship was a beloved fixture in the Black entertainment community.

Suzzanne Douglas

Best known for ‘The Parent ‘Hood’, she was married to neuro-radiologist Roy Jonathan Cobb from 1989 until her death in 2021. Their thirty-two-year union was marked by intellectual and artistic mutual support. She often commuted for work while maintaining their family home. Her marriage stood as a model of professional and personal balance.

Cissy Houston

The Grammy-winning soul singer and mother of Whitney Houston was married to John Houston from 1959 until 1990. Their marriage lasted thirty-one years during the height of her session work and solo career. She provided the musical foundation for her family. Her long marriage was a significant chapter in a storied musical life.

Koko Taylor

Known as the Queen of the Blues, she was married to Robert Taylor from 1953 until his death in 1989. Their thirty-six-year marriage saw her rise from clubs in Chicago to international fame. He was her biggest fan and often traveled with her. Her career longevity was supported by his enduring presence.

Valerie Simpson

Half of the iconic duo Ashford & Simpson, she was married to Nick Ashford from 1974 until his death in 2011. Their thirty-seven-year marriage produced some of the greatest love songs in history. They wrote and performed together as a seamless unit. Her life since his passing continues to honor their incredible partnership.

Which of these enduring love stories inspires you the most? Let us know in the comments.