It seems like every time we turn around we hear about a new high-profile celebrity breakup, but that doesn’t mean love is dead. There are plenty of famous couples that will make you believe in true love; some relationships in Hollywood have lasted for decades! But finding that lasting spark and keeping it lit, however, isn’t always easy — even for the A-listers.
In honor of everyone’s favorite love-centric holiday, we’re learning love lessons — from hilarious first impressions to secrets on maintaining a successful relationship to ways to handle a first-date car crash — all from the relationships of Hollywood’s finest. This Valentine’s Day, get some infatuation inspiration from the most beloved Hollywood couples who have made their relationships last.
Viola Davis and Julius Tennon Prayed for Partnership
Behind many successful women is a supportive partner. In Viola Davis’s life, her husband Julius Tennon is that supportive soul. The public often spots Davis, the “How To Get Away With Murder” star, with Tennon by her side on the red carpet.
The power couple got married in 2003. On their 16th wedding anniversary, Tennon and Davis renewed their vows and celebrated with a second wedding. Their beautiful celebration showed how much Davis and Tennon still love each other. In his speech, Tennon called Davis amazing and incredible, adding, “She teaches me every day how to man up, how to agree to disagree but let’s get it done, don’t let the sun go down on your anger.”
While Davis was still single, she prayed to God for a husband. Davis was lonely in Los Angeles, so she complained to her friend about wanting a companion. Her friend gave Davis a simple suggestion: pray. Davis told The New York Post, “I said I wanted a big black man from the South who looked like a football player.”
Three weeks later, her prayers were answered. According to Us Weekly, Davis met her husband on the set of the show “City of Angels.” However, Huffington Post reports that Tennon overheard Davis complain to her friend about the single life, so he introduced himself to Davis. Dreams do come true!
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson Enjoy Nonstop Love and Shoutouts
You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who didn’t know about at least a few of Tom Hanks or Rita Wilson’s acting credits. Hanks is best known for starring in Hollywood hits including Splash (1984), Forrest Gump (1994), and Toy Story (1995). His wife, Wilson, is recognized for her roles in Sleepless in Seattle (1993), Jingle All the Way (1996), and Runaway Bride (1999).
Their love story began on the set of Bosom Buddies (1980 – 1982), where Hanks and Wilson met. The two instantly felt a connection, but Hanks was already married to his college sweetheart, Samantha Lewes. Hanks and Wilson put their feelings on hold until Lewes and Hanks split in 1987. Following the separation, Wilson and Hanks began to date and went public with their relationship.
On April 30, 1988, the two lovebirds tied the knot. Throughout their marriage, they’ve been by each other’s side, making each other laugh, producing movies together and supporting each other at award ceremonies. Hanks often credits his wife for his successes. In 1995, Hanks won an Oscar for his outstanding performance in Forrest Gump. During his speech, Hanks thanked his wife for helping him win the award by teaching him what love is every day.
What’s the key to their successful marriage? According to People Magazine, Hanks wishes there was an actual secret. He adds, “I still can’t believe my wife goes out with me. If we were in high school and I was just funny, I’d never have the courage to talk to her.”
Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick Balance Marriage, Children and Work
Do you remember Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City (1998 – 2004)? How about infamous high schooler Ferris from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986), portrayed by Matthew Broderick? Parker and Broderick are huge stars of the screen and stage in their own right but are only made stronger by their relationship.
In November 1991, the two actors met while Broderick was directing a play for the Naked Angels, a theater company launched by Parker’s brothers. It took Broderick a few months to get the courage to ask Parker out on a date. During their first few dates, the couple learned that they shared a mutual love of New York, the stage, and baseball. In May 1997, Parker and Broderick said their “I do’s.”
Parker and Broderick became parents in 2002 when they welcomed their son, James Wilkie, into the world. In 2009, twin girls, Marion and Tabitha, became the newest additions to the family via surrogate. Shortly after the twins were born, Broderick joked to Parade Magazine that his parenting style involves improvising as he goes.
It’s tricky juggling marriage, family and a demanding career. However, Parker and Broderick found a way to keep their marriage strong: regular date nights. The couple’s romantic dates take place at their favorite spots around New York including Sant Ambroeus, Perla Cafe and Mary’s Fish Camp.
Amy Adams and Darren Le Gallo Were Friends First
Amy Adams and her husband, Darren Le Gallo, delayed their wedding for seven years because Adams wanted to focus on her career, leading to the two lovebirds finally getting hitched in 2015. At the beginning of Adams’s career, she mostly took on small roles, but now Adams is a leading lady in most of the films that she joins.
Who is Adams’s supportive partner that’s been by her side during her growth? Le Gallo is a painter and actor who appeared in Date Night (2010) and The Master (2012). Le Gallo is also Adams’s number one fan. On their couple photos on Instagram, he often adds captions featuring the hashtags #mybetterhalf and #mylady. Le Gallos isn’t afraid to tell the world that he’s proud of his wife.
Adams and Gallo met in an acting class when their careers were just starting out. Both had some acting experience under their belts, mostly small roles in movies and TV shows. Le Gallo’s first role was playing a teenage boy in Six Feet Under (2001 – 2005).
At the time, Adams and Le Gallo were both dating other people. Adams told Vanity Fair she thought Le Gallo was sweet when they rehearsed a scene in class together. Adams also believed that Le Gallo found her intimidating. After getting to know each other for a year, Le Gallo insisted that the two go on a date. Adams recalls, “He said, ‘I know you’re getting over this [other] guy, but I’m taking you out on Wednesday.’ I think that was it exactly. And I was like, ‘And so you are!'”
Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi Know How to Celebrate
When Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi met for the first time in 2000, De Rossi says it was love at first sight. However, De Rossi hadn’t yet come out, so she didn’t express her feelings to DeGeneres. De Rossi, a former model and actress, struggled with her sexuality for years. In 2005, De Rossi opened up publicly about her sexuality and her romantic relationship with DeGeneres.
De Rossi describes Ellen as “incredible” and their relationship as “respectful,” “loving” and “peaceful.” In 2008, the Supreme Court of California legalized gay marriage and the duo got married. Only 19 family members and close friends attended the couple’s intimate ceremony at their Los Angeles home.
For DeGeneres’s 60th birthday, De Rossi surprised her with a special gift. DeGeneres’s hero is environmentalist Dian Fossey, so De Rossi gave DeGeneres her own wildlife project for her 60th birthday. The project, called The Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, supports wildlife conservation organizations.
The unforgettable and emotional moment occurred on DeGeneres’s show, “The Ellen Show.” De Rossi wanted to give her wife a gift that represents what DeGeneres cares about. On the show, De Rossi also called her wife “an amazing person.” DeGeneres responded, saying, “That is the best gift that anybody could have given me. I love you.”
Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade Took Their Time
In 2009, actor Gabrielle Union and basketball star Dwyane Wade began dating. However, Wade and Union didn’t make a public appearance as a couple until 2010 at the Summer Groove Charity Event. The public no longer had to guess if Wade and Union were dating whenever the two were spotted together.
Due to distance and scheduling, the couple briefly split in early 2013. Union revealed that the couple struggled to spend quality time with each other. But within a few months, the lovebirds were spotted together at a Miami Heat event. That same year, Wade proposed to Union. The happy couple has been married since 2014.
It also wasn’t love at first sight for Union and Wade. In fact, when they first crossed paths in 2006, the two were paid to co-host a Super Bowl party. In 2006, Wade was married to Siohvaughn Funches. That same year, Wade and Funches divorced.
Hearing that Wade got divorced didn’t impress Union. She confessed to Vibe that their relationship almost didn’t happen. Union adds, “[Wade’s resume] looked like crap. Athlete, going through a divorce, nine years younger than me. Then, after I had a heart-crushing breakup with yet another immature jerk, I thought, it can’t be any worse if I date a fetus. Let’s just see what happens.” Luckily, Union’s concerns about dating a “fetus” were put to rest.
Jerry and Jessica Seinfeld Focus on Philanthropy
Jessica Seinfeld was already married when she started dating Jerry Seinfeld in 1998. In fact, she was actually a newlywed who just got back from her honeymoon when the two first met. Jessica Seinfeld divorced her ex-husband Eric Nederlander shortly after falling in love with Jerry Seinfeld.
According to Eater, the Seinfelds fell in love over bagels. On one of their many runs to Zabar, a New York bagel shop, Jerry Seinfeld looked at Jessica and said, “This is the perfect time to tell you that I love you.” To this day, the pair continues to visit this special bagel spot with their children, Sascha, Shepherd Kellen and Julian.
The Seinfelds said their “I do’s” in 1999 and welcomed their first child, Sascha, in 2001. Shortly after the birth of their first child, Jessica Seinfeld launched Baby Buggy to provide resources to children and families in poverty. Baby Buggy, now known as GOOD+ Foundation, has donated nearly $42 million in children’s items to more than 125 antipoverty programs.
Inspired by his wife’s work, Jerry Seinfeld started the Baby Buggy Fatherhood Initiative to encourage fathers to take part in their children’s lives. The couple continues to expand the organization and host fundraisers to help struggling families. The Seinfelds have huge hearts. When they’re not busy with charity work or spending time with their kids, the funny couple is probably pushing their cat in a stroller around the neighborhood.
Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell Faced Interesting Interruptions
Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell have been together since 1983. However, their relationship is different from other long-lasting Hollywood couples because they aren’t married. For more than 30 years, Hawn and Russell have never felt the need to walk down the aisle.
The public constantly asks the couple why they’ve made the choice to never get married. In Porter Magazine, Hawn addressed her choice, saying, “A lasting relationship isn’t about marriage. It’s about compatibility and communication.” Hawn and Russell have a strong relationship because they both agree to make it work while not losing themselves.
Russell and Hawn went on their first date in 1983, when they were cast in the movie Swing Shift (1984). To prepare for a dance scene, the pair decided to practice after work at the Playboy Club. Russell and Hawn danced the night away to swing music and instantly felt a connection.
After dancing and talking for hours, the couple continued their date at a home Hawn had recently purchased to renovate. But there was one problem: Hawn didn’t have the key. As a result, the couple broke in. When Hawn and Russell went upstairs to the “imaginary” bedroom, the police walked in on them getting it on. However, the interruption didn’t stop the couple from having fun. Russell and Hawn finished their first date at a hotel.
Seth Rogen and Lauren Miller Crashed Into a Partnership
Another Hollywood A-list couple is Seth Rogen and Lauren Miller, a pair that’s been inseparable since 2004. Rogen has stood by Miller’s side even through the toughest times. When Miller’s mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, she has said that she felt lucky to have Rogen’s support.
Rogen came up with the idea to host comedy charity events, so the couple founded the nonprofit Hilarity for Charity to raise awareness for Alzheimer’s disease. Since its inception in 2012, Hilarity for Charity has raised over $7.5 million to help families pay for medical care and further research on the disease.
Miller and Rogen went on an “unofficial” date the first time they crossed paths in 2004. After the couple met at a birthday party, they continued the night by eating grilled cheese sandwiches at four in the morning. Miller and Rogen also played the game Spanish Scrabble until sunrise.
After their unofficial date, Miller and Rogen decided to go on a real date. The playful couple went mini-golfing and got into a car accident on the freeway. Miller immediately hugged and held onto Rogen after getting out of the vehicle. The lucky duo dated for seven more years and then tied the knot in 2011.
Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness Found Love at First Filming
These two lovebirds met in 1995 on the set of the Australian drama Corelli (1995).When Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness performed a scene together, they had unbelievable chemistry. A short four months later, Jackman proposed to Furness.
Jackman and Furness are happy parents to two adopted children, Oscar and Ava. Furness is a big supporter of adoption and has established two adoption organizations: Adopt Change in 2008 and Hopeland in 2014. Both of these organizations focus on improving the lives of children.
Believe it or not, Jackman and Furness broke up while they were dating. At the beginning of their relationship, Jackman wanted to get serious. However, Furness didn’t feel the same way. She pushed back and broke up with Jackman after just three weeks of dating.
Jackman explains on the podcast “Aussies in Hollywood,” “I knew very early, I knew before Deb knew, even when she tried to break up with me, I knew [she was the one]. She kind of [broke up with me], a little bit. Early on, three weeks in. I managed to talk her out of it, thank God.” After Jackman convinced Furness to give him another chance, the pair have been inseparable.
Tina Turner and Erwin Bach Saved Each Other
Tina Turner married her other half, Erwin Bach, after dating for a whopping 27 years. According to the Daily Mail, Turner met Bach, a German record executive, at Heathrow Airport. The couple first set eyes on each other in 1985 and wed in 2013.
Their glamorous wedding took place in Switzerland, where the happy couple currently lives. Turner opted for a green and black silk Armani gown with Swarovski crystals instead of a traditional white dress. Although Turner didn’t wear white, the female guests did. Their celebration included many stars like Oprah Winfrey, Sade and David Bowie.
Turner was diagnosed with intestinal cancer in 2016. Shortly after, her kidneys failed when she tried to treat the cancer with homeopathic medicine. Turner needed a new kidney and Bach quickly offered to donate his own kidney to save her.
Bach’s generosity shocked her. Turner describes her experience in her autobiography “Tina Turner: My Love Story.” Turner reveals she felt “overwhelmed by the enormity of his offer.” After Turner accepted her husband’s offer, she underwent a successful kidney transplant. Tina felt happy, overwhelmed and relieved that they overcame this obstacle. If this isn’t an act of true love then what is?
Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance Weren’t Enchanted — At First
Another iconic Hollywood couple is Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance. Bassett calls her husband supportive and passionate. After the two got married in 1997, they welcomed twins Bronwyn and Slater in 2006. With a crazy work schedule and kids, how do Bassett and Vance maintain a strong marriage?
The secret to their successful relationship is making family the top priority. Careers and everything else come after. For instance, Bassett turned down a Broadway project in 2013 because Vance already had the Broadway gig, “The Lucky Guy.” Bassett made a previous commitment to watch their children and to be there for her husband.
You’ve probably heard many couples say that it was love at first sight. In this case, it was not. Vance and Bassett met in drama school in 1980. When Vance came to drama school, he already had a girlfriend who also attended the school. According to Bustle, Vance and Bassett remained friends for a long time.
Bassett recalls, “So maybe about 14 years later, our paths crossed here in Los Angeles. And I was single, he was single. And I had such an appreciation for him over those years — of his consistency, how he treated other people, of what a supporter he is, what a connector of people and ideas he is, how passionate he is.”
Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr. Share Heart-melting Social Media Posts
This couple first met on the set of the 1997 movie, I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997), but didn’t start dating until 2000. It didn’t take long for Prinze to put a ring on Gellar’s finger. In 2002, the pair got hitched in Mexico.
After over two decades of marriage, the couple is still crazy in love. Gellar and Prinze continue to listen to each other, make each other laugh, and treat each other with respect. Prinze and Gellar also share two adorable kids, Charlotte and Rocky. Gellar jokes that the kids take after her husband whenever they get into trouble.
The couple shares many sweet photos of each other on their social media accounts. The pair uses social media to express their love, including heartfelt posts on each other’s birthdays. The two also celebrated when Gellar reached two million followers on Instagram. The Instagram post showed Prinze playfully shoving a cake into Gellar’s face.
During a Facebook Live interview, Prinze revealed he knew Gellar was the one for him on their very first date. He says many girls in Hollywood often ate salads on their dates. This frustrated Prinze because his dates never ate what he wanted to eat. However, when he went on a date with Gellar, she ate everything. Prinze adds that Gellar also ate “a crab that they let walk across the counter, then kill while it was alive in some oil … she ate it without even blinking, and I was like, ‘Yo, my girl is legit.'”
Snoop Dogg and Shante Broadus Bring Reality to the Forefront
Rapper Snoop Dogg and producer Shante Broadus were high school sweethearts before tying the knot in 1997. The couple temporarily split in 2004 and filed for divorce. Snoop Dogg has since confessed he took his wife for granted. While his fame grew, Snoop Dogg paid more attention to the Hollywood scene, parties and other women than to Broadus.
The split didn’t last long. Snoop Dogg and Broadus reconciled and remarried in 2008. Snoop Dogg had to beg his wife to take him back. During an interview with Larry King, the rapper reveals, “It was up to me to try to put it back together, because I’m the one who said I didn’t want to be a part of it no more.”
Snoop Dogg starred in his own reality show, Snoop Dogg’s Father Hood (2007 – 2009). The show also featured his wife and his children. Fans got a closer look at Snoop Dogg’s life as a husband, father and artist. In one episode, the Ducks hockey players gave the couple’s kids hockey lessons.
Snoop Dogg also discussed his relationship with his wife in the reality show. He mentions that many of his songs are about women and sex, but Snoop Dogg created a code name for his wife. Whenever Snoop Dogg says “boo” in his songs, he’s actually talking about Broadus. So, if you’re ever listening to a Snoop Dogg song and catch him saying “boo,” you’ll know that Snoop Dogg is honoring his wife.
