Actresses Who Got Married Long Before They Turned Twenty Years Old

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Hollywood has always seen young actresses get married very early in life, often while still teenagers. These women, navigating the pressures of sudden fame and demanding careers, sometimes sought stability or simply followed their hearts. While some of these marriages didn’t last, ending quickly in divorce, others had a lasting impact on the lives of these iconic figures. Looking back at these early relationships provides a fascinating look into the personal lives of some of entertainment’s most famous women.

Marilyn Monroe

When Marilyn Monroe was just sixteen, she married James Dougherty in 1942, long before she became a famous actress. At the time, she was in foster care and decided to get married to avoid going back to an orphanage when her foster family relocated. They were married for four years, but eventually divorced so Marilyn could focus on a career in modeling and film. This marked the beginning of her journey from Norma Jeane Baker to the legendary actress the world remembers.

Elizabeth Taylor

At just eighteen years old, Elizabeth Taylor married Conrad Hilton Jr. in a very glamorous wedding that the world watched closely. Interestingly, she starred in the movie ‘Father of the Bride’ around the same time! Sadly, the marriage didn’t last, ending in divorce after less than a year. This was the first of eight marriages for the iconic actress, who became known for her eventful love life.

Milla Jovovich

Milla Jovovich had a whirlwind romance as a teenager, marrying her ‘Dazed and Confused’ co-star, Shawn Andrews, at just sixteen years old. They eloped in Las Vegas while filming the movie, but her mother wasn’t pleased and quickly sought an annulment. Later, Milla found lasting happiness with director Paul Anderson, whom she collaborated with on the ‘Resident Evil’ films. This early marriage is now a short, memorable moment in her otherwise thriving career as an actress and model.

Demi Moore

Demi Moore married musician Freddy Moore in 1980 when she was just eighteen years old. She began using his last name professionally and continued to do so even after they divorced four years later. At the time, she was a young actress trying to launch her career. She later achieved major success, becoming one of Hollywood’s top-earning stars with memorable roles in films like ‘Ghost’ (1990) and ‘G.I. Jane’ (1997). This first marriage ultimately gave her the name she’s now known by worldwide.

Cher

Cher and Sonny Bono met in Los Angeles in 1964 and quickly married. They formed a successful musical and television partnership, becoming well-known for their distinctive style and popular songs like ‘I Got You Babe.’ Though married for over ten years and having one child together, they divorced in 1975. Cher later achieved further success as an actress, winning an Academy Award for her role in the 1987 film ‘Moonstruck.’

Liza Minnelli

Liza Minnelli married Peter Allen in 1967 when she was just nineteen years old. This happened as her career was beginning to take off and she was establishing herself as a star. Their relationship was complicated by the fact that Peter Allen was a close friend and mentee of her mother, Judy Garland. The couple remained married for seven years, divorcing in 1974. Two years prior, in 1972, Minnelli gained widespread acclaim and won an Academy Award for her iconic performance in the film ‘Cabaret’.

Drew Barrymore

Drew Barrymore was just nineteen when she married Jeremy Thomas, a bar owner, in 1994. It was a quick decision – they’d only known each other for six weeks. The marriage didn’t last long, ending in divorce after less than two months, and Drew went back to her acting career. She’d been a child star since her memorable role in the 1982 film ‘E.T. the Extra Terrestrial,’ and she later became a highly successful actress and film producer, eventually starting her own production company.

Melanie Griffith

Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson first married in 1976 when Melanie was just eighteen years old. They originally met on the set of the 1973 film ‘The Harrad Experiment’—she was fourteen, and he was twenty-two. That marriage didn’t last long, ending after only six months. The couple later surprised everyone by remarrying in 1989, but they divorced again in 1996. Griffith is also celebrated for her starring role in the 1988 film ‘Working Girl,’ which earned her an Academy Award nomination.

Olivia Hussey

Olivia Hussey became famous for playing Juliet in the 1968 film ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ and just a few years later, in 1971, she married Dean Paul Martin, the son of singer Dean Martin. The marriage was a major event in the entertainment industry. They had one son and were married for several years before divorcing in 1978. Hussey continued her acting career, appearing in projects like the 1977 miniseries ‘Jesus of Nazareth’.

LeAnn Rimes

LeAnn Rimes, a successful country singer with numerous hits and awards, married dancer Dean Sheremet in 2002 when she was nineteen years old. They met and quickly connected while she was hosting the Academy of Country Music Awards. After seven years of marriage, the relationship ended due to her involvement with actor Eddie Cibrian. Rimes continues to be a well-known musician and has also acted in films, including ‘Coyote Ugly’ (2000).

Aaliyah

In 1994, Aaliyah secretly married singer R. Kelly when she was just fifteen years old. The marriage was illegal because she was underage and had falsely stated her age on official documents. Her family discovered the marriage and had it canceled after only a few months. Aaliyah went on to achieve success with her music and began acting, appearing in the film ‘Romeo Must Die’ in 2000. Sadly, her promising life and career were cut short by a fatal plane crash as she was rising to international stardom.

Janet Jackson

In 1984, at just eighteen years old, Janet Jackson secretly married singer James DeBarge. The marriage shocked her family and fans, as she was working to become more independent. However, the relationship was troubled and ended after less than a year with an annulment in 1985. Shortly after, she released her album ‘Control,’ which launched her to superstardom and shaped her music for the next ten years. Ultimately, Janet Jackson became one of the most celebrated and successful female artists of all time, achieving numerous hit songs and awards.

Courtney Stodden

Courtney Stodden married actor Doug Hutchison in 2011 when she was sixteen years old and he was fifty. The significant age difference caused a lot of public discussion, but her parents legally allowed the marriage to happen in Las Vegas. The couple faced constant media attention and appeared on reality shows like ‘Couples Therapy’ before separating and finalizing their divorce in 2020.

Ava Gardner

Ava Gardner married Mickey Rooney in 1942 when she was just eighteen years old. Rooney was already a huge Hollywood star, and their wedding generated a lot of publicity for the studio. As a newcomer to the film industry herself, Ava initially lived in her husband’s shadow. However, after just one year, they divorced, and Ava began her journey to becoming a famous and iconic actress. She went on to star in beloved films like ‘The Killers’ (1946) and ‘The Barefoot Contessa’ (1954).

Judy Garland

I’ve always been fascinated by Judy Garland, and it’s heartbreaking to learn about her personal life. When she was just nineteen, in 1941, she married David Rose, a talented composer and bandleader. Apparently, the people running MGM weren’t thrilled about it and tried to talk her out of it – she was already a massive star after ‘The Wizard of Oz’ and other hits! Sadly, it wasn’t a happy marriage, and they eventually divorced in 1944 after growing apart. It’s amazing to think she went on to marry four other times, but she always remained one of the most cherished performers in entertainment, right up until her death.

Shirley Temple

Shirley Temple, the famous child star, married actor John Agar in 1945 when she was seventeen. As she moved into adult roles, she and Agar had a large wedding that many fans, who had watched her throughout her childhood on screen, attended. They had one daughter together, but divorced five years later in 1950. Later in life, Shirley Temple left acting and enjoyed a successful career as a diplomat, eventually becoming a United States ambassador.

Joan Crawford

Joan Crawford married her first husband, James Welton, in 1923 when she was just eighteen years old – long before she became a famous Hollywood star. At the time, she was a dancer with a traveling performance group and was just starting her career. The marriage didn’t last long, and not much is known about it, as Joan quickly rose to stardom. She eventually won an Academy Award for her performance in ‘Mildred Pierce’ (1945) and became a beloved movie icon.

Lana Turner

In 1940, at just eighteen years old, Lana Turner famously ran off and married bandleader Artie Shaw after knowing him for only a day. Their quick and impulsive marriage became a tabloid sensation, but ended in divorce after only four months. Known as the “Sweater Girl,” Turner was a hugely popular actress of her time and often made headlines for her personal life. She went on to marry seven more times. She starred in several hit movies, including ‘The Postman Always Rings Twice’ (1946) and ‘Peyton Place’ (1957).

Natalie Wood

Natalie Wood, a former child star gaining recognition as a leading actress with films like ‘Rebel Without a Cause’ (1955), married actor Robert Wagner in 1957 when she was just eighteen. The couple became a celebrated Hollywood pair, heavily featured in the media. Though they divorced in 1962, they rekindled their romance and remarried in 1972, remaining together until her untimely death. Throughout her career, Wood delivered memorable performances in films such as ‘West Side Story’ (1961) and ‘Splendor in the Grass’ (1961).

Loretta Lynn

Loretta Lynn married Oliver Lynn just a month after meeting him in 1948, when she was only fifteen years old. They moved to Washington state, and by the time she was nineteen, she had become a wife and mother to four children. Her husband encouraged her musical talent, gifting her a guitar that kickstarted her iconic country music career. Their nearly fifty-year marriage, lasting until his death, deeply influenced her songwriting and became the basis for the acclaimed film ‘Coal Miner’s Daughter’ (1980), which won an Academy Award.

Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian married music producer Damon Thomas in 2000 when she was just nineteen years old. This was before she became famous for reality TV and business. She later shared that the relationship wasn’t a good fit, and they divorced in 2004. She then rose to prominence with the show ‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians’ in 2007, and has since become a major media personality and entrepreneur with two additional marriages.

Uma Thurman

Uma Thurman married actor Gary Oldman in 1990 when she was just nineteen years old. They met on the set of the movie ‘State of Grace’ and quickly tied the knot, but their marriage only lasted two years and they didn’t have any children. Thurman later achieved great success in her career, becoming a favorite actress of director Quentin Tarantino and starring in films like ‘Pulp Fiction’ (1994). Her short-lived marriage to Oldman is often seen as a quick chapter in her otherwise extensive and successful film career.

Shelley Duvall

Shelley Duvall married artist Bernard Sampson in 1970 when she was just eighteen years old. Around the same time, director Robert Altman discovered her while she was living in Houston, launching her acting career. The couple was married for seven years, during which Duvall gained recognition in films such as ‘Nashville’ (1975) and ‘3 Women’ (1977). They divorced in 1977, and Duvall went on to star in her most well-known role in ‘The Shining’ (1980). She continued to be a distinctive and respected figure in Hollywood for many years.

Jane Russell

Jane Russell married her high school sweetheart, football player Bob Waterfield, in 1943 when she was nineteen. Their twenty-five-year marriage was unusually long for Hollywood celebrities. Russell became a famous sex symbol through films like ‘The Outlaw’ (1943) and ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’ (1953). She and Waterfield adopted three children and were lifelong advocates for adoption. The couple divorced in 1968 after over twenty years together.

Ginger Rogers

Ginger Rogers married her first husband, Jack Culpepper, when she was just seventeen years old in 1929. They were both performers and briefly worked together in vaudeville. However, the marriage didn’t last, and they separated after only a few months, eventually divorcing a few years later. Rogers went on to become a famous actress and dancer, particularly known for her incredible partnership with Fred Astaire. She even won an Academy Award for her acting in the 1940 film ‘Kitty Foyle’.

Rita Hayworth

In 1937, at just eighteen years old, Rita Hayworth married Edward C. Judson, a much older businessman who played a key role in launching her Hollywood career. He helped shape her public image, famously encouraging her to dye her hair red – a look she became known for. Though the marriage ended in 1942, Rita went on to become a major star and a popular pin-up model. Her performance in the 1946 film ‘Gilda’ cemented her place as a true Hollywood legend.

Hedy Lamarr

Hedy Lamarr married Friedrich Mandl, an Austrian arms dealer, in 1933 when she was just eighteen years old. He was possessive and discouraged her from pursuing her acting dreams. She eventually left him and moved to Hollywood, where she became a popular actress in the 1940s. Beyond acting, Lamarr was a gifted inventor and played a key role in developing the technology that would later become the foundation for today’s wireless communication. She appeared in several hit movies, including the 1949 film ‘Samson and Delilah’.

Vivien Leigh

Vivien Leigh married Herbert Leigh Holman in 1932 when she was nineteen. He was a lawyer thirteen years her senior, and they had a daughter together. Already starting her acting career, she adopted her husband’s middle name, Leigh, as her stage name. As her fame grew, particularly after her iconic role as Scarlett O’Hara in the 1939 film ‘Gone with the Wind,’ her marriage became difficult, and she began a relationship with actor Laurence Olivier.

Maureen O’Hara

Maureen O’Hara married George H. Brown in 1939 when she was nineteen years old. To protect her rising career and public image, the studio kept the marriage a secret. The wedding took place in London right before she traveled to Hollywood to film ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame.’ The marriage was later annulled in 1941, and O’Hara went on to become a celebrated leading actress, known for her strong personality and starring roles in films like ‘The Quiet Man’ (1952).

Jean Harlow

Jean Harlow married wealthy businessman Charles McGrew in 1927 when she was just sixteen years old. They moved to Los Angeles, and Harlow started her film career as an extra. The marriage ended after two years, and she soon became known as the iconic ‘Blonde Bombshell’ of Hollywood. She quickly rose to fame in the early 1930s, starring in popular films like ‘Red Dust’ (1932) and ‘Dinner at Eight’ (1933). Sadly, her life was cut short, and she passed away at the age of twenty-six while at the peak of her career.

Zsa Zsa Gabor

Zsa Zsa Gabor, a famous actress and socialite, married her first husband, Turkish diplomat Burhan Asaf Belge, at the age of eighteen in 1935. This was the first of her nine marriages. She moved to the United States in the early 1940s and became known for her glamorous life while working in film and television. She acted in films such as ‘Moulin Rouge’ (1952) and was a frequent guest on talk shows for many years. The public was consistently captivated by her personal life and numerous marriages.

Eva Gabor

Eva Gabor, a glamorous actress famous for her many marriages like her sister Zsa Zsa, began her adult life by marrying Eric Drimmer at the age of eighteen in 1937. She came to the United States and enjoyed a successful career in film and theater. While she had five marriages overall, she’s likely most remembered for playing Lisa Douglas in the hit 1960s TV show ‘Green Acres,’ and remained a well-known personality in Hollywood.

Brigitte Bardot

Brigitte Bardot married director Roger Vadim in 1952, when she was just eighteen years old. He directed her in the 1956 film ‘And God Created Woman,’ which launched her to international fame and established her as a major sex symbol. Their relationship was both a creative and personal collaboration that significantly shaped her early career in French cinema. Though they divorced in 1957, they stayed friends for years. Later in life, Bardot left acting to focus on animal rights advocacy and remains a beloved cultural figure.

Holly Marie Combs

Holly Marie Combs married Bryan Travis Smith in 1993 when she was nineteen years old. She was gaining recognition as an actress on the TV show ‘Picket Fences’ at the time. The couple divorced in 1997 after four years of marriage. Combs later became widely known for her role as Piper Halliwell in the popular series ‘Charmed’ (1998) and has continued to work steadily in television, also taking on producing roles throughout her successful acting career.

Patty Duke

Patty Duke became famous as a teenager, starring in ‘The Patty Duke Show’ in 1963 and winning an Academy Award for ‘The Miracle Worker’ in 1962 at just sixteen years old. In 1965, at eighteen, she married Harry Falk, an assistant director on her TV show. The marriage proved challenging, and they divorced five years later in 1970. Later in life, Patty Duke became a strong voice for mental health awareness and continued acting until her death.

Mackenzie Phillips

Mackenzie Phillips, who became famous in 1975 for her role on the sitcom ‘One Day at a Time,’ married Jeff Sessler in 1979 when she was nineteen years old. The marriage occurred while she was dealing with personal difficulties and struggling with substance abuse. The couple divorced after two years, in 1981. Years later, she openly shared her experiences as a child star in Hollywood in her autobiography.

Suzanne Somers

Suzanne Somers married Bruce Somers in 1965 when she was just nineteen years old. They soon had a son and lived in California while Suzanne began her acting career, balancing new motherhood and marriage. Though the couple divorced in 1968, she continued to use his last name professionally. She later achieved huge fame as a star on the TV show ‘Three’s Company’ in 1977, and also became a successful writer and entrepreneur.

Morgan Fairchild

Morgan Fairchild married Jack Calmes in 1967 when she was nineteen years old. She was living in Texas and hadn’t yet started her acting career. They were married for six years, divorcing in 1973. She then moved to New York and eventually Los Angeles, where she found success as an actress in soap operas and TV dramas, becoming known for roles in shows like ‘Flamingo Road’ (1980) and ‘Falcon Crest’ (1981).

Michelle Phillips

Let me tell you about Michelle Phillips – a real talent who’s lived a fascinating life. She was just eighteen when she married John Phillips back in 1962, and together they helped create the iconic folk-rock group, The Mamas and the Papas. They absolutely dominated the 60s music scene! After the group went their separate ways, Michelle transitioned into acting, landing roles in various films and TV shows. But I think a lot of people still remember her best as a standout on the primetime soap ‘Knots Landing’ from 1979. That early marriage to her bandmate really shaped her life, especially during the peak of their musical success – it was a defining part of who she was then, and a compelling story to witness.

Mamie Van Doren

Mamie Van Doren married bandleader Ray Anthony in 1955 when she was nineteen. She was a major star in the 1950s, often compared to Marilyn Monroe and Jayne Mansfield. The couple had a son and co-starred in the 1956 film ‘The Girl Can’t Help It,’ which showcased performances by several popular musicians. They divorced in 1961, but Mamie continued acting in films throughout the rest of the decade.

Jayne Mansfield

Jayne Mansfield married Paul Mansfield when she was just sixteen years old, in 1950. They had a daughter and later moved to Los Angeles to help Jayne pursue her acting career. She professionally adopted Paul’s last name, which became well-known as she gained fame in the mid-1950s. Though the couple divorced in 1958, Jayne had already become a popular actress and a celebrated sex symbol, starring in films like ‘The Girl Can’t Help It’ (1956) and ‘Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?’ (1957).

Rhonda Fleming

Rhonda Fleming, a high school student, married her boyfriend, Thomas Lane, in 1940 when she was seventeen. While still in high school, she was noticed and began working as a contract actress. The couple was married for seven years and had a son together before divorcing in 1947. Known as the ‘Queen of Technicolor,’ Fleming was especially stunning in the early color films of the 1940s and 50s. She appeared in popular movies like ‘Spellbound’ (1945) and ‘A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court’ (1949).

Jane Greer

Jane Greer married singer Rudy Vallee in 1943 when she was just nineteen. He was much older and already a well-known star in music and movies. However, the marriage didn’t last long, ending in separation and divorce within a year. Greer later became a celebrated actress, particularly known for her roles in film noir, including a starring role in the classic ‘Out of the Past’ (1947). Her brief marriage to the famous singer was an early and memorable part of her life before she rose to fame.

Linda Darnell

Linda Darnell, a successful actress since her teens, married cinematographer Peverell Marley in 1943 when she was nineteen. She hoped for a more settled personal life. They adopted a daughter and were married for eight years, divorcing in 1951. Darnell was a prominent star at 20th Century Fox, known for films like ‘The Mark of Zorro’ (1940) and ‘A Letter to Three Wives’ (1949), and her career flourished during her marriage to Marley.

June Haver

June Haver, a rising musical star at 20th Century Fox, married musician Jimmy Zito in 1947 when she was eighteen. Studio executives hoped she would become the next Betty Grable, but the marriage was difficult and ended after just one year. Haver briefly left Hollywood to explore religious life at a convent before returning and marrying actor Fred MacMurray. She had already gained popularity through musicals like ‘The Dolly Sisters’ (1945) and continued her success with films such as ‘Look for the Silver Lining’ (1949).

Shelley Winters

Shelley Winters married Mack Paul Mayer in 1942 when she was nineteen years old. At the time, she was working as a stage actress, before becoming famous in Hollywood. They divorced in 1948, and Shelley went on to enjoy a successful career in film and television, winning two Academy Awards for her supporting roles in ‘The Diary of Anne Frank’ (1959) and ‘A Patch of Blue’ (1965). She continued to be a well-known and admired figure in the entertainment industry for many years.

Terry Moore

Terry Moore became known as a promising actress in Hollywood, earning an Academy Award nomination in 1952 for her performance in ‘Come Back, Little Sheba.’ In 1951, at age nineteen, she married football star Glenn Davis, but the marriage ended in divorce after just one year. Later in life, Moore claimed she had previously been secretly married to Howard Hughes. Throughout her career, she starred in several films, including ‘Mighty Joe Young’ (1949) and ‘Peyton Place’ (1957).

Cyd Charisse

Cyd Charisse married her ballet teacher, Nico Charisse, at the age of seventeen in 1939. They relocated to Hollywood to help her launch a career as a dancer and actress. Even after divorcing in 1947, she continued to use his last name professionally. Cyd became a celebrated film dancer, frequently performing alongside legends like Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly. She’s particularly well-known for her memorable dance numbers in films like ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ (1952) and ‘The Band Wagon’ (1953).

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2026-02-27 20:22