Actresses Who Married Totally Ordinary People

It’s common to see Hollywood stars fall in love on movie sets or at industry parties, creating famous couples the media loves to follow. But surprisingly, many prominent actresses choose partners who aren’t in the entertainment world at all. These spouses often work in fields like law, business, art, or teaching, bringing a sense of stability to a typically unpredictable life. Whether these relationships last for years or just a short time, they show that you don’t need to be famous to find love.

Meryl Streep

The acclaimed actress married sculptor Don Gummer in 1978, finding connection through her brother after a period of personal hardship. For decades, Gummer has showcased his modern sculptures in galleries and museums worldwide. While his wife gained fame and won numerous Academy Awards for films such as ‘Kramer vs. Kramer’ and ‘The Iron Lady’, he generally stayed out of the spotlight, offering support at industry events. They shared over forty years of marriage and raised four children together before announcing their separation in 2023. Despite her high-profile career, their relationship was remarkably private and enduring, a rarity in Hollywood.

Julia Roberts

Julia Roberts married Danny Moder in a secret ceremony at her New Mexico ranch in 2002. They first met in 2000 while working on the film ‘The Mexican’ – he was a cameraman at the time. Since then, Moder has become a successful cinematographer, but he generally avoids publicity, appearing only occasionally with his wife. Together, they have three children and prioritize keeping their family life private and normal. Roberts often says that Moder’s support and down-to-earth nature are key to their lasting relationship, especially given the pressures of her career.

Lisa Kudrow

Lisa Kudrow is famous around the world for playing Phoebe on the TV show ‘Friends’. She’s been married to Michel Stern, a French advertising executive, since 1995. Michel moved to the US and has always worked in business, staying out of the entertainment world. They first met in the late 1980s when he dated one of Lisa’s roommates, and they later reconnected and began a relationship of their own. Together, they have a son and have built a lasting marriage over the past three decades by valuing their privacy. Michel’s career remains separate from Lisa’s acting, helping them create a normal family life.

Gal Gadot

Gal Gadot, known for her role as Wonder Woman, met her husband, Yaron Varsano, at a wellness event in the Israeli desert back in 2006. Before moving to Los Angeles, Varsano had a thriving career in Israeli business and real estate, even co-owning the Varsano Hotel in Tel Aviv with his brother – which they later sold to Roman Abramovich. Gadot has often spoken about how Varsano supported her when she almost gave up on acting. Now, he runs his own businesses, collaborates with Gadot on her production company, and they are raising their four daughters together.

Anne Hathaway

Anne Hathaway married Adam Shulman in 2012. They first met at the Palm Springs Film Festival four years earlier. Shulman is a jewelry designer and co-founder of James Banks Design, a company known for its handmade jewelry. Although he’s had some small acting parts, he’s mainly known for his work in business and for supporting Hathaway throughout her busy acting career. The couple lives a private life with their two sons in New York and Connecticut. Hathaway has often shared how Shulman’s calm and down-to-earth personality has helped her deal with the pressures of being famous.

Jennifer Lawrence

In 2019, Jennifer Lawrence, known for her role in ‘The Hunger Games,’ married Cooke Maroney, an art director at the Gladstone Gallery in New York City. Maroney is well-known in the art world and works with prominent artists such as Anish Kapoor and Carroll Dunham. They were set up by a friend and kept their romance mostly private before marrying in Rhode Island. Unlike Lawrence’s past relationships with celebrities, Maroney generally stays out of the spotlight and doesn’t often join his wife on red carpets. Lawrence has shared that being married to someone who doesn’t work in the film industry has brought more calm and stability to her life.

Jessica Alba

Jessica Alba and Cash Warren first met in 2004 while working on the set of ‘Fantastic Four,’ where Warren was a production assistant. Although his father is actor Michael Warren, Cash has built a career primarily as a producer and entrepreneur. He’s best known as the co-founder of the clothing brand Pair of Thieves and has focused on business ventures rather than pursuing a career in front of the camera. Jessica and Cash married in 2008 and have three children, frequently sharing moments from their family life online. Despite Jessica’s success as an actress and businesswoman, they maintain a strong and balanced relationship.

Amy Schumer

Comedian and actress Amy Schumer married chef Chris Fischer in a small, private ceremony with loved ones in 2018. Fischer, known for his award-winning cookbooks and upbringing on a farm in Martha’s Vineyard, gained wider recognition through the TV series ‘Amy Schumer Learns to Cook,’ which they filmed together during the pandemic. He received an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis shortly after their wedding, and Schumer has openly and sensitively addressed this in her comedy. Their relationship prioritizes food, family, and a life outside the usual Hollywood spotlight.

Ellen Pompeo

Ellen Pompeo, known for her role on ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ met her husband, Chris Ivery, at a Los Angeles grocery store in 2003, before the show became popular. Chris is a music producer who has also worked in fashion. They had a private wedding ceremony in New York City in 2007, with the mayor as their witness. Even though Pompeo is a highly successful and well-paid actress, Ivery has intentionally kept a low profile and avoided public attention. They have three children together and are one of Hollywood’s enduring couples.

Julianna Margulies

Julianna Margulies, known for her roles in ‘The Good Wife’ and ‘ER,’ married attorney Keith Lieberthal in 2007 after they met at a dinner party. Lieberthal is a Harvard Law graduate who works in corporate law. Margulies has playfully shared that she initially assumed he was an actor, and was happy to learn about his real profession. They live in Manhattan with their son and often appear together at industry events, though Lieberthal continues to focus on his law career. Their relationship is often highlighted as a successful example of a celebrity pairing with someone outside of the entertainment industry.

Elizabeth Banks

The actress and her future husband, Max Handelman, first became friends on her very first day at the University of Pennsylvania in 1992. Before they started their own production company, Handelman worked as both an investment banker and a sportswriter – he even wrote a book called ‘Why Fantasy Football Matters’ because of his love for sports and business. They married in 2003 and have since worked together on hit projects like the ‘Pitch Perfect’ movies. The actress often says they essentially grew up together, which has been key to their successful marriage and business relationship.

Marcia Cross

Actress Felicity Huffman married financial professional Tom Mahoney in 2006, not long after they started dating. Mahoney works as a stockbroker and isn’t involved in the entertainment industry. They met through friends and had a small, private wedding in California. Early in their marriage, both Huffman and Mahoney were diagnosed with cancer, but they supported each other through treatment and both recovered. They are parents to twin daughters and generally keep their lives out of the public eye.

Amy Adams

Amy Adams married artist Darren Le Gallo in 2015, after dating for more than ten years. Le Gallo, a graduate of Abilene Christian University, initially pursued acting but ultimately focused on painting and visual art as his career. They first met in an acting class in 2001 and share one daughter. The couple values their privacy and Adams often acknowledges Le Gallo’s consistent encouragement and creativity as essential to her success.

Zoe Saldaña

Zoe Saldana, known for her role in ‘Avatar,’ secretly married Italian artist and former soccer player Marco Perego in 2013. After an injury ended his athletic career, Perego moved to the US to focus on art. He creates distinctive paintings and sculptures, and often works on projects that support important social issues. The couple famously chose to share each other’s last names, so he became Marco Perego-Saldana. Together, they have three sons and are dedicated to raising them with an appreciation for different cultures and without traditional gender roles.

Julia Stiles

Larisa Oleynik, known for her role in ’10 Things I Hate About You,’ married Preston J. Cook in 2017 while expecting their first child. Preston works as a camera assistant and technician on many popular movies and TV shows. They first met in 2015 while filming ‘Go with Me,’ where she was the lead actress and he was a member of the film crew. The couple values their privacy and rarely discusses their relationship or family publicly. They now have three children and both continue to work in the film industry – Larisa in front of the camera and Preston behind it.

Alright, folks, I’ve been thinking about these celebrity couples and their romances, and now I want to hear from you. Let me know what you think about their relationships – what makes them work, what surprises you, and what you find interesting about their love stories. Drop your thoughts in the comments – I’m genuinely curious to hear your perspective!

2026-02-26 01:46