Actors You Never Knew Divorced Their Non-Famous Partners Immediately After Making It

The journey to Hollywood stardom is often a long and arduous process that requires years of dedication and sacrifice. Many actors begin their careers with the support of partners who stay by their side through the lean years of auditions and rejection. However the sudden arrival of massive fame and wealth can place an enormous strain on even the most stable relationships. Some of the most recognizable leading men in the world ended their marriages to non famous partners just as they reached the pinnacle of their profession. This list explores the actors who navigated life changing career breakthroughs and personal separations at the very same time.

Harrison Ford

Harrison Ford married Mary Marquardt in 1964 long before he became a household name. The couple stayed together as he struggled to find consistent work as an actor and took up carpentry to support his family. Their marriage ended in 1979 right as the massive success of ‘Star Wars’ transformed him into a global superstar. He eventually moved on to higher profile relationships as his career reached unprecedented heights. They share two children together from their time before his rise to fame.

Sylvester Stallone

Sylvester Stallone was married to Sasha Czack during the early years of his career when he was still a struggling writer and actor. She supported him through the difficult period of writing and selling the script for ‘Rocky’ which would change his life forever. The couple remained together through the first few sequels but eventually divorced in 1985. This was the same year that both ‘Rocky IV’ and ‘Rambo: First Blood Part II’ dominated the box office. Stallone became one of the highest paid actors in Hollywood following the split.

Kevin Costner

Kevin Costner met his first wife Cindy Silva while they were both students at California State University. She worked as a performer at Disneyland while he began to pursue a career in the film industry. Their marriage lasted through his breakout roles in ‘The Untouchables’ and ‘Field of Dreams’ but ended in 1994. This divorce occurred just as he reached the peak of his power following the success of ‘Dances with Wolves’ and ‘The Bodyguard’. The settlement was famously one of the most expensive in Hollywood history at the time.

Will Smith

Will Smith married Sheree Zampino in 1992 while he was still establishing himself on the television series ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’. The couple welcomed a son together as his popularity began to soar across the country. They finalized their divorce in 1995 just as his film career was taking off with the hit movie ‘Bad Boys’. Smith went on to become one of the biggest movie stars in the world shortly after the separation. He famously maintained a friendly relationship with her while building a new life with his second wife.

Idris Elba

Idris Elba was married to Hanne Nørgaard when he first moved from London to New York City to pursue acting. The couple struggled financially during their early years together while he worked various odd jobs to make ends meet. Their marriage came to an end in 2003 which coincided with his breakout role as Stringer Bell on ‘The Wire’. This performance launched his career and established him as a major talent in the United States. He has since become a leading man in both television and major motion pictures.

Tom Hardy

Tom Hardy married Sarah Ward in 1999 when he was a young actor just beginning to find his footing in the industry. The marriage took place before he achieved international recognition for his intense performances and transformative roles. They stayed together for five years but eventually divorced in 2004. This split occurred just as his career began to gain serious momentum with roles in ‘Star Trek: Nemesis’ and various television projects. Hardy has since become known for his versatility and dedication to his craft in major blockbusters.

Jeremy Renner

Jeremy Renner married Sonni Pacheco in 2014 after they had already welcomed a daughter together. Their marriage was surprisingly short and ended in divorce just ten months later. The legal separation happened while Renner was enjoying his greatest professional success as a core member of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He had recently starred in ‘The Avengers’ and ‘Arrival’ while becoming a staple of action cinema. The split was followed by a highly publicized custody battle over their young child.

Patrick Dempsey

Patrick Dempsey married his manager and acting coach Rocky Parker when he was only twenty one years old. The significant age gap between the two was a frequent topic of conversation during the early years of his career. They were married for seven years before divorcing in 1994 as he transitioned into more mature roles. Dempsey would later find massive success and a new public image as a leading man on the hit series ‘Grey’s Anatomy’. His second marriage has lasted much longer and remains a central part of his life today.

Michael Keaton

Michael Keaton was married to Caroline McWilliams for nearly a decade starting in 1982. While she worked in television they raised their son together as Keaton became a massive star. The couple divorced in 1990 shortly after he reached a new level of global fame starring in ‘Batman’. This period represented the height of his career as he became one of the most sought after actors in Hollywood. He has remained relatively private about his personal life since the end of that marriage.

Bill Murray

Bill Murray married Margaret Kelly in 1981 while he was a rising star on ‘Saturday Night Live’. They eloped in Las Vegas and eventually had two sons as his film career took off with hits like ‘Ghostbusters’. The marriage lasted through his most iconic comedic roles of the eighties and early nineties. They finalized their divorce in 1996 which was around the same time he began taking on more dramatic projects. Murray has rarely spoken about the details of the split in the decades since.

Anthony Hopkins

Anthony Hopkins married Petronella Barker in 1966 during the early stages of his prestigious stage career. They had one daughter together but the marriage was strained as he struggled with the demands of his rising fame. They divorced in 1972 just as he was beginning to transition from theater to major international film roles. This period marked the beginning of his most prolific era as an actor on the world stage. He eventually moved to the United States where he achieved legendary status and won multiple awards.

Michael Caine

Michael Caine married Patricia Haines in 1954 when they were both young actors struggling to find work in London. They faced significant financial hardships and often had to take menial jobs to pay their rent. The marriage ended in 1962 just before he landed his breakout role in the film ‘Zulu’. This performance made him an instant star and led to a decades long career as a Hollywood icon. Caine has often cited those early years of struggle as a primary motivation for his later work ethic.

Robin Williams

Robin Williams married Valerie Velardi in 1978 just as he was becoming a breakout star on the sitcom ‘Mork & Mindy’. She was by his side as he transitioned from a stand up comedian to one of the most beloved actors in the world. Their marriage lasted through his early film successes like ‘Popeye’ and ‘The World According to Garp’. They eventually divorced in 1988 after ten years of marriage and one child together. This split occurred right as he was earning his first Academy Award nomination for ‘Good Morning, Vietnam’.

Robert Downey Jr.

Robert Downey Jr. married Deborah Falconer in 1992 after a very brief courtship of only forty two days. The couple had a son together and stayed married through the most turbulent years of his early career. Their marriage effectively ended in 2001 though the divorce was not finalized until 2004. This period preceded his massive career resurgence and his eventual casting as Tony Stark in ‘Iron Man’. He credits his current wife with helping him achieve the stability he enjoys today.

Dwayne Johnson

Dwayne Johnson married Dany Garcia in 1997 while he was still establishing himself as a professional wrestler. She was a constant support system as he transitioned from the ring to becoming a leading man in Hollywood. They announced their amicable split in 2007 just as his film career was entering a new phase of massive commercial success. Despite the divorce they continued to work together as business partners to build his global brand. Garcia remains his manager and a key figure in his production company to this day.

Josh Brolin

Josh Brolin married Alice Adair in 1988 when he was a young actor best known for his role in ‘The Goonies’. They had two children together while he worked to establish a consistent career in television and film. The marriage ended in 1994 as he entered a period of professional transition and growth. Brolin would later achieve a major career breakthrough in the mid two thousands with roles in ‘No Country for Old Men’ and ‘Milk’. He has since become one of the most respected character actors in the industry.

James Marsden

James Marsden married Mary Elizabeth Linde in 2000 during the same year he gained fame as Cyclops in ‘X-Men’. The couple had two children together as his career expanded into various genres including romantic comedies and musicals. Their marriage lasted for over a decade before she filed for divorce in 2011. This separation happened while he was enjoying steady work in major films like ‘Enchanted’ and ’27 Dresses’. Marsden has continued to find success in both film and television while co-parenting his children.

Patrick Stewart

Patrick Stewart was married to Sheila Falconer for twenty four years beginning in 1966. She was a choreographer who supported him throughout his extensive career with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Their marriage ended in 1990 which was exactly during the peak of his fame on ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’. This role made him a global icon and changed the trajectory of his professional life forever. He has since become one of the most recognized and respected actors in the world.

Woody Harrelson

Woody Harrelson married Nancy Simon in 1985 while he was starring on the hit television show ‘Cheers’. The marriage was reportedly intended to be a joke and they planned to divorce the very next day. However the marriage lasted for ten months before they finally legally separated in 1986. This was the same period where he became a household name and began to receive critical acclaim for his comedic timing. Harrelson eventually transitioned into a successful film career with numerous award nominations.

Bryan Cranston

Bryan Cranston was married to Mickey Middleton from 1977 to 1982 during the early years of his acting career. This was long before he became famous for his roles in ‘Malcolm in the Middle’ and ‘Breaking Bad’. The marriage ended as he was still working primarily in commercials and small television guest spots. He has spoken about how the experience of a young marriage helped him grow as a person and a performer. Cranston later remarried and found his greatest professional success in his fifties.

Gary Oldman

Gary Oldman married Donya Fiorentino in 1997 after a very short relationship. This was his third marriage and it lasted for four years before they went through a difficult divorce in 2001. During this time he was appearing in major films like ‘Air Force One’ and ‘The Contender’. The split happened just before he took on the iconic roles of Sirius Black and James Gordon which introduced him to a new generation of fans. Oldman eventually won an Academy Award later in his distinguished career.

Daniel Craig

Daniel Craig married Fiona Loudon in 1992 when he was still an up and coming actor in the United Kingdom. They had one daughter together before their marriage ended in 1994. This divorce took place over a decade before he was cast as James Bond in ‘Casino Royale’. Craig spent those intervening years building a reputation as a serious and talented actor in independent films. He has since become one of the most successful and recognizable actors to ever play the famous spy.

Ben Kingsley

Ben Kingsley was married to Alison Sutcliffe for over a decade starting in 1978. She was with him when he achieved international stardom and won an Academy Award for his role in ‘Gandhi’. Their marriage lasted through several of his other notable projects during the eighties and early nineties. They eventually divorced in 1992 as he continued to be a major force in world cinema. Kingsley has been married four times in total and continues to work prolifically in a variety of roles.

Christoph Waltz

Christoph Waltz was married to Jacqueline Waltz for many years while he worked as a steady actor in Germany and Austria. They raised three children together before their marriage eventually ended. This split happened before his massive breakout in the United States with the film ‘Inglourious Basterds’. That role earned him his first Academy Award and transformed him into an international star overnight. He has since become a staple of major Hollywood productions and won a second Oscar for his work.

Gene Hackman

Gene Hackman married Faye Maltese in 1956 when he was first starting out in the industry. They stayed together for thirty years as he rose from a struggling actor to one of the most respected stars in Hollywood history. Their marriage lasted through his iconic roles in ‘The French Connection’ and ‘Superman’. They finalized their divorce in 1986 which marked the end of a very long chapter in his personal life. Hackman retired from acting in the early two thousands after a storied and successful career.

Jeff Goldblum

Jeff Goldblum married Patricia Gaul in 1980 before he became the eccentric star known today. They appeared together in the film ‘The Big Chill’ which was one of his early notable roles. Their marriage ended in 1986 just as he was achieving a new level of fame with the hit movie ‘The Fly’. This performance established him as a leading man and a unique presence in Hollywood cinema. Goldblum has since starred in some of the highest grossing film franchises of all time.

Morgan Freeman

Morgan Freeman married Jeanette Adair Bradshaw in 1967 when he was primarily a stage actor in New York. They were married for twelve years as he worked to transition into television and film roles. Their divorce was finalized in 1979 which was right before he gained national recognition for his work on the series ‘The Electric Company’. It would still be several more years before he became the legendary film star he is today. Freeman is now considered one of the greatest actors of his generation.

Dustin Hoffman

Dustin Hoffman married Anne Byrne in 1969 shortly after his life changed with the success of ‘The Graduate’. They were married throughout his rise to the top of the acting world during the seventies. The couple divorced in 1980 which was the same year he won his first Academy Award for ‘Kramer vs. Kramer’. This film dealt with the themes of divorce and family which mirrored his own life at the time. Hoffman went on to have a long and decorated career as a leading man.

Jack Nicholson

Jack Nicholson married Sandra Knight in 1962 when they were both young actors working on low budget films. They had one daughter together but the marriage ended in 1968 after six years. This was just one year before his major breakout role in ‘Easy Rider’ which made him a counterculture icon. Following the split he became one of the most famous and prolific actors in the history of cinema. Nicholson is now one of the most nominated actors in the history of the Academy Awards.

Brendan Fraser

Brendan Fraser married Afton Smith in 1998 after meeting her at a party in Hollywood. They were together throughout his most successful years as a leading man in ‘The Mummy’ franchise. The couple had three sons together before announcing their divorce in 2007. This separation occurred just as his career began to slow down after a decade of massive hits. Fraser recently experienced a major career comeback and won an Academy Award for his role in ‘The Whale’.

Billy Bob Thornton

Billy Bob Thornton married Melissa Lee Gatlin in 1978 long before he was a known figure in the film industry. This was the first of his many marriages and it ended in divorce in 1980. He spent the next decade working as a character actor and writer while searching for his big break. That breakthrough finally arrived in 1996 with the film ‘Sling Blade’ which he also wrote and directed. He has since become a highly respected actor and filmmaker known for his unique style.

Charlie Sheen

Charlie Sheen married Donna Peele in 1995 after they met while filming a commercial together. The marriage was incredibly short and ended in an annulment only six months later in 1996. This occurred during a period where he was one of the most famous young actors in Hollywood following ‘Platoon’ and ‘Wall Street’. The split was the first of several high profile legal and personal issues that would follow him throughout his career. Sheen later became the highest paid actor on television for his role in ‘Two and a Half Men’.

Terrence Howard

Terrence Howard married Lori McCommas in 1989 and the couple had three children together during their time together. Their relationship was complex and they divorced in 2003 before marrying each other again in 2005. They finally divorced for the second and final time in 2007 just as his career reached its peak. This was around the time he received an Academy Award nomination for ‘Hustle & Flow’ and starred in ‘Iron Man’. Howard has remained a prominent figure in the industry with lead roles in major television series.

Laurence Fishburne

Laurence Fishburne married Hajna O. Moss in 1985 while he was still establishing himself as a young actor. They had two children together during their marriage which lasted until 1992. This divorce took place just one year before he received an Academy Award nomination for his role in ‘What’s Love Got to Do with It’. Shortly after the split he achieved global fame as Morpheus in the ground breaking film ‘The Matrix’. He has since enjoyed a long and distinguished career in film theater and television.

Christian Slater

Christian Slater married Ryan Haddon in 2000 during a period where he was a well known leading man in Hollywood. The couple had two children together but faced several public challenges during their marriage. They legally separated in 2005 and their divorce was finalized in 2007. This occurred as his career transitioned from leading film roles to a successful run on television and the stage. Slater eventually won a Golden Globe for his work on the acclaimed series ‘Mr. Robot’.

Chris Rock

Chris Rock married Malaak Compton-Rock in 1996 as his career as a stand up comedian and actor was exploding. She was an executive and philanthropist who was by his side as he became one of the biggest stars in comedy. The couple remained married for nearly two decades and had two daughters together. They announced their separation in 2014 and their divorce was finalized in 2016. Rock has since continued to influence the world of comedy through his specials and film work.

Martin Lawrence

Martin Lawrence married Patricia Southall in 1995 while he was at the height of his fame with his self titled sitcom ‘Martin’. She was a former beauty queen and they had one daughter together during their brief marriage. They divorced in 1997 which was a very successful year for his film career with the release of ‘Nothing to Lose’. Lawrence went on to star in several massive franchises including the ‘Bad Boys’ and ‘Big Momma’s House’ series. He remains one of the most successful comedic actors of his era.

Antonio Banderas

Antonio Banderas was married to Ana Leza when he first started his career in Spain working with director Pedro Almodóvar. She helped him learn English as he prepared to make his transition to American cinema in the early nineties. Their marriage came to an end in 1996 which was the same year he achieved massive international fame in ‘Evita’. This split occurred just as he was becoming one of the most recognizable leading men in Hollywood. He went on to marry another high profile actress shortly after the divorce was finalized.

Jim Carrey

Jim Carrey married Melissa Womer in 1987 while he was still a struggling stand up comedian working in Los Angeles. She was by his side as he landed his breakout role on the sketch comedy show ‘In Living Color’. Their marriage ended in 1995 which was the exact time he became the biggest movie star in the world. This followed the unprecedented success of ‘Ace Ventura: Pet Detective’ and ‘The Mask’ and ‘Dumb and Dumber’ in a single year. Carrey has had several high profile relationships since the end of his first marriage.

James Caan

James Caan married Dee Jay Mathis in 1961 during the very early years of his acting career in television. They had one child together before their marriage ended in 1966. This divorce took place just as he was beginning to land more significant roles in major feature films. His career would soon reach legendary status with his iconic performance in ‘The Godfather’ just a few years later. Caan went on to have a long and storied career as one of the most respected tough guys in cinema.

Tim Allen

Tim Allen married Laura Deibel in 1984 long before he became a household name in television and film. She was by his side as he built a career as a stand up comedian and eventually landed the lead role on ‘Home Improvement’. The series became a massive hit and turned him into one of the biggest stars of the nineties. Their marriage came to an end in 1999 which was the same year that his film career was thriving with projects like ‘Toy Story 2’ and ‘Galaxy Quest’. They finalized their divorce in 2003 after several years of legal separation.

Kelsey Grammer

Kelsey Grammer married Doreen Alderman in 1982 just as he was starting to find success on the stage and in television. The couple had one daughter together but the marriage lasted for only two years before they separated. Their divorce was finalized in 1990 which coincided with the peak of his fame playing Frasier Crane on the hit show ‘Cheers’. He would later go on to lead his own successful spin off series that ran for eleven seasons. Grammer has been married several times since the end of his first marriage.

Michael Douglas

Michael Douglas married Diandra Luker in 1977 when he was primarily known as a television actor and producer. She was the daughter of a diplomat and was not involved in the entertainment industry herself at the time. Their marriage lasted through his most iconic film roles including ‘Wall Street’ and ‘Fatal Attraction’. They announced their separation in 1995 as he continued to be one of the most powerful figures in Hollywood. The divorce was finalized in 2000 and was known for being one of the largest settlements in the industry.

Peter Sellers

Peter Sellers married Anne Howe in 1951 when he was a relatively unknown radio performer. She was with him as he transitioned into film and became an international sensation with ‘The Pink Panther’ series. Their marriage ended in 1963 as he reached the absolute peak of his fame and comedic influence. Sellers went on to become one of the most acclaimed actors of his time though his personal life remained turbulent. He married several more times before his death in 1980.

Sean Connery

Sean Connery married Diane Cilento in 1962 which was the same year he first appeared as James Bond in ‘Dr. No’. While she was an actress she was not nearly as famous as he would quickly become in the following years. Their marriage lasted through the height of Bondmania but they eventually separated in 1971. This was the same year he returned to the role for ‘Diamonds Are Forever’ before stepping away from the franchise. Connery remained a global superstar and eventually won an Academy Award later in his career.

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