Celebrities You Never Knew Divorced Normal People The Second They Got Famous

The journey to superstardom often begins long before the red carpets and blockbuster movie deals become a reality. Many of the most famous people in the world started their lives in humble circumstances with partners who supported them during the early years of their careers. However the pressure of sudden fame and the demands of a high profile life can often lead to the end of these long term relationships. This list explores the celebrities who were once married to normal people but decided to part ways just as their stars began to rise in the entertainment industry.

Harrison Ford

The iconic actor married Mary Marquardt in 1964 before he found any significant success in the film industry. They remained together as he struggled to find work and eventually transitioned from carpentry into major acting roles. The couple divorced in 1979 shortly after his portrayal of Han Solo in ‘Star Wars’ made him an international superstar. Their marriage lasted fifteen years and spanned his entire journey from an unknown craftsman to one of the most recognizable faces in cinema.

Kevin Costner

This award winning actor and director married his college sweetheart Cindy Silva in 1978. She stayed by his side through the early days of his career while he worked various odd jobs to support his dreams. Their marriage eventually came to an end in 1994 which was a year of immense professional success for him. By the time they finalized their divorce he had already become a global icon with films like ‘Dances with Wolves’ and ‘The Bodyguard’.

Morgan Freeman

This legendary actor was married to Jeanette Adair Bradshaw from 1967 to 1979. Their relationship spanned his early years in the theater and his time on the television show ‘The Electric Company’. They finalized their divorce just as he began to land the film roles that would eventually make him a household name. While he is now known for his commanding presence and iconic voice his first marriage ended before his transition into a major Hollywood star.

Sylvester Stallone

The action star was married to Sasha Czack from 1974 to 1985. She worked as a photographer and helped him during the difficult years before his big break. Their marriage covered the massive success of ‘Rocky’ and its early sequels which turned him into a global phenomenon. They eventually divorced as his fame reached its absolute peak in the mid eighties.

Johnny Depp

This versatile actor married Lori Anne Allison in 1983 when he was still an aspiring musician. She was a makeup artist who helped him get his first auditions in Hollywood. Their marriage was short lived and ended in 1985 just as he landed his breakout role in ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’. By the time he became a teen idol on ’21 Jump Street’ the couple had already moved on.

Will Smith

The blockbuster star married Sheree Zampino in 1992 right as his acting career was beginning to explode. They were together during the initial seasons of ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ when he was transitioning from music to television. The couple decided to divorce in 1995 just as he was becoming one of the biggest movie stars in the world. Their split occurred right before the release of massive hits like ‘Independence Day’ and ‘Men in Black’.

Kim Kardashian

Before she became a reality television titan she was married to music producer Damon Thomas. They eloped in 2000 when she was only nineteen years old and well before the public knew her name. Their marriage ended in 2004 just a few years before the launch of ‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians’. This early relationship remains a little known chapter in her highly publicized life.

Eminem

The legendary rapper was married to his high school sweetheart Kim Scott in 1999. Their volatile relationship was a frequent subject of his early music as he rose to global stardom. They divorced for the first time in 2001 as his career reached unprecedented heights in the music industry. Although they briefly remarried years later their initial split coincided with his transformation into a cultural icon.

Dwayne Johnson

The superstar actor and former wrestler married Dany Garcia in 1997. She was with him during his rise to fame in the world of professional wrestling and his early transition into film. The couple announced their separation in 2007 just as his career as a leading man in Hollywood was taking off. Despite their divorce they have maintained a professional partnership and continue to run a production company together.

Kris Jenner

The famous matriarch was married to attorney Robert Kardashian from 1978 to 1991. They raised their four children together before the family became the center of a global media empire. Their divorce was finalized shortly before the public began to take a massive interest in their family life. While her former husband gained his own fame later she transitioned into a new chapter that eventually led to her current celebrity status.

Antonio Banderas

This talented actor was married to Ana Leza from 1987 to 1996. She was a Spanish actress who helped him navigate his early years in the film industry. Their marriage ended just as he was becoming a major star in the United States with films like ‘Desperado’. Their divorce allowed him to pursue a high profile life in Hollywood that redefined his career.

Demi Moore

The actress was married to singer Freddy Moore from 1980 to 1985. She was a teenager when they wed and she even took his last name as her professional stage name. They divorced right as she became a member of the famous Brat Pack and gained international fame. Her subsequent roles in major films solidified her status as one of the highest paid actresses in the world.

Kate Winslet

This acclaimed actress married assistant director Jim Threapleton in 1998. Their marriage followed the massive global success of ‘Titanic’ which had turned her into an overnight sensation. The couple divorced in 2001 after only a few years of marriage. She soon moved on to other high profile relationships while continuing her celebrated career in cinema.

Tobey Maguire

The ‘Spider-Man’ star married jewelry designer Jennifer Meyer in 2007. They were together during the peak of his fame as a superhero and a leading man in Hollywood. The couple announced their separation in 2016 after nearly a decade of marriage. Their split marked the end of a long term relationship that had spanned the most successful years of his acting career.

Robert Downey Jr.

This iconic actor was married to Deborah Falconer from 1992 to 2004. Their marriage occurred during a tumultuous period in his life and career before his massive comeback. They finalized their divorce just as he was beginning to rebuild his reputation in the industry. Shortly after their split he landed the role of Tony Stark in ‘Iron Man’ and became a global superstar.

Idris Elba

The celebrated actor was married to Hanne Norgaard from 1999 to 2003. She moved with him from the United Kingdom to the United States to support his acting ambitions. They divorced right as he gained critical acclaim for his role on the television series ‘The Wire’. This breakout performance served as the launchpad for his highly successful career in film and television.

Daniel Craig

Before he became the world most famous secret agent he was married to Fiona Loudon. They married in 1992 and divorced in 1994 when he was still an emerging actor in theater and television. Their relationship ended long before he achieved international stardom as James Bond. He has since become one of the most respected and successful actors of his generation.

Jeremy Renner

The Marvel star was married to Sonni Pacheco for a brief period starting in 2014. Their marriage lasted only ten months before they filed for a highly publicized divorce. This occurred during the height of his fame as a member of the Avengers cast. The split was finalized as he continued to star in some of the biggest blockbuster films in history.

Chris Rock

The comedian married Malaak Compton-Rock in 1996 and they were together for nearly twenty years. She was a public relations executive who supported him through his rise to comedic royalty. They filed for divorce in 2014 after his career had reached its most established phase. Their long marriage covered the majority of his time as a household name in entertainment.

Kevin Hart

The stand up comedian was married to Torrei Hart from 2003 to 2011. She was with him during his early struggles in the comedy circuit and his first television appearances. They divorced just as he was becoming one of the biggest names in comedy and film. His career exploded into global stardom shortly after their legal separation was finalized.

Kristen Wiig

This talented actress and writer was married to Hayes Hargrove from 2005 to 2009. Their marriage occurred while she was establishing herself as a standout performer on ‘Saturday Night Live’. They divorced only two years before she achieved massive success with the film ‘Bridesmaids’. Her career reached new heights as a leading lady in Hollywood following their split.

Bill Hader

The acclaimed actor and creator was married to filmmaker Maggie Carey from 2006 to 2018. They were together throughout his entire tenure as a cast member on ‘Saturday Night Live’. Their divorce was finalized as he transitioned into more dramatic roles and created his award winning series ‘Barry’. This marked the end of a long term partnership that spanned his rise to fame.

Terrence Howard

The actor was married to Lori McCommas from 1989 to 2003 and they briefly remarried later. Their initial relationship covered his early years in the industry and his first major film roles. They divorced just before he received an Academy Award nomination for his performance in ‘Hustle & Flow’. His career in television and film continued to thrive following their final separation.

Regina King

This versatile actress was married to Ian Alexander Sr from 1997 to 2007. They were together as she built a successful career in both television and film. Their divorce occurred during a period where she was becoming a staple in the entertainment industry. She has since gone on to win multiple awards and achieve critical acclaim as both an actress and a director.

Tiffany Haddish

The comedian was married to William Stewart before she became a household name. Their relationship was finalized in divorce twice with the second split occurring in 2013. This happened just a few years before her breakout role in the film ‘Girls Trip’ made her a star. She has since become one of the most recognizable voices in modern comedy.

Michelle Yeoh

The Oscar winning actress was married to businessman Dickson Poon from 1988 to 1992. She initially retired from acting during their marriage to focus on her family life in Hong Kong. After their divorce she returned to the screen and eventually achieved international fame in films like ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’. Her career reached its ultimate peak decades later with her historic win for ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’.

Jet Li

The martial arts legend was married to Huang Qiuyan from 1987 to 1990. She was a fellow martial artist and actress who appeared in films with him in China. They divorced just as his career was expanding beyond his home country and into the global market. He soon became an international action star with a career that spanned across several decades and continents.

Ken Watanabe

The respected actor was married to Yumiko Watanabe from 1983 to 2005. Their marriage lasted through his early career in Japan and his transition into major Hollywood films. They divorced shortly after he received widespread acclaim and an Oscar nomination for ‘The Last Samurai’. This role made him one of the most famous Japanese actors working in Western cinema.

Hiroyuki Sanada

This talented actor was married to Japanese actress Satomi Tezuka from 1990 to 1997. Their marriage covered his rise as a prominent figure in the Japanese film and theater scene. They divorced several years before he made his major breakthrough in international films. He is now widely known for his roles in blockbusters and hit television series across the globe.

Gong Li

The internationally acclaimed actress was married to Ooi Hoe Seong from 1996 to 2010. Their relationship spanned the period where she became one of the most famous Chinese actresses in the world. They kept their private life mostly out of the spotlight during her rise to global stardom. The couple eventually divorced as she continued to represent Chinese cinema on the world stage.

Zhang Ziyi

This global film star was married to musician Wang Feng from 2015 to 2023. Their high profile marriage was a subject of much media attention in Asia throughout their time together. They announced their divorce after eight years of marriage and two children. Her career remains one of the most successful for any actress transitioning from domestic success to international fame.

Chow Yun-fat

The legendary actor was briefly married to actress Candice Yu in 1983. Their marriage lasted only nine months and occurred as his career in Hong Kong was starting to reach new heights. He soon found long term success in his career and personal life after their split. He is now celebrated as one of the most iconic figures in the history of Asian cinema.

Adele

The global music sensation was in a long term relationship with Simon Konecki and they married in 2018. They had been together throughout the majority of her record breaking career and the release of her biggest albums. The couple announced their separation in 2019 just one year after their wedding. Their divorce was finalized as she continued to dominate the charts and win numerous awards.

Janet Jackson

The pop icon was secretly married to songwriter Rene Elizondo Jr from 1991 to 2000. He was a close collaborator who worked on many of her biggest hits and music videos. The public was unaware of their marriage until he filed for divorce at the turn of the millennium. This relationship covered some of the most successful years of her legendary career.

Olivia Wilde

The actress and director was married to Tao Ruspoli from 2003 to 2011. They eloped when she was only nineteen years old and he was an aspiring filmmaker and musician. Their marriage ended just as her career in television and film was beginning to gain significant momentum. She has since become a prominent figure in Hollywood as both a leading lady and a filmmaker.

James Cameron

The visionary director was married to Sharon Williams from 1978 to 1984. She was with him during his early years as a production designer and aspiring filmmaker. They finalized their divorce the same year that ‘The Terminator’ was released and became a massive hit. This film launched his career as one of the most successful directors in cinematic history.

George Lucas

The creator of a legendary galaxy was married to film editor Marcia Lucas from 1969 to 1983. She was an integral part of his early career and even won an Oscar for her work on ‘Star Wars’. Their marriage ended just as the original trilogy was concluding and he had become one of the wealthiest men in Hollywood. Her contributions to his early success are still highly regarded by film historians.

Ewan McGregor

The talented actor was married to production designer Eve Mavrakis from 1995 to 2018. They met on the set of a television show and remained together through his rise to fame in ‘Trainspotting’ and the ‘Star Wars’ prequels. Their divorce was finalized after twenty two years of marriage following his continued success in major film projects. This split marked the end of one of the longest marriages in the entertainment industry.

Patrick Dempsey

The star known for his role on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ was married to Rocky Parker from 1987 to 1994. She was much older than him and served as his manager during the early years of his career. They divorced well before he achieved his second wave of massive fame as a television lead. He has since become one of the most recognizable faces in the world of television.

Bryan Cranston

This award winning actor was married to Mickey Middleton from 1977 to 1982. Their marriage occurred during the very early stages of his career when he was still finding his footing in the industry. They divorced long before he became a household name for his roles in hit sitcoms and dramatic series. He eventually found long term personal and professional success in the decades that followed.

Jennifer Hudson

The singer and actress was in a long term relationship with James Payton before her massive breakout. They were together for many years and even throughout her time on ‘American Idol’. Their relationship ended in 2007 which was the same year she won an Academy Award for ‘Dreamgirls’. This victory turned her into a major star and a respected figure in the music industry.

Jane Lynch

The comedic actress was married to psychologist Lara Embry from 2010 to 2014. Their marriage took place during the peak of her success on the hit show ‘Glee’. They announced their divorce after three years of marriage as her career continued to flourish. She has since remained a prominent and award winning performer in both comedy and drama.

Brendan Fraser

The actor was married to Afton Smith from 1998 to 2008. They were together throughout his peak years as a leading man in blockbuster films like ‘The Mummy’. Their divorce occurred as his career began to transition into a different phase after years of major success. He has recently experienced a massive career resurgence that has brought him back to the forefront of Hollywood.

Tim Allen

The sitcom star was married to Laura Deibel from 1984 to 2003. She was with him during his early days in stand up comedy and the entire run of his hit show ‘Home Improvement’. They finalized their divorce after nineteen years of marriage as his career in television and film reached its highest point. He has continued to be a major figure in the entertainment world for decades.

Paul Giamatti

This acclaimed actor was married to Elizabeth Cohen from 1997 to the late two thousands. Their marriage spanned the years where he transitioned from a character actor to a critically acclaimed leading man. They divorced during a period of significant professional growth for him in both film and television. He remains one of the most respected performers in the industry today.

Gary Oldman

The versatile actor was married to Anne Marie Colley in the late eighties and they divorced in 1990. This occurred right as his career was starting to expand into the international market with more prominent roles. He has since been married several times while establishing himself as one of the greatest actors of his generation. His journey to stardom reached its peak long after his first marriage ended.

Tom Hardy

The ‘Mad Max’ star was married to Sarah Ward from 1999 to 2004. They were together during the very early years of his acting career when he was still struggling to find major roles. Their divorce was finalized just as he began to gain traction in the industry with more significant film appearances. He has since become one of the most sought after actors in Hollywood.

Julianne Moore

The Oscar winning actress was married to John Gould Rubin from 1986 to 1995. Their marriage covered her early years in theater and her first major roles in television and film. They divorced just as she was becoming a critically acclaimed actress known for her powerful performances. She has since achieved massive success and is considered one of the finest actresses of her era.

Maggie Smith

This legendary performer was married to actor Robert Stephens from 1967 to 1974. Their relationship covered many of her acclaimed early performances in theater and her first Academy Award win. They divorced as her career continued to reach new levels of success and prestige on both the stage and screen. She remains one of the most beloved and celebrated figures in the history of British entertainment.

Anthony Hopkins

The iconic actor was married to Petronella Barker from 1966 to 1972. This marriage occurred during his early years with the Royal National Theatre and his first steps into film. They divorced just as he was becoming a major figure in the international acting community. His career reached legendary status in the decades that followed his first marriage.

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