Actors Who Got Married Long Before They Turned Twenty Years Old

In the world of entertainment many stars find success at a very young age which often leads to major life decisions occurring much earlier than for the average person. Getting married while still a teenager is a rare occurrence in modern times but it was more common for young actors during various eras of Hollywood history. These men navigated the pressures of fame and the responsibilities of domestic life before they had even reached their second decade. This list explores several notable actors who decided to tie the knot long before they turned twenty years old.

Jerry Lee Lewis

The performer and actor married Dorothy Barton when he was only sixteen years old. This initial union took place long before he achieved massive fame as a pioneer of rock and roll music and film. He later appeared in movies like ‘High School Confidential!’ while balancing a high profile career and personal life. The marriage lasted nearly two years before the couple decided to part ways as his stardom began to rise.

Taran Noah Smith

The child star gained immense popularity for his portrayal of Mark Taylor on the hit show ‘Home Improvement’. At the age of seventeen he married a woman who was sixteen years his senior. This decision led to significant media scrutiny and tension with his parents regarding his financial assets. He eventually stepped away from acting to pursue other business ventures outside of the entertainment industry after the series ended.

Glen Campbell

The talented musician and actor married Diane Kirk when he was only seventeen years of age. This early marriage occurred as he was beginning to find his footing in the music industry before becoming a household name. He went on to host a popular variety show and star in multiple films including the classic ‘True Grit’. He remains an icon of American entertainment for his work across both the music and film sectors.

George Jones

The legendary performer who appeared in several musical films married Dorothy Bonvillion at seventeen. This was the first of his marriages during a long and storied career in the spotlight. He is widely considered one of the greatest vocalists in history and made appearances in films like ‘Country Music Holiday’. His personal life was often as dramatic as the songs he performed for his millions of fans.

Mickey Gilley

The country singer and actor was a central figure in the movement that inspired the film ‘Urban Cowboy’. He married his first wife when he was only seventeen years old in his native Mississippi. His career included many hit records and appearances in various television programs such as ‘The Fall Guy’. He is remembered for his significant contribution to the nightlife and music scene in Texas and beyond.

Macaulay Culkin

This actor rose to worldwide prominence as a child star in the classic film ‘Home Alone’. He surprised the public by marrying fellow actress Rachel Miner when he was just eighteen years old. The two young stars were often the subject of media attention during their brief union. They remained together for two years before deciding to separate and pursue their own professional paths.

Corey Feldman

The actor became a staple of cinema in the nineteen eighties with memorable roles in ‘The Goonies’ and ‘The Lost Boys’. He entered into a marriage with actress Vanessa Marcil when he was eighteen years old in Las Vegas. Their relationship was brief and ended in divorce shortly after they exchanged their vows. He has remained a frequent subject of celebrity news throughout his many decades working in the spotlight.

Chuck Norris

Before becoming an international action star he married his high school sweetheart Dianne Holechek at the age of eighteen. The couple stayed married for thirty years and raised two children together while his career flourished. He is legendary for his martial arts prowess and his long running television series ‘Walker, Texas Ranger’. Their long marriage finally ended in the late nineteen eighties after decades of partnership.

Roger Moore

The English actor is most famous for playing the iconic secret agent James Bond in several feature films. He wed his first wife Doorn Van Steyn when he was only eighteen years old. They lived together in a small apartment while he struggled to find consistent work in the acting profession. Their marriage lasted seven years before they eventually divorced in nineteen fifty three.

Jerry Lewis

The legendary comedian and filmmaker married singer Patti Palmer when he was eighteen years of age. They remained together for thirty six years and had six children during their extensive time as a couple. He achieved worldwide fame as part of a comedy duo and for his lead roles in ‘The Nutty Professor’. Their long partnership eventually ended in the early nineteen eighties as he moved into a new phase of life.

Donald O’Connor

This versatile performer is immortalized for his incredible dance sequence in the musical film ‘Singin’ in the Rain’. He married Gwen Carter at the age of eighteen while his career was steadily rising in Hollywood. The marriage lasted for about nine years and resulted in the birth of one daughter. He continued to be a major force in musical theater and television for many decades after his early marriage.

Peter Tork

The musician and actor rose to fame as a member of the televised pop group featured in ‘The Monkees’. He married his first wife Reine Stewart when he was eighteen years old in nineteen sixty. The couple had a brief marriage that took place before he achieved international superstardom. He remained an influential figure in the entertainment world until his passing many years later.

Stathis Giallelis

The Greek actor rose to prominence with his starring role in the acclaimed film ‘America America’. He married his first wife when he was only eighteen years old just as his career was beginning. This marriage occurred as he was becoming an international star under the direction of Elia Kazan. He continued to act in various international productions throughout the nineteen sixties and seventies.

Tommy Rettig

The actor is best remembered for his role as Jeff Miller in the long running series ‘Lassie’. He married Darlene Portwood at the age of eighteen as his years as a child star were coming to an end. He later transitioned into a career in computer software after leaving the acting profession entirely. His early marriage was part of his move toward a more private life away from the cameras.

Tito Jackson

The musician and actor was a founding member of the legendary family group featured in ‘The Jacksons’. He married Delores Martes when he was eighteen years old during the height of the group’s early fame. The couple had three sons who later formed their own successful musical group. He appeared in numerous television specials and documentaries about his famous family over the years.

Marlon Jackson

The actor and singer married Carol Ann Parker when he was only eighteen years old. He was a member of the iconic family group that dominated the charts and appeared on television for years. The couple has remained together for many decades which is a notable achievement in the industry. He has also been involved in various business and entertainment projects throughout his adult life.

Randy Jackson

The youngest member of the famous musical family married Eliza Shaffy when he was eighteen years of age. He appeared in variety shows and films featuring his siblings during the peak of their global fame. His early marriage was part of a very busy period for the family in the public eye. He later focused on music production and other creative roles behind the scenes.

Waylon Jennings

The actor and musician married Maxine Lawrence when he was only eighteen years old. He provided the iconic theme song and narration for ‘The Dukes of Hazzard’ throughout its entire run. He was a key figure in the entertainment scene for several decades as both a performer and actor. His early marriage ended as he pursued a professional career in broadcasting and music.

Ernest Tubb

The country music pioneer and actor appeared in films such as ‘Hollywood Barn Dance’ and ‘Jam Session’. He married Lois Elaine when he was eighteen years old and beginning his career. His journey in the spotlight lasted for several decades and he became a legendary figure. He is credited with helping to popularize various styles of performance that remain popular today.

Robert Conrad

The actor is best remembered for his starring role in the television series ‘The Wild Wild West’. He married his first wife Joan Kenlay when he was only seventeen years old. They had five children together and remained a couple for over twenty five years. His career was defined by his athletic ability and his tough guy persona on the screen.

Michael Landon

The talented actor and producer is best known for his work on ‘Bonanza’ and ‘Little House on the Prairie’. He married his first wife Dodie Levy-Fraser when he was nineteen years old. The couple adopted a child and stayed together during the early years of his television success. They divorced in nineteen sixty two as his career reached new heights of fame.

Pat Boone

The pop singer and actor married his wife Shirley Foley when they were both nineteen years old. They remained married for sixty five years until her death in twenty nineteen. He was a major star in the nineteen fifties and appeared in films like ‘April Love’. Their enduring relationship was often highlighted as a rare example of Hollywood stability and devotion.

John Derek

The actor and director was known for his striking looks and his roles in films like ‘The Ten Commandments’. He married his first wife Pati Behrs when he was nineteen years old. The marriage lasted for seven years before he moved on to other high profile relationships. He later became famous for launching the careers of his subsequent wives in the film industry.

Bo Svenson

The Swedish born actor is best known for his lead role in the action film ‘Walking Tall’. He married Lise Lennert at the age of nineteen while he was serving in the military. They have remained married for over sixty years which is an incredible feat in the entertainment industry. He has appeared in numerous films and television series throughout his long career.

Willie Nelson

The prolific songwriter and actor married Martha Matthews when he was nineteen years old. He appeared in many films including ‘The Electric Horseman’ and ‘Red Headed Stranger’. His unique voice and style made him a central figure in American culture. The couple had three children before their marriage ended in divorce after several years.

Merle Haggard

The star had a brief acting career with roles in shows like ‘The Waltons’ and various musical specials. He married his first wife Leona Hobbs when he was nineteen years old. Their relationship took place during a tumultuous period in his early life before he found fame. He eventually became one of the most respected figures in the history of American entertainment.

Buck Owens

The actor and host of the hit series ‘Hee Haw’ married Bonnie Owens when he was nineteen. The couple performed together and remained close even after their divorce several years later. He helped pioneer a unique sound and became a household name in television for decades. His influence is still felt in the world of modern entertainment and variety programming.

Conway Twitty

The singer and actor appeared in films such as ‘College Confidential’ during his early career. He married Ellen Jenkins at the age of nineteen while he was still a rising star. The couple stayed together for a short time before the pressures of fame led to their separation. He went on to become one of the most successful recording artists and performers in history.

Charlie Rich

The performer known as the Silver Fox appeared in the film ‘Every Which Way But Loose’. He married Margaret Ann Rich when he was nineteen years old. They remained married until his death in nineteen ninety five which is a rare longevity for the industry. His career spanned multiple genres and included various television and film appearances.

Don Everly

The actor and musician was one half of the famous duo that influenced countless artists. He married his first wife Mary Ruth when he was nineteen years old. He appeared frequently on television and in films like ‘The Everly Brothers Show’ during the sixties. His career was marked by incredible vocal harmonies and global success over many years.

Phil Everly

Like his brother he married young and wed Jacqueline Alice when he was nineteen years of age. He was a major star of the early rock era and appeared in various musical programs. The couple had a brief marriage while the duo was at the height of their initial fame. He is remembered as one of the most influential performers of his generation.

Bobby Vee

The teen idol and actor married Karen Bergen when he was nineteen years old. They remained married for over fifty years until her passing in twenty fifteen. He appeared in films like ‘Play It Cool’ and had a long string of hit records. His career began under tragic circumstances but he became a beloved figure in pop culture.

Jermaine Jackson

The performer and actor married Hazel Gordy when he was nineteen years of age. He appeared in the film ‘Voyage of the Rock Aliens’ and many television programs over the years. Their marriage lasted for over a decade and was a significant event in the entertainment industry. He has enjoyed a long career as both a solo artist and a group member.

Gary Lewis

The musician and actor is the son of comedy legend Jerry Lewis. He married his first wife Jinky Suzanne when he was nineteen years old. He appeared in films like ‘A Swingin’ Summer’ and led a successful pop group during the sixties. His career was interrupted by military service but he remained a popular entertainer for many years.

Taylor Hanson

The musician and actor rose to fame with the group Hanson in the late nineteen nineties. He married Natalie Anne Bryant when he was nineteen years old. The couple has seven children and has remained married for over twenty years. He has appeared in various television programs and musical documentaries throughout his career in the public eye.

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