Actors Who Married Totally Ordinary People

Many movie stars find their partners within the glitzy world of Hollywood. However some of the most famous men in the industry chose to marry individuals with careers far removed from the red carpet. These relationships often provide a sense of stability and normalcy away from the cameras. This list explores several male actors who found lasting love with people who led completely ordinary lives before meeting their famous spouses.

Matt Damon

Matt Damon met his wife Luciana Barroso while she was working as a bartender in Miami. The actor was in the city to film the comedy ‘Stuck on You’ and visited the establishment after a long day of work. They decided to get married in a private city hall ceremony in 2005. The couple has remained together for nearly two decades while raising four daughters in a grounded environment.

Patrick Dempsey

Patrick Dempsey found his future wife Jillian Fink when he scheduled a hair appointment at her salon in the late nineties. The ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ star and the professional makeup artist tied the knot in 1999. They have three children together and have worked through various challenges to keep their marriage strong over the years. Fink has continued her own successful career in the beauty industry while supporting her husband’s television and film projects.

Christian Bale

Christian Bale married Sibi Blažić in 2000 after meeting her while she was working as a personal assistant to Winona Ryder. The star of ‘The Dark Knight’ has often credited his wife for helping him navigate the pressures of his intense acting career. Blažić was also a former model and stunt driver which allowed her to understand some aspects of the film world. The couple maintains a very private lifestyle and rarely shares details about their family life with the public.

Paul Rudd

Paul Rudd met his wife Julie Yaeger shortly after he moved to New York City to start his acting career. Yaeger was working in a public relations office where Rudd had stopped by to drop off his headshot. They dated for eight years before getting married in 2003 and have two children together. While Rudd became a major star in films like ‘Ant-Man’ his wife has remained largely out of the spotlight.

Jeff Bridges

Jeff Bridges met his wife Susan Geston while he was filming the movie ‘Rancho Deluxe’ in Montana. Geston was working as a waitress at a local roadhouse to pay for college when she first encountered the actor. Although she initially turned him down they eventually began a relationship and married in 1977. They are considered one of the most enduring couples in Hollywood with a marriage spanning over forty years.

Eddie Redmayne

Eddie Redmayne married Hannah Bagshawe who worked in the field of financial public relations. The star of ‘The Theory of Everything’ met Bagshawe while he was attending Eton College and she was at a nearby girls school. They were friends for many years before their relationship turned romantic in 2012. The couple married in 2014 and frequently appear together at major award ceremonies.

Vince Vaughn

Vince Vaughn chose to marry Kyla Weber who was a real estate agent from Canada. The star of ‘The Internship’ met Weber through a mutual friend at a wedding and proposed during Valentine’s Day in 2009. They married in 2010 and have since welcomed two children into their family. Vaughn has often mentioned in interviews that he waited to get married until he found the right person who was not part of the entertainment industry.

Ken Jeong

Ken Jeong was a practicing physician before he became a household name in ‘The Hangover’ film series. He is married to Tran Ho who is also a physician and has supported his transition into full time acting. The couple met while they were both working as doctors in Los Angeles during the early 2000s. Ho was instrumental in encouraging Jeong to pursue his dreams in standup comedy and film.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson

Jesse Tyler Ferguson married Justin Mikita who is a professional lawyer. The ‘Modern Family’ actor met Mikita at a gym and they bonded over their shared interests outside of the acting world. They officially tied the knot in 2013 during a ceremony in New York City. The couple has since focused on various charitable initiatives and started a family together.

Kevin Jonas

Kevin Jonas met his wife Danielle Deleasa while their families were both vacationing in the Bahamas. Deleasa was working as a hairdresser at the time and reportedly did not know who the Jonas Brothers were when they first met. Their relationship was documented on the reality show ‘Married to Jonas’ which showcased their life in New Jersey. They have been married since 2009 and have two daughters.

Jon Bon Jovi

Jon Bon Jovi married his high school sweetheart Dorothea Hurley at the height of his musical and acting fame. The couple took a secret trip to Las Vegas in 1989 to get married at the Graceland Wedding Chapel. Hurley was a karate instructor and has remained a stabilizing force in the life of the ‘U-571’ actor. They have raised four children together and continue to run several charitable foundations.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Joseph Gordon-Levitt married Tasha McCauley who is a highly successful technology executive and scientist. McCauley is the cofounder of a robotics company and holds an MBA from the University of Southern California. The star of ‘Inception’ has always been protective of his private life and rarely discusses his marriage in the media. They married in 2014 and have two sons who are kept away from the public eye.

Alec Baldwin

Alec Baldwin met his wife Hilaria Thomas at a restaurant in Manhattan where he struck up a conversation with her. At the time Thomas was working as a yoga instructor and cofounded a popular studio in New York City. They married in 2012 and have since expanded their family with several children. The star of ’30 Rock’ often credits his wife for bringing a new sense of health and wellness into his life.

Jerry Seinfeld

Jerry Seinfeld married Jessica Sklar who was working as a public relations executive for a fashion brand. The couple met at a gym in 1998 shortly after the actor had finished his legendary sitcom ‘Seinfeld’. They married in 1999 and have three children together. Jessica has since become a cookbook author and the founder of a major nonprofit organization that helps families in need.

David Schwimmer

David Schwimmer met Zoe Buckman while he was directing a movie in London and she was working as a waitress. Buckman was also an aspiring photographer and artist at the time of their initial meeting. The ‘Friends’ star and the British photographer married in a private ceremony in 2010. Although they eventually decided to separate they remain dedicated to coparenting their daughter.

Tobey Maguire

Tobey Maguire married Jennifer Meyer who is a professional jewelry designer. The star of ‘Spider-Man’ met Meyer in 2003 while he was filming the movie ‘Seabiscuit’ at Universal Studios. They married in 2007 and had two children before eventually announcing their separation years later. Meyer has built a massive jewelry brand that is popular among many high profile clients in the fashion industry.

Pierce Brosnan

Pierce Brosnan met Keely Shaye Smith while she was working as a journalist and television host in Mexico. The ‘GoldenEye’ actor was immediately captivated by her during an interview in 1994. They married in 2001 at an abbey in Ireland and have two sons together. Brosnan frequently shares tributes to his wife on social media praising her for her support through his long career.

Nicolas Cage

Nicolas Cage met Alice Kim while she was working as a waitress at a restaurant in Los Angeles. The star of ‘Leaving Las Vegas’ married Kim in 2004 when she was twenty years old. They had one son together and remained married for over a decade before their divorce. Kim occasionally accompanied him to film festivals but largely maintained a life outside of the Hollywood spotlight.

Chris O’Donnell

Chris O’Donnell married Caroline Fentress who was a schoolteacher. The star of ‘NCIS Los Angeles’ met Fentress through her brother who was his roommate in college. They married in 1997 and have one of the largest families in Hollywood with five children. O’Donnell has often stated that having a wife with a career outside of acting helps keep him grounded.

Patrick Stewart

Patrick Stewart married Sunny Ozell who was a singer and songwriter working in the restaurant industry. The ‘Star Trek The Next Generation’ actor met Ozell at a bistro in New York where she was employed. They were married in 2013 in a ceremony officiated by his close friend Ian McKellen. Ozell continues to pursue her music career while traveling with Stewart for his various theater and film roles.

Woody Harrelson

Woody Harrelson met his wife Laura Louie when she was hired to be his personal assistant. The ‘True Detective’ actor and Louie worked together for several years before their professional relationship became romantic. They married in 2008 and live a quiet life on a farm in Hawaii with their three daughters. Louie also cofounded an organic food delivery service and is an advocate for environmental sustainability.

Jim Parsons

Jim Parsons married Todd Spiewak who is a professional art director and producer. The star of ‘The Big Bang Theory’ met Spiewak on a blind date at a karaoke bar in 2002. They were together for fifteen years before officially getting married at the Rainbow Room in New York City. The couple has worked together on several production projects through their own media company.

Riz Ahmed

Riz Ahmed married Fatima Farheen Mirza who is an acclaimed novelist. The star of ‘Sound of Metal’ met the author while he was preparing for a film role in a coffee shop. They kept their relationship very private and only revealed they were married during a podcast interview in 2021. Ahmed has spoken about how their shared love of storytelling and literature brought them together.

Christian Slater

Christian Slater met Brittany Lopez while he was vacationing at a resort in Florida. Lopez was working as a business development consultant and had no previous ties to the entertainment industry. They married in 2013 at a courthouse in Florida after dating for several years. The ‘Mr. Robot’ actor has credited his wife for helping him find a more peaceful and stable lifestyle.

Seth Meyers

Seth Meyers married Alexi Ashe who is a prominent human rights lawyer. The host of ‘Late Night’ met Ashe at a wedding and has often joked about how her career is much more important than his own. They married in 2013 and have three children together. Ashe continues to work on legal cases involving international human rights and victim advocacy.

Robert De Niro

Robert De Niro was married to Grace Hightower who worked as a flight attendant. The legendary actor from ‘Taxi Driver’ met Hightower in 1987 while she was working at a restaurant in London. They married in 1997 and spent over twenty years together before their eventual split. Hightower has been involved in various business ventures and philanthropic efforts throughout her life.

George Clooney

George Clooney married Amal Alamuddin who is a world renowned human rights lawyer. While she is now a public figure her career is rooted in international law and justice rather than the arts. The star of ‘The Midnight Sky’ met the attorney through a mutual friend at his home in Italy. They married in 2014 and have since used their platform to advocate for various global causes.

Aaron Paul

Aaron Paul met his wife Lauren Parsekian at the Coachella music festival. Parsekian is an activist and the cofounder of a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending bullying. The ‘Breaking Bad’ actor proposed to her in Paris and they married in a carnival themed wedding in 2013. They have two children and frequently collaborate on charitable projects related to her organization.

Ethan Hawke

Ethan Hawke married Ryan Shawhughes who had previously worked as a nanny for his children. The star of ‘Training Day’ and Shawhughes tied the knot in 2008 and have two daughters together. Shawhughes has since worked behind the scenes as a producer on several of Hawke’s film projects. The couple lives a relatively quiet life in New York City away from major Hollywood events.

Matt Lanter

Matt Lanter married Angela Stacy who was a popular lifestyle blogger and content creator. The actor known for ‘90210’ met Stacy through mutual friends and they dated for several years before their wedding. They married in 2013 and often share glimpses of their family life on social media. Stacy has continued to build her brand as a digital influencer while supporting her husband’s career.

Darren Criss

Darren Criss married Mia Swier who has worked primarily as a producer and director for various television networks. The ‘Glee’ star and Swier were in a relationship for nearly a decade before they got married in 2019. They even opened a piano bar together in Los Angeles which reflects their shared love for music and nightlife. Swier continues to work in production while remaining largely behind the camera.

Hugh Laurie

Hugh Laurie married Jo Green who was a professional theater administrator. The star of ‘House’ and Green married in 1989 and have three children together. Despite the massive success of his television career Laurie has maintained a very private family life in London. Green has remained a steady presence throughout his transition from British comedy to American drama.

Lin-Manuel Miranda

Lin-Manuel Miranda married Vanessa Nadal who is a lawyer and a scientist. The creator of ‘Hamilton’ met Nadal when they were students at the same high school but they did not start dating until years later. Nadal earned a degree in chemical engineering before pursuing a career in law. They married in 2010 and Miranda famously performed a song for her during their wedding reception.

Terrence Howard

Terrence Howard married Mira Pak who was a former model and successful restaurateur. The star of ‘Empire’ met Pak and they eventually married in 2013. Although they have experienced some public ups and downs they have remained dedicated to their family. Pak has transitioned away from the business world to focus on their children and their private life together.

Josh Holloway

Josh Holloway met Yessica Kumala at a bar and reportedly asked for her phone number right away. Kumala was working in a regular job and had no connection to the film industry when they met. The ‘Lost’ actor married her in 2004 just as his show was becoming a global phenomenon. They have two children and have lived in various locations to maintain a peaceful family existence.

Cillian Murphy

Cillian Murphy married Yvonne McGuinness who is a visual artist from Ireland. The star of ‘Oppenheimer’ met his wife during one of his early acting tours in the late nineties. They married in 2004 and moved back to Ireland to raise their two sons away from the Hollywood scene. McGuinness creates various installations and film works as part of her professional art practice.

Kumail Nanjiani

Kumail Nanjiani married Emily V. Gordon who was a therapist before she became a writer. Their unique meeting and her subsequent health battle were the basis for the movie ‘The Big Sick’. The couple married in 2007 and have since become a successful writing duo in Hollywood. Gordon has transitioned into screenwriting and producing but still maintains her background in psychology.

Will Ferrell

Will Ferrell met his wife Viveca Paulin in an acting class but she primarily worked as an art auctioneer. Paulin is an accomplished art history expert and has served on the boards of several major art museums. The ‘Old School’ star and Paulin married in 2000 and have three sons. They are frequently seen together at sporting events and art galleries around Los Angeles.

Rainn Wilson

Rainn Wilson met his wife Holiday Reinhorn in an acting class at the University of Washington. Reinhorn is a professional fiction writer and has published several short stories and books. The star of ‘The Office’ married the author in 1995 on the Kalama River. They share a son and are both actively involved in various humanitarian projects in Haiti.

Mark Hamill

Mark Hamill married Marilou York who was working as a dental hygienist when they first met. The ‘Star Wars’ actor has often joked that his wife keeps him grounded because she is not impressed by his fame. They married in 1978 and have three children together. York has managed many aspects of Hamill’s professional life and business ventures over the decades.

Bill Murray

Bill Murray married Jennifer Butler who was a professional costume designer on several film sets. The actor known for ‘Ghostbusters’ met Butler while they were working on various projects in the industry. They married in 1997 and had four sons before their eventual divorce. Butler continued her career in design while focusing on raising their family in South Carolina.

Simon Pegg

Simon Pegg married Maureen McCann who was a music industry publicist. The star of ‘Shaun of the Dead’ met McCann while they were both working in the United Kingdom. They married in 2005 and have one daughter together. Pegg has often spoken about how his wife’s support helped him through difficult personal periods during his rise to international stardom.

Adam Goldberg

Adam Goldberg married Roxanne Daner who is a professional designer and artist. The actor known for ‘Dazed and Confused’ and Daner have been together for many years and have two children. Daner works as a graphic designer and also creates music and art. The couple maintains a creative and private lifestyle in Los Angeles.

Eric Bana

Eric Bana married Rebecca Gleeson who was working as a publicist for a television network. The Australian actor met Gleeson in 1995 and they married two years later. They have two children and have chosen to remain living in Melbourne rather than moving to Hollywood full time. Gleeson is the daughter of a former Chief Justice of Australia and maintains a life away from the entertainment news cycle.

David Hyde Pierce

David Hyde Pierce married Brian Hargrove who is a writer and producer. The ‘Frasier’ star and Hargrove were in a long term relationship for over twenty years before getting married in 2008. Hargrove has written for several television shows and theater productions throughout his career. They have worked together on various creative projects while keeping their personal lives mostly private.

Mike Myers

Mike Myers married Kelly Tisdale who was the owner of a popular cafe in New York City. The star of ‘Austin Powers’ met Tisdale after his first marriage ended and they began dating quietly. They married in a secret ceremony in 2010 and have three children together. Tisdale has remained out of the spotlight and focuses on their family and her own business interests.

Conan O’Brien

Conan O’Brien met his wife Liza Powel when she was working as a senior copywriter for an advertising agency. Powel appeared in a sketch on ‘Saturday Night Live’ that involved the agency she worked for at the time. They married in 2002 and have two children together. Powel has since worked as a screenwriter and has remained a constant support throughout her husband’s late night career.

Jimmy Fallon

Jimmy Fallon married Nancy Juvonen who is a film producer and cofounder of a production company. While Juvonen works in the industry she remains a behind the scenes figure compared to her husband. The host of ‘The Tonight Show’ met her on the set of a movie and they married in 2007. They have two daughters and frequently share stories about their family life on his show.

Robert Downey Jr.

Robert Downey Jr. married Susan Levin who was a producer at a major film company. They met on the set of the thriller ‘Gothika’ and she initially turned down his romantic advances. They eventually married in 2005 and she has been credited with helping the ‘Iron Man’ star revitalize his career. Susan continues to produce films and they run their own production house together.

Oscar Isaac

Oscar Isaac married Elvira Lind who is a documentary filmmaker and director. The star of ‘Moon Knight’ and Lind met at a party and began a relationship that they kept largely out of the public eye. They married in 2017 and have two sons together. Lind has directed several award winning documentaries and continues to work on her own independent film projects.

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