Actresses Who Married Totally Ordinary People

Many Hollywood stars find romance on film sets or at high-profile industry events, leading to power couples that dominate the tabloids. However, some of the most famous women in the world have chosen to build their lives with individuals far removed from the glare of the spotlight. These spouses often hold jobs in fields like law, finance, art, or education, providing a sense of normalcy in an otherwise chaotic industry. From long-lasting marriages to brief romances, these pairings prove that celebrity status is not a requirement for finding a life partner.

Meryl Streep

The legendary actress married Don Gummer in 1978 after meeting him through her brother following a difficult personal loss. Gummer is a professional sculptor who has exhibited his contemporary artwork in galleries and museums across the globe for decades. While his wife was busy winning multiple Academy Awards for films like ‘Kramer vs. Kramer’ and ‘The Iron Lady’, Gummer maintained a low profile while supporting her at various awards ceremonies. The couple shared more than forty years of marriage and raised four children together before their quiet separation was revealed in 2023. Despite the public nature of her career, their relationship remained one of the most private and stable in Hollywood history.

Julia Roberts

In 2002, the world-famous star married Danny Moder in a surprise ceremony at her ranch in New Mexico. Moder was working as a cameraman on the set of the film ‘The Mexican’ when the two first met in 2000. He has since built a successful career as a cinematographer, but he largely stays out of the public eye except for occasional appearances with his wife. The pair has three children and intentionally keeps their family life away from the Hollywood spotlight to ensure a grounded upbringing. Roberts has frequently credited their enduring bond to the normalcy and support Moder provides in her high-pressure life.

Lisa Kudrow

Known globally for her role as Phoebe Buffay on ‘Friends’, the actress has been married to Michel Stern since 1995. Stern is a French advertising executive who moved to the United States and has never pursued a career in the entertainment industry. The couple met in the late 1980s when Stern was dating one of her roommates, eventually reconnecting years later to start their own relationship. They have one son together and have successfully navigated three decades of marriage by prioritizing their privacy. Stern’s career in business remains separate from his wife’s television fame, allowing them to maintain a traditional family dynamic.

Gal Gadot

The ‘Wonder Woman’ star met her husband, Yaron Varsano, at a wellness party in the Israeli desert in 2006. Varsano was a successful businessman and real estate developer in Israel before the couple eventually moved to Los Angeles. He and his brother famously owned the Varsano Hotel in Tel Aviv, which they later sold to billionaire Roman Abramovich. Gadot often shares that Varsano encouraged her to pursue her acting dreams when she was considering quitting the industry entirely. Today, he manages his own business ventures and partners with Gadot on her production company while raising their four daughters.

Anne Hathaway

The Oscar-winning actress married Adam Shulman in 2012 after meeting him at the Palm Springs Film Festival in 2008. Shulman is primarily a jewelry designer and the co-founder of the brand James Banks Design, which specializes in handcrafted pieces. While he has had a few minor acting roles, he is better known for his work in business and as a supportive partner to Hathaway during her busiest filming schedules. The couple leads a relatively quiet life in New York and Connecticut with their two sons. Hathaway has spoken openly about how Shulman’s calm nature and grounded perspective helped her navigate the intensity of her fame.

Jennifer Lawrence

In 2019, the ‘Hunger Games’ lead married Cooke Maroney, a director at the Gladstone Gallery in New York City. Maroney is a respected figure in the high-end art world, handling works for famous artists like Anish Kapoor and Carroll Dunham. The couple was introduced by a mutual friend and kept their relationship largely private until their wedding in Rhode Island. Unlike her previous high-profile boyfriends, Maroney is not a celebrity and rarely appears on red carpets with his wife. Lawrence has mentioned that marrying someone outside the film industry has brought a sense of peace and stability to her daily life.

Jessica Alba

The ‘Sin City’ actress met Cash Warren on the set of ‘Fantastic Four’ in 2004 while he was working as a production assistant. Warren is the son of actor Michael Warren, but he has primarily worked behind the scenes as a producer and entrepreneur. He co-founded the apparel brand Pair of Thieves and has focused on various business ventures rather than seeking fame for himself. The couple married in 2008 and has three children, often sharing glimpses of their family life on social media. Despite Alba’s massive success in both film and as a businesswoman, the pair maintains a collaborative and grounded partnership.

Amy Schumer

The comedian and actress married Chris Fischer in 2018 in a private ceremony attended by close friends and family. Fischer is a professional chef and a James Beard Award-winning cookbook author who grew up on a farm in Martha’s Vineyard. He became well-known to the public through the television series ‘Amy Schumer Learns to Cook’, which they filmed together during the pandemic. Fischer was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder shortly after their marriage, a topic Schumer has discussed with grace in her stand-up specials. Their relationship is centered around a shared love for food and family, far removed from the typical Hollywood scene.

Ellen Pompeo

The ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ star met her husband, Chris Ivery, at a Los Angeles grocery store in 2003, two years before her hit show premiered. Ivery is a music producer who has also worked in fashion marketing for various high-end brands. They married in 2007 in a secret ceremony at City Hall in New York, with the mayor serving as their witness. Despite Pompeo being one of the highest-paid actresses on television, Ivery has maintained a quiet career and stayed away from the media spotlight. The couple has three children and remains one of the longest-running pairings in the television industry.

Julianna Margulies

The star of ‘The Good Wife’ and ‘ER’ married Keith Lieberthal in 2007 after a chance meeting at a dinner party. Lieberthal is a highly successful attorney who graduated from Harvard Law School and specializes in corporate law. Margulies has jokingly recalled that when she first met him, she asked if he was an actor, only to be relieved when he told her his actual profession. The couple lives in Manhattan with their son and frequently attends industry events together, though Lieberthal remains focused on his legal career. Their marriage is often cited as a prime example of a celebrity finding balance with a partner from a professional background.

Elizabeth Banks

The actress and director met Max Handelman on her very first day of college at the University of Pennsylvania in 1992. Handelman was an investment banker and a sportswriter before the couple eventually formed their own production company together. He is the author of the book ‘Why Fantasy Football Matters’ and has a deep passion for sports and business. They married in 2003 and have since collaborated on several successful projects, including the ‘Pitch Perfect’ franchise. Banks has often stated that they grew up together, which provided a solid foundation for their long-term marriage and business partnership.

Marcia Cross

The ‘Desperate Housewives’ alum married Tom Mahoney in 2006 after a relatively short courtship. Mahoney is a stockbroker who works in the finance industry and has no professional ties to Hollywood. The couple was introduced by a mutual acquaintance and held a private wedding ceremony in California. They faced significant challenges early in their marriage when both were diagnosed with cancer at different times, but they supported each other through successful treatments. They have twin daughters and continue to lead a private life away from the entertainment news cycle.

Amy Adams

The six-time Academy Award nominee married Darren Le Gallo in 2015 after being together for over a decade. Le Gallo is a professional artist and painter who received his degree from Abilene Christian University. While he initially studied acting and appeared in small roles, he shifted his primary focus to his visual art career. The couple met in an acting class in 2001 and has one daughter together, maintaining a very private domestic life. Adams frequently credits Le Gallo’s unwavering support and artistic spirit for keeping her grounded during her rise to A-list status.

Zoe Saldaña

In 2013, the ‘Avatar’ actress secretly married Marco Perego, an Italian artist and former professional soccer player. Perego moved to the United States to pursue his passion for art after a career-ending injury halted his athletic pursuits. He is known for his unique paintings and sculptures, often collaborating on artistic projects that promote social causes. The couple famously decided to adopt each other’s surnames, with Perego becoming Marco Perego-Saldana. They have three sons and are known for their commitment to raising their children in a multicultural and gender-neutral environment.

Julia Stiles

The ’10 Things I Hate About You’ star married Preston J. Cook in 2017 while she was pregnant with their first child. Cook is a camera assistant and technician who works behind the scenes on various major film productions. They met on the set of the film ‘Go with Me’ in 2015, where Cook was part of the crew and Stiles was the lead actress. The couple has kept their relationship and family life extremely private, rarely appearing together in high-profile media interviews. They now have three children and continue to balance their careers in the film industry from different sides of the lens.

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