Actresses You Never Knew Were Lesbians Married to Men

The history of Hollywood is filled with stories of public personas that do not always align with the private lives of its biggest stars. Many actresses have navigated complex personal identities while maintaining high profile marriages to men in the public eye. These women have often shared their journeys of self discovery through interviews and memoirs later in their careers. Understanding these narratives provides a deeper look into the evolving landscape of sexuality and identity in the entertainment industry. This list explores several notable actresses who have shared their attractions to women despite their history of marriage to men.

Portia de Rossi

Before her high profile marriage to Ellen DeGeneres the actress was married to documentary filmmaker Mel Metcalfe. They were wed from 1996 to 1999 during the height of her fame on ‘Ally McBeal’. She later explained that the marriage was part of her attempt to fit in while she was still in the closet. The star eventually came out publicly in 2005 and has since become a prominent advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.

Wanda Sykes

The comedian and actress was married to record producer Dave Hall for seven years in the 1990s. She rose to fame with her sharp wit and appearances in films like ‘Pootie Tang’ and ‘Monster-in-Law’. Sykes came out during a rally against Proposition 8 in Las Vegas in 2008. She has since married her wife Alex Niedbalski and they share two children together.

Meredith Baxter

Known as the quintessential television mother on ‘Family Ties’ this actress was married to three different men over several decades. She has five children from her marriages to Robert Lewis Bush and David Birney. Baxter came out as a lesbian in 2009 during an interview on ‘Today’ after starting a relationship with Nancy Locke. The couple officially tied the knot in 2013 in a ceremony in Los Angeles.

Kelly McGillis

The ‘Top Gun’ star was married to Boyd Black and later to Fred Tillman with whom she has two daughters. She was a major sex symbol in the 1980s appearing in hits like ‘Witness’ and ‘The Accused’. McGillis came out as a lesbian during an interview in 2009 and entered a civil union with Melanie Leis the following year. She has been open about her long journey toward self acceptance after years of public spotlight.

Anne Heche

Anne Heche was famously in a relationship with Ellen DeGeneres before marrying cameraman Coleman Laffoon in 2001. The couple had one son together before their divorce was finalized in 2009. She also had a long term relationship and a child with her ‘Men in Trees’ costar James Tupper. Throughout her career she spoke candidly about her fluid identity and how her public relationships impacted her acting opportunities.

Amber Heard

The ‘Aquaman’ actress was married to Johnny Depp from 2015 to 2017 following a high profile romance. Before that marriage she was in a long term relationship with photographer Tasya van Ree. Heard has identified as bisexual for many years and has spoken out against the pressure to label herself in Hollywood. She continues to be an advocate for domestic violence awareness and human rights.

Evan Rachel Wood

Evan Rachel Wood was married to British actor Jamie Bell and the pair shares one son. The ‘Westworld’ star came out as bisexual in 2011 via social media and has been very vocal about her identity ever since. She has often discussed the misconceptions people have about bisexual individuals who are in different sex relationships. Wood remains a prominent figure in the industry known for her intense performances and activism.

Anna Paquin

The Academy Award winning actress married her ‘True Blood’ costar Stephen Moyer in 2010. Shortly before their wedding she came out as bisexual in a public service announcement for the Give a Damn campaign. Paquin has frequently defended her identity against critics who suggest her marriage to a man changes her sexuality. She and Moyer have twins and continue to work together on various creative projects.

Aubrey Plaza

Aubrey Plaza married her long term partner Jeff Baena in 2021 after being together for a decade. The ‘Parks and Recreation’ actress came out as bisexual in 2016 during an interview with The Advocate. She mentioned that her family has always been supportive and that she falls in love with people regardless of gender. Plaza is celebrated for her deadpan humor and unique roles in independent cinema.

Margaret Cho

The comedian and actress was married to artist Al Ridenour for over a decade before their separation. Cho has long identified as bisexual and queer often incorporating her experiences into her stand up routines. She has spoken openly about having an open marriage and exploring her sexuality throughout her life. Her work continues to challenge traditional views on race gender and sexual orientation.

Drew Barrymore

Drew Barrymore has been married to Jeremy Thomas Tom Green and Will Kopelman over the course of her life. She is a mother of two daughters and has lived much of her life in the public eye. In 2003 she confirmed her bisexuality during an interview stating she had always considered herself bisexual. Barrymore is now a successful talk show host and business mogul in addition to her acting career.

Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie was married to Jonny Lee Miller Billy Bob Thornton and Brad Pitt. Early in her career she was very open about her relationship with model Jenny Shimizu whom she met on the set of ‘Foxfire’. Jolie has frequently discussed her attraction to both men and women in various interviews over the years. She remains a global icon for her humanitarian work and her extensive filmography.

Gillian Anderson

The ‘The X-Files’ star has been married to Clyde Klotz and Julian Ozanne and has three children. In 2012 she revealed in an interview that she had several long term relationships with women in the past. Anderson described these experiences as a natural part of her life and identity. She is currently one of the most respected actresses in both television and theater.

Salma Hayek Pinault

Salma Hayek Pinault has been married to French businessman François-Henri Pinault since 2009. The actress often shares glimpses of her family life and their daughter Valentina on social media. While she has not publicly identified as a lesbian she has played iconic queer roles including the lead in ‘Frida’. Her portrayal of the bisexual painter earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.

Cate Blanchett

Cate Blanchett has been married to playwright Andrew Upton for over two decades. The couple has four children and previously served as the artistic directors of the Sydney Theatre Company. During a press tour for ‘Carol’ the actress was asked if she had relationships with women in the past. She responded that she had many times in a way that sparked significant media discussion. Her performance in ‘Carol’ remains a landmark moment for queer representation in cinema.

Marlene Dietrich

The legendary silver screen icon was married to Rudolf Sieber from 1923 until his death in 1976. Despite her long marriage she was well known in Hollywood circles for her numerous affairs with both men and women. Dietrich often challenged gender norms by wearing men’s clothing and performing in drag. She remains one of the most enduring symbols of glamour and sexual ambiguity in film history.

Tallulah Bankhead

Tallulah Bankhead was briefly married to actor John Emery but was famous for her wild lifestyle and numerous lovers. She was openly bisexual at a time when such honesty was rare in the entertainment industry. Bankhead was known for her gravelly voice and her roles in films like ‘Lifeboat’. Her flamboyant personality made her a favorite subject of Broadway gossip for decades.

Joan Crawford

Joan Crawford was married four times to men including actor Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and Pepsi-Cola executive Alfred Steele. Rumors regarding her relationships with women persisted throughout her career and were mentioned in various biographies. She was a powerhouse of the golden age of Hollywood winning an Oscar for ‘Mildred Pierce’. Crawford’s legacy is defined by her intense dedication to her craft and her complicated personal life.

Barbara Stanwyck

Barbara Stanwyck was married to Frank Fay and later to actor Robert Taylor. She was one of the highest paid women in America during the 1940s and starred in classics like ‘Double Indemnity’. While she never publicly came out historians and biographers have often discussed her close relationships within the lesbian community in Hollywood. She is remembered as a versatile actress who could handle comedy drama and westerns with ease.

Claudette Colbert

The ‘It Happened One Night’ star was married to Norman Foster and later to Dr. Joel Pressman. Colbert was a major star in the 1930s and 1940s known for her sophisticated charm. Behind the scenes she shared a very close and long term friendship with Verna Hull which many believed was a romantic partnership. She remained a beloved figure in the industry until her passing in 1996.

Agnes Moorehead

Agnes Moorehead was married to John Griffith Lee and Robert Gist during her lifetime. She is perhaps best known for her role as Endora on the television series ‘Bewitched’. Moorehead was famously private about her personal life which led to much speculation about her sexuality. Many of her contemporaries and biographers have since identified her as a closeted lesbian.

Janet Gaynor

The first ever Best Actress Oscar winner was married to three different men including costume designer Adrian. Her marriage to Adrian was often described as a lavender marriage intended to protect their public images. Gaynor was a massive star during the silent era and successfully transitioned to talkies. She spent much of her later life living with her close friend Mary Martin.

Alla Nazimova

Alla Nazimova was a Russian born actress who became a major star on Broadway and in silent films. She was in a long term common law marriage with Charles Bryant which served as a social front. Nazimova was a central figure in the Hollywood lesbian underground and hosted famous parties at her home the Garden of Alla. She was a pioneer of independent film production and artistic expression.

Elsa Lanchester

The ‘Bride of Frankenstein’ actress was married to fellow actor Charles Laughton for many years. In her autobiography she revealed that Laughton was gay and that they had a complex but supportive marriage. Lanchester herself was often linked to women and lived a life that defied conventional social norms. She was a celebrated character actress known for her distinctive voice and eccentric roles.

Judy Garland

Judy Garland was married five times to men including director Vincente Minnelli and Sidney Luft. While she is a primary icon for the LGBTQ+ community she also had personal struggles with her own identity and relationships. Some biographers have pointed to her intimate letters and relationships with women as evidence of her bisexuality. Her legacy continues to inspire millions through her music and legendary film performances.

Hattie McDaniel

Hattie McDaniel was the first African American to win an Academy Award and was married four times. She faced immense discrimination in Hollywood and was often relegated to domestic roles. Despite her marriages she was part of a circle of black actresses who navigated secret queer lives. McDaniel remains a historic figure for her talent and her resilience in a segregated industry.

Jada Pinkett Smith

Jada Pinkett Smith has been married to Will Smith since 1997. The actress has been very open about her life and relationships on her talk show ‘Red Table Talk’. During one episode she mentioned having an attraction to women when she was younger. She described these feelings as a phase of exploration during her early years in the industry.

Megan Fox

Megan Fox was married to actor Brian Austin Green for ten years and they share three sons. The ‘Transformers’ star has been open about her bisexuality since an interview with Esquire in 2009. She has stated that she believes all humans are born with the ability to be attracted to both sexes. Fox continues to be a prominent figure in pop culture and the film industry.

Vanessa Redgrave

Vanessa Redgrave was married to director Tony Richardson who later came out as bisexual. The actress has been a staunch supporter of human rights and various political causes throughout her life. While she has mostly been in relationships with men she has spoken about the complexity of love and attraction. Redgrave is considered one of the greatest actresses of her generation with numerous awards to her name.

Carrie Fisher

The ‘Star Wars’ icon was married to musician Paul Simon and had a long term relationship with Bryan Lourd. In her various memoirs Fisher wrote with great honesty about her life and her fluid attractions. She was known for her sharp wit and her advocacy for mental health awareness. Fisher remains a beloved figure for her portrayal of Princess Leia and her brilliant writing.

Beatrice Lillie

Beatrice Lillie was a comic actress and singer who was married to Sir Robert Peel. Known as the funniest woman in the world she was a star of stage and screen. Lillie was well known in theatrical circles for her long term relationships with women including Gertrude Lawrence. She maintained a high social standing while living a life that was quite radical for her time.

Sophie Ward

Sophie Ward is a British actress known for ‘Young Sherlock Holmes’ and her work in period dramas. She was married to Paul Hobson for eight years and they had two children together. In 1996 she came out as a lesbian and started a relationship with Rena Brannan. The couple later entered a civil partnership and then married after the law changed in the United Kingdom.

Janeane Garofalo

Janeane Garofalo was legally married to ‘The Ben Stiller Show’ writer Rob Cohen for twenty years without realizing it. The two had a commitment ceremony in Las Vegas as a joke but discovered the marriage was valid when Cohen tried to get married again. Garofalo has been a prominent voice in alternative comedy and has often discussed her lack of interest in traditional relationship structures. She has expressed her identity as asexual or queer in various interviews over the years.

Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus was married to actor Liam Hemsworth after a decade of an on and off relationship. The actress and singer came out as pansexual in 2015 and has been an outspoken advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. She has had high profile relationships with both men and women and uses her platform to promote self acceptance. Cyrus continues to evolve as an artist while remaining true to her fluid identity.

Chloë Sevigny

Chloë Sevigny married art gallery director Siniša Mačković in 2020 and they have a son together. The indie film icon has often played queer characters in films like ‘Boys Don’t Cry’ and ‘Lizzie’. In interviews she has discussed her experimental nature and her deep connections with women throughout her life. Sevigny remains a fashion trendsetter and a respected actress in the world of independent cinema.

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