Top 15 Lesbian Hollywood Couples

Hollywood has seen a welcome wave of openly queer partnerships come into the spotlight, and many of these couples have built impressive, long-lasting careers while advocating for visibility and equality. Below are fifteen well-known lesbian couples connected to film and television who’ve shared their lives—often publicly—while continuing to shape the industry through acting, writing, directing, and producing. You’ll find collaborators who’ve created projects together, award winners at the top of their fields, and partners who’ve used their platforms to support LGBTQ+ causes. Each entry includes a quick snapshot of who they are, how they met or married, and the work they’re known for.

Ellen DeGeneres & Portia de Rossi

Ellen DeGeneres, host of ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’, and actor Portia de Rossi of ‘Arrested Development’ married in 2008 in California. They have supported wildlife conservation through the Ellen Fund, which helps protect endangered species. DeGeneres has hosted major award shows and produced a slate of unscripted series, while de Rossi founded the art company General Public to promote accessible fine art. The couple have appeared together at numerous industry events and philanthropic initiatives.

Jodie Foster & Alexandra Hedison

Two-time Academy Award winner Jodie Foster married photographer and director Alexandra Hedison in 2014. Hedison previously acted on ‘The L Word’ and has exhibited photographic work internationally. Foster has directed and starred in acclaimed films and prestige TV, adding producing credits across both mediums. The pair occasionally attend festivals and awards shows together, maintaining a relatively private home life.

Sarah Paulson & Holland Taylor

Actors Sarah Paulson and Holland Taylor have been partners since the mid-2010s. Paulson is known for ‘American Horror Story’ and a range of film and limited-series roles, often collaborating with notable creators. Taylor is a veteran stage and screen performer with credits including ‘Two and a Half Men’ and celebrated Broadway work. Both have voiced support for LGBTQ+ rights and women’s representation in the industry.

Lily Tomlin & Jane Wagner

Comedy icon Lily Tomlin and writer-director Jane Wagner have been together since the early 1970s and married in 2013. Wagner wrote Tomlin’s landmark stage piece ‘The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe’, and the duo have collaborated across film, television, and theater for decades. Tomlin earned renewed mainstream visibility with ‘Grace and Frankie’, continuing a storied career. Their partnership is frequently cited as a touchstone of enduring queer visibility in entertainment.

Wanda Sykes & Alex Sykes

Emmy-winning comedian and actor Wanda Sykes married Alex Sykes (née Niedbalski) in 2008. Wanda has headlined stand-up specials and starred in series including ‘The Upshaws’, with recurring roles on ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’. The couple are parents to twins and have been vocal about family equality and LGBTQ+ protections. Wanda also produces and writes, expanding her footprint behind the camera.

Cynthia Nixon & Christine Marinoni

Actor and advocate Cynthia Nixon married education activist Christine Marinoni in 2012 after dating for several years. Nixon is known worldwide for ‘Sex and the City’ and returned to the role in a streaming revival, while also pursuing directing and political activism. Marinoni has worked extensively on education policy and community organizing. Together they appear at policy forums and arts events highlighting public-interest causes.

Tig Notaro & Stephanie Allynne

Comedian, actor, and director Tig Notaro married actor-writer Stephanie Allynne in 2015. They co-created and starred in ‘One Mississippi’, a semi-autobiographical series that earned critical praise. Allynne has appeared in numerous television comedies and features, and the couple often collaborate on writing and producing. They are also parents to twin sons via surrogate.

Samira Wiley & Lauren Morelli

Actor Samira Wiley and writer-producer Lauren Morelli married in 2017 after meeting on the set of ‘Orange Is the New Black’. Wiley later joined the cast of ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’, earning major award recognition for her work. Morelli has served as a showrunner and executive producer on high-profile series, continuing to write for television. They welcomed a daughter in 2021 and frequently participate in panels on storytelling and inclusion.

Melissa Etheridge & Linda Wallem

Grammy-winning musician and occasional actor Melissa Etheridge wed television writer-producer Linda Wallem in 2014. Wallem co-created and showran ‘Nurse Jackie’, and has produced other comedy-drama projects. Etheridge tours regularly, records new music, and has contributed songs to film and TV soundtracks. The couple support music education and health-related causes through performances and fundraising.

Niecy Nash & Jessica Betts

Actor and host Niecy Nash married singer-songwriter Jessica Betts in 2020. Nash has starred in comedies and dramas such as ‘Reno 911!’ and ‘Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story’, earning multiple award nominations. Betts is an independent R&B artist who has toured and released recordings as a solo performer. Together they’ve appeared in music videos and specials, highlighting creative crossovers between television and music.

Hannah Gadsby & Jenney Shamash

Comedian and author Hannah Gadsby married producer Jenney Shamash in 2021. Gadsby’s breakout special ‘Nanette’ reshaped conversations around comedy, followed by tours and specials that continued the dialogue. Shamash has worked on Gadsby projects, contributing production expertise to stand-up and documentary formats. The pair advocate for neurodiversity and LGBTQ+ visibility through live events and media.

Kristen Stewart & Dylan Meyer

Actor Kristen Stewart and screenwriter-actor Dylan Meyer announced their engagement in 2021. Stewart has led major studio franchises and independent films, including an award-winning portrayal in ‘Spencer’. Meyer co-wrote the feature ‘Moxie’ and has written for shorts and television. The couple have developed projects individually while supporting each other’s premieres and festival appearances.

Queen Latifah & Eboni Nichols

Producer-actor and rapper Queen Latifah has been in a long-term relationship with choreographer Eboni Nichols. Latifah stars in and executive produces the network series ‘The Equalizer’ and maintains an active film slate. Nichols has choreographed for major tours, award shows, and television productions, collaborating with top artists. Latifah acknowledged Nichols and their family in a widely viewed award-show speech, bringing positive attention to their private life.

Raven-Symoné & Miranda Maday

Actor and producer Raven-Symoné married social media manager Miranda Maday in 2020. Raven-Symoné leads the Disney Channel series ‘Raven’s Home’ and continues voice and on-camera work across film and TV. The couple co-create digital content, including livestreams and interviews that spotlight entertainment and wellness. They also participate in fan events and conventions connected to Raven-Symoné’s long-running franchises.

Kate Moennig & Ana Rezende

Actor Kate Moennig, known for ‘The L Word’ and ‘The L Word: Generation Q’, married director-musician Ana Rezende in 2017. Rezende is a member of the Brazilian band CSS and has directed music videos and visual projects. Moennig also produces and hosts podcasts related to her series, engaging with LGBTQ+ storytelling and fandom. The couple split their time between music, screen work, and creative collaborations.

Share the couples you’d add—or your favorite project featuring any of them—in the comments!