I was blessed to have close to forty years with my beloved Flo before Alzheimer’s took her to the angels. I have been further blessed to have Carole in my life going on fourteen years. I know many of you have had some long, endearing and loving marriages as well.
But when it comes to Hollywood, there is the old saying of “Hollywood marriages don’t last” and it is misleading. Twenty, thirty years is great being together in Hollywood, but how about forty years or more? Here are some Hollywood couples who made the 40 year mark and beyond. Some may surprise you.
James Garner and Lois Clarke were married for 58 years, from 1956 until Garner’s death in 2016. They married just 14 days after they met.
Christopher Walken has been married to his wife, Georgianne 54 years, since 1969.
Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward wed in 1958; they were married for 50 years at the time of Newman’s death in 2008.
Bob Newhart has been married to his wife Ginny 60 years, since 1963.
Ron Howard and Cheryl Alley have been married 48 years, since 1975.
Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis were married for 57 years, from 1948 until Davis’s death in 2005.
Don Rickles was married to his wife Barbara from 1965 until his death in 2017. They were married for 52 years.
Oscar winning Director Francis Ford Coppola and wife Barbara have been married since 1960, making it 63 years.
Country music legend Dolly Parton and her husband Carl Dean celebrate 57 years of marriage, having married in 1966.
Alan Alda and wife Arlene met in college, married in 1958, giving 65 years of love and marriage.
Ozzie and Sharon Osborne have been through it all, but still their strong marriage has reached 42 years.
Actor Jeff Bridges and his wife Susan tied the knot in 1975 making it 48 years married.
Actor Martin Sheen and his wife Janet said “I do” in 1961, making their union 62 years strong.
Denzel Washington and wife Pauletta married in 1983 and celebrate their 40th this year.
Meryl Streep and sculptor Donald Gummer have been married since 1978. That puts them at the 45 year mark.
and the champ of long marriages is……………
Actors William Daniels and Bonnie Bartlett took their marriage vows in 1951 with this year marking 72 years of togetherness.
There are others, and a lot that have passed the 30 year mark as well. So, the old adage of Hollywood marriages don’t last isn’t really true. In a crazy profession like show business these couples have found ways to keep the love strong. Congrats to all of them and we hope they all have many more years together. I wish that for all of you as well.
Art Koch, National Features & DVD Editor, NightMoves Magazine and AAN
