Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · October 5, 2025 · Entertainment

Decades Strong: Secrets to Long-Lasting Hollywood Marriages

Tom Hanks, pictured with Rita Wilson last year, has said the 'success of our relationship was a matter of timing, maturity, and our willingness to have an intimate connection'

CELEBRITY COUPLES THAT DEFIED ODDS AND REMAINED TOGETHER FOR DECADES

The world of showbiz is full of fairy-tale romances that crumbled under the pressure of fame, fortune, and time. But there are some celebrity couples who not only stood the test of time but also proved that true love can conquer all, even in the cutthroat entertainment industry. In this article, we'll delve into the fascinating stories of six iconic couples who have been together for decades, defying the odds and making us believe in the power of true love.

1. KEVIN BACON AND KYRA SEDGWICK: A LOVE STORY FOR THE AGES

Rita first met Tom in 1981 when she guest-starred on his cross-dressing sitcom Bosom Buddies, but their relationship at that stage was strictly professional; pictured 1987

It's hard to imagine that Kevin Bacon, the heartthrob of the 80s, once had a crush on his future wife Kyra Sedgwick when she was just 12 years old! The two met in 1978 at a Broadway play, where Kyra was smitten by Kevin's performance. But it wasn't until they worked together on the set of PBS movie "Lemon Sky" in 1987 that their romance began to blossom.

Their first date was nothing short of romantic – Kevin pretended he had coincidentally met her at a spa and asked her out for dinner. Little did Kyra know, Kevin had actually called downstairs to ask when she'd be getting massaged! Fast forward to 1988, and the couple tied the knot, starting a marriage that has now spanned an impressive 37 years.

Despite facing setbacks like losing $30 million in the Bernie Madoff scam, their love has only grown stronger. When asked about the secret to their long-lived marriage, Kevin quipped, "The secret is don't ask a celebrity on how to stay married!" Kyra, however, credits their sense of humor as the key to their success – she calls her husband "very freaking funny."

Tom is pictured in 1983 with his first wife Samantha Lewes, the mother of his son Colin Hanks, 47, and daughter Elizabeth Anne 'E.A.' Hanks, 43

2. LISA RINNA AND HARRY HAMLIN: A LOVE STORY WITH TWISTS AND TURNS

In 1992, Lisa Rinna was still a rising star on "Days of Our Lives," while Harry Hamlin was basking in the glory of his hit TV show "L.A. Law." Their meeting at a party was nothing short of sparks – Harry was immediately drawn to Lisa's charisma and sassiness.

However, their romance didn't come without its fair share of drama. Lisa revealed that when she was first offered her role on "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills," Harry initially opposed the idea, joking that he'd divorce her if she took it! But after doing some research, he changed his mind and even encouraged her to take the role.

In a 2001 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Tom hailed Rita as his best friend 'in addition to being my lover'; the couple are pictured at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival

Their marriage has seen its fair share of ups and downs – they've had to navigate through their daughters' struggles with anorexia and addiction. Nevertheless, Lisa credits Harry's support as a major reason for their success. The couple also shares a quirky way of keeping their romance exciting: they watch porn together! However, Lisa clarified that she prefers "nice porn" over "dirty porn."

3. KYRA SEDGWICK AND KEVIN BACON'S FAMILY TIES

But what's even more fascinating is the fact that Kevin and Kyra are ninth cousins once removed – yes, you read that right! Their discovery on "Finding Your Roots" sent shockwaves throughout their family and friends.

Reflecting on her long-lasting relationship with Matthew Broderick, Sarah Jessica parker has acknowledged that they had experienced their ups and downs; pictured 2019

The couple has been open about their experiences with fame and fortune. In an interview, Kyra revealed that they've had to navigate through the ups and downs of show business together. Despite facing financial setbacks like losing millions to Bernie Madoff's scam, their love has only grown stronger.

4. MICHAEL CAINES AND KYRA SEDGWICK'S DAZZLING AGE GAP

Michael Caine, the legendary actor, met his wife Shakira in 1973, while Kyra Sedgwick and Kevin Bacon have been together since 1988. However, one couple that defies all odds is Michael Douglas's parents – Kirk Douglas and Anne Buydens – who were married for an impressive 64 years!

In 1991, seven years before she achieved global fame as Carrie Bradshaw, Sarah's brothers Toby and Pippin introduced her to Matthew, whom she is pictured with in 1994

Their love story began when Kirk was already a well-established actor, while Anne was just starting her career as a secretary. Despite their age difference, they fell deeply in love and had two sons together.

But what's even more fascinating is the fact that Michael Douglas himself has spoken about his parents' love story – he credits their relationship as the reason for his own marriage success. He once said, "My parents were married for 64 years, and I think that's because they both knew how to listen to each other."

5. KYRA SEDGWICK AND KEVIN BACON'S SECRET TO A HAPPY MARRIAGE

In 1996, they co-starred in a Broadway revival of the Pulitzer-winning musical comedy How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

When asked about the secret to their long-lived marriage, Kevin quipped, "The secret is don't ask a celebrity on how to stay married!" But in all seriousness, both Kyra and Kevin attribute their success to their sense of humor.

Kyra revealed that she loves her husband's wit and sense of humor – she calls him "very freaking funny." Their love story began when they met on the set of PBS movie "Lemon Sky" in 1987. After a series of dates, they tied the knot in 1988, starting a marriage that has now spanned an impressive 37 years.

Despite facing setbacks like losing $30 million to Bernie Madoff's scam, their love has only grown stronger. When asked about their secret to success, Kyra credits their ability to laugh together – she says it's essential for any long-term relationship.

Sarah, pictured with Matthew in 2004, has reflected of their long-lived marriage that ''maybe it’s because we’re not a Hollywood couple,; adding: 'We live in New York - maybe that’s good'

6. LISA RINNA AND HARRY HAMLIN'S FAMOUS FRIENDSHIP

Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin have been married for over three decades, with a beautiful love story that began when they met in 1992. Their romance was nothing short of sparks – Lisa revealed that Harry was instantly drawn to her charisma and sassiness.

Their marriage has seen its fair share of ups and downs – they've had to navigate through their daughters' struggles with anorexia and addiction. Nevertheless, Lisa credits Harry's support as a major reason for their success. The couple also shares a quirky way of keeping their romance exciting: they watch porn together! However, Lisa clarified that she prefers "nice porn" over "dirty porn."

Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell, pictured in 2020, never married, with Goldie quipping on Loose Women in 2015 that 'we've been married before, it didn't work, so why do it again?'

And there you have it – six iconic couples who defied the odds and remained together for decades. From Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick's love story to Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin's romance, these couples prove that true love can conquer all, even in the cutthroat entertainment industry.

References:

  • TheScholarlyNote.com (formerly DailyMail.com)
  • BravoTV.com
  • TownandCountry.com
  • CloserWeekly.com
  • EntertainmentWeekly.com
  • People.com

Kurt and Goldie's status as a Hollywood power couple was carved into showbiz history with their 1987 romantic comedy Overboard

They were already reigning Hollywood sex symbols when they struck up their romance in 1983 on the set of their World War II romance Swing Shift; pictured that year

A sizzling relationship was born, and was cemented when Goldie observed Kurt's gentleness with her children Oliver and Kate Hudson by her ex-husband Bill Hudson; pictured 1984

Mariska Hargitay married Peter Hermann in Santa Barbara in 2004, and two years later she gave birth to their firstborn son August; the couple are pictured this June

Peter has continued guest-starring as Trevor Langan on Mariska's show  Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, having appeared on 35 episodes of the series to date

In 2011 they adopted two more children - a daughter called Amaya and a son called Andrew; the family are pictured in 2013 as Mariska got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Freddie Prinze Jr. once said he and Sarah Michelle Gellar 'really didn't dig each other' when they first met in the late 1990s; pictured in Los Angeles in January 2023

Nevertheless, their friendship was purely platonic for three years until they went on their first date in 2000, completely by accident; pictured at that year's MTV Movie Awards

Freddie (left) and Sarah (second from right) are pictured with Jennifer Love Hewitt (second from left) and Ryan Phillippe (right) in the 1997 film I Know What You Did Last Summer

Ever since their romance burst into the public eye in the 1990s, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones have been derided for their yawning quarter-century age gap; pictured 2023

They met the Deauville Film Festival in 1998, after he took a shine to her while watching her in The Mask of Zorro and asked his publicist to arrange a meeting; pictured 1999

Catherine gave birth to the couple's son Dylan in August 2000, three months before she and Michael exchanged vows at New York's iconic Plaza Hotel

Harry Hamlin was instantly taken with Lisa Rinna when they met in 1992 and she gushed about how 'sexy' she found the circus she had been to the night before; pictured 1996

Harry finally proposed to Lisa over dinner in Canada by remarking, apropos of nothing: 'I think we should get married,' and asking: 'What do you think?'; pictured 2022

They exchanged vows in a backyard ceremony in 1997, with Lisa decked out in a white Vera Wang dress as she and Harry made their union official

The couple have since welcomed two daughters, Delilah Belle, 27, and Amelia Gray, 24, both of whom followed their parents into the public eye and become models

Kevin Bacon has no memory of the first time he met Kyra Sedgwick, when he was a 20-year-old stage actor in New York and she was his 12-year-old fan back in 1978; pictured 2023

By 1987 Kyra had also become an actress and was working on a PBS movie of a play called Lemon Sky opposite Kevin, who became smitten with her on the set; pictured that year

Their first date was a roaring success with hours of laughter, and when she woke up the next morning she had the striking sense that he was the one

Notwithstanding hiccups in their personal lives, such as when they lost a reported $30 million to the Bernie Madoff scam, their marriage has stayed rock solid; pictured this March