11 Hollywood Couples Who’ve Been Together for Decades and Proved True Love Still Exists

There is a stereotype that in Hollywood love comes and goes like the seasons, and relationships don’t last long. But the heroes of our article prove that there’s always a place for true love that can last for decades. Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell have been together for 35 years now, while Meryl Streep and Don Gummer can boast of a marriage that has lasted for more than 4 decades.

Here at Bright Side we got inspired by these 11 long-lasting Hollywood marriages, and we tried to look behind their love stories in search of their secrets of never-ending love.

1. Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell: 35 years together

The heroes of this long-lasting Hollywood romance first met in 1966 on the movie set, but didn’t start dating until 1983. Kurt and Goldie have a son, Wyatt, and 3 more children from their previous relationships, Kate and Oliver Hudson and Boston Russell. The 2 have never been officially married, but their relationship has always been an example to follow.

“We have done it just perfectly without marrying,” said Goldie. “I already feel devoted and isn’t that what marriage is supposed to do? So as long as my emotional state is in a state of devotion, honesty, caring, and loving, then we’re fine. We have raised our children brilliantly; they are beautiful people. We did a great job there and we didn’t have to get married to do that.”

2. Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson: 30 years together

It was back in 1972 when Tom first felt like he had a crush on Rita when he saw her on the family sitcom, The Brady Bunch, but it wasn’t until 1981 that they met in person. “Rita and I just looked at each other and—kaboing—that was that,” actor recollects. “I asked Rita if it was the real thing for her, and it just couldn’t be denied.”

Tom and Rita tied the knot in 1988, and years later they are still in love and supporting each other, and that support is one of the secrets to their long-lasting love. “Not that marriage doesn’t come close to being hell in a handbasket sometimes. But we both know that no matter what, we’ll be with each other—and we’ll get through it,” said Tom. They have 2 sons, Chester Marlon and Truman Theodore.

3. Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick: 31 years together

Kevin and Kyra met on the set of Lemon Sky and got married in 1988. They have 2 children, a son Travis Bacon and a daughter Sosie Bacon. In 2018, the couple celebrated their 30th anniversary by devoting lovely social media posts to each other. “30 years! I can’t believe it. She’s the woman of my dreams and the music in my life,” wrote Kevin on his Twitter account. “30 yrs. wow. Love you so,” Kyra wrote back.

When asked about a piece of advice for a happy marriage in one of his interviews, Kevin replied with humor, “Whatever you do, don’t listen to celebrities advice on how to stay married. That’s my secret.”

4. Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness: 23 years together

Hugh Jackman first met his wife-to-be, Deborra-Lee Furness, on the set of Correlli in 1995. Hugh was in his early 20s then, and Deborra-Lee was 13 years his senior. At first the actor tried to get over his crush on his filming partner, as he believed it was unprofessional, but when Deborra-Lee told him she felt the same way, it was clear their love was meant to be. The 2 married in 1996 and have been madly in love with each other ever since. They have 2 children, Oscar and Ava.

The secrets of their long-lasting marriage are pretty simple: they never spend more than 2 weeks apart and they never go to sleep when they’re in an argument. Hugh also believes that being yourself in a relationship is one secret to success: “I think in relationships, you gotta be yourself, even the bits you don’t love, the bits you’re embarrassed about, or things you did wrong. If you’re in a situation where you can be yourself and really be honest, that’s a good start.”

5. Michelle Pfeiffer and David E. Kelley: 25 years together

It’s totally normal to hear that a Hollywood star found her love on a film set, but Michelle Pfeifer’s love story started in an unusual way. She met her future husband, TV writer David E. Kelly, on a blind date in 1993, and they got married the same year. Michelle and David have 2 children, daughter Claudia and son John Henry, and have been inseparable for 25 years now.

What is the secret of their marriage? Shared values and respect may be the answer. This is what Michelle said in one of her interviews: “Life is made up of choices and I’ve not always made good choices, but I know I picked the right man. David and I work because we are really compatible. We have similar morals and we both love to balance work and family in the same way. We respect each other, which is really important.”

6. Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick: 22 years together

In May 2019 Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick celebrated their 22nd wedding anniversary, and they have 3 kids, son James and twin daughters, Marion and Tabitha. The couple first met on Broadway back in 1991. At that moment of her life Parker was separating from Robert Downey Jr. who she had been dating, and her brother introduced her to Broderick. They started dating in 1992, but it was not until 1997 that the couple got married.

This is how Matthew described the moment he first saw Sarah: “I do remember first meeting her. I still remember very clearly seeing her walk down the street toward the movie theater... it’s very unique, because I wouldn’t remember most people the first time I saw them come down the street. [But] I remember it as clear as day.”

7. John Travolta and Kelly Preston: 28 years together

John and Kelly met at a screen test for the 1989 movie The Experts. Kelly Preston was married at that time, but she wasn’t happy and felt she was “with the wrong person.” After Kelly’s marriage was over, she started dating John. He proposed to her on New year’s Eve in 1991, and the couple got married in September of the same year. Kelly and John have a daughter Ella Bleu and a son Benjamin. Their first son, Jett, tragically died in 2009, which was the couple’s worst nightmare. Despite the biggest loss of their lives, the 2 stayed strong and they’re still madly in love with each other after all these years.

On September 5, 2019 John and Kelly celebrated their 28th anniversary, and here are the words Kelly wrote for her beloved husband: “To my dearest Johnny, the most wonderful man I know. You have given me hope when I have felt lost, loved me patiently and unconditionally... made me laugh harder than any other human being possible... shared the most beautiful highs and at times lows.”

8. Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas: 20 years together

Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas share the same birthday on September 25, 2 kids, and a marriage that’s lasted for almost 20 years. They first met at the Deauville Film Festival promoting their movies Zorro and A Perfect Murder. The 2 were seated together at dinner, and they both admit they felt chemistry right away. Catherine and Michael soon started dating and got married on November 18, 2000.

The age gap between the 2 Hollywood stars has always been widely discussed, but for Catherine it has never been an issue. “Until someone actually tells me he’s 25 years older, I don’t actually think about it,” says the actress.

9. Jeff Bridges and Susan Geston: 42 years together

Jeff Bridges met Susan Geston, the daughter of an architect and a university professor, in 1974 while shooting the film Rancho Deluxe in Montana. The couple got married in 1977 and have been inseparable ever since. Jeff and Susan have 3 daughters, Isabelle Annie, Jessica Lily, and Haley Roselouise.

This is how Jeff described all the support he got from his wife back in 2006: “In the 28 years we’ve been married, we’ve done 50 movies together. I say ‘we’ because Sue deserves credit too. I’m the guy who makes the buck, but she’s the one who takes care of everything else. I really am more in love with her than ever.”

10. Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith: 21 years together

Will and Jada met in 1994 on the set of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air when she auditioned for a role of Will Smith’s character’s girlfriend. She didn’t get the part and their meeting did not have a continuation, since Will was married at that time. Will and Jada started dating in 1995, and got married 2 years later.

The couple has 2 kids, Jaden and Willow, and continue to deny rumors about them getting divorced over and over again: “Divorce can’t be an option. With Jada, I stood up in front of God and said, ’Til death do us part’. So there are 2 possible outcomes. One, we are going to be together till death, or 2, I am dead,” said Will, in one of his interviews.

11. Meryl Streep and Don Gummer: 41 years together

3-time Oscar winner, Meryl Streep married the love of her life, sculptor Don Gummer, in 1978 and the 2 have been together for more than 4 decades now. They have 4 children, all of whom followed in their parents’ creative footsteps: Henry is a musician, Mamie and Grace are actresses, and Louisa is a model.

Don has always supported his wife through her incredibly successful career, and she never misses her chance to thank him in her award-winning speeches. In 2012, when Meryl won an Academy Award for Best Actress in Julie & Julia, she said: “First, I’m going to thank Don because when you thank your husband at the end of the speech they play him out with the music, and I want him to know that everything I value most in our lives, you’ve given me.”

Do you know a couple who’ve been together for 20 years or longer? What is the secret of their long-lasting love?