Unlikely Celebrity Couples Who Made it Work Despite Their Differences


2

Many people hold a view about celebrity couples, whether it is because of a significant age difference or a notable height disparity. The media tends to focus on such details, magnifying them for public scrutiny. Throughout the years, certain unexpected celebrity pairs have captured extensive media coverage, impacting some relationships more than others.

Naya Rivera & David Spade

Naya Rivera, famous for her part in Glee, was seen in 2017 spending time with the renowned David Spade. However, what caught everyone’s attention was the significant age difference of 22 years between the comedian/actor and Naya.


After images of them spending time together in a swimming pool were shared on the internet, individuals quickly turned to social media and became certain that it was a prank related to April Fool’s Day. It is speculated that the two were in a romantic relationship for a few months before ultimately deciding to end it.

David Cross & Amber Tamblyn

David Cross is most recognized for his memorable portrayal of Tobias in the acclaimed show Arrested Development. Yet, it may come as a surprise to some that the talented comedian/actor is romantically involved with Amber Tamblyn, who happens to be 19 years his junior.


Recently, Cross faced difficulties for his comments regarding actress Charlyne Yi; however, he has successfully maintained a steady relationship with Tamblyn, getting married in 2012. Interestingly, they recently celebrated the arrival of their daughter Marlow.

Mary-Kate Olsen & Olivier Sarkozy

There were doubts among many people when Mary-Kate Olsen, who was once a child star and has now become a successful fashion mogul, started a relationship with Olivier Sarkozy, a French banker. Their 17-year age gap left people confused about their connection.


Although there have been celebrities with larger age differences, others failed to understand their relationship. In 2015, the two individuals got married in a private wedding in New York. Having already dated for three years, the couple decided they wanted to make a lifelong commitment to each other.

Ashley Olsen & Richard Sachs

Ashley, Mary-Kate’s sister, also began dating someone significantly older than herself, starting a relationship with Richard Sachs, a financier and art-dealer. Despite their 34 year age difference, they defied the odds and ended up together.


Unfortunately, the relationship didn’t work out as Olsen decided to end it due to her desire to follow her dream of becoming a fashion designer. Following the breakup, she partnered with her twin sister to create the brand Elizabeth and James.

David Hasselhoff & Hayley Roberts

This particular situation is slightly more logical in comparison to the rest. David Hasselhoff, renowned for his iconic role in Baywatch, began a romantic relationship with his Welsh partner Hayley Roberts, and they have been together since 2013.


The couple eventually decided to get married and have not allowed their significant age difference of 28 years to affect their happiness. Hayley used to work as a store assistant in Wales, but her life took a dramatic turn when she unexpectedly met David Hasselhoff at a bar in Cardiff.

Steven Tyler & Aimee Preston

Even though Steven Tyler is nearing the end of his career, he remains youthful in spirit. The lead singer of Aerosmith, currently dating a woman named Aimee Preston who is 40 years his junior, sparked engagement rumors when Aimee was spotted wearing a diamond ring.


There is a belief held by many people that the couple should not be together, primarily because Aimee is only slightly older than one of Tyler’s daughters. However, despite this, Tyler expresses his determination to not miss out on any experiences with Aimee.

Kristen Bell & Dax Shepard

Although Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard have faced difficult times, their relationship remains unbreakable. Despite their diverse backgrounds, they have managed to successfully navigate their differences.


Naturally, their heights differ greatly, but that is of no importance whatsoever. They regularly share updates about their personal lives on social media.

Seth Green & Clare Grant

It is quite clear why this couple has been included in this list. Nevertheless, it is undeniable that Seth Green and Clare Grant share a unique and remarkable relationship. Despite the fact that the comedian’s wife may be taller than him while walking on the red carpet, it does not diminish their adorableness.


They encountered each other at the comic-book store they both adore, where Seth was signing autographs. It was an instant connection for them, akin to love at first glance. Since then, the pair have collaborated on Robot Chicken.

Cynthia Nixon & Christine Marinori

Cynthia Nixon, famous for her part in the popular TV show Sex and the City, is currently in a happy relationship with Christine Marinori. The couple has been together since 2004, and in 2018, Cynthia even pursued a run for governor of New York.


Cynthia admitted that she had not been in a relationship with another woman prior to meeting Christine. She clarified that she did not have any suppressed desires, but rather, when she encountered Christine, she realized that her attraction towards her was undeniable and she couldn’t let such an opportunity pass by.

Seth Rogen & Lauren Miller

Seth Rogen and Lauren Miller stand out as an incredibly adorable couple among the others mentioned. While Seth is primarily recognized for his comedic performances in movies like The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Up, he has been fortunate enough to discover a partner who embraces and appreciates his distinct sense of humor.


They crossed paths at a birthday celebration in 2005, and their first date turned out to be quite remarkable as they stayed up all night indulging in grilled-cheese sandwiches. Regrettably, they also experienced a hit-and-run incident. Nevertheless, they tied the knot in 2011 and have been happily married since then.

Hugh Jackman & Debora-Lee Furness

It seems to be a recurring story that people can’t get over – the fact that Hugh Jackman has been married to the same woman for so long. While many people out there have wished that he was single, it seems like the X-Men star has been saving all of his love for Deborra-Lee Furness, who is 13 years older than him.


Hugh met Debora back when he was in his early 20s. They worked together on the same show, which was also Jackman’s first acting job.

Evan Rachel Wood & Marilyn Manson

Evan Rachel Wood certainly turned a lot of heads when she started dating Marilyn Manson back in 2007. Fans couldn’t believe that the actress, who was just 18 years old at the time, was dating Manson, who is 18 years older than her. Amazingly, the rock star was still married to Dita Von Teese at the time.


Despite getting engaged in 2010, they ultimately decided against tying the knot later that year. These days, Wood is the star of the critically acclaimed HBO series Westworld.

Malin Akerman & Robert Zincone

Over the years, Malin Akerman has established herself a talented actress, starring in movies such as The Heartbreak Kid and Watchmen. She also seemed to have some heartbreak in her real-life when she first married Roberto Zincone.


Ultimately, he was the one who decided to file for divorce. The couple were married for six years before deciding to call the quits. Sadly, they separated just a few months after having a baby together. Since then, Akerman got engaged to actor Jack Donnelly.

Salma Hayek & François-Henri Pinault

Salma Hayek has certainly established herself as one of Hollywood’s greats over the last few decades. However, even she stole headlines when it was announced that she was seeing Kering CEO François-Henri Pinault. Of course, Kering owns brands such as Louis Vuitton, Alexander McQueen, and Gucci.


There’s not much of an age gap between the two, but many outsiders assumed there was. According to Hayek, her friends asked her the following: “How did you of all people land this guy?”

Julia Roberts & Lyle Lovett

There was a time when Julia Roberts, one of the most iconic Hollywood stars on the planet, was married to funny-haired country star Lyle Lovett. The press were so harsh, dubbing the couple as “beauty and the beast.”


Back in 1992, the duo met on the set of The Player and only dated for three weeks before tying the knot. It is believed that Roberts wore her wedding dress when she got up on stage at one of Lovett’s concerts. They’ve been separated since 1995.

Anne Hathaway & Adam Shulman

The star of movies such as The Devil Wears Prada, Anne Hathaway, started dating actor/jewelry designer Adam Shulman back in 2008. Four years later, the couple tied the knot and since then, they haven’t looked back.


After her last relationship with Raffaello Follieri, many thought that her relationship with Shulman was a step up. She has described things with Shulman as mellow and has gone as far as to suggest that “it makes for a good life.”

Howard Stern & Beth Ostrosky Stern

If anyone has been causing controversy on the radio with his provoking interviews with a variety of celebrities, then it is Howard Stern. Now in his 60s, the man with the curly locks has been married since 2008. He tied the knot with Beth Ostrosky, a model/actress who is 19 years younger than him.


Many reporters have commented on how unlikely they seem as a couple. However, Beth has described everything that Howard does as being “romantic.” They also foster cats together.

Matt Bomer & Simon Halls

When Matt Bomer came out years ago, many women were heartbroken by the news, knowing that they would never have a chance with him. Then, in 2012, he revealed that he was married to Hollywood publicist Simon Halls. He made the announcement while receiving an award and thanking all of his loved ones.


While there is a 14-year age difference between Bomer and Halls, this hasn’t stopped the unlikely couple from having a successful relationship up until this very day.

Rupert Murdoch & Jerry Hall

It’s impossible to ignore the influence that Rupert Murdoch has had on the world of media. And it seems like his personal life has been full of twists and turns too. The founder of News Corporation ended up in a relationship with former model Jerry Hall.


Despite being 23 years younger than Murdoch, it seems like Hall is more than happy to be part of this unlikely power couple. Of course, Hall used to be in a long-term relationship with Rolling Stones star Mick Jagger.

Jesse Williams & Aryn Drake-Lee

Back in 2012, Jesse Williams tied the knot with his long-term girlfriend Aryn Drake-Lee. However, it appears that the fact that the unlikely couple work in different industries ultimately drew a wedge between the two. In April 2017, they ended up separating.


Despite rumors that Williams parted ways with Drake-Lee after finding another woman, he vehemently denies such claims. Describing it as “the most painful experience I’ve had in my life,” Williams also settled on having joint custody with Drake-Lee over their two kids.

Cameron Diaz & Benji Madden

This is certainly one of the most publicized unlikely couples on this list. Cameron Diaz rocked the celebrity work back in 2015 when she announced that she had tied the knot with Good Charlotte guitarist Benji Madden.


Having already known Benji’s brother Joel and his wife Nicole Richie, she eventually met him when the twins came over to one of her dinner parties. “I’d never been loved in that way,” Diaz said. “I look at him every day and he inspires me.”

Sarah Jessica Parker & Matthew Broderick

There is no denying that Sarah Jessica Parker is best known for her role as Carrie in Sex and the City. While she had a ton of wild relationships on that show, her unlikely pairing with Matthew Broderick has been a lot more stable.


Parker met the Ferris Beuller’s Day Off star while working as a theater actor and they ended up marrying in a surprise ceremony in 1997. These days, they live in New York (obviously) with their three kids.

Katy Perry & Russell Brand

It certainly came as a shock to a lot of fans when it was revealed that Katy Perry was dating comedian/actor Russell Brand. Things got even more bizarre when the unlikely couple got married in 2010. However, after just 14 months, the two decided to go their separate ways.


Brand ended up texting Perry, telling her that he wanted a divorce. The actor also went as far as to describe his ex-wife as a “mindless celebrity” in a documentary.

Billy Bob Thornton & Angelina Jolie

A list of unlikely celebrity couples wouldn’t be complete without Billy Bob Thornton and Angelina Jolie. The star of movies such as Monster’s Ball didn’t just tie the knot with Jolie, but the couple also got tattoos of each other’s names.


According to Thornton though, being married to one of the most beautiful actresses in Hollywood wasn’t easy. “I never felt good enough for her,” he said. “If you believe somebody’s too good for you, you’re going to mess it up.”

Julie Bowen & Scott Phillips

Of course, most people will recognize Julie Bowen for her role in the classic sitcom Modern Family. So fans were surprised when she ended up tying the knot with a real-estate investor by the name of Scott Phillips. Although her on-screen relationship has stood the test of time, her real-life one did not.


Despite marrying back in 2004, the couple ultimately went their separate ways after Bowen filed for divorce in 2018. She requested joint custody over their three children.

Al Pacino & Lucila Solá

When you are one of the most iconic actors on the planet, you can probably marry whoever you please. That seemed to be the case for Al Pacino, who has been in a relationship with actress Lucila Sola since 2012.


Naturally though, many have commented on the fact that there are 39 years separating the couple in age. When asked if the couple would ever get married, Pacino simply said the following: “I never say never. It’s possible.”

Danny Boyle & Rosario Dawson

This is certainly a good example of an unlikely celebrity couple, in more ways than one. For a start, there are 23 years separating Rosario Dawson and Danny Boyle in terms of age. Moreover, the couple first worked together on the 2013 movie Trance, with Boyle directing Dawson.


What started off as a secret romance evolved into a serious relationship. Ultimately though they decided to call it quits. “I love Danny. He’s wonderful and we dated longer than people think we did,” Dawson said.

Christine Brinkley & Billy Joel

Although her prime years as a supermodel are behind her, there is no denying that Christine Brinkley has aged gracefully. Back in the ’80s, Brinkley met rock star, Billy Joel. It didn’t take long before the supermodel appeared in the music video for the singer’s hit single “Uptown Girl.”


After that, the two became inseparable and tied the knot in 1985. However, the marriage came to an end after 10 years. Many were shocked that they ever got married, to begin with.

Kate Gorney & TJ Miller

TJ Miller has certainly had his fair share of problems over the last few years. However, he has been grateful to have his wife Kate Gorney by his side over the last decade. The couple first met when they were at college and tied the knot back in 2015.


TJ had previously proposed to her at the Los Angeles County Museum. His reason for choosing that place was because he thought Kate was “a work of art.”

Marisa Miller & Griffin Guess

It would be an understatement to say that people were surprised when Victoria’s Secret supermodel Marisa Miller tied the knot with entrepreneur Griffin Guess. Despite being a successful music producer, working with the likes of Kanye West and Jay-Z, critics couldn’t help but suspect that Guess was out of Miller’s league.


Ultimately, the couple pulled through this, got married in 2006 and have since had two kids together. They are still going strong until this very day.

Alexis Bledel & Vincent Kartheiser

Alexis Bledel always did justice to her character on Gilmore Girls – portraying a strong, young, independent woman. She also found success on shows such as Mad Men and The Handmaid’s Tale. On the former, she met fellow actor Vincent Kartheiser and eventually the two got married in 2014.


Just a year later, the couple welcomed their first child. Jon Hamm described the couple by saying the following: “I did know he liked her from a very early point. I was a supporter of that union.”

Christina Aguilera & Jordan Bratman

Christina Aguilera has always been a promoter of body positivity, ever since releasing her iconic single “Beautiful.” Around the time that she was becoming a household name, 21-year-old Christina met music producer Jordan Bratman and the unlikely duo became a couple.


They tied the knot three years later and also had a child together. However, Aguilera ultimately wasn’t happy and decided to part ways with Bratman. Despite divorcing, Aguilera only has good things to say about her ex-husband.

Felicity Huffman & William H. Macy

There is no denying that Felicity Huffman and William H. Macy have been on a rollercoaster ride of a relationship over the last few decades. Having met back in the ’80s, many were surprised that they got together so quickly.


However, it wasn’t always easy. The Desperate Housewives star ended up breaking up with Macy for five years but eventually accepted his proposal later on in life. Fast forward to 2020, and the couple is happier than ever.

Macaulay Culkin & Mila Kunis

Long before Mila Kunis tied the knot with her That ’70s Show co-star Ashton Kutcher, she was actually romantically involved with Macaulay Culkin. The unlikely couple dated for a while, from 2002 to 2011. Ultimately, they decided to keep things lowkey and this was because, for a while, Culkin was a much bigger name than Kunis.


“He was huge. You couldn’t walk down the street with him,” she said. “Fans just screamed when they saw him!” Of course, now she’s the big name.

Tina Fey & Jeff Richmond

The world of comedy owes a lot of thanks to Tina Fey for her numerous contributions. While there are many fans out there who would’ve done untellable things to be with the 30 Rock star, she ultimately tied the knot with composer Jeff Richmond.


After spending an afternoon in Chicago’s Musem of Science and Industry, they fell in love. Jeff has described the marriage as “borderline boring—in a good way,” to which Tina jokingly agreed. “I don’t have that kind of ‘I love the bad guys’ thing,” she said.

Jay-Z & Aaliyah

It is arguable that Jay-Z is currently in an unlikely celebrity relationship with Beyonce. While they are undeniably a power couple, many are surprised that they ever got together in the first place. However, there was a time when “Hov” was surprisingly dating another stunning singer.


Before Aaliyah died under tragic circumstances, the “Try Again” singer briefly dated the iconic rapper. In the end, Jay ended up with Queen Bey and they have since built a powerful family together.

Madonna & Dennis Rodman

This unlikely celebrity couple is definitely worth being on this list. While Madonna has made a few surprising decisions in her personal life over the years, this might be the most shocking one of them all.


There was a time when the pop star was in an extremely brief relationship with Dennis Rodman. According to the former NBA star, Madonna was at one point so determined to have a child with him that she even offered to pay him for it.

Johnny Depp & Ellen Barkin

Another celebrity who has had a number of surprising relationships over the years is the one and only, Johnny Depp. The Pirates of the Caribbean star has been with the likes of Kate Moss and Amber Heard, to name a few.


However, one of his less memorable relationships was with Ellen Barkin, who he worked with on Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. The one stand-out difference between the two was their age, with Barkin being 10 years older than Depp.

Laura Dern & Ben Harper

Many Hollywood fans were in love with the fact that Laura Dern was married to Ben Harper. The star of movies such as Jurassic Park and Star Wars: The Last Jedi was married to the singer-songwriter for eight years before parting ways in 2013.


The two originally met at one of Harper’s concerts. Over the course of their relationship, the unlikely couple had two kids. Although it was Ben who filed for divorce, it seems like the two are still on good terms.

Kirsten Dunst & Jesse Plemons

It seems like Kirsten Dunst couldn’t detach from her feelings for her co-star, Jesse Plemons, when they worked together on the set of the FX series Fargo. Not only were Peggy and Ed Blumquist head over heels for each other, but so were Dunst and Plemons.


After splitting from Garrett Hedlund, Dunst swiftly moved on to dating Plemons and in 2018, the couple welcomed their first child into the world. They have been engaged since 2017 but are in no rush to get married.

Oprah Winfrey and Stedman Graham

She met this rock in her life in 1986, they still are together and quite a handsome couple after all these years. The well-known show business figure Oprah and author Stedman are so different if you look at their backgrounds.


The farm girl from Mississippi and the basketball player from New Jersey are not married, but they did not want to be traditional. The fact that they still are together says everything about their steadfast relationship.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

The Prince from England and the actress from across the ocean seemed like an unlikely bond, but they pushed through. This is actually a romantic relationship that belongs in the stories of children’s books, and that may just happen in the future.


These two people met each other on a blind date in early 2016 that was organized by a mutual friend. This is the story of a rebel prince turned soldier and the actress fighting for feminist causes.

George Clooney and Amal Clooney

The sworn bachelor didn’t know what hit him the day he met his wife of more than 6 years now. With an age difference of nearly 20 years, they seemed like one of the most unlikely couples of our time.


This Lebanese and British lawyer and the well-known actor met at his Lake Como home in 2013 for the first time. It was clear that Clooney was not able to resist the charms of the new Queen of his heart.

Miley Cyrus and Cody Simpson

It is so unlikely that Miley and Cody are together in a romantic relationship because nobody thought it would ever happen. They knew each other for quite some time but only got together after her divorce from Liam Hemsworth.


It seems like Miley has a preference for Australian hunks if you take a look at her latest soulmates. The 27-year-old Miley and 22-year-old singer Cody have been together since early October 2019 and are still going on.

Isla Fisher and Sacha Baron Cohen

This couple met at a party in 2002 and got married in 2010, but Sacha grew up in a Jewish household. Isla is an Australian actress and author that started her career in Australia, and Sacha is a British comedian.


But 8 years after they met, this Methodist Christian and British Jew got married after she converted to his religion. They may sound like an unlikely couple, but they are serious about love.

Keira Knightley and James Righton

This odd couple met each other at a party in 2011, while Keira did not even know her future husband was a rock star. But they soon hit it off, and she became one of his biggest fans.


She is a British actress, and her husband is a British rock star she did not even know about before they met. But nowadays they support each other’s careers, and they have a daughter together.

Meryl Streep and Don Gummer

This couple met in 1978 and are still together after 40 years of a happy marriage. Meryl Streep is one of the icons of the movie industry, while her husband of 40 years is a sculptor.


Meryl Streep has a very rich acting career while Don is an American sculptor that is worth even more than Meryl. This is quite an unlikely couple whose marriage has lasted for such a long time.

Holly Willoughby and Dan Baldwin

This odd couple, Dan and Holly, seemed like two people from different planets before they met in 2004. They met on the set of a television production that Dan was managing at that stage.


This is one of those cases where the model met the producer, and they got married 3 years later. They are very serious about their relationship and have welcomed 3 children born from this bonding between the two.

Cate Blanchett and Andrew Upton

Cate and Andrew are both from Australia, but the one is a famous actress while the other half is a well-known director of movies. When this couple met at first, they did not even like each other and were very different.


But that soon changed, and when the antagonism turned into love, they got involved in a whirlwind romance. That romance is still lasting and keeping their marriage together after 20 years.

Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara

Even though they are not married yet, their relationship is quite a long one, and they are still engaged. This couple met while they were filming Her, where she played is ex-wife in the 2012 film.


They started dating shortly after they made the movie Maria Magdalena together in 2016 but only revealed it with the film feast in 2017. This couple is still together and may get married in the future.

Christina Hendricks & Geoffrey Arend

Many believe that Christina Hendricks and Geoffrey Arend are simply too good to be true. While the Madam Secretary actor is good looking in his own right, many believe that he is out of Hendricks’s league. “He was just charming, funny and very magnetic,” she said when describing the time they first met.


Eventually, the couple tied the knot in 2009. However, Christina ultimately filed for divorce a decade later. Despite this, the two exes have remained friends up until this very day.

Katharine McPhee & David Foster

When David Foster got down on one knee and asked for American Idol star Katharine McPhee’s hand in marriage, he was 68 and she was 34. This means that he was exactly double her age at the time.


Nevertheless, McPhee said yes to the record producer and they refuse to succumb to the hate that might come from outsiders. McPhee showed her father her engagement ring and she is glad that she was able to show it to him before he passed.

Quentin Tarantino & Daniella Pick

Quentin Tarantino certainly turned a lot of heads when it was announced that he was dating Israeli singer Daniella Pick. The Pulp Fiction director met Pick back in 2009 when he was promoting the movie Inglorious Basterds.


“He’s brilliant, romantic, funny, sensitive, and honest,” Pick said in an interview. In 2017, the unlikely couple got engaged and ended up tying the knot a year later. Then in 2020, Quentin and Daniella welcomed their first child into the world, Leo.

James Goldstein & Amalie Wichmann

There’s a good chance that you are familiar with the name James Goldstein, especially if you are a Los Angeles Lakers fan. Not only is the NBA fan a millionaire under mysterious circumstances, but he is also known for wearing cowboy outfits, a lot.


Outside of basketball, Goldstein has been affiliating himself with models, including Amalie Wichmann. Despite the couple being separated by decades in terms of age, they seem to be very happy!

Sarah Paulson & Holland Taylor

One of the most iconic celebrities who happens to be part of the LGBT community is Sarah Paulson. The American Horror Story star came out back in 2005 and eventually started dating Holland Taylor.


People were surprised that Paulson would choose to date the Two and a Half Men actress, who is 32 years older than her. “When people found out I was with Holland, some said: ‘I think you have to be careful, I’m afraid it’s going to affect your career negatively,’” she said.

Machine Gun Kelly & Megan Fox

One of the oddest couples around right now is undoubtedly Machine Gun Kelly and Megan Fox. Despite their obvious differences, they seem to be thoroughly enjoying their early together.


In an interview with Howard Stern, Kelly confessed that he is head over heels for Fox. “I didn’t know what [love] was until me and her made eye contact,” the rapper said. “That’s when I was like, ‘Whoa.’” The couple met while filming the movie Midnight in the Switchgrass.


Like it? Share with your friends!

2
Mute Maven

Choose A Format
Story
Formatted Text with Embeds and Visuals
List
The Classic Internet Listicles
Countdown
The Classic Internet Countdowns
Open List
Submit your own item and vote up for the best submission
Ranked List
Upvote or downvote to decide the best list item