50 of the longest celebrity marriages

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November 20, 2018
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50 of the longest celebrity marriages

"'Til death do us part," the saying goes, and yet most  Are these high-profile unions done in by hectic work schedules? Ego clashes? Perennial access to a range of carnal desires? The answer, of course, is all of the above (and then some). Yet some celebrity couples manage to buck the trend entirely, staying the marital course through thick and thin. What keeps them together?

The secret, , boils down to communication and proximity. Being a celebrity couple often means spending extended time apart鈥攚ith no limit to potential distractions鈥攕o it's important to reconcile those gaps with some serious togetherness. A little leeway in the fidelity department probably doesn't hurt, either.

Today, 麻豆原创 pays tribute to the celebrities who defied tradition by getting married and staying married. We've specifically which uses newspaper articles and other news sources to list out the longest celebrity marriages as of Nov. 20, 2018. May each one serve as a role model for future famous and non-famous marriages alike.

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#50. Ann-Margret and Roger Smith

Dates of the marriage: 1967鈥擩une 4, 2017 (his death)

Length: 50 years

Roger Smith was a popular TV actor in his own right before he met legendary Swedish singer and actress Ann-Margret in 1965 on the set of 鈥淥nce a Thief.鈥 The two , and Smith retired from acting soon after that to focus exclusively on managing Ann-Margret's career. It was thus a partnership in every sense of the word, and one .

#49. Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman

Dates of the marriage: 1958鈥擲eptember 26, 2008 (his death)

Length: 50 years

As the handsome, blue-eyed star of films like 鈥淐ool Hand Luke鈥 and 鈥淭he Sting,鈥 Paul Newman ranks among the most desirable lead actors in Hollywood history鈥攎aking his all the more impressive. Not only did the two stars have three children together, but they also mutually oversaw numerous philanthropic endeavors and collaborated on more than 10 films.

#48. Julie Warren and John Forsythe

Dates of the marriage: 1943鈥擜pril 1, 1994 (his death)

Length: 50 years

Fans of classic television will recognize actor John Forsythe from his role as Blake Carrington on the hit 1980s drama 鈥淒ynasty.鈥 He also provided the voice of Charlie in the original 鈥淐harlie鈥檚 Angels鈥 television series and its two film adaptations. Forsythe and his wife Julie Warren had two children together and .

#47. Betty Davis and Ben E. King

Dates of the marriage: 1964鈥擜pril 30, 2015 (his death)

Length: 51 years

Before he was the famous crooner behind songs like 鈥淪tand By Me,鈥 Ben E. King (formerly Ben Nelson) was a member of a Harlem doo-wop group called The Four B's. It was in this group that he met his future wife, Betty Davis, a songwriter who was also the . Davis and King married in 1964, raised three children, and .

#46. Jean Speegle Howard and Rance Howard

Dates of the marriage: 1949鈥擭ovember 25, 2000 (her death)

Length: 51 years

Representing the fusion of some mighty talented DNA, Rance Howard and Jean Speegle Howard married in 1949 and gave birth to future Hollywood icon Ron Howard in 1954. Ron went on to produce four children of his own, including actress Bryce Dallas Howard. Rance has a pretty impressive resume in his own right, having starred in films such as "Cool Hand Luke," and "Chinatown," along with roles in a number of his son's movies. He and Jean were  before her death in 2000.

#45. Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn

Dates of the marriage: 1942鈥擲eptember 11, 1994 (her death)

Length: 52 years

Over the , seasoned actors Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy appeared together frequently on stage and screen. The pair even played a married couple in the early Their most iconic co-billing came in 1985, when they played retirement home residents in the movie 鈥淐ocoon,鈥 later reprising their roles for a 1988 sequel.

#44. Linda and Vince McMahon

Dates of the marriage: 1966鈥攑resent

Length: 52 years

Linda and Vince McMahon today are collectively worth more than $2 billion, but things started out decidedly different. The couple fell in love as teenagers and married when Linda was just 17, had two children, and . Linda and Vince eventually found their calling in the world of wrestling entertainment and turned WWE into a global empire. Meanwhile, they鈥檙e still .

#43. Mitzi Gaynor and Jack Bean

Dates of the marriage: 1954鈥擠ecember 4, 2006 (his death)

Length: 52 years

Mitzi Gaynor was a multi-talented actress, singer, and dancer who starred in movie adaptations of 鈥淭here's No Business Like Show Business鈥 and 鈥淪outh Pacific.鈥 Jack Bean was a powerful Hollywood player who went on to become a real estate mogul and business manager. Together, the couple enjoyed a

#42. Barbara Sklar and Don Rickles

Dates of the marriage: 1965鈥擜pril 6, 2017 (his death)

Length: 52 years

Comedian Don Rickles might have risen to fame by way of his off-color jokes, but the truth is he was a romantic at heart. He married his agent鈥檚 secretary, Barbara Sklar, in 1965, and the two . Less than a month before he passed away, Rickles sent out a final tweet: 鈥淲e are celebrating our 52nd Wedding Anniversary March 14th. Happy Anniversary my dear wife, Barbara. You are my life.鈥

#41. Nancy Davis and Ronald Reagan

Dates of the marriage: 1952鈥擩une 5, 2004 (his death)

Length: 52 years

Nancy Davis and Ronald Reagan (or ) met while they were both in the midst of fruitful Hollywood careers. Of course, their acting careers would only serve as the , which resulted in two children and a substantial political legacy. It could even be said that Reagan's respective tenures as governor of California and president of the United States would not have been successful without his wife's support, approval, guidance, and participation.

#40. Dolly Parton and Carl Dean

Dates of the marriage: 1966鈥攑resent

Length: 52 years

Dolly Parton is one of country music鈥檚 biggest stars, and yet her , maintains a . The two met in 1964 when Parton was 18 years old and married two years later. In the time since, the couple's relationship has endured a range of struggles, including what The two , injecting new life into an already resilient romance.

#39. Alma Reville and Alfred Hitchcock

Dates of the marriage: 1926鈥擜pril 29, 1980 (his death)

Length: 53 years

They say behind every successful man is a strong woman, which was most certainly the case with director Alfred Hitchcock and his wife, Alma Reville. Far more than a spouse, , helping him make creative decisions on a bevy of iconic films. While she primarily lived and worked in Hitchcock鈥檚 shadow, recent films like 鈥淭he Girl鈥 and 鈥淗itchcock鈥 have brought Reville's vital role to light.

#38. Angela Lansbury and Peter Shaw

Dates of the marriage: 1949鈥擩anuary 29, 2003 (his death)

Length: 53 years

British actress Angela Lansbury's husband also hailed from the UK and did some acting of his own before taking on a larger role behind the scenes as an agent and producer. In the 1980s, Shaw produced Lansbury's hit TV show, 鈥淢urder, She Wrote.鈥 Of their marriage, 

#37. Ricky and Ralph Lauren

Dates of the marriage: 1964鈥攑resent

Length: 53 years

A quintessential power couple, fashion icon Ralph Lauren and author/photographer/artist/psychotherapist Ricky Lauren first met when . Their union has become . Ricky Lauren published 鈥淭he Hamptons: Food, Family, and History鈥 in 2012, offering readers and fans an intimate glimpse into the Lauren family life.

#36. Frances Chaney and Ring Lardner Jr.

Dates of the marriage: 1946鈥2000 (his death)

Length: 54 years

In the middle of the 20th century, actress Frances Chaney made regular appearances on radio, stage, and television, lending her voice to the radio show "Gang Busters" and later starring in the soap opera "The Edge of Night." At the height of her career, Chaney was due to the reported communist ties of her journalist and screenwriter husband, Ring Lardner Jr. Despite the obstacles, Chaney and Lardner Jr. enjoyed a long and healthy marriage.

#35. Anne Jeffreys and Robert Sterling

Dates of the marriage: 1951鈥擬ay 30, 2006 (his death)

Length: 54 years

Acting couple Anne Jeffreys and Robert Sterling . The pair went on to get married and have three sons together. Soon after tying the knot, the couple performed as a singing club act which subsequently led to co-starring roles on the popular TV show, 鈥淭opper.鈥

#34. Eydie Gorm茅 and Steve Lawrence

Dates of the marriage: 1957鈥擜ug. 10, 2013 (her death)

Length: 55 years

Partners in marriage and work, Eydie Gorm茅 and Steve Lawrence performed as pop vocal duet Steve and Eydie while also pursuing their own solo careers. Gorm茅 and Lawrence met in the early 1950s on the set of 鈥淭onight Starring Steve Allen.鈥 Soon after, they , 鈥淢ake Yourself Comfortable.鈥

#33. Eleanor and Francis Ford Coppola

Dates of the marriage: 1963鈥攑resent

Length: 55 years

In addition to being one of Hollywood鈥檚 longest-lasting power couples, Francis Ford and Eleanor Coppola are at the top of a veritable dynasty which includes talented family members, a slate of iconic films, and a popular winery. The two . And while Francis is regarded as one of the greatest directors of all time, Eleanor is likewise accomplished. She's worked on a number of films, written a memoir, and directed the acclaimed documentary 鈥淗earts of Darkness." That鈥檚 not to mention her role as the mother to three children, including director Sofia Coppola.
 

#32. Ginny and Bob Newhart

Dates of the marriage: 1963鈥攑resent

Length: 55 years

After carving out a formidable career as a comedian, Bob Newhart became a major presence on television. He met Virginia "Ginn" Quinn on a blind date and eventually married her. This was despite the fact that Quinn, whose father was an actor, swore she would . Bob went on to headline two namesake sitcoms over the course of two separate decades, in addition to dozens of other television and movie credits.

#31. Lee Grant and Joseph Feury

Dates of the marriage: 1962鈥攑resent

Length: 55鈥56 years

Before marrying Joseph Feury, actress Lee Grant was  for being married to communist screenwriter Arnold Manoff. The two eventually split, and Grant got involved with and eventually married Joseph Feury. By the mid-1970s Grant was back on track, earning an Oscar for her role in "Shampoo." In the time since, Grant and Feury have co-produced and co-directed a number of acclaimed documentaries, including 1986's award-winning "Down and Out in America."

#30. Janet Templeton and Martin Sheen

Dates of the marriage: 1961鈥攑resent

Length: 56 years

Martin Sheen claimed in a 2015 interview that the secret to his and actress Janet Templeton鈥檚 56-year marriage was honesty. Specifically, he said that she was never afraid to tell him the truth, which in turn The pair has four children together, including actors Charlie Sheen and Emilio Estevez.

#29. Paula Prentiss and Richard Benjamin

Dates of the marriage: 1961鈥攑resent

Length: 56 years

Hollywood talents Paula Prentiss and Richard Benjamin . They were married at the cusp of their meteoric careers. Prentiss went on to star in hit movies such as 鈥淭he Stepford Wives," 鈥淲hat鈥檚 New, Pussycat?," and 鈥淐atch-22." Meanwhile, Benjamin also starred in 鈥淐atch-22," and later directed popular films like 鈥淭he Money Pit鈥 and 鈥淢ermaids."

#28. Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis

Dates of the marriage: 1948鈥擣eb. 4, 2005 (his death)

Length: 57 years

Temptation is virtually everywhere for successful performers, so some couples have to experiment a little to make things work. Such was the case for Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis, two similarly talented actor/writer/director/activists who . Eventually, the couple went back to their monogamous ways and stayed that way until Davis鈥 death.

#27. Lois Clarke and James Garner

Dates of the marriage: 1956鈥擩uly 19, 2014 (his death)

Length: 57 years

According to legend, it was when actor James Garner spotted future-wife Lois Clarke at a 1956 rally for Democratic presidential nominee Adlai Stevenson. The couple went out to dinner that very same night and were married within the year. Like most celebrity marriages, this one didn鈥檛 come without its obstacles鈥攊ncluding a few prolonged separations.

#26. Maj Axelsson and Larry Hagman

Dates of the marriage: 1954鈥擭ov. 23, 2012 (his death)

Length: 58 years

Audiences know Larry Hagman best for his respective roles as Major Anthony "Tony" Nelson in the hit 1960s sitcom, "I Dream of Jeannie," and as J.R. Ewing in the 1980s TV drama, "Dallas." He met his wife, Swedish-born dress designer Maj Axelsson, while living in London as a serviceman and stage actor. The couple had two children together and kept the .

#25. Barbara O'Connor and William Christopher

Dates of the marriage: 1957鈥擠ec. 31, 2016 (his death)

Length: 59 years

After on TV shows such as 鈥淭he Andy Griffith Show,鈥 鈥淭he Patty Duke Show," and 鈥淗ogan鈥檚 Heroes," William Christopher snagged the recurring role of Father Francis Mulcahy on the smash hit sitcom, 鈥淢*A*S*H." On the episode titled "Dear Mildred," Christopher鈥檚 wife, Barbara, guest starred as Nurse O'Connor, and the couple sang a pair of duets on screen. Later in life, they co-wrote the book 鈥淢ixed Blessings," which centered on their experiences raising a child with autism.
 

#24. Melinda Trenchard and Tom Jones

Dates of the marriage: 1957鈥擜pril 10, 2016 (her death)

Length: 59 years

Singer Tom Jones might come off as the ultimate bachelor, but the truth is he was . Of course, that doesn鈥檛 mean Jones remained loyal鈥攊t鈥檚 been reported that the at the height of his career. Nevertheless, Trenchard stood by her man, resulting in one of the longest-lasting celebrity marriages of all time.

#23. Kristine Miller and William Schuyler

Dates of the marriage: 1953鈥擠ec. 10, 2013 (his death)

Length: 60 years

Former Hollywood starlet Kristine Miller appeared on screens big and small over the course of her career. She starred in movies such as 鈥淔rom Here to Eternity," and TV shows like 鈥淪tories of the Century," 鈥淒ennis the Menace," and 鈥淭he Donna Reed Show." Her husband William Schuyler was legend behind the scenes, founding or co-founding numerous television stations and getting .

 

#22. Anne Meara and Jerry Stiller

Dates of the marriage: 1954鈥擬ay 23, 2015 (her death)

Length: 60 years

Jerry Stiller鈥檚 character Frank Costanza on the iconic sitcom 鈥淪einfeld" was the world鈥檚 most dysfunctional husband and father. In real life, however, Stiller's  was the stuff romantic celebrity dreams are made of. Not only were the two deeply in love, but they were fundamental to one another鈥檚 success by rising to fame as a comedy duo in the 1960s and 1970s.

#21. Patricia Poole and Dick Van Patten

Dates of the marriage: 1954鈥擩une 23, 2015 (his death) 

Length: 61 years

Patricia Poole and Dick Van Patten first made each other's acquaintances as teenagers. But it wouldn't be until they . During their marriage, Van Patten landed the role of Tom Bradford on the sitcom, "Eight is Enough," while Poole appeared (as Pat Van Patten) in films like "Herbie Goes Bananas" and "The Bodyguard," along with TV shows such as "Murder, She Wrote," and "7th Heaven." Together, the couple raised three children.

#20. Arlene and Alan Alda

Dates of the marriage: 1957鈥損resent

Length: 61 years

Hollywood icon Alan Alda and his future wife, Arlene, first bonded . Alan is best-known for his lead role in the TV series, 鈥淢*A*S*H," while Arlene is an accomplished children鈥檚 book author and photographer. Together, the couple has three children and eight grandchildren.

#19. Sandy Cohen and Danny Aiello

Dates of the marriage: 1955鈥攑resent

Length: 63 years

In his 2014 memoir, actor Danny Aiello claimed he enlisted in the After serving in the Korean War, Aiello returned home and eventually married Sandy Cohen. True to his somewhat shady background, the actor played a range of criminals throughout his career, along with the occasional nice-guy role, such as his performance in 1987鈥檚 award-winning romantic comedy, 鈥淢oonstruck."

#18. Lydia Clarke and Charlton Heston

Dates of the marriage: 1944鈥擜pril 5, 2008 (his death)

Length: 64 years

Actors Charlton Heston and Lydia Clarke . Following their marriage, Heston went off to serve in the U.S. Army Air Forces during WWII. By the early 1950s, Clarke was performing on Broadway and Heston was landing some of his earliest television and film roles.
 

#17. Anne Buydens and Kirk Douglas

Dates of the marriage: 1954鈥攑resent

Length: 64 years

At their respective ages of 101 and 99, Kirk Douglas of Anne Buydens remain united in matrimony, occasionally . In the couple鈥檚 joint 2017 memoir, Anne wrote that staying married for . The couple has two sons together, Peter and Eric. Another one of Kirk鈥檚 sons, actor Michael Douglas, is from a previous marriage.

#16. Estelle and Carl Reiner

Dates of the marriage: 1943鈥擮ct. 25, 2008 (her death)

Length: 64 years

Comedy legend Carl Reiner has been a fixture in Hollywood since the 1950s when he co-wrote and starred in shows like "Caesar's Hour," and "Your Show of Shows." In the 1960s he created, produced, wrote for, and acted in "The Dick Van Dyke Show," cementing his status as Tinseltown royalty. Meanwhile, his wife Estelle uttered one of the most iconic lines in movie history: "I'll have what she's having," from 1989's "When Harry Met Sally." That film was directed by Rob Reiner, one of the couple's three children. Carl is still writing and performing today鈥 that is.

#15. Betsy and Walter Cronkite

Dates of the marriage: 1940鈥擬arch 15, 2005 (her death)

Length: 65 years

News anchor Walter Cronkite met his future wife, Betsy, when they were . After their marriage the two embarked on separate careers in journalism, eventually settling down together in New York. In his 1996 autobiography, Walter wrote, 鈥淚 attribute the longevity of our marriage to Betsy's extraordinary keen sense of humor, which saw us over many bumps (mostly of my making), and her tolerance, even support, for the uncertain schedule and wanderings of a newsman."

#14. Eva Marie Saint and Jeffrey Hayden

Dates of the marriage: 1951鈥擠ec. 24, 2016 (his death)

Length: 65 years

Academy-award winning actress Eva Marie Saint remains best known for her lead roles in movies such as 鈥淥n the Waterfront," and 鈥淣orth by Northwest." Not only was she , but Hayden occasionally directed her for TV and stage. One of their which was among the .

 

#13. Leah "Lia" Waggner and William Schallert

Dates of the marriage: 1949鈥2015 (her death)

Length: 65 years

Throughout their marriage, actors William Schallert and Leah (aka Lia) Waggner like 鈥淭he Patty Duke Show鈥 and 鈥淭he Dick Van Dyke Show." Of course, their most fruitful collaboration was at home: The couple produced four sons. While Waggner retired from acting in the 1960s, Schallert continued to appear in TV and film all the way up to 2014.

#12. Anne Jackson and Eli Wallach

Dates of the marriage: 1948鈥擩une 24, 2014 (his death)

Length: 66 years

Representing a telling first encounter, thespians Anne Jackson and Eli Wallach Over the course of their subsequent marriage, the couple earned a legendary reputation as talented method actors. They performed together .

#11. Bonnie Bartlett and William Daniels

Dates of the marriage: 1951鈥攑resent

Length: 67 years

After starring separately in a string of TV shows and films, Bonnie Bartlett and William Daniels played a married couple on the popular 1980s medical drama series, "St. Elsewhere." What's more, they both won Emmy Awards in 1986, making Hollywood history by being just .

#10. Alma Crist Whitman and Slim Whitman

Dates of the marriage: 1941鈥擣eb. 16, 2009 (her death)

Length: 67 years

Bolstered by his signature yodel and impressive falsetto voice, country music legend Slim Whitman sold more than 120 million records throughout the course of his career as But his greatest sense of accomplishment came from his lifelong love affair with Alma 鈥淛erry鈥 Crist. The couple eloped as teenagers, to the chagrin of Alma鈥檚 father, a Florida preacher.

 

#9. Thelmetta "Toddy" Suggs and Chuck Berry

Dates of the marriage: 1948鈥擬arch 18, 2017 (his death)

Length: 68 years

Chuck Berry is commonly regarded as the godfather of rock 'n' roll, which might help explain his over the years. Despite all the reported misbehaving, however, . When they tied the knot, Berry was working as a .

#8. Dolores Reade and Bob Hope

Dates of the marriage: 1934鈥擩uly 27, 2003 (his death)

Length: 69 years

Leslie Townes Hope鈥攂etter known as Bob Hope鈥攚as an amateur boxer (among other things) before trying his luck on the vaudeville circuit, eventually landing a choice role on Broadway in the early 1930s. It was during this time that he met local performer Dolores Reade. Hope later

#7. Joan and Stan Lee

Dates of the marriage: 1947鈥擩uly 6, 2017 (her death)

Length: 69 years

As the creator of the world鈥檚 foremost superheroes, Stan Lee remains an absolute wizard in the eyes of his innumerable fans. Just as impressive as Lee鈥檚 comic book legacy, however, was his , which ended with her death in 2017. Lee died just over a year later, on Nov. 12, 2018. According to legend, it was Joan, a former model, who gave Stan the idea for Marvel Comics: She told him to conjure up a new type of superhero that would exhibit human-like flaws.

#6. Marilyn and Monty Hall

Dates of the marriage: 1947鈥擩une 5, 2017 (her death)

Length: 69 years

"Let's make a deal," Monty Hall said to Marilyn Doreen Plottel, his future wife, in 1947. OK, so Hall's marriage proposal was probably somewhat more romantic in nature, but he did go on to become synonymous with the popular game show. Marilyn, meanwhile, was an accomplished TV and theater producer in her own right. The couple had .

#5. Mona Greenberg and Karl Malden

Dates of the marriage: 1938鈥擩uly 1, 2009 (his death)

Length: 70 years

Actor Karl Malden had and  under his belt by the time of his death in 2009. He met his wife, Mona Greenberg鈥攚ho went by the stage name Mona Graham at the time鈥攚hile in the 1930s.

 

#4. Kitty Wells and Johnnie Wright

Dates of the marriage: 1937鈥擲ept. 27, 2011 (his death)

Length: 73 years

Representing a match made in country music heaven, the marriage of . Johnnie performed as one-half of country duo Johnnie & Jack, releasing a number of popular singles. Kitty, meanwhile, became one of the most  with her own string of hit songs.

#3. Lois and Art Linkletter

Dates of the marriage: 1935鈥擬ay 16, 2010 (his death)

Length: 74 years

The name Art Linkletter might not mean much to today鈥檚 younger audiences, but throughout the 1940s and 1950s he was a foremost personality on radio and TV, as well as a major promoter of various toys. He and wife Lois married had five children together, .

#2. Peggy and Norman Lloyd

Dates of the marriage: 1936鈥擜ug. 30, 2011 (her death)

Length: 75 years

By the time Broadway actress Peggy Lloyd passed away in 2011, she and fellow thespian Norman Lloyd had , two children, and numerous theatrical productions with one another. Unsurprisingly, the couple first met while working on the same play. Later in life, they appeared together in the 2007 documentary, 鈥淲ho is Norman Lloyd?鈥

#1. Lillian Waldowsky and Irving Benson

Dates of the marriage: 1936鈥擬arch 3, 2016 (her death)

Length: 79 years

The when multi-talented performer Irving Benson (born Irving Wishnefsky) tied the knot with Lillian Waldowsky. Benson was a major player on the vaudeville circuit and later gained fame as a wisecracking heckler on a number of popular variety shows. He and Lillian were blessed with . Along similarly impressive lines, Benson was 102 years old when he passed away in 2016, just 11 weeks after Lillian's death.

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