The Movies’ Star Relationships: Hollywood’s 10 Most Successful Marriages

So short are some of these marriages. that it has become somewhat axiomatic that they don’t last very long. What with pre-nuptial arrangements, palimony, child custody, we have become accustomed to the short-lived, high octane relationships on which glossy magazines feed.

What is a lot less well-known, and barely reported, is the number of successful and long-lasting marriages, often enjoyed by some of the really great names in movie history.

1. Paul Newman and Joanne Woodard (50 years*)

   

   Newman (b. January 26th 1925) and Woodward (b. February 27th 1930) were married on January 29th 1958. The golden couple celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary earlier this year. Although Newman’s second marriage, he is Woodward’s one and only spouse. They have three daughters and Newman has two daughters from his first marriage to Jackie Witte. Their son, Scott, passed away in 1978.

2. Alan and Arlene Alda (51 years*)

   Alan (b. January 28th 1936) and Arlene (née Weiss, b. December 7th 1933) were married on March 15th, 1957).
   They have three daughters. Arlene is a photographer, musician and author of children’s books.

3. James Garner and Lois Clarke (51 years*)

   Read more in Relationships

   « Anatomy of the Filipina: Foreigner Connection

   Why Some Propose Marriage Over the Phone »

   Garner (b. April 7th 1928) and Clarke were married on August 17th 1956 after a whirlwind romance of just a fortnight. Lois had been married before, but it was Garner’s first marriage. They have one daughter together and Lois has a daughter from her previous marriage.

4. Kirk Douglas and Anne Buydens (53 years*)

   Kirk married his second wife Anne on May 29th 1954. They had two sons, one of whom, Eric, died in 2004. Kirk also has two sons from his first marriage to Diane Dill; the famous Michael Douglas being one of them. Kirk breaks the daughter-only pattern of long marriages documented thus far.
   Kirk was born December 9th 1916 , his wife Anne is originally Belgian and is six years younger than Kirk.

5. Tony Martin and Cyd Charisse (59 years)

   This ever glamorous couple celebrated an amazing 60 year Diamond Wedding Anniversary this year before Cyd passed away in June 2008. This is even more amazing considering this is the second marriage for both of them.

   Tony Martin (b. December 25th 1912) married Cyd Charisse (b.March 8th 1921, d June 17 2008) on 15th May 1948. At the time, they were both two of the biggest stars in Hollywood. Cyd kept the married name she had used professionally, which is itself a rarity in Hollywood, but Cyd Charisse has a better ring to it than Alice Finklea! Cyd has to sons from her first marriage to Nico and one son with Tony. Martin was previously married to Alice Faye.

6. James Cagney and Frances “Billie” Vernon (63 years)

   One of Hollywood’s greatest actors also enjoyed one of the longest marriages. James Cagney was born on 17th July 1899 and passed away March 30th 1986, He married Frances on28th September 1922, they had two adopted children, a son and a daughter.

7. Charlton Heston and Lydia Clarke (64 years)

   This long marriage, the first and only marriage for Heston and his wife Lydia, ended recently with the passing of Heston (b. October 4th 1923, d April 5th 2008). They were married on 17th March 1944 after meeting at Northwestern University.
   The couple have two children.

8. Carl Reiner and Estelle Lebost (64 years*)

   Reiner (b. March 20th 1922) is best know by modern audiences for his role in Ocean’s 11 (12 and 13), but his career goes back to the post-war era. He is not only an actor but a comedy writer, director and producer.
   Carl Reiner married Estelle Lebost December 24th 1943. They have two sons, one of whom is also a famous director, Rob Reiner, and a daughter.

9. Karl Malden and Mona Greenberg (69 years*)

   Although second on the list, this incredible couple will pass the Hopes’ record on May 3rd, 2008 when they will have been married for 69 years and 168 days.
   Malden was born March 22nd 1912 and he married Mona on December 18th 1938. They have two children.

10. Bob Hope and Dolores DeFina(69 years)

    Despite his reputation as a lady’s man, Hope’s marriage to Dolores was the one constant in his very long life.

    Bob Hope was born May 29th 1903 (In Eltham, near London, England). He passed away July 27th 2003 thus achieving the status of one of the elite band of Hollywood centenarians. Dolores was born May 29th 1909 and may yet reach her own century. Like Cagney, the couple also adopted their four children: three daughters and a son, who tragically died just a year after his father.

    The couple were married February 19th 1934. Rumours of an earlier marriage and a possible daughter for Hope have never been officially acknowledged.

Marriages marked * are still ongoing.