Three Unforgettable Hollywood Couples
Love does many things to human beings—it turns on the feel-good neurotransmitter dopamine, adds in a few drops of serotonin, and raises levels of stress hormone, cortisol. It’s a chemical, physical, and (some would say) spiritual concoction that doesn’t always find the perfect measurement of ingredients or stand the test of time like the very best perfumes do. Sometimes, however, it is a flame that burns a lifetime—just ask Richard Burton, who said of Elizabeth Taylor, “I might run from her for a thousand years, and she is still my baby child. Our love is so furious that we burn each other out.” Putting love-hate relationships aside, let’s take a look at three iconic relationships whose components seem to have found the perfect balance between love, lust, and friendship.
Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy
This talented couple never married but many would arguably that it would be difficult to find a couple that was more suited to each other. Spencer never got a divorce from his estranged wife (party for religious reasons, partly for his children), though he lived with Hepburn for the last 25 years of his life, keeping separate residences “for the sake of appearances.” Things may have been challenging on the outside, but on this screen, these two were sheer perfection and their chemistry sizzled. Just a few gems they starred in together include Woman of the Year, Pat and Mike, and the iconic Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.
Sarah Paulson and Holland Taylor
Sarah Paulson and Jessica Lange are the heart and soul of the “American Horror Story” series but in real life, the lady that sets Sarah’s heart on fire is Holland Taylor—the actor who has given life to so many amazing characters—think Charlie Sheen’s controlling mom in Two and a Half Men, Reese Witherspoon’s tough-as-nails Law professor in Legally Blonde, or retired Detective Bill Hodge’s nosy neighbor, Ida, in Mr. Mercedes. There is a 32-year age gap between the two actors, but they have been inseparable since they met at a dinner party, when Sarah found her to be “probably the most exquisitely beautiful woman” she had ever seen. They have been together since 2015 but it is clear their flame will continue to burn brightly as they have so much going for them—a shared passion for acting, a great sense of humor, and trust in each other. Communication also runs smoothly here. As Sarah explains, the age difference lends poignancy and “a heightened sense of time,” or knowledge of the importance of valuing the time they have together.
Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell
Aside from being one of the cutest couples to ever light up the silver screen, they are also two of the most loyal, determined, family-loving people to have come out of Hollywood. They first met on the set of The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band (1966) but did not start dating until they met again on their second film in 1983—Swing Shift. Both had been married previously and had children with their exes (Kurt’s son is called Boston Russell while Kate had Oliver and Kate Hudson). In 1986, the couple welcomed their son together (Wyatt Russell), who, like Kate, has also taken to acting. Whenever you see this couple together they are smiling, holding hands, or doing something silly. Their love for each other shines through; you just can’t fake something this good!
Hollywood couples are always a matter of interest for film lovers. We somehow love the idea of lasting romance, even within a challenging industry such as film. From Hepburn and Tracy right through to Holland and Paulson, love shows that it can crack the firmest foundations, shine regardless of age and circumstance, and make the lives of the people who truly know it, so much more memorable.
