Celebrity Couples Who Have Been Together for More Than 50 Years

Here’s a look at some of Hollywood’s most enduring love stories.

Image Credit: WireImage

Dolly Parton & Carl Dean

Together since 1964

Dolly Parton met Carl Dean outside a laundromat in Nashville on the very day she moved to the city. While Dolly became one of the most famous musicians in the world, Carl chose a life entirely out of the spotlight.

Married in 1966, the couple has credited privacy, humor, and mutual respect for their lasting bond. Carl’s near-total absence from public life has only strengthened their mystique—and their marriage.

Image Credit: Dolly Parton/instagram

Goldie Hawn & Kurt Russell

Together since 1983

Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell are proof that commitment doesn’t always require a marriage certificate. Together for over four decades, they’ve raised a blended family and supported each other’s careers without ever tying the knot.

They’ve often said their relationship works because they choose each other every day—not because they’re legally bound.

Image Credit: Getty

Meryl Streep & Don Gummer

Together since 1978

Meryl Streep and sculptor Don Gummer married quietly and built a life that prioritized family and creativity over Hollywood spectacle. Despite Streep’s legendary fame, their relationship remained grounded and deeply private.

They shared more than four decades together, raising four children and maintaining a partnership built on respect and independence.

Sam Elliott & Katharine Ross

Together since 1978

Sam Elliott and Katharine Ross met while working on a film, but it took years before their romance truly began. Married in 1984, they’ve since become one of Hollywood’s most quietly solid couples.

They’ve credited communication, shared values, and avoiding unnecessary drama for keeping their marriage strong across decades.

Michael J. Fox & Tracy Pollan

Together since 1985

Michael J. Fox and Tracy Pollan’s love story deepened after Fox’s Parkinson’s disease diagnosis in the early 1990s. Rather than pulling them apart, the challenge strengthened their bond.

Their marriage has become a symbol of resilience, partnership, and unconditional support—both personally and publicly.

Tommy Lee Jones & Kimberly Buffington

Together since the 1970s

Although fiercely private, Tommy Lee Jones and Kimberly Buffington maintained a long-standing relationship that spanned decades. Their commitment endured alongside Jones’ intense career and preference for a low-profile personal life.

Why These Relationships Lasted

Across different personalities and lifestyles, these couples share a few common traits:

• Privacy over publicity
• Mutual independence
• Respect for individual careers
• A shared sense of humor and patience

Rather than chasing perfection, they focused on partnership.

FAQs

Q1: Are there celebrity couples married for over 50 years?
A1: Yes. Several celebrity couples, including Dolly Parton and Carl Dean, have been together for over 50 years.

Q2: Do all long-lasting celebrity couples stay married?
A2: No. Some, like Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell, have stayed together for decades without marrying.

Q3: What helps celebrity marriages last so long?
A3: Privacy, mutual respect, independence, and strong communication are commonly cited factors.

Q4: Which celebrity couple avoids the spotlight the most?
A4: Dolly Parton and Carl Dean are famously private, with Dean rarely appearing publicly.

Q5: Are long celebrity relationships rare?
A5: They are less common in Hollywood, which is why couples lasting 50+ years stand out.

Q6: Do these couples still work in the entertainment industry?
A6: Many do, though often selectively and with personal boundaries firmly in place.