Romance can ignite on the set of any television show or movie, but high-profile relationships are hard to maintain. Things can become even more awkward when former celebrity couples have to share the screen together after breaking up in real life.
Drew Barrymore and Justin Long
In 2008,Drew Barrymoreproduced the filmHe’s Just Not That Into You, and it would turn into a rewarding professional and personal experience. She metJustin Longon the set, and sparks flew. Barrymore and Long enjoyed a two-year relationship. Then, after breaking up, they worked on the romantic dramaGoing the Distance.
While makingGoing the Distancein 2010, Drew Barrymore and Justin Long went into the project as just friends after breaking up. However, during the making of the film, they rekindled their romance, with Justin even being Drew’s date to the Golden Globes that year. However, the two broke up long after making the film. The two remain close friends.
Laura Dern and Kyle MacLachlan
Laura DernandKyle MacLachlanmet on the set of the neo-noir mystery movieBlue Velvetin 1985. They fell in love while making the film and were a beautiful couple for about four years. Not long after that relationship ended, Kyle struck up a romance with hisTwin Peaksco-starLaura Flynn Boyle.
It wasDavid Lynchwho would bring Laura and Kyle back together, at least professionally. Lynch cast Laura Dern for his reboot ofTwin Peaks, and Kyle MacLachlan and Laura Dern had an on-screen romance inTwin Peaks: The Return. The two reportedly worked well together and were happy to see each other again, with Kylesinging the praisesof Laura to the press.
Jennifer Morrison and Jesse Spencer
When it comes to on-set romances,Jennifer MorrisonandJesse Spencerbecame a couple that seemed destined to last. The actors starred onHouse, and they fell hard and fast for each other. The attractive, passionate couple even got engaged before calling off their engagement in 2007 when both were 28.
The on-screen relationship between the characters that Jesse Spencer and Jennifer Morrison continued to flourish even after their real-life one ended. Those characters had started as friends with benefits before becoming a full-fledged romantic couple. The two made the continuing on-screen romance work by making adjustments such as only kissing on-screen instead of in rehearsals and continuing to show mutual respect for each other.
Rachel Bilson & Adam Brody
It would be hard to find a cuter match thanRachel BilsonandAdam Brody. The two got together while filmingThe O.C.back in 2003. Adam and Rachel’s respective characters, Seth Cohen and Summer Roberts, simultaneously enjoyed an on-screen romance. After three years of dating, Bilson and Brody split up in 2006.
When Adam Brody and Rachel Bilson broke up, they were only three years into filming their hit television showThe O.C.However, they were able to continue to work together as co-stars, and the drama remained only on-screen. In recent years, she referred to the high-profile romance while filming a hit show as invasive, but the two have only had positive things to say about one another.
John Galecki and Sara Gilbert
Sparks flew for cynical tomboy Darlene when she met David in the iconic 1990’s sitcomRoseanne.Sara Gilbert, who portrayed Darlene, andJohn Galecki, who portrayed David, also sparked to each other in real life. The down-to-earth actors even started dating, and they became quite close.
On an episode of her showThe Talk, Sara Gilbert reviewed it was John Galecki who she first came out to when she was still a teenager. John continued to be supportive of Sara after she revealed that she was a lesbian, and the two were able to maintain a friendship while their characters continued to have a romance and eventually get married on screen.
John Galecki and Kaley Cuoco
John Galecki andKaley Cuocoboth came to star onThe Big Bang Theoryafter successful turns on hit shows. Galecki was known for Roseanne, and Cuoco was known for playingJohn Ritter’s daughter on8 Simple Rules. They began dating while makingThe Big Bang Theory, keeping their relationship a secret until they broke up about two years later.
Kaley Cuoco and John Galecki stayed an on-screen couple onThe Big Bang Theory, but they split in real life. Cuoco and Galecki continue to be friends as the show heads towards its series finale this spring. In early 2019, Cuoco posted anInstagram photoof the former couple goofing around together on the set of the show.
Hayden Panettiere and Milo Ventimiglia
Hayden PanettiereandMilo Ventimigliawere young and in love while they were filmingHeroesfor a couple of years. They began dating in late 2007 after meeting on the set of the show, and the beautiful young couple attracted a lot of media attention. Milo was twelve years older than Hayden, but the two were very devoted to each other and protective of one another.
In 2009, while still filmingHeroes, Milo Ventimiglia and Hayden Panettiere broke up. Ventimiglia is now one of the stars ofThis Is Us, and he has admitted that he would never date a co-star again after the experience with Panettiere. While the two were able to remain, amicable co-stars, the high-profile aspects of the relationship were challenging for both actors.
Jennifer Carpenter and Michael C. Hall
Dexteris a controversial television show, but the romance ofJennifer CarpenterandMichael C. Halldidn’t seem very controversial itself. Sure, they played brother and sister onDexter, but the two were madly attracted to one another in real life. In fact, their romance deepened and blossomed, resulting in the two tying the knot on New Year’s Eve in 2009.
Unfortunately, the romance between Michael C. Hall and Jennifer Carpenter didn’t last. The couple divorced in December 2011. Although there were challenges along the way, with Carpenter tearing up when asked about the relationship duringan event, the two were able to continue an amicable relationship as friends and co-stars onDexter.
Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber
Naomi WattsandLiev Schreiberwere a gorgeous couple who seemed like Hollywood royalty when they came together. The pair met at the 2005 Met Gala, and Liev immediately sparked to Naomi, who he later referred to as a ray of light. The two started dating in New York City, and they were together for over a decade and had children together.
After 11 years together, Watts and Schreiber surprised their loved ones and fans alike when they broke up. However, they went on to makeChucktogether after their split. They continue to co-parent and share their lives. In fact, the twopublicly embracedat the screening ofChuckat the Tribeca Film Festival. Their friendship and mutual professional respect appear to be going strong long after their romance came to an end.
Matthew Morrison and Lea Michele
Gleebecame a pop culture phenomenon early in its first season, and the musical television show inspired the devotion of many fans. It was also the hotbed of many romances among its young cast. One such romance had occurred before the show began betweenMatthew MorrisonandLea Michele. The two had known each other previously when they worked on a play together.
While filmingGlee, Matthew Morrison and Lea Michele were able to enjoy an amicable relationship as co-stars although they had previously dated. They kept their romance a secret for years, yet Michele opened up about it in her memoirBrunette Ambition. The innocent romance would have surely made big news in the show’s heyday and is a fun bit of trivia for fans today.
