# Longest lasting first marriages of celebrities **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 12, 2009, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-lasting-first-marriages-of-celebrities/480978 "2009-01-12T21:10:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2014, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-lasting-first-marriages-of-celebrities/480978/41 "2014-06-02T16:40:22Z")
> [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](#): > > Charlie Watts of the Rolling Stones (who turns 72 today) and his wife Shirley will celebrate their 50th anniversary this year. That’s pretty unusual in the rock & roll world. Charlie is a rarity, in that he’s stayed married AND, by most accounts, has stayed faithful. Other rockers who’ve been married a long time (can’t vouch for fidelity): Bono and his wife Ali have been married for 32 years. Jon Bon Jovi has been married to Dorothea for 35 years. Alex (Rush) Lifeson has been married to Charlene for 39 years, and was her steady boyfriend for years before they wed. Geddy (Rush) Lee has been married to Nancy for 38 years. Dennis (Styx) DeYoung has been with wife Suzanne for 44 years. Michael (Van Halen) Anthony has been married for 33 years. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2014, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-lasting-first-marriages-of-celebrities/480978/42 "2014-06-02T18:29:17Z")
George Carlin was married from 1961 to his wife’s death in 1997. He did get married a second time after her death and his second marriage ended with his death. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2014, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-lasting-first-marriages-of-celebrities/480978/43 "2014-06-02T20:47:46Z")
Nobody mentioned Joan Fontanne and Alfred Lunt, married for 55 years? ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2014, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-lasting-first-marriages-of-celebrities/480978/44 "2014-06-02T23:03:25Z")
I’m going to break the rule (it’s not the first marriage for either of them) because I feel like saying: When Ringo Starr married his bombshell sexpot Caveman costar, I thought “Oh well, Ringo has gone Hollywood. Another stereotypical short showbiz marriage.” Shows how much I knew about people I didn’t know. I get a kick out of the fact that they’re happily married 34 years later. Because I like Ringo and wish him well. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2014, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-lasting-first-marriages-of-celebrities/480978/45 "2014-06-03T00:58:47Z")
Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara have been married since 1954; the only marriage for both. Stiller is better known these days fromm _The King of Queens,_ but Meara has also been successful, as has their son Ben. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2014, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-lasting-first-marriages-of-celebrities/480978/46 "2014-06-03T01:23:42Z")
It’s the teen idol post! Bobby Vee and his wife Karen celebrated 50 years in December 2013. He was diagnosed with early Alzheimer’s in 2011 at only 68, and Karen is struggling with complications of a lung transplant. Dion and his wife Susan celebrated 51 years in March 2014. Frankie Avalon and his wife Kay celebrated 51 years in January 2014. Bobby Rydell and his wife Camilla were married 45 years before she died of breast cancer in 2003. In 2013, he had a liver and kidney transplant. ETA: Bobby Vinton and his wife Dolly celebrated 51 years in December 2013. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2014, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-lasting-first-marriages-of-celebrities/480978/47 "2014-06-03T01:46:10Z")
Somewhat related. When Russell Johnson died earlier this year, I saw that he had two marriages that each lasted for over thirty years. I doubt many people have celebrated 30th wedding anniversaries with two different spouses. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2014, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-lasting-first-marriages-of-celebrities/480978/48 "2014-06-03T01:55:29Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > Elizabeth II and Phillip have been married over 61 years. Well, it’s been five years since this post and that should make 66 years. ---
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2014, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-lasting-first-marriages-of-celebrities/480978/49 "2014-06-03T01:59:24Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > I’m going to break the rule (it’s not the first marriage for either of them) because I feel like saying: > When Ringo Starr married his bombshell sexpot Caveman costar, I thought “Oh well, Ringo has gone Hollywood. Another stereotypical short showbiz marriage.” > Shows how much I knew about people I didn’t know. I get a kick out of the fact that they’re happily married 34 years later. Because I like Ringo and wish him well. Paul and Linda were married for I think 30 years when she passed away. His first marriage, though not hers. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2014, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-lasting-first-marriages-of-celebrities/480978/50 "2014-06-03T14:34:19Z")
Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry was married to Alicia for 51 years. William F. Buckley Jr. was also married to his wife Pat for 51 years. Singer Perry Como and his wife Roselie were married for 65 years. Hall of Fame catcher Yogi Berra has been married to his wife Carmen for 65 years. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2014, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-lasting-first-marriages-of-celebrities/480978/51 "2014-06-03T14:40:36Z")
Obnoxious sportscaster Howard Cosell was married to his wife Emmy for 46 years. Bill and Camille Cosby have been married for 50 years. ---
**Author:** ![Sterling\_Archer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Sterling\_Archer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sterling_Archer)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2014, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-lasting-first-marriages-of-celebrities/480978/52 "2014-06-03T18:49:25Z")
How about celebrities who were both famous before they were married, and it was both of their first marriages? Seems like those never last. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2014, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-lasting-first-marriages-of-celebrities/480978/53 "2014-07-03T14:39:38Z")
Recently deceased Bob Hastings from \*“McHale’s Navy” was had been married 66 years at the time of his death. \*As well as a ton of other stuff. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2014, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-lasting-first-marriages-of-celebrities/480978/54 "2014-07-03T18:19:41Z")
Eli Wallach died last week at age 98, survived by actress Anne Jackson, his wife of 66 years. ---
**Author:** ![ClickIt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@ClickIt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ClickIt)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2014, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-lasting-first-marriages-of-celebrities/480978/55 "2014-07-03T18:56:47Z")
Actors **Wally Cassell** & **Marcy McGuire** have been married since 1947. [http://data.desmoinesregister.com/famous-iowans/MarcyMcGuire](http://data.desmoinesregister.com/famous-iowans/MarcyMcGuire) ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2014, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-lasting-first-marriages-of-celebrities/480978/56 "2014-07-04T00:13:48Z")
Sterling Archer writes: \> How about celebrities who were both famous before they were married, and it was \> both of their first marriages? Seems like those never last. There are examples of it, but there’s a reason that it’s hard to find them. You’re probably expecting to find an example where both the man and the woman were at the height of their popularity when they got married. That’s unlikely. At the height of the popularity of an actor (or actress), they are busy all the time. It’s necessary for them to do as many good roles as possible, since they are going to be paid the most at that point. That’s hard work. What’s more likely is such a couple who marry just before they become famous or just after the height of their career when they have a little time to breathe. An example of the first is Paula Prentiss and Richard Benjamin, who have been married for over 52 years. They met in acting school. An example of the second case is Pam Dawber and Mark Harmon, who have been married for over 27 years. They were in their mid-30’s and had already starred in movies and TV shows when they got married. ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2014, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-lasting-first-marriages-of-celebrities/480978/57 "2014-07-04T00:55:00Z")
Legendary wrassler Reggie “The Crusher” Liskowski was married to his wife Faye for 55 years. Not a business that makes long marriages easy. ---
**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2014, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-lasting-first-marriages-of-celebrities/480978/58 "2014-07-04T02:26:19Z")
If we’re counting the ones whose spouses weren’t celebrities, you need to count Meryl Streep and Jay Leno, who have been married respectively 35 and 34 years. My contribution to the both famous before getting married are Kevin Kline and Phoebe Cates. They’re at about 25 years. They also go into my “didn’t think they would last” file. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2014, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-lasting-first-marriages-of-celebrities/480978/59 "2014-07-04T03:08:14Z")
> [@Sigmagirl](#): > > Re James Cagney, he said that he almost was seduced by Merle Oberon… I first read this as [Merle Olsen](http://img3.allvoices.com/thumbs/image/609/480/49948929-merlin-olsenjpg.jpg). mmm ---
**Author:** ![Ms\_Boods](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5e9695/32.png) [@Ms\_Boods](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms_Boods)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2014, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-lasting-first-marriages-of-celebrities/480978/60 "2014-07-04T10:25:33Z")
Michael Palin’s been married to his wife since 1966, I think. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-lasting-first-marriages-of-celebrities/480978.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-lasting-first-marriages-of-celebrities/480978.md?page=4)