Often, the chemistry between actors on-screen spills over into their real lives. The majority of the time, it acts as a successful marketing strategy for the project they are working on, but there indeed are cases when they manage to find a deep and real connection.
When couples fall in love with their co-stars, it magnifies their performance on the screen and provides a piece of art with an even more authentic love story. Here's a list of 20 times actors fell in love with their co-stars.
20) Rita Wilson and Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson have one of the most iconic love stories that has stood the test of time. When they met while acting in the movie Volunteers, Tom Hanks was already married and had kids. But the connection he felt towards Rita was so eminent that he ended up divorcing his first wife and marrying Rita.
They had many hardships come their way, like Rita’s diagnosis of Breast Cancer. But together they faced all challenges and today are one of the happiest and lucky few couples whose bond lasted three decades.
19) Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher
Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher met while acting in the famous- That 70s show. At that time, they were very young, with Mila Kunis being just 14. They developed a connection, but due to the age gap, they didn’t act on their feelings. Instead, Ashton Kutcher went on to marry Demi Moore. But if destiny has something planned, it happens. Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher’s love story seemed set in stone, and when they again met during the Golden Globe in 2012, their old spark from that 70s show rekindled, and they ended up getting married.
18) Jacob Elordi and Joey King
Jacob Elordi and Joey King met while filming the Netflix hit film - The Kissing Booth. Their chemistry on screen was sensational, especially because of their cute height difference, with Elordi being 6 feet 5 inches and Joey King being 5 feet 4 inches. Unfortunately, it was a love story that didn’t last a lifetime. But their relationship did provide their movie amazing marketing not only when they were dating but also after they broke up and they had to continue playing a couple for the second part of the movie.
17) Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens
Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens were the Disney it couple. They dated for 5 years while filming the High School Musical series. Both were young at the time they met and started dating. They have credited each other for helping out navigate fame and the challenges that celebrity life brings. Although their breakup caused much turmoil for the young fans for whom they were an inspiration, some stories aren’t meant to last.
16) Jake Gyllenhaal and Reese Witherspoon
The film Rendition is credited for the love story of actors Reese Witherspoon and Jake Gyllenhaal. Although lasting a short while of two years, both became a sensational hit among the fans and paparazzi. After meeting in 2007, they separated in 2009 as they both believed they were quite different people.
15) Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev
The Vampire Diaries gave two hit love stories. One of the vampires Damon and the human Elena on-screen while the actors Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev who portrayed those characters have an off-screen romantic tale. The couple, on and off screen was the hottest thing in Hollywood. Everyone loved their chemistry. Together they were fun and eccentric.
When they broke up after 3 years of dating, the fan base was in shambles. Everyone was disappointed. Despite the break up both maintained a professional relationship and are now successfully married to their respective partners.
14) Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth
The love story of Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth, which started on the sets of - The Last Song, resulted in a decade's worth of on-and-off dating. During this time frame, they dated, went on to being exes, married, divorced, and remained friends. It was a cycle of catastrophic events, and now, finally, both are separated.
When they met, Miley was a Disney rockstar, one of the most popular figures in Hollywood, while Liam was a handsome Australian newcomer in the industry. Their relationship was iconic and much loved, but they separated because, despite their love, they had highly different personalities.
13) Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson
Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson are another example of a vampire show, providing a love story, both on and off-screen. They meet on the set of the hit film series- The Twilight Saga. They dated for four years before finally ending things. Later in interviews, they revealed it was the pressure put on them by media and fan expectations that led them to date. But while they were dating, they were an amazing-looking couple who was adored by everyone.
12) Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith
Will Smith and Jada Smith are another top Hollywood couple. They met during the auditions of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. They have had a very successful relationship and have two children- Jaden and Willow Smith.
Despite some ups and downs, their love has stood the test of time and continues to thrive.
11) Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder
JJohnny Depp and Winona Ryder had a love story made for the movies. They met on the set of - Great Balls of Fire. At this time, Ryder was a newcomer in the industry, but Johnny Depp was reaching his peak of popularity. For Depp, it was love at first sight. They continued to feature in movies together, and their love story blossomed. Johnny Depp had a “Winona Forever” tattooed on his arm. Despite their intense connection, they broke up a few years later owing to severe media attention and a constant lack of respect for their privacy. Depp even got his tattoo altered. There was a love story that ignited bright but for a short time.
10) Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling
The Notebook wasn’t the only romantic thing of the 2000s. Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling's love story was a close second. What makes their love story so iconic is that, unlike other co-stars whose love story starts with being friends, theirs was an enmity to love.
Both of them severely disliked each other. It is famously known that Gosling wanted McAdams off the Notebook.
But while promoting the movie, they fell in love and started dating. Their chemistry broke the internet. But unfortunately, after 2 years of dating, they went their separate paths.
9) Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani
Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton met on the set of The Voice, US, where both of them were coaches. At the time they met, both of them developed an amazing friendship owing to the common nature of divorce they were going through with their respective partners. Soon after the connection blossomed into love, and after dating for 5 years, they are married and thriving.
8) Freida Pinto and Dev Patel
Meeting on the iconic set of - Slum Dog Millionaire, Frieda Pinto and Dev Patel had a love story lasting 6 years before they finally separated. Together, they achieved the peak of their careers, with their movie winning a lot of awards at the Oscars, and have developed a lifetime of friendship despite their separation as a couple.
7) Bradley Cooper and Zoe Saldana
Bradley Cooper and Zoe Saldana met on the sets of the movie - Words. Both of them met at a time when they were paving their career path for themselves and navigating through the ups and downs of the industry. Their relationship lasted for two years after which they separated. Both of them were heavy on privacy so many details aren’t revealed about their relationship but they were a really loved couple.
6) Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez
The movie Gigli gave the industry the iconic couple- Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez. The movie failed, but their story was a massive hit. The media gave them the name ‘Bennifer’, and they caused a sensation among the paparazzi. Their engagement was news, but they ended things soon. But this was not the end of their relationship. In 2021, after 20 years of living a separate life, both of them reunited, shocking the industry. In 2022, they finally married, giving the fans the love story they deserved.
5) Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn
Jennifer Aniston met Vincent Vaughn in 2006 on the set of the movie - The Break Up.
Although their relationship lasted for a year, it received much attention owing to the fact it was just after Aniston’s divorce from Brad Pitt.
It was a difficult year for Aniston, and Vincent Vaughn acted as a supportive pillar during her time of need. They ended things mutually and still have considerable respect for each other.
4) Zendaya and Tom Holland
Zendaya and Tom Holland are the couple of the 21st century. Meeting on the set of The Amazing Spiderman, their love story is a massive hit among the fans. They are highly cautious about their privacy, but the little insights we get from their interviews and press conferences give a glimpse of a love based on friendship and respect.
3) Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield
The Spiderman Franchise has given us not one but two love stories. The other one is of Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone, who met while filming one of the Spiderman movies. The couple had a very deep friendship and immense respect for each other. They separated after years of dating, which broke the hearts of the fans. The trending audio “She was like a sort of espresso, like bathing in sunlight “ is a snippet of Garfield talking about Stone.
2) Bradd Pitt and Angelina Jolie
Brangelina - Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie is Hollywood’s biggest love story. It began on the sets of Mr. and Mrs. Smith, where they fell deeply for each other. At that time, Brad Pitt was married to Jennifer Aniston, and their divorce became sensational news. They have 7 children together and were a great couple. But in 2016, shocking everyone, they divorced, much to the dismay of the audience who loved and adored them, on-screen and off-screen.
1) Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are a rare few examples of love stories of co-stars that last. They met on the set of Green Lantern and developed a fondness for each other. Both of them at that time denied any speculations as Reynolds was married to Scarlet Johansson and Lively was dating Pen Badgley. Finally, when both of them were single, they didn’t waste any time getting back together in 2011 and one year later got married. They have a very successful marriage, and their constant banter on Twitter is loved by everyone. They are blessed with three children and have a very cute family.