Besides the glitz and glam, Hollywood is also known for its star romances. Over the years, several celebrities dated while some have had to confirm relationship rumors with fellow stars.
In addition to their careers, show business public figures are known for their love lives. These stars have not only dated their counterparts, but some have also married them.
From Michael Jackson and Madonna to Tom Cruise and Cher, here are the Hollywood A-listers whose careers have also turned them into lovers.
Jennifer Aniston & Paul Rudd
Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd met as young aspiring actors in Los Angeles. They later co-starred in the 1998 romantic comedy-drama film, âThe Object of My Affection.â
During a joint interview in 2012, the longtime friends candidly discussed kissing on-screen. When asked whether they considered it weird to lock lips on-screen, Aniston answered, âNah. Iâve kissed him for years.â
Meanwhile, Rudd, who dated Anistonâs producing partner in the â90s, chimed, âWeâve made out for decades.” The award-winning actress also noted, âIt helps that itâs nice.â
It has been decades since Aniston and Rudd starred in the film. After she joined Instagram for the first time, the duoâs co-star Sarah Hyland posted a throwback photo from the movie.
âIn honor of @jenniferaniston getting an Instagram Iâm reposting this picture from almost 24 years ago. Neither she, Paul Rudd, nor myself have aged since 1996. I love ya fake mama!â the actress captioned the post in October 2019.
Madonna & Michael Jackson
In December 2016, Madonna appeared on âCarpool Karaokeâ with James Corden. During the interview, the Queen of Pop revealed she and Michael Jackson kissed once.
When asked who initiated the kiss, Madonna admitted that she did, adding Jackson was shy. âHowever, he was a willing accomplice,â she offered.
The singer-songwriter further explained that she helped the King of Pop loosen up by offering him a glass of Chardonnay. âAnd it did wonders,â Madonna commented.
Michael Jackson and Madonna pictured on September 9, 1998 | Source: Getty Images
When asked whether she had told someone about this before, the 65-year-old actress divulged that she may have mentioned it to a friend.
Ben Affleck & Gwyneth Paltrow
Gwyneth Paltrow dated Ben Affleck back in the day. However, her longtime friend and chef, Mario Batali, disapproved of the award-winning actor, unlike her other lovers.
Paltrow revealed in a 2016 interview that she brought every boyfriend she had to Bataliâs restaurant over the years, and he did not like Affleck that much.
The actress reflected on her relationship with Affleck during her appearance on the âCall Her Daddyâ podcast. She stated that although he made her laugh, they argued just as much. Paltrow also complemented Affleck, saying he was a good kisser and good in bed.
Nicole Kidman & Lenny Kravitz
Nicole Kidman and Lenny Kravitz met through a mutual friend and dated briefly in 2003. To maintain her privacy, Kidman kept details of her relations with Kravitz under wraps. She dismissed rumors of a relationship, saying they were merely friends, yet she rented his apartment at the time.
The two were discreet as they even fooled photographers by arriving and exiting Manhattan hot spots separately. Kidman and Kravitz sparked further speculations after attending several events together.
Lenny Kravitz and Nicole Kidman at the Apollo Theater on September 21, 2003 | Source: Getty Images
They finally admitted that they were romantically involved. Kidmanâs rep, Leslee Dart, said, âTheyâre very close. Heâs very important to her.â
Following confirmation, Kravitz and Kidman eventually showed off their romance. They were spotted dining together at a party at Tavern on the Green and at magician David Copperfieldâs birthday party at Tao restaurant during the same period.
One observer at Tavern on the Green revealed the duo showed affection and flirted. Another said the couple gazed at each other all night, with Kidman seated on Kravitzâs lap and massaging his leg. âThey were eating off each otherâs plates,â added the source.
During that period, Kidman and Kravitz were single parents. The actress was raising her daughter, Isabella, and son, Connor, from her marriage to Tom Cruise. The exes were married for ten years before divorcing in 2001.
As for Kravitz, he was raising his daughter, Zoë, whom he shares with his former wife, Lisa Bonet. Zoë had joined her dad and Kidman at Tavern on the Green. The actress reportedly was friendly with her and talked to her a lot.
A week after this outing, Kidman and Kravitz were seen alone at Copperfieldâs birthday party. An insider revealed, âThey held hands, whispered in each otherâs ears, and were basically cheek-to-cheek the entire time. They looked like a couple.â
Kidman vaguely talked about being engaged after their romance ended. However, when asked who her fiancé was, she refused to say. The movie star explained things did not feel right at the time as they both were not ready.
âI get engaged and I get marriedâthatâs my thing. I donât want to date. Iâm interested in a very, very deep connection,â Kidman explained. It turns out she was engaged to Kravitz for a short while. Kidman admitted this in an interview and stated she loved Kravitz because he was a good man.
Cher & Tom Cruise
In December 2013, Cher appeared on âWatch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen.â During the interview, the host asked the Oscar-winning actress to rank the best lover she has had in her list of old flames.
The iconic singer revealed Cruise ranked in the top five of her all-time best loversâ list. Cher once spoke frankly about her connection with the âMission Impossibleâ actor.
She divulged that they formed a bond due to their shared suffering from dyslexia. By September 2018, Cher disclosed that she and Cruise were still friends.
Matthew McConaughey & Janet Jackson
In January 2019, Matthew McConaughey appeared on âWatch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen,â with Anne Hathaway. The two actors engaged in a game called âPlead the Fifthâ on the show.
While playing the game, TV host Cohen mentioned there was a rumor that McConaughey once went out with Janet Jackson. In response, the actor revealed that he had dinner with the actress. Once Cohen stated if that was it, McConaughey answered, âThatâs sort of it, yeah.â
Helen Mirren & Liam Neeson
Another Hollywood pair is Helen Mirren and Liam Neeson, who dated and lived together for four years. The two first crossed paths while filming âExcaliburâ in Dublin.
The A-listers appeared in a joint interview on âThe Graham Norton Showâ in January 2018 where they reflected on their relationship. Neeson admitted he was instantly besotted with Mirren after seeing her for the first time.
In another joint interview, Neeson and Mirren reminisced about their time together, including how they met. He starred as Sir Gawain while she portrayed Morgan le Fay in âExcalibur.â
Neeson remembered seeing Mirren as Lady Macbeth, saying, âIt was mesmeric. She was so sexy. I thought, Gosh, thatâs Helen Mirren!â During the interview, he could not stop raving about her beauty, adding he fell in love with her then.
After developing a romantic relationship, the Irish native moved to London to cohabit with Mirren in her flat. He found acting gigs in the British theater with Mirrenâs help paving the way for him.
Neeson was a struggling actor then while Mirren received scripts daily. It became challenging for him, living under her shadow. Realizing this, Mirren decided that it was time he came out from under her wing. They decided to split despite their love for each other.
Mirren admitted it was difficult to go their separate ways. In a November 2022 interview, she said, âWe loved each other. We were not meant to be together in that way, but we loved each other very, very much. I love him deeply to this day. Heâs such an amazing guy.â