Although the “Bennifer” phenomenon may seem like a very modern phenomenon, the modern fascination with celebrity couples has very deep roots – back to the very start of silent cinema itself! Movie goers have long celebrated the unions of their favourite stars and these stars of yesteryear were part of iconic couplings which are famous even today!
Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton – The Battling Burtons
So in love they got married twice! Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton were powerful movie icons when they met at on the set of the 1962 epic Cleopatra. Their explosive chemistry soon spilled out onto a on-set affair and the legendary tabloid couple “Liz and Dick” became the most well known couple of the decade. Their relationship would eventually implode in a whirlwind of alcohol, diamonds, penthouses, and infidelity.
The couple would try marrying again, but their own personal demons and battles with alcohol meant the marriage was doomed from the start. Both Burton and Elizabeth would go on to marry other people (Taylor managed to rack up eight marriages during her lifetime). Although an elderly Elizabeth would later divulge “Richard is the only one I truly loved and still care about.”
Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward – Long Time Love
Insanely beautiful and ridiculously talented, 1950s superstars Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman managed to defy the odds when it came to a Hollywood marriage and were married for 50 years, sticking together until Newman’s death in 2008.
Although both huge stars, the pair led a purposely unglitzy life away from the screen and moved to Connecticut, involving themselves in the local community and devoted themselves to family life when not working on their movies.
When asked about the success of their marriage Paul Newman famously stated, “I have stake at home, why so out for hamburger.” Whereas Joanna credited their shared sense of humour, gushing “…to be married to a man who makes you laugh every day is a real treat.”
Vivien Leigh and Lawrence Olivier – The King and Queen of British Theatre & Film
These beautiful British thespians were one of the most iconic couples of their generation. Vivien Leigh was responsible for two of the most iconic roles on film – Scarlett O’Hara and Balance Dubois, whereas Lawrence Olivier was widely acknowledged to be the most talented stage actor of the age.
When Vivien Leigh was just 22 years old, she and a friend went to see a play Lawrence was performing in. At the end of the play Vivien turned to her friend and stated, “That’s the man I’m going to marry.” The pair were later cast together in the film Fire Over England” and married in California in 1940.
The couple led a glamorous life together as the first couple of British Theatre, darlings of society and Hollywood favourites until the strains of fame, infidelity and psychological issues took their toll. Although the couple didn’t last, their marriage was an iconic match and Olivier would later say of the relationship “This was love.”
Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall – Bogie and Slim
Humphrey Bogart was a grizzled, cynical Hollywood veteran with more than one failed marriage behind him, when he met the wide eyed model-turned-actor Lauren Bacall on the set of their first movie To have and Have Not. The couple felt an instant connection which would ensure that all their interactions on screen sizzled, and it wasn’t long before the actors were head over heels and heading to the altar.
The couple enjoyed a happy marriage with two children and would spend weekends together on their yacht. Bacall and Bogie remained together until Humphrey’s death of cancer in 1957. Bacall remained very protective of her private life with Bogart, although she did divulge “I was very, very lucky to have even met him, much less have been married to him.”
Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford – The First King and Queen of Hollywood
Silent movie titans Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks were the first celebrity couple to claim the titles of Hollywood Royalty. Mary “America’s Sweetheart” Pickford and action star Douglas Fairbanks courted scandal when they met and fell in love while being married to other people and although their star power ensured that the couple were soon embraced by the public who fell in love with the idea of “Mary and Doug.”
Hollywood’s couple would hold court at Pickfair, a huge mansion in Beverley Hills, where the great and good of the move industry would vie for invitations to their legendary dinner parties. Fairbanks would later describe the process of falling in love with Pickford., fondly recalling, “a golden light was suddenly cast on me.”
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