logo
Funny Animals Interesting Freaky Pop Culture

21 Celebrity Pairs That Played Family Members On-Screen But Ended Up Dating Behind The Scenes

by Sophia

In Hollywood, it's not really a surprising nor a weird thing for two actors who play a romantic couple or love interests to each other to fall in love in real life. Many people even dig that kind of trope, as it just makes the whole project more exciting, given that the actors fell in love through the course of it.

Plenty of cases are scattered all over Hollywood wherein celebs always seem to date their co-stars. Some relationships have already ended, but plenty of these actor pairings actually had their happily ever after and have been in bliss ever since they tied the knot.

Let's face it, as an actor, it's not that quite hard nor surprising to fall in love with someone you keep kissing and cuddling on screen. Take Blake Lively, for instance, before he tied the knot with Ryan Reynolds, she once fell in love with Penn Badgley while working together as Serena van der Woodsen and Dan Humphrey in Gossip Girl.

That being said, if there's one thing that's kind of weird in the context of two actors falling in love with each other, it's that they did not play as romantic lovers on screen, but as family members. Since there is no romantic or sexual connection between them on screen, it's hard to imagine how they hit it off, and it's also hard to keep watching the show when you know that the siblings or parent-child duo you are looking at are screwing behind the scenes!

You get used to it, though. Now, without further ado, here are some of the actor pairings that played family members on-screen but actually hit it off behind the scenes:

1. Evan Rachel Wood and Shane West played as brother and sister on Once and Again, when Shane was 21 and Rachel was just 12 back then. When they reunited nine years later, the pair started dating.

The pair were seen holding hands at a club. When asked about their status, Evan said, “I think you can put two and two together. I won’t confirm or deny it, but I don’t think I have to.” 

1. Evan Rachel Wood and Shane West played as brother and sister on Once and Again, when Shane was 21 and Rachel was just 12 back then. When they reunited nine years later, the pair started dating.J. Vespa / WireImage / Getty Images

2. Diana Hyland played John Travolta's mother in The Boy in the Plastic Bubble. They started to date in 1976, up until Diana's death just the following year.

John was 23 and Diana was 41 when they were dating. Diana, who had a double mastectomy for breast cancer, "didn’t know she was going to die for sure until two weeks before."

2. Diana Hyland played John Travolta's mother in The Boy in the Plastic Bubble. They started to date in 1976, up until Diana's death just the following year.Tom Wargacki / WireImage / Getty Images

3. David Arquette and Drew Barrymore were siblings in Never Been Kissed. David then revealed later on that they actually dated two years before it, but Drew denied.

The pair had actually known each other for a while before they starred in Never Been Kissed. David told PeopleTV, “We also dated, but she denied it on Howard Stern. But we dated, Drew!"

3. David Arquette and Drew Barrymore were siblings in Never Been Kissed. David then revealed later on that they actually dated two years before it, but Drew denied.Getty Images

4. Amy Poehler and Will Arnett married in 2003, but they played siblings in Blades of Glory.

The pair met back in 1996 after Will saw Amy perform, and they officially started dating four years later. They've appeared in  Arrested Development, Parks and Recreation, and Horton Hears a Who!, but the couple got divorced in 2014. 

4. Amy Poehler and Will Arnett married in 2003, but they played siblings in Blades of Glory.Gilbert Carrasquillo / FilmMagic / Getty Images

5. Maggie Grace and Ian Somerhalder played stepsiblings Shannon Rutherford and Boone Carlyle on Lost, then began dating after their characters were killed on the show.

They broke up in 2007. In 2016, Maggie told New You that she and Ian "are still very good friends."

5. Maggie Grace and Ian Somerhalder played stepsiblings Shannon Rutherford and Boone Carlyle on Lost, then began dating after their characters were killed on the show.Paul Archuleta / FilmMagic / Getty Images

6. Bill Hader and Anna Kendrick played siblings in Noelle and started to "quietly" date.

"They met years ago. She's hosted Saturday Night Live and they've done a movie together, but they got together well after the movie. They are both very private people, and with the pandemic, it was easy to keep it quiet. They're both hysterical, so they must keep each other laughing all of the time. She's really, really happy," a source told People magazine.6. Bill Hader and Anna Kendrick played siblings in Noelle and started to Getty Images

7. Lauren Graham and Peter Krause played brother and sister (Sarah and Adam Braverman) in Parenthood, and the two started to quietly date during the course of the show after years of Peter in the friend zone.

They already met in 1995 on the set of Caroline in the City, but they didn't date until they starred in Parenthood together. Lauren told Good Housekeeping that she was keen on not dating any actor she worked with and tried to keep Peter in the friend zone.

She then admitted that their friendship evolved over time. She said, "It was like, 'You like me, and I like you.' It gave me an understanding of life: This is how things happen, and it's completely random."

7. Lauren Graham and Peter Krause played brother and sister (Sarah and Adam Braverman) in Parenthood, and the two started to quietly date during the course of the show after years of Peter in the friend zone.Getty Images

8. Michael Emerson and Carrie Preston have been married since 1998, but Carrie played Michael's mother on Lost because of a joke.

"It was supposed to be just a couple of episodes — but then he turned into the main villain. So I thought of Hawaii as the place that stole my husband. Of course, nobody can stay mad at Hawaii, so I thought, I've got to figure out how I can spend more time out there. I used to joke, 'Wouldn't it be hilarious if I played your mom in a flashback?' Michael shared that joke [with] the producers, and the next week, there was a phone call to my agents: 'Can Carrie play Michael's mother in a flashback [on a Season 3 episode]?' We were howling. We thought, This is insane and a little freaky, but the fans are gonna love it. Sure enough, I've gotten many Oedipal jokes, jokes [like], 'I've always mothered him, but now I get to really do it on television.' I got to go out in the jungle and simulate giving birth to my husband. Not many people get to say that."8. Michael Emerson and Carrie Preston have been married since 1998, but Carrie played Michael's mother on Lost because of a joke.Bruce Glikas / WireImage / Getty Images

9. Eleanor Tomlinson and Harry Richardson played siblings in Poldark. They dated for about a year until they broke up in 2018.

The two were first spotted together during the summer of 2017 when the show's third season was airing. 

9. Eleanor Tomlinson and Harry Richardson played siblings in Poldark. They dated for about a year until they broke up in 2018.Getty Images

10. Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson were brother and sister in Sleepless in Seattle five years after they got married in 1988.

This pair met on the set of Bosom Buddies in the early '80s, and then got reunited years later on the set of Volunteers. They began dating shortly after.

They've worked on The Bonfire of the Vanities, That Thing You Do!, and Larry Crowne. The two eventually got married in 1988.

10. Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson were brother and sister in Sleepless in Seattle five years after they got married in 1988.Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson smiling together Leon Bennett / Getty Images

11. Maureen McCormick and Barry Williams played sister and brother (Marcia and Greg Brady) on The Brady Bunch. They then dated for a bit in real life, and Barry was actually Maureen's first kiss!

In 2013, Barry revealed to Oprah Winfrey that he and Maureen, his onscreen sister, actually dated in real life. Greg said, “In fact, I was her first kiss. And that was in Hawaii while we were filming those episodes. We snuck away, it was a full moon, we walked along the sand. Well, I knew where that was headed. Of course, I set it up.”

11. Maureen McCormick and Barry Williams played sister and brother (Marcia and Greg Brady) on The Brady Bunch. They then dated for a bit in real life, and Barry was actually Maureen's first kiss!Jeff Kravitz / FilmMagic / Getty Images

12. David Cassidy and Susan Dey played brother and sister on The Partridge Family. Susan had a huge crush on David, and he eventually dated her but revealed that he "couldn't think of her as anything but [his] sister" and regretted his decision.

In his memoir, David said that Susan "lacked the slutty aspect of a female" that he found attractive. He said that Susan was so determined to be with him that he finally gave in, and he ended up regretting his decision.

He said, "She was sweetness and innocence, a good girl, and I couldn't think of her as anything but my sister." 

12. David Cassidy and Susan Dey played brother and sister on The Partridge Family. Susan had a huge crush on David, and he eventually dated her but revealed that he Frank Edwards / Getty Images

13. Georgia Moffett was David Tennant's daughter on Doctor Who. Rumors of them dating started to circulate in 2008, and then they got married in 2012.

Georgia's father actually played the fifth Doctor from 1981 to 1984. She guest-starred on the show, which was how the couple met.

They now have five kids together. 

13. Georgia Moffett was David Tennant's daughter on Doctor Who. Rumors of them dating started to circulate in 2008, and then they got married in 2012.Dave J Hogan / Dave J Hogan / Getty Images

14. Katherine Heigl and Jason Behr played siblings on Roswell and dated after meeting on set.

The two dated for the majority of the show's run, but they eventually broke up in 2002. 

14. Katherine Heigl and Jason Behr played siblings on Roswell and dated after meeting on set.J. Vespa / WireImage / Getty Images

15. Matthew Broderick and Jennifer Grey played bother and sister in Ferris Bueller's Day Off, but started secretly dating while finishing the film.

Jennifer said, "It started while we made the film. It was tricky because it was a secret. No one knew.” When they were on a vacation together in Ireland, they got into a tragic car accident that killed two people and also left both of them with severe injuries and chronic pain.

They then broke up shortly after. 

15. Matthew Broderick and Jennifer Grey played bother and sister in Ferris Bueller's Day Off, but started secretly dating while finishing the film.Ron Galella Ltd. / Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

16. Emily VanCamp and Chris Pratt played the sibling-duo Bright and Emily Abbott on Everwood, and they then dated for three years.

Chris said to the TV Guide, "Yeah, we've pretty much gotten used to the response of, 'Ew, that's weird. That's creepy.' The people who know us are happy and probably expected it to happen eventually. But yeah, every once in a while we get that one person that's like, 'That's really creepy. You just kissed your sister.'"

16. Emily VanCamp and Chris Pratt played the sibling-duo Bright and Emily Abbott on Everwood, and they then dated for three years.George Pimentel / WireImage / Getty Images

17. Kirstie Alley and Parker Stevenson got married in 1983, before they went on to play siblings on North and South: Book II.

17. Kirstie Alley and Parker Stevenson got married in 1983, before they went on to play siblings on North and South: Book II.Getty Images

18. Shannen Doherty and Jason Priestley played siblings on Beverly Hills, 90210, and years after the show ended, Jason briefly revealed that he dated Shannen along with some of his other costars.

Jason revealed that "various combinations of people slept with each other over the years," but "nobody ever got attached."

18. Shannen Doherty and Jason Priestley played siblings on Beverly Hills, 90210, and years after the show ended, Jason briefly revealed that he dated Shannen along with some of his other costars.Jeff Kravitz / FilmMagic / Getty Images

19. Jennifer Carpenter and Michael C. Hall played siiblings on Dexter, got married in 2008, divorced two years later. They still had to continue playing the roles until 2013, and when they returned for the 2021 revival.

19. Jennifer Carpenter and Michael C. Hall played siiblings on Dexter, got married in 2008, divorced two years later. They still had to continue playing the roles until 2013, and when they returned for the 2021 revival.David Livingston / Getty Images

20. Tamela and David Mann got married in 1988 but starred as a daughter-and-father duo in the movie and TV versions of Meet the Browns. They have reprised their roles in some Tyler Perry projects.

The pair has worked professionally together on several projects, including their BET reality show It's a Mann's World. They have five children together and have 13 grandchildren in total.

20. Tamela and David Mann got married in 1988 but starred as a daughter-and-father duo in the movie and TV versions of Meet the Browns. They have reprised their roles in some Tyler Perry projects.Rick Diamond / Getty Images

21. Milo Ventimiglia was Hayden Panettiere's uncle on Heroes; they started to date while the show ran in 2007 and stayed together for about two years.

21. Milo Ventimiglia was Hayden Panettiere's uncle on Heroes; they started to date while the show ran in 2007 and stayed together for about two years.Mathew Imaging / FilmMagic / Getty Images

Dating someone you work with is awkward enough, what more for these actors who decided to date their family member on-screen? It may sound weird, but hey, at least they aren't breaking any social norms in real life!

Comment down your thoughts, or share this article for all your family and friends to see!

Share this article:

Facebook icon Pinterest icon Tumblr icon Link icon Twitter icon

Related Articles

Gordon Ramsay Reveals Wife Tana's Small Betrayal That He 'Cannot Get Over'

Gordon Ramsay Reveals Wife Tana's Small Betrayal That He 'Cannot Get Over'

The Best Celebrity Yearbook Photos—See What Your Favorite Stars Looked Like In School

The Best Celebrity Yearbook Photos—See What Your Favorite Stars Looked Like In School

Actresses Who Voiced Disney Princesses Reveal Their Unexpected Choice For Best Disney Villain

Actresses Who Voiced Disney Princesses Reveal Their Unexpected Choice For Best Disney Villain

Neil Patrick Harris Discloses How Much He Was Earning On "How I Met Your Mother"

Neil Patrick Harris Discloses How Much He Was Earning On "How I Met Your Mother"

Stuart Little’s Human Sidekick, Jonathan Lipnicki, Is Now All Grown Up And Throwing Serious Punches In The MMA

Stuart Little’s Human Sidekick, Jonathan Lipnicki, Is Now All Grown Up And Throwing Serious Punches In The MMA

Drew Barrymore Promises To Keep Her Distance—But Not Her Charm—As Talk Show Gets Renewed

Drew Barrymore Promises To Keep Her Distance—But Not Her Charm—As Talk Show Gets Renewed

Lily Allen Gave Up Her Adopted Dog For The Strangest Reason

Lily Allen Gave Up Her Adopted Dog For The Strangest Reason

Insiders Reveal Oasis Reunion Is On The Horizon As Gallagher Brothers End Their Decade-Long Feud To Headline Glastonbury Festival

Insiders Reveal Oasis Reunion Is On The Horizon As Gallagher Brothers End Their Decade-Long Feud To Headline Glastonbury Festival

Jenna Ortega Shares Sickening Reason Why She Deleted Her X Account

Jenna Ortega Shares Sickening Reason Why She Deleted Her X Account

Five Iconic Roles You Wouldn’t Believe Tom Cruise Walked Away From

Five Iconic Roles You Wouldn’t Believe Tom Cruise Walked Away From

14 Actors Whose Careers Crashed And Burned After These Awful Roles

14 Actors Whose Careers Crashed And Burned After These Awful Roles

Quentin Tarantino Names The One Movie He Refuses To Watch, And Fans Totally Get It

Quentin Tarantino Names The One Movie He Refuses To Watch, And Fans Totally Get It

Seann William Scott Reveals How Much He Was Paid For Playing Stifler In American Pie, And It's Hard To Beleive

Seann William Scott Reveals How Much He Was Paid For Playing Stifler In American Pie, And It's Hard To Beleive

Justin Bieber’s Unexpected Request During Hailey’s Labor Leaves People Wondering

Justin Bieber’s Unexpected Request During Hailey’s Labor Leaves People Wondering

Sonic 3 Trailer Unveils Keanu Reeves As The New Big Bad Villain And Fans Everywhere Are Losing Their Minds

Sonic 3 Trailer Unveils Keanu Reeves As The New Big Bad Villain And Fans Everywhere Are Losing Their Minds

Jennifer Lopez’s ‘Unconventional’ Move In Her Divorce From Ben Affleck Is Leaving Legal Experts Baffled

Jennifer Lopez’s ‘Unconventional’ Move In Her Divorce From Ben Affleck Is Leaving Legal Experts Baffled

‘Rings Of Power’ Makes History As The Most Expensive Show Ever With Projected Cost Set At Over $1 Billion

‘Rings Of Power’ Makes History As The Most Expensive Show Ever With Projected Cost Set At Over $1 Billion

Demi Moore Tells All About What She Really Thinks of The Industry

Demi Moore Tells All About What She Really Thinks of The Industry

Armie Hammer Continues To Have Major Lows Following His Insane Accusations

Armie Hammer Continues To Have Major Lows Following His Insane Accusations

Oasis Reunion Talk By Gallagher Brothers Causes Online Uproar

Oasis Reunion Talk By Gallagher Brothers Causes Online Uproar

Jenna Ortega Breaks Silence On Rumors Concerning Her ‘Sizzling Romance’ With Johnny Depp

Jenna Ortega Breaks Silence On Rumors Concerning Her ‘Sizzling Romance’ With Johnny Depp

Gordon Ramsay's Wife Shares Surprising Truth Behind His Absence At Births Of Their First Four Kids

Gordon Ramsay's Wife Shares Surprising Truth Behind His Absence At Births Of Their First Four Kids

Just One 21st Century Film Secures A Spot In Letterboxd's Top 10 Movies Of All Time

Just One 21st Century Film Secures A Spot In Letterboxd's Top 10 Movies Of All Time

Snow White's Live-Action Trailer Sets Record—But Not The One Disney Hoped For

Snow White's Live-Action Trailer Sets Record—But Not The One Disney Hoped For

Talented And Hilarious Voice Actors Dubbing Minions Language Going Viral On Social Media

Talented And Hilarious Voice Actors Dubbing Minions Language Going Viral On Social Media

Tom Hardy’s First Roles Were Actually In Blockbuster TV Shows And Movies

Tom Hardy’s First Roles Were Actually In Blockbuster TV Shows And Movies

Categories

Funny Animals Interesting Freaky Pop Culture

Business

About Us Advertise Contact Us

Legal

Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy DMCA Removal
 Logo
About Us Privacy DMCA Removal Contact Us Terms Funny Animals Interesting Freaky Pop Culture

© 2025 - All Rights Reserved

 logo

Sign In to

facebook icon Sign in with facebook
facebook icon Sign in with google

Or sign in with email

Need an account? Sign Up

Forgot Password?

By creating an account, you agree to the Terms of Service

 logo

Sign Up to

Already have an account? Sign In

By creating an account, you agree to the Terms of Service

Edit profile

User Photo