Michelle Pfeiffer, husband David E. Kelley break decades-long rule in marriage

April 18, 2026, 11:18 AM EST
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" Michelle Pfeiffer is starring in her husband David E. Kelley’s new show "Margot’s Got Money Troubles" — marking the couple’s first collaboration after 32 years of marriage. In the Apple+ TV series, which is based on Rufi Thorpe’s best-selling book of the same name, the 67-year-old actress plays former Hooter’s waitress Shyanne Millet, whose daughter Margot Millet (Elle Fanning) creates an OnlyFans account after an unexpected pregnancy leaves her broke.

Kelley, 70 — one of TV’s most successful and prolific showrunners after creating mega-hit shows including "Ally McBeal," "The Practice," "Boston Legal" and "Big Little Lies" among many others — and Pfeiffer previously vowed never to work with each other as they deemed it would be too "risky" for their marriage. During a recent appearance on "Today," Pfeiffer, who is also serving as one of the show’s executive producers, explained why the role of Shyanne was too irresistible for her to pass up.

Pfeiffer explained that she read the book and immediately identified with Shyanne because she born and raised in Southern California’s Orange County, while the book and the show were set in nearby Fullerton. "I just fell madly in love with her and I couldn’t imagine anyone else playing her," Pfeiffer said. The three-time Oscar nominee first spoke about her marriage pact with Kelley during a 2021 interview with The New Yorker. "I’ve seen a lot of couples where they seem to have a really great marriage, and then they work together and next year they’re filing for divorce," she told the outlet at the time.

Pfeiffer and Kelley first met in 1993 after being set up on a blind date. The "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" star was previously married to actor Peter Horton from 1981 to 1988. During a 2022 appearance on "The Tonight Show with Jimmy Kimmel," Pfeiffer recalled that she was initially hesitant to meet Kelley. "I was kind of nervous … and I’d had a couple of bad blind dates and I had sworn off of them, and my best friend said, ‘Please, just this last time, meet this guy, David Kelley,’ and I said, ‘OK,’" Pfeiffer recalled. "I thought it was a good idea to do like a bowling party."

While Pfeiffer said the blind date ended up being fairly awkward and "didn’t start off great," the two began dating shortly afterward. Prior to embarking on a relationship with Kelley, the actress had already started private adoption proceedings. In March 1993, she finalized her adoption of daughter Claudia Rose, two months after she and Kelley started dating. However, Pfeiffer later said that the unconventional circumstances ultimately strengthened their relationship. "So, we had this child with us right away, and most people don’t have that," she told Good Housekeeping in 2007 via People magazine. "But I really got to see [Kelley] in a situation that certainly would separate the boys from the men. Obviously, he really rose to the occasion."

The couple went on to tie the knot in November 1993, less than a year after they first met. Kelley officially adopted Claudia and the pair welcomed their son, John Henry, in August 1994. However, the pair decided that they wouldn’t test their bond by collaborating creatively, though Pfeiffer has previously said she was a big fan of her husband’s work. "Nobody writes, honestly, better for women than he does," Pfeiffer said during a 2022 appearance on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon." "It’s unbelievable. And yet, I value our relationship more than a good part, and I just think it’s too risky."

"We’re both kind of fierce when we work, and so if I come home, and I’ve had a bad day, and I’m upset about something, I want him to be on my side because he hasn’t heard the other side," she added. " But I didn’t realize how good she was until I saw it up on the screen. And then I realized, ‘Wow, she’s really good at this. She’s really, really good at this.’"

The couple’s collaboration on "Margo’s Got Money Troubles" has been a success, breaking a decades-long rule in their marriage. Pfeiffer and Kelley have proven that sometimes, stepping out of your comfort zone and taking a risk can lead to great rewards. Their partnership on the show has not only showcased their individual talents but also their ability to work together harmoniously. ## Michelle Pfeiffer, husband David E. Kelley break decades-long rule in marriage

In a surprising twist, Michelle Pfeiffer and husband David E. Kelley have broken a longstanding rule in their marriage, with Kelley praising Pfeiffer’s acting talents in a recent project.

⚡ Key Facts

  • The Core: Michelle Pfeiffer and David E. Kelley have worked together on a project for the first time in their marriage.
  • The Breakdown: Kelley expressed newfound appreciation for Pfeiffer’s acting skills after seeing her interpret his material.
  • The Impact: This unexpected collaboration has caught the attention of fans and media alike.

    🔍 The Deep Dive

    Why it’s happening: Michelle Pfeiffer and David E. Kelley recently worked together on a project, leading to Kelley praising Pfeiffer’s acting abilities. This marks a departure from their previous decision to not mix work with their personal relationship. Read more

    From one perspective: Advocates for change suggest that breaking their long-standing rule could lead to new opportunities for the couple both personally and professionally. This collaboration may open doors to more joint projects in the future, showcasing their talents as a power couple in Hollywood. Read more

    On the other hand: Conversely, critics maintain that mixing work and personal relationships can be risky and may put unnecessary strain on the marriage. From a traditionalist standpoint, some may argue that boundaries should be maintained to ensure a healthy balance between personal and professional life. Read more

    🏁 The Bottom Line

    As Michelle Pfeiffer and David E. Kelley navigate this new chapter in their marriage, all eyes are on what future collaborations may arise from this unexpected partnership. Will this break from tradition lead to more joint projects, or will they choose to keep their personal and professional lives separate moving forward? Stay tuned for more updates on this Hollywood power couple. Michelle Pfeiffer and her husband David E. Kelley have broken a decades-long rule in their marriage by working together on a new project. The couple, who have been married for 27 years, made a pact early on in their relationship to never work together in order to avoid potential conflicts and maintain a healthy balance in their personal and professional lives.

    However, Pfeiffer revealed in a recent interview that they decided to break that rule for the first time to collaborate on a new project called "French Exit," a film adaptation of the novel by Patrick deWitt. The actress admitted that she was initially hesitant to work with her husband, but ultimately couldn’t resist the opportunity to work on such a unique and special project together.

    Pfeiffer explained that their decision to work together was a risky one, but ultimately paid off in the end. She praised Kelley for his talent as a writer and director, and expressed her gratitude for the experience of working alongside him on set.

    The couple’s decision to break their long-standing rule in their marriage highlights the importance of taking risks and stepping outside of one’s comfort zone in order to grow and evolve both personally and professionally. Despite the potential challenges that may arise from working with a spouse, Pfeiffer and Kelley’s collaboration on "French Exit" ultimately strengthened their bond and created a new level of intimacy in their relationship.

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