During a candid exchange for Interview Magazine, Scarlett Johansson and David Harbour shared their thoughts on the complications of dating individuals who are not part of the entertainment business. The two Marvel actors brought their own experiences as they spoke about why a romantic relationship outside their field can present unique hurdles, offering a candid David Harbour perspective on dating non-actors.
Contrasting Experiences in Dating Inside and Outside the Industry
Scarlett Johansson has been married to both fellow entertainers and individuals with no ties to Hollywood. After her marriages to actor Ryan Reynolds and journalist Romain Dauriac, she is now married to Saturday Night Live’s Colin Jost. David Harbour, known for his role on Stranger Things and as Red Guardian in Black Widow, is married to singer Lily Allen and has had relationships with actresses such as Julia Stiles and Alison Sudol. Their personal histories set the stage for an honest discussion about what makes dating non-actors distinct from dating fellow artists or celebrities.
The Difficulties of Explaining an Artist’s Life
David Harbour addressed this topic from firsthand experience, sharing,
“I tried to date lawyers and business people in my twenties, but there’s something about being a carny freak that normal people don’t get,”
—David Harbour, Actor. When Johansson inquired about his dating history, Harbour’s remarks highlighted the gap in understanding between those immersed in the arts and those outside it.
Scarlett Johansson also reflected on her past relationships with people outside the film industry, stating,
“I’ve had serious relationships with people that were not in the industry, and I found one of the challenges was that the person had no idea of what I needed to do my job,”
—Scarlett Johansson, Actress. She elaborated on issues unique to actors:
“I also think it’s easy to create a lot of jealousy when a person is not involved in the industry, because actors by nature are very free-spirited and they create very intimate relationships with people at work,”
—Scarlett Johansson, Actress. Johansson further reflected,
“They can be loyal to a partner and also very engaged in all these other kinds of relationships, and I think it can be a blurry line for some people,”
—Scarlett Johansson, Actress. She added,
“Also, to have a relationship with the public can be a complicated thing for people outside of the industry to understand,”
—Scarlett Johansson, Actress.
How Immersion in Roles Impacts Relationships
David Harbour provided additional insight about how the demands of acting can spill over into personal relationships, especially when a partner is unfamiliar with the artistic process.
“Yes. There’s a certain way that we sort of put our lives on hold for a character,”
—David Harbour, Actor. He described the deep level of engagement required for his craft:
“This may sound crazy, but when I’m in a complex scene with someone that’s going extremely well, I feel like I’m living in a deeper way than I am in normal life,”
—David Harbour, Actor.
“And sometimes, if that’s going to be the focus of my day, I’m not going to want to waste life outside of that,”
—David Harbour, Actor.
Implications for Relationships in the Public Eye
The revealing conversation between Scarlett Johansson and David Harbour sheds light on the complex dynamics that come with being in a relationship with someone outside the film industry. Their perspectives suggest that even with loyalty and strong connections, the demands of public life and the immersive nature of their work can make it challenging for partners to fully relate. As Johansson and Harbour express, navigating romantic life when you are constantly in the spotlight or deeply invested in your characters presents hurdles that those outside Hollywood might struggle to appreciate.
