Sarah Jessica Parker has confirmed a long-speculated offscreen romance with Nicolas Cage nearly two decades after the release of their 1991 film Honeymoon in Vegas. During an interview on July 13 with Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live, the Sex and the City star admitted she and Cage briefly dated following their time filming the romantic comedy, revealing a secret relationship that fans had only hinted at before.
Though the couple‘s real-life romance was kept under wraps during the film’s release, Parker openly acknowledged their connection years later. Despite the relationship not lasting, Nicolas Cage and Sarah Jessica Parker eventually moved on to find love elsewhere, carving out separate paths in both their personal and professional lives.
An Overview of Nicolas Cage and Sarah Jessica Parker’s Early Personal Lives
Before and after their involvement with each other, both Cage and Parker had established families and romantic relationships. Nicolas Cage, known for roles like in Longlegs, had welcomed his oldest son Weston Cage with Christina Fulton. He was later married to Alice Kim for 12 years until their split in 2016, and has since married Riko Shibata, with whom he shares a young daughter named August.
On the other hand, Sarah Jessica Parker married actor Matthew Broderick six years after her brief involvement with Cage. Together, they have three children: their son James and twin daughters Tabitha and Marion. Parker has often expressed fondness for the early years of her marriage to Broderick, recalling moments that solidified her feelings for him.
Sarah Jessica Parker Reflects on the Start of Her Marriage to Matthew Broderick
In the same interview with Andy Cohen, Parker shared a tender memory of when she first suspected she was in love with Broderick. While preparing to leave for a film shoot on East 10th Street in New York, she found herself wondering if she should admit her feelings, since neither had verbally expressed love yet. Ultimately, she took the leap and confessed first, feeling there was “nothing to lose.”
“I just knew he was incredible just spending a little bit of time with him—I think it was pretty early,”
she remarked.
“I remember I had to leave to go on location to shoot a movie, and we were on East 10th street, and I was getting in a car to go away for a while. I remember thinking, ‘I think I love him. Should I say it?’ Because neither one of us had said it yet.”
—Sarah Jessica Parker, Actress
Other Notable Celebrity Relationships That Surprised Fans
Sarah Jessica Parker and Nicolas Cage are far from the only Hollywood stars to keep their romances private or even unexpected. Many celebrity couples have had relationships that were only revealed years later or were low-key at the time. The following summaries highlight several such partnerships from across the entertainment industry.
Brad Pitt and Juliette Lewis: Twice on Screen, Once in Reality
Brad Pitt and Juliette Lewis appeared together as ill-fated couples in both Too Young to Die? (1990) and Kalifornia (1993). Offscreen, their relationship was reportedly warm and memorable, though it ultimately ended.
“There’s some real genius there. I had a great time with her…It was one of the greatest relationships I’ve ever been in. The problem is, we grow up with this vision that love conquers all, and that’s just not so, is it?”
—Brad Pitt, Actor
Winona Ryder and Matt Damon: A Hollywood Pairing of the 1990s
Winona Ryder and Matt Damon were introduced reportedly by Gwyneth Paltrow before becoming a couple in the late 1990s, officially calling it quits by 2000. Both have since spoken respectfully of their time together.
“Matt couldn’t be a greater, nicer guy. I’m really lucky that I’m on good terms with him.”
—Winona Ryder, Actress
Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake: Four Years of Friendship and Romance
Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake’s chemistry first sparked at the 2003 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards. Their four-year relationship ended amicably in 2007, with a mutual statement emphasizing love and respect.
“mutually and as friends, with continued love and respect for one another.”
Alec Baldwin and Kristin Davis: A Brief But Wealthy Romance
While Kristin Davis focused on self-love, the Sex and the City alum briefly dated Alec Baldwin during her time on the HBO series. She humorously dismissed rumors of lending money to a former partner, clarifying it was not Baldwin.
“Alec Baldwin was so rich by the time I dated Alec Baldwin, I would have never needed to lend Alec $5,000. Oh my God.”
—Kristin Davis, Actress
David Moscow and Kerry Washington: A Short Engagement
Before parting ways in 2007, Kerry Washington and David Moscow were engaged and featured on the cover of InStyle Weddings in 2005. Their time together was significant but ultimately brief.
Madonna and Tupac Shakur: An Unexpected Connection
In an interview years after Tupac’s death, Madonna confirmed she was dating the rapper in the early 1990s, explaining the intensity of their relationship and his impact on her.
“I was dating Tupac at the time, and the thing is…he got me all riled up on life in general.”
—Madonna, Singer
Jake Gyllenhaal and Reese Witherspoon: From Co-stars to Partners
After starring together in the thriller Rendition in 2007, Jake Gyllenhaal and Reese Witherspoon dated for a couple of years, sharing an amicable bond even after their split.
“She is, as I would say about most of the women who I’m close friends with or had relationships in my life, one of the smartest, strongest people I’ve ever met.”
—Jake Gyllenhaal, Actor
Meg Tilly and Colin Firth: A Five-Year Relationship and Family
Before marrying Livia Giuggioli, Colin Firth had a five-year relationship with Meg Tilly, which resulted in the birth of their son William Joseph Firth, who later appeared alongside his father in Bridget Jones’s Baby.
Mandy Moore and Andy Roddick: A Brief Young Romance
Mandy Moore dated tennis star Andy Roddick around the time she was 18, describing the relationship as a youthful heartbreak.
“I was a kid, he was a kid. I started dating him when I was 18.”
—Mandy Moore, Singer and Actress
Dave Coulier and Alanis Morissette: A Music Mystery
Speculation surrounds whether Full House star Dave Coulier inspired Alanis Morissette’s hit song “You Oughta Know,” a theory Morissette has denied, leaving fans intrigued.
Alanis Morissette and Ryan Reynolds: A Polite Split
Alanis Morissette and Ryan Reynolds were engaged in the mid-2000s but parted ways amicably after four years together.
“Oh yeah, I love her music. It can be awkward when she walks in and I’m listening to it in my underwear dancing.”
—Ryan Reynolds, Actor
January Jones and Jason Sudeikis: Dating Before Fame Rose
January Jones briefly dated Jason Sudeikis in 2010, years before both found greater success in their acting careers.
Minnie Driver and Matt Damon: From Onscreen to Offscreen but No Happy Ending
Minnie Driver and Matt Damon’s real-life relationship ended despite good feelings remaining between them.
“I was with Minnie for a while, but we’re not really romantically involved anymore. We’re just really good friends, and I love her dearly… It wasn’t meant to be, you know? And if it’s not meant to be, then it’s not meant to be.”
—Matt Damon, Actor
“It’s unfortunate that Matt went on Oprah. It seemed like a good forum for him to announce to the world that we were no longer together, which I found fantastically inappropriate.”
—Minnie Driver, Actress
Helen Mirren and Liam Neeson: Early Relationship and Life Lessons
Liam Neeson credits Helen Mirren with teaching him to drive during the early 1980s while they lived together, marking a memorable chapter in his life.
“I should be so lucky and be honored to have spent three or four years with that lady. She’s really something else.”
—Liam Neeson, Actor
Jeff Goldblum and Laura Dern: Jurassic Park Romance
Jeff Goldblum and Laura Dern began dating after filming Jurassic Park, becoming engaged in 1995 before separating two years later. They reunited professionally for Jurassic World: Dominion in 2022.
“I was struck, I’d been a big fan of hers. I think she’s an amazing actress, and a spectacular person. I was struck from the beginning. But after the movie we realized we liked each other.”
—Jeff Goldblum, Actor
Gillian Anderson and Peter Morgan: A Creative Partnership
Gillian Anderson dated The Crown creator Peter Morgan between 2016 and 2020, during which she won an Emmy for her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher.
David Arquette and Ellen Barkin: A Relationship Born on Set
David Arquette and Ellen Barkin reportedly dated while filming the 1995 Western Wild Bill, demonstrating the frequent overlap of work and personal life in Hollywood.
Jeremy Sisto and Reese Witherspoon: Early Romance Confirmed
Jeremy Sisto confirmed dating Reese Witherspoon during a Reddit AMA in 2015, revealing a long-distance relationship after starring together in the 1992 TV movie Desperate Choices: To Save My Child.
“She was my first actress girlfriend. We had a long distance relationship for a long time. I was so into her.”
—Jeremy Sisto, Actor
Bethenny Frankel and Eric Stonestreet: A Short-Lived Connection
The Real Housewives of New York star and Modern Family actor briefly dated in 2015 before breaking up the next year.
Regina King and Malcolm-Jamal Warner: A Long-Term Relationship Ends
Regina King and Malcolm-Jamal Warner, known for his role on The Cosby Show, dated for several years before breaking up in 2013.
Kelly Preston and George Clooney: An Early Hollywood Romance
Before Clooney’s high-profile relationships, he lived with Kelly Preston and even shared a pet pig, Max, in the late 1980s.
Val Kilmer and Cher: Hollywood’s ‘Life After Love’ Pairing
Val Kilmer dated singer Cher following her divorces, a high-profile relationship during the 1980s that attracted attention for its glamor and intensity.
Seal and Tyra Banks: A Romance with a Supermodel
Before his marriage to Heidi Klum, musician Seal was romantically involved with supermodel Tyra Banks.
Meagan Good and Joseph Gordon-Levitt: A Brief Film Set Romance
Reports say Meagan Good and Joseph Gordon-Levitt dated for six months after meeting on the set of the 2005 film Brick.
Joshua Jackson and Rosario Dawson: A One-Year Relationship
Joshua Jackson and Rosario Dawson were a couple for about a year in 2002, highlighting another Hollywood pairing from the early 2000s.
Chris O’Donnell and Reese Witherspoon: Early Hollywood Days
Chris O’Donnell and Reese Witherspoon dated briefly in 1993, when Witherspoon had just moved to Los Angeles and started her career.
Sarah Jessica Parker and Robert Downey Jr.: A Relationship Marked by Challenges
Before Parker’s marriage to Matthew Broderick, she dated Robert Downey Jr. Their relationship ended largely due to Downey’s struggles with drugs and alcohol.
“I liked to drink, and I had a drug problem, and that didn’t jibe with Sarah Jessica, because it is the furthest thing from what she is. She tried to help me. She was so miffed when I didn’t get my act together.”
—Robert Downey Jr., Actor
Other Brief Celebrity Romances: Matthew Perry & Heather Graham, Tom Hiddleston & Kat Dennings
Matthew Perry and Heather Graham had a short fling in 2003, while Tom Hiddleston and Kat Dennings dated briefly in 2010 before their relationship quietly ended the following year.
Ryan Reynolds and Kristen Johnston: A Relationship Before the Spotlight
Before marrying Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds dated Kristen Johnston in 1999. They attended the premiere of The Green Mile together, marking a significant public appearance during their relationship.
The confirmation of Nicolas Cage and Sarah Jessica Parker’s past relationship highlights once again the complex and often private nature of romantic connections in Hollywood. Their story, along with many other notable celebrity romances, demonstrates how actors balance career demands with personal lives, often amidst intense media scrutiny. As these revelations surface over time, they add a new dimension to how fans understand and connect with their favorite stars beyond the silver screen.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Was Nicolas Cage in Star Wars?
A. In summary, Cage expressed that he considers himself part of the Star Trek world, not Star Wars. Although he won’t be traveling to distant galaxies with Star Wars, he hopes to take part in a future Star Trek project.
Q. What was Nicolas Cage’s downfall?
A. Cage faced financial problems after many of his films flopped at the box office, hurting his reputation as a leading actor. With fewer Hollywood offers, he acted in more than 25 direct-to-video movies to pay off his debts.
