From Elizabeth and Richard to Brad and Angelina, see the real-life celebrity couples who started their off-screen romance on set...
While we may know our loved-up celebs from their red carpet kisses and undeniable chemistry on-screen, what you may not know is that most of your favourite A-list celebrity couples first met on a movie set. As Oscar Wilde said, Life imitates Art far more than Art imitates Life , and nowhere is that more true than in some of Hollywood s most enduring and popular pairings. Combining unbelievable talent and envy-inducing good looks, movie star couples have wowed and entertained the movie-going public ever since we first got to know the private lives of celebs. Scandals and innocent romances are just some of the stories we ve consumed, from hush-hush affairs of the 40s to the supercouple names of the Noughties. Celebrity real-life couples have always kept our attention, with the rare few becoming pop culture phenomenons in themselves. Who can forget Brangelina, Robsten or even Bennifer. But while we all love watching our favourite on-screen couples taking their romance to the real world, we re always a sucker for a good pic of two gorgeous people looking lovingly into the eyes of their partners on the red carpet. In truth though, it s probably the love stories and the media speculation behind Hollywood s super couples that have really set our hearts racing over the years.
The 22 Hottest Hollywood Hook-ups
From the old school romance of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, to the modern day lovebirds Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, we've decided to count down the hottest Hollywood hook-ups ever, from when celebs found love on set.
The 22 Hottest Hollywood Hook-ups
From the old school romance of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, to the modern day lovebirds Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, we've decided to count down the hottest Hollywood hook-ups ever, from when celebs found love on set.
Heath Ledger & Michelle Williams
First Met On The Set Of: Brokeback Mountain
When: 2004
Meeting on the set of Brokeback Mountain, screenwriter Diana Ossana recalls the moment when Heath fell in love with Michelle, saying that after Michelle hurt her knee during filming, Heath looked at her and it was truly love at first sight. He was so taken with her. Only a year after filming, Michelle gave birth to their only daughter in 2005 with the family living in New York. Breaking up in 2007, Heath s untimely death in 2008 meant that their daughter, Matilda Rose, was given his Oscar for his work as the Joker in the Oscar-nominated The Dark Knight.
Elizabeth Taylor & Richard Burton
First Met On The Set Of: Cleopatra
When: 1962
While filming the classic Cleopatra, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton made headlines with their on-set affair, as both were married at the time. The paparazzi stalked the twosome, even in the 60s, to get a shot of the duo, confirming their romance with a shot of them lounging on a yacht - becoming one of the first celebrity couples to be outed by the media. The scandal was so consumed by the public that the Vatican even chimed in, calling the affair an 'erotic vagrancy'.
They both subsequently divorced their spouses, and married each other in 1964, leading a whirlwind lifestyle and making many, many more movies together that ultimately ended in divorce in 1974. They remarried in 1975, but divorced less than a year later. Elizabeth would go on to say that 'after Richard, the men in my life were just there to hold the coat, to open the door. All the men after Richard were really just company.'
Humphrey Bogart & Lauren Bacall
First Met On The Set Of: To Have And Have Not
When: 1944
One of the stranger hookups on our list, Humphrey Bogart was 44 when he met a young 19-year-old Lauren Bacall on the set of To Have And Have Not. Married to another actress Helen Menken at the time, Humphrey and Lauren would start a private affair, with Humphrey divorcing Menken and marrying Lauren only a year after meeting in 1945. The cinematic duo would go on to star in five films together, including the critically acclaimed noir The Big Sleep. They remained happily married until Humphrey's death in 1957 due to cancer.
Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie
First Met On The Set Of: Mr & Mrs Smith
When: 2004
Meeting on the set of Mr & Mrs Smith in the summer of 2004, the palpable chemistry between Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie prompted many fans of the film to wonder if the two had an off-screen relationship. Though Brad divorced Friends actress Jennifer Aniston in 2005, it wasn?t until Angelina announced that she was pregnant with Brad?s child in 2006 that the couple came out as an official couple.
While many speculated that Brad and Angelina began their relationship while filming, Angelina would only go as far to say that the film holds a special place for her children, explaining ?Not a lot of people get to see a movie where their parents fell in love.?
Nearly 11 years later, 'Brangelina', are now parents as we love to call them are still going strong. Marrying in 2014 on the wishes of their six children, the still-in-love duo have even gone on to film their second movie together with By The Sea, which has been directed by Angelina herself.
Ryan Gosling & Rachel McAdams
First Met On The Set Of: The Notebook
When: 2004
Cute couple Ryan and Rachel first hooked up on the set of The Notebook, confirming their real-life romance as they accepted Best Kiss at the MTV Movie Awards in 2005, recreating their steamy on-screen kiss on stage. Unfortunately the romance didn't last, and the pair split in 2007, with Ryan telling GQ: 'Women are mad at me. A girl came up to me on the street and she almost smacked me. Like, "How could you? How could you let a girl like that go?"'
Ryan is now dating Eva Mendes, who gave birth to their daughter last year.
Robert Pattinson & Kristen Stewart
First Met On The Set Of: Twilight
When: 2008
One of the most high profile on-set hookups of all time, the cheeky Twilight twosome have been the subject of are-they, aren't-they rumours almost since the Twilight Saga began. During the release of the first film, director Catherine Hardwick said of the pair: 'Robert and Kristen have this amazing sexual chemistry between them - we could see it in the audition. That's why we cast them, you can't create that,' and many said their steamy scenes on screen gave away much more than the pair were letting on.
Four years after the first instalment of Twilight came out, R-Patz and K-Stew were two of the biggest stars on the planet, making headlines around the world with rumours about their still-as-of-yet-unconfirmed relationship and their red carpet appearances together.
However, it was not to be. After confirming in an interview that 'My Boyfriend Is English' during some downtime in an interview in 20XX (the quote quickly started trending on Twitter), in 20XX the two broke up following Stewart's much-publicised affair with a certain director.
Jennifer Lopez & Ben Affleck
First Met On The Set Of: Gigli
When: 2003
Possibly one of the most-publicised romances in Hollywood history, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck met on the set of Gigli in 2003 and were soon a definite item. After almost two years together, the couple called off their planned wedding. Later the actor admitted that the Bennifer period 'was probably bad for my career.' What a gent.
The two have since found love with and divorced other leading men and ladies, but the original Bennifer will always be in our hearts.
Tom Cruise & Nicole Kidman
First Met On The Set Of: Days of Thunder
When: 1990
Tom and Nic met on the set of Days of Thunder in 1990, and married less than a year later in December 1990. They adopted two children, Tom and Isabella, but split in 2001 after 11 years together. Soon after, Tom hooked up with Penelope Cruz on the set of Vanilla Sky, and married and divorced Katie Holmes.
Nicole, meanwhile, found love with country star Keith Urban who she now lives with in the US of A.
Meg Ryan & Russell Crowe
First Met On The Set Of: Proof Of Life
When: 2000
Another film, another romance. Meeting on the set of action thriller, Proof Of Life, America's sweetheart Meg Ryan hooked up with Australian bad boy Russell Crowe, causing a media sensation due to her still being married to actor Dennis Quaid. Though Meg and Russell didn't pursue the relationship further, Meg would go on to say to Insight magazine that Dennis had been unfaithful to her for many years prior resulting in their divorce a mere year later.
Angelina Jolie & Jonny Lee Miller
First Met On The Set Of: Hackers
When: 1995
While we all know Brangelina, what you may not know is that Angelina Jolie?s first husband was actually another actor: Jonny Lee Miller. Jon and Ange first met on the set of their early thriller flick, Hackers, but didn't start a relationship until several months after production, resulting in a whirlwind romance that led to them getting married in 1996.
Ange made a serious style statement, attending her wedding in black rubber pants and a white T-shirt, upon which she wrote 'Jonny' in her own blood. Despite the passionate display, the twosome separated only a year later and divorced in 1999.
The first of many on-set hookups for Angelina, she went on to say that Jonny was the ?greatest husband a girl could ask for. I?ll always love him, we were simply too young.?
Penelope Cruz & Javier Bardem
First Met On The Set Of: Jamón Jamón
When: 1992
Penelope and Javier first met on the set of Spanish flick, Jamón Jamón in 1992, but it wasn't until they reunited to film Vicky Christina Barcelona in 2008 that they officially became an item. Their steamy on-screen chemistry instantly set the romance rumour mill alight, but the pair never officially confirmed their relationship, staying out of the spotlight, and marrying quietly in an intimate ceremony in the Bahamas in 2010. They are now parents to a beautiful baby boy Leo, and girl, Luna.
Jennifer Aniston & Vince Vaughn
First Met On The Set Of: The Break-Up
When: 2005
Ironically, Jen and Vince hooked up on the set of romantic comedy The Break-Up, and quickly became one of the most talked about couples in Hollywood. 'She's awesome,' Vaughn told US mag People after they got together. 'She has just a wonderful warmth and likeability about her.'
However, it was not to be and the pair went their separate ways in November 2006, with Jennifer Aniston finding love several years later with another on-set hookup.
Tom Cruise & Penelope Cruz
First Met On The Set Of: Vanilla Sky
When: 2000
The A-list pair met on the set of Vanilla Sky in 2000, when Tom was mid-way through a high-profile divorce with Nicole Kidman. Rumours of a romance were rife after some steamy scenes on screen, but the pair kept their blossoming relationship under wraps until they had finished filming the flick. Tom and Pen stayed together for three years, but finally called time on their relationship in 2004, blaming long stints apart for the split.
Jude Law & Sienna Miller
First Met On The Set Of: Alfie
When: 2004
Jude and Sienna first got together in 2004, on the set of Sienna's first flick, Alfie. Jude had just split up with Sadie Frost, and he and Sienna quickly became one of the hottest couples around, hitting the Hollywood circuit and quickly getting engaged. But disaster struck when Jude admitted to an affair with his nanny, Daisy Wright, and he and Sienna went their separate ways. The romance wasn't over for good though, and the pair briefly reconciled in 2009, ultimately ending the relationship for good in 2011.
Rachel Weisz & Daniel Craig
First Met On The Set Of: Dream House
When: 2010
Playing a married couple in psychological thriller Dream House must have sparked something between old friends, Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz, who confirmed their romance a year later. Getting married in a private NYC ceremony attended by Daniel's 18-year-old daughter and Rachel's 5-year-old son Henry in June 2011, the happily married duo continue to support each others' work, with Rachel being spotted at Spectre's various film premieres in late 2015.
Renee Zellweger & Jim Carrey
First Met On The Set Of: Me, Myself & Irene
When: 1999
It may seem like a lifetime away, but at one point in box office history, Jim Carrey and Renee Zellweger were the biggest stars in Hollywood, what with Jim s comedy hits Ace Ventura and The Mask and Renee s star turn as Bridget Jones. After starring together in dark comedy, Me, Myself & Irene, Hollywood s stars aligned and the unlikely couple went on to have a much-publicised, but short-lived romance, even getting engaged in 2000. The romance fizzled out as fast as it started though, with Renee and Jim moving on with other industry folk shortly thereafter.
Goldie Hawn & Kurt Russell
First Met On The Set Of: The One And Only, Genuine, Original Family Band
When: 1968
One of Hollywood s few success stories in love, Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell have been together since 1984, after working together on the comedy-drama Swing Swift. Though they first met on the set of The One And Only, Genuine, Original Family Band back in the 60s, the loved-up couple is now the caretakers of a large family TV and film dynasty.
Tim Robbins & Susan Surandon
First Met On The Set Of: Bull Durham
When: 1988
Susan Surandon may have chosen Kevin Costner in the sports romance film, Bull Durham, but it was her chemistry with co-star Tim Robbins that led the duo to become one of Hollywood s favourite romances. The couple were together for an eternity by Hollywood standards and the pair share two sons together, Jack Henry and Miles Guthrie. Sadly, the relationship ended in 2009 with Susan admitting to AARP magazine that it ended as a result of her Broadway show, Exit The King, which made her reevaluate my union and my life.
Rupert Friend & Keira Knightley
First Met On The Set Of: Pride and Prejudice
When: 2005
Though Elizabeth Bennet ends up with Mr. Darcy in the film adaptation of everyone s favourite novel, Keira Knightley, who played Elizabeth, actually fell for the dastardly Mr. Wickham IRL played by British actor Rupert Friend. The twosome were spotted at many a London event during their five-year relationship, but ultimately called it quits in 2010.
Ryan Gosling & Sandra Bullock
First Met On The Set Of: Murder By Numbers
When: 2002
Probably one of the hottest couples on our list, Ryan and Sandra were a private couple in Hollywood, due to Ryan being only 22 to Sandra s 38 (cougars weren t in yet apparently). Starring together in the thriller Murder By Numbers, their magnetic chemistry certainly translated off-screen as Ryan would go on to tell The Times that despite the relationship only lasting one year till 2003, that he had two of the greatest girlfriends of all time , referring to Sandra and his other former co-star Rachel McAdams.
Jennifer Aniston & Justin Theroux
First Met On The Set Of: Wanderlust
When: 2011
After working together on comedy film, Wanderlust, Jennifer Aniston once again made headlines after it was revealed she was dating another one of her co-stars, this time Justin Theroux, actor, director and writer of one of our all-time favourite comedies Tropic Thunder. In 2012, Just-Jen announced their engagement. Fastf-forward three years though and managing to fool friends and family, the lovebirds secretly wed in a private ceremony in August 2015, finally giving Rachel Green the wedding we ve all been waiting for. Congrats you two.
Freddie Prinze Jr. & Sarah Michelle Gellar
First Met On The Set Of: I Know What You Did Last Summer
When: 1997
Scream Queen Sarah Michelle Gellar and 90s heartthrob Freddie Prinze Jr. first met on the set of teen slasher film I Know What You Did Last Summer. Though the two played frenemies in the film, the chemistry between the two was so strong, they hit it off off-screen and got together nearly three years after completing the film. After dating for a year, the couple were married in 2001, and have since played each others love interests as Daphne and Fred in the film adaptation of classic cartoon Scooby Doo. How cute is that?
