Jamie Lee Curtis on overcoming 'hatred' in 42-year marriage


The Freaky Friday actress opened up about weathering periods of "hatred" and avoiding "regret" during her four decades of marriage to Christopher Guest


© Getty
Nichola Murphy
Nichola MurphyLifestyle Editor
1 hour ago

Despite having one of the most enduring marriages in Hollywood, Jamie Lee Curtis admitted that she has learned to overcome "hatred" in her four decades with Christopher Guest.

Having tied the knot in 1984, the Oscar-winning actress has long argued that enduring love requires weathering tough times and still choosing each other. 

The Freaky Friday actress previously told HELLO!: "Don't leave. That's really it – two words. Because you will want to. If you're telling me anybody who's married for a long time hasn't thought 'I hate them, I want out,' of course they have! I believe if you stay on the bus long enough, the scenery will change!"

Years later, she elaborated to Entertainment Tonight: "Like, all of a sudden, you literally wanna hate each other, and then the next day, it’s a pretty, sunny day. And the dog does something cute. And your child does something cute. And you look at each other, and you’re like, 'Aw, gosh.' And then you’re on another track."

Jamie urged couples never to allow temporary resentment to prompt a choice they might later "regret."

jamie lee curtis christopher guest kiss© Getty
Jamie Lee Curtis opened up about the secret to her four-decade marriage

Aside from "a really good dose of hatred", she credits "perseverance, patience [and] gentleness" as the secret to their successful relationship.

Jamie Lee Curtis and Christopher Guest's romance

Jamie and Christopher met in 1984, and she made the first move, which was initially not reciprocated. 

The Halloween actress first stumbled across a photo of her future husband while flipping through a 1984 issue of Rolling Stone with producer Debra Hill.

jamie lee curtis christopher guest young© Getty
The actress and the writer got married just months after they started dating in 1984

"I looked at the man on the right, wearing a plaid shirt and a waggish smirk. I'd never seen him before, but I pointed at him. 'I'm going to marry that guy,' I said to my friend," she later told The Oprah Magazine.

Despite the fact that Christopher never returned her call, their paths crossed again at Hugo's restaurant.

They sparked up a long-distance romance while Christopher worked on Saturday Night Live, and after just four months of dating, they tied the knot in December 1984 at Rob Reiner's Los Angeles home.

Annie Guest, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Ruby Guest attend Universal Pictures World Premiere of "Halloween Ends" on October 11, 2022 in Hollywood, California© Getty
Jamie and Christopher are parents to Annie and Ruby

"I think it's crucial to put yourself in the path of love. Look, I reached out to his [Guest’s] agent. I left my number. He didn’t call me by the way," she told HELLO!.

"And then we ran into each other at a restaurant and then he called me. But I put myself in the path of it, because I have believed in that my whole life. Put yourself in the path, do your work and let God take over the rest.

"I'm now 62, I've raised two children, I’ve started this little company [My Hand In Yours], I'm married, we have a beautiful life together," the actress added.

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