Inside Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin’s Red-Hot Love Story

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When it comes to Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin, opposites attracted and formed an iconic bond.

Marriage isn’t always easy or glamorous,” Lisa shared on a February episode of Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s show, Dinner’s on Me, adding that it often takes a lot of effort.

Lisa Rinna would rather work through things with her husband of nearly 29 years, Harry Hamlin, than with anyone else. They share two daughters: Delilah Belle Hamlin, 27, and Amelia Gray Hamlin, 24.

Of course, it also doesn’t hurt that, as Lisa put it in her new memoir, “the sex is still great.”

Despite not doing it frequently anymore, when Harry and I do perform together, it’s just as strong as ever,” the 62-year-old shared in his book, You Better Believe I’m Gonna Talk About It. “After all this time, we still work incredibly well together as a team.

These teammates tend to be independent, preferring to work separately and then share their findings with each other – though they definitely collaborate in other ways.

Lisa explained on Live With Kelly and Ryan in 2018 that she and her partner are very different. She said they don’t share any common interests, joking that he’s fascinated by things like rockets and space, while she enjoys shopping.

 

In a 2024 interview with the New York Post, Harry explained that he and his partner have different interests. He said they enjoy different types of music, with her being more interested in fashion and him in cooking. He also noted his love for camping and hiking, which she doesn’t share.

Despite our different interests, the key to our relationship is mutual respect, love, and truly listening to one another,” the 74-year-old explained. “I believe that’s what makes it work.”

That ‘special sauce’ in their relationship actually comes down to a lot of things – as Lisa joked on Live, being the third wife might be a good luck charm! But seriously, they both make communication a top priority.

After her first season on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Lisa explained to Bravo’s Daily Dish that she and her husband share everything in their lives and that she deeply values his thoughts and respect – and he feels the same way about her.

Even when she was writing her memoir, Traitors contestant revealed to TopMob News in February that she felt “very nervous” about her “really, really smart” husband reading it.

Lisa was worried about how Harry would react, but he actually loved it. He told her she was brave and open, and that she’d done a fantastic job. His positive feedback meant the most to her, as his opinion is more important to her than anyone else’s.

And the Yale grad remains his wife’s biggest fan, even if her hobbies are not his.

According to a 2018 interview with LaPalme magazine, Lisa – known for her understanding of social media and pop culture – explained that her true passions lie in politics and science. The L.A. Law alumnus, who helped start the fusion power company Tri Alpha Energy (now TAE Technologies) in the 1990s, also shared that she and her family dedicated significant effort to therapy, communication, and self-improvement to build a strong foundation.

Harry observed that they still had great chemistry. As they explained it, they genuinely enjoyed each other’s company, and their different personalities kept things interesting – they never ran out of things to talk about.

Lisa shared with Star magazine in 2013 that they view marriage as something to be deeply respected and valued. She explained that many couples rush into marriage thinking they’re prepared, have a wedding, and then struggle with the realities of commitment. According to Lisa, a successful marriage requires complete dedication and a willingness to give your all to your partner, otherwise it won’t last.

But first, the stars have to align.

Harry, who has a 45-year-old son named Dimitri with actress Ursula Andress (known for her role in Dr. No), married Nicollette Sheridan in March 1991. He then met Lisa in 1992 while at a restaurant.

He told People magazine in 2022 that he wasn’t thinking about anything beyond that moment, but he was immediately struck by her beauty.

Lisa, a newcomer to Days of Our Lives, was completely starstruck when she met Harry, who was named People‘s Sexiest Man Alive in 1987. Harry playfully admitted he was instantly smitten with her, too.

Harry filed for divorce that August.

During his first date with Lisa, months after they met, a waiter at the Italian restaurant they were dining at playfully predicted their future, according to Harry in a 2024 interview with Us Weekly. The waiter told them, “You two are going to get married and have children. You’re soulmates, and you’re going to have a great life together.”

On March 29, 1997, they got married in their Hollywood Hills backyard with around 150 guests. The smooth jazz artist Kenny G. played a special song as the bride walked down the aisle.

Dimitri, who was sixteen at the time, traveled from Rome – where he lived with his mother – to come to the U.S. and be his father’s best man. He had recently moved to attend Princeton University.

According to a friend of the couple, he shared how much Harry means to him, and expressed his love for Lisa, saying they’re a perfect match. This was reported by People magazine at the time.

 

The pair have been complementing each other ever since.

Delilah was born in June 1998, and her sister Amelia followed in June 2001. Both girls appeared on TV, first on the 2010 show Harry Loves Lisa, and later on RHOBH, where their mother, Lisa, was a cast member from 2014 to 2022.

Okay, so Harry initially teased that he’d be reaching out to his lawyer if Lisa took the Real Housewives job – you know, a playful threat! But honestly, it quickly became clear she was absolutely thriving in that world. She really found her groove, and it was amazing to watch. It just proved that sometimes, stepping outside your comfort zone can be the best thing for you.

In a 2013 interview with Star, Lisa explained that she’s confident in voicing her opinions. She said she’s not afraid to share her thoughts or defend her position, and that Harry appreciates her strength and willingness to stand up for herself.

In a December 2015 interview with The Daily Dish, she admitted she wasn’t always easy to be with, often saying or doing things that caused problems. She expressed gratitude for her husband’s unwavering support, saying he always picked her up and held her hand through difficult times. She described him as incredible and felt lucky to have his unconditional love, which she reciprocated completely.

But they both know by now that love isn’t all you need.

Lisa shared with People magazine in February that relationships can drift, but it’s important to reconnect. She emphasized that a successful marriage requires consistent effort.

And “mutual respect” was imperative, she added. 

Lisa emphasized that as soon as you start to treat each other with less respect, it’s time to seek therapy and address it. She explained that it’s easy for negative feelings to build up over time, and you might even be holding onto anger from years ago without realizing it. She urged people to recognize and deal with these issues before they become bigger problems.

Read on for more secrets from long-married Hollywood couples who know:

In their book What Makes a Marriage Last, Hermann explained that he never expected to share so much laughter with his wife of over 20 years, Marlo Thomas. He believes this shared joy is essential to who they are as a couple. He added that their marriage thrives because they love each other unconditionally, which he describes as true grace.

He also shared that finding happiness is crucial, even after disagreements. Hermann revealed that after a heated argument, one of them will usually try to lighten the mood with a joke – often about the very thing they were fighting about. He explained, “It’s like saying, ‘I’m not admitting I was wrong, but can we start to find our way back to a place of connection?’ If that happens, it’s a good sign they’re resolving the issue.”

They’ve managed to avoid major changes in their relationship by continuing to follow the advice they received before getting married in 2003. Even with five children, they prioritize weekly date nights and have chosen to connect in ways other than watching TV.

Chip says the best advice he can give is to passionately pursue the person you love. After twenty years, he still approaches their relationship like he’s trying to win a second date. He jokes that while he can’t guarantee she’d never be unfaithful, it certainly won’t be because he stopped showing her affection, forgetting special occasions, or telling her he loves her.

Kevin Bacon jokingly advises against taking relationship advice from celebrities, reflecting on his 36-year marriage. He and his wife have a simple rule: “Keep the fights clean and the sex dirty” – a phrase they use to quickly shut down any further questions about their relationship.

In reality, they prioritize resolving conflicts quickly and avoid prolonged arguments. As Bacon’s wife explained, they focus on finding solutions rather than winning. They simply don’t enjoy fighting and want to restore peace as soon as possible. Ultimately, she emphasized that they are committed to making things work, because there’s no backup plan – they want to stay together no matter what.

After over 37 years of marriage, these actors have learned how to argue constructively. One of them explained that they avoid bringing up past hurts during disagreements. “Some couples target their partner’s weaknesses,” he said, “but we don’t do that.”

They do argue sometimes, and he admits he often wants to immediately take back hurtful things he says, but knows that doesn’t solve anything. Instead, he lets his wife guide the way by giving him space. She, in turn, practices understanding, reminding herself, ‘He said something silly that hurt my feelings, but he’s a good person, and I’m sure he didn’t mean to.’

Speaking on Today in December 2024, just before their 40th wedding anniversary, Curtis shared that Christopher Guest still makes her laugh more than anyone else. She playfully added that he must find something to like about her, even if she isn’t sure what it is.

Okay, so Neil Patrick Harris basically just gets relationships, and honestly, it’s everything. He was talking about how he and David have stayed together for so long, and it’s because they don’t even try to define what their relationship is – it just is. It’s been 21 years of craziness – he went from acting to becoming a chef with his cookbook, raising the twins, Gideon and Harper, and just life, you know? He said marriage is always changing. Like, eventually things get…routine, and you have to work at it. He was so honest about how attraction shifts – it fades, then you have to find new ways to reconnect, especially as you get older! But then he said the most beautiful thing – you start falling in love with their soul. And then, amazingly, their body again! It’s like it’s constantly evolving. He said they keep falling in love with each other, but in different ways, over and over. I’m seriously obsessed with how real he is about it all. It’s just…goals.

The comedic duo genuinely believe their laughter extends their lives, and not just during their 19 years together. The actress from Can You Ever Forgive Me? explained that after a particularly hilarious moment – the kind that leaves you breathless – they calculate how much extra life it’s given them. She jokingly keeps a running tally, saying, “That one was worth two months! I just got two more months to live!”

They also limit how long disagreements last. Following the advice to never go to bed angry, Falcone shared that she tried letting an argument linger overnight once, but quickly forgot what she was even upset about. She realized it’s pointless to try and resolve things when everyone is tired or has had something to drink. She’s never had a late-night argument end with a satisfying resolution and a truce.

Both had been married previously when they met in 1995, and quickly found themselves blending families, each with two children. The actor, known for Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, explained, “I realized right away these kids already have a mother—and it’s not me. So, what could I offer?” He decided to be a supportive presence. “Everyone needs a cheerleader, and there’s never too many of those. I never tried to discipline them or teach them right from wrong—they already had parents for that.” The Cheers star completely agreed. “Offering yourself as a friend is a really smart approach,” he said. “Just let them know you’re not going to judge or discipline, you’re simply going to be there for them. That’s all you need to do: be genuinely present.”

Elton John and David Furnish formalized their relationship as soon as it was legally possible. They had a civil union ceremony in Britain on December 21, 2005, and then married on the same date nine years later when marriage equality became law. However, they celebrate their connection beginning with a chance meeting at a dinner party in 1993 at John’s home in Windsor, England – a gathering arranged by a friend.

Every Saturday, regardless of their location, the couple writes each other a handwritten note. Over the years, this has added up to approximately 1,352 letters. Furnish explains that handwriting feels deeply personal and meaningful, and the cards provide a chance to reflect on the past week and discuss the week ahead. John agrees, stating that consistent communication is key to a long-lasting and successful relationship.

They’ve intentionally nurtured their 40-year marriage, almost keeping it a secret (“I even had dreams about him six months before we met”), and made it a central part of their lives even as everything else has changed.

“We both prioritize our marriage,” she explained, “and we actively work to reconnect when we lose focus.” If she could offer one piece of advice, it would be to always put that connection first. He passionately affirmed, “I would do absolutely anything for her – face any challenge, endure any hardship. I might mess up and even make her angry, but I would never let anything come between us.”

He emphasized that if you value marriage as key to your happiness, you must protect it at all costs.

Okay, so, I’m totally obsessed with this couple! Apparently, this incredible news reporter, Roberts, hates casual check-in calls. She used to get so annoyed when people would just call to see what she was up to! But then, a friend pointed something out that completely changed her mind. They said, ‘Maybe he just feels safe and happy when he hears your voice, like everything’s okay.’ And honestly? It hit her hard! She realized if it meant that much to him, she needed to get over herself. Now she says she just takes a deep breath and is sweet – ‘Sweetie, I’m busy, but what’s up? Good, I’m glad you called, gotta go, love you!’ – and it makes all the difference to him. It only takes two minutes to be kind, and it means the world! They just celebrated 29 years together in September 2024, and it’s the sweetest thing ever. I’m seriously melting!

Their almost 30-year marriage started building its foundation early on, even during disagreements. They recall one fight where the actor playfully threw the talk show host’s ring out the window, but it felt like it could end everything. The talk show host explained that in the beginning of a marriage, small issues can quickly become huge, especially with financial or career stress, or the challenges of raising children while exhausted. However, her husband taught her the importance of stepping away and taking a moment to breathe, realizing that not every disagreement needs to be a dealbreaker. Now, as parents of three, they’re seeing the rewards of that lesson. The actor believes that truly happy couples have faced difficult times together and overcome them, and that’s something to celebrate.

She describes herself as an introvert, almost a loner, while he’s a social butterfly – he jokingly calls himself “the mayor of everywhere.” She’s a bit messy, and he admits to being “a little OCD,” but after being married since 2003, they’ve learned to accept each other’s quirks.

That’s the advice the lead actress from How to Get Away With Murder gives to friends who are getting married. She explains that marriage doesn’t begin at the wedding ceremony. It starts when you realize your partner has a trait that might annoy you, but you love them anyway. That moment of acceptance, knowing you’ll deal with their flaws because of your love, is when marriage truly begins.

Maintaining a long-term relationship, like any that last 50 years, requires quickly resolving conflicts. Jane Fonda, star of Grace and Frankie, explained that she usually takes the lead in apologizing. She says it’s easy because her love for her partner is so strong and she hates to see them feel alone, even for a short time.

Ideally, she avoids needing to apologize at all. She’s learned that saying something hurtful in the heat of the moment will ultimately make you feel worse. You’ll regret the words and end up feeling angry twice – which isn’t good for your health or the relationship.

It’s fitting that Jerry, a former judge, says his long marriage to the iconic Judge Judy works because he generally lets her have the final say. For her, the key is accepting someone for who they are, even if you don’t always agree with their decisions. Their marriage initially ended in 1990 because he wasn’t able to provide the support she needed after her father passed away. However, they remarried quickly a year later, and she understood he wouldn’t suddenly become a homemaker or take charge of planning events.

She explained simply that unhappiness in relationships often comes from trying to change your partner. “You can try, but they’ll always resent it,” she said. “Don’t marry someone expecting them to be different than they are.”

The actor from Lost credits his wife with being the steady force in his life, especially with his busy and varied career. He told TopMob News in April 2025 that she’s been incredibly supportive and has kept their family grounded through all his travels and different jobs.

The actor described his wife as incredibly patient and said she and their two sons help him stay grounded, no matter what challenges he faces.

“They shape my values,” he added. “It’s great to have that perspective and North Star.”

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2026-03-05 02:19