The Private Seven-Year Romance: What Really Happened Between Anna Kendrick And Ben Richardson?

The seven-year relationship between actress Anna Kendrick and British cinematographer Ben Richardson remains one of Hollywood’s most private and speculated-upon romances. This deep dive, updated for December 2025, explores their quiet timeline, the high-profile projects that defined their careers, and the shocking public comments that have since cast a shadow of speculation over their 2020 split. The couple, who successfully kept their romance out of the tabloid spotlight for years, represent a unique case of a celebrity-non-celebrity pairing navigating the pressures of the film industry. Their story began on a movie set, blossomed into a long-term partnership, and ended with a quiet separation that only became public knowledge after Kendrick began speaking candidly about her personal life.

Anna Kendrick and Ben Richardson: A Biographical Overview

The pairing of a celebrated actress and an acclaimed cinematographer brought together two formidable talents whose careers often intersected behind the scenes.

Anna Kendrick Biography Profile

• Full Name: Anna Cooke Kendrick
• Born: August 9, 1985, Portland, Maine, USA
• Age (as of December 2025): 40
• Occupation: Actress, Singer, Producer, Director
• Notable Works: Up in the Air (Oscar nomination), Pitch Perfect franchise, A Simple Favor, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, Into the Woods, and her directorial debut, Woman of the Hour (2023).
• Current Status (December 2025): Professionally active in acting and directing; reportedly dating comedian Alex Edelman.

Ben Richardson Biography Profile

• Full Name: Benjamin T. Richardson, ASC BSC
• Born: September 21, 1975, England
• Age (as of December 2025): 50
• Occupation: Cinematographer (Director of Photography), Television Producer, Director
• Notable Works: Beasts of the Southern Wild (Sundance Cinematography Award), The Fault in Our Stars, Wind River, and the acclaimed TV series *Mare of Easttown* (2021) and *1883*.
• Current Status (December 2025): Highly sought-after cinematographer in film and television, with a strong focus on projects by director Taylor Sheridan.

The Quiet Timeline: From *Drinking Buddies* to a Long-Term Partnership

Anna Kendrick and Ben Richardson first crossed paths in 2012 on the set of the indie comedy *Drinking Buddies*, which also starred Olivia Wilde and Jake Johnson. Richardson served as the Director of Photography (D.P.) on the film, where his distinctive, naturalistic style of cinematography was a key element. The couple were not romantically involved during filming, but they began dating a couple of years later, around 2014. Their relationship was a masterclass in privacy, rarely featuring in public events or social media. This commitment to keeping their private life sheltered was a deliberate choice by Kendrick, who has consistently avoided discussing her romantic partners in interviews.

The Seven-Year Stretch (2014-2020)

The relationship spanned approximately seven years, making it Kendrick’s longest confirmed public romance. During this period, both of their careers saw significant growth:

• Kendrick’s Career: She starred in major hits like *The Accountant*, *Trolls*, and the final installments of the *Pitch Perfect* series.
• Richardson’s Career: He cemented his reputation with major films such as *The Fault in Our Stars* (2014) and the critically praised thriller *Wind River* (2017).

Their shared professional world meant they understood the demands of a Hollywood career, yet they were rarely photographed together, a stark contrast to many celebrity couples. The last public photos of the two were reportedly taken in late 2019. The relationship quietly concluded around early 2020.

The Shocking Speculation: Why Did Anna Kendrick and Ben Richardson Break Up?

The end of the Kendrick-Richardson romance was not announced through a public statement or a joint social media post. Instead, the details surfaced indirectly and were linked to a series of candid interviews Anna Kendrick gave in 2022 and 2023, where she spoke about an emotionally and psychologically abusive relationship with an unnamed ex-boyfriend.

The Abusive Ex Allegation

Kendrick revealed that she had been in a relationship that lasted about six years, ending in 2020, and that she had experienced a personality shift in her partner, which she later realized was a sign of emotional abuse. She described the experience as a period where she was "being forced into a place of dishonesty" and that the breakup was an incredibly difficult and complex process. While Anna Kendrick has never publicly named the man she was referring to, the timeline of her seven-year relationship with Ben Richardson (2014-2020) has led to widespread media speculation and intense online discussion that he was the partner in question. It is important to note that this remains a matter of public speculation and is not a confirmed fact by the actress herself. The focus of Kendrick's revelation was the impact the experience had on her and the healing process, which she channeled into her work, particularly her directorial debut.

Life After the Split: New Projects and New Relationships

Since their 2020 separation, both Anna Kendrick and Ben Richardson have moved forward, finding success in new professional endeavors and, for Kendrick, new romantic relationships.

Anna Kendrick: Director, Author, and New Love

Kendrick has embraced new creative roles, making her directorial debut with the true-crime thriller *Woman of the Hour* (2023), in which she also starred. The film, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, was a major artistic success for the actress, showcasing her talent behind the camera. In her personal life, Kendrick was briefly linked to actor Bill Hader (2020-2022). More recently, as of the latest reports in July 2025, Kendrick has been dating Emmy-winning comedian Alex Edelman, suggesting a new, happy chapter in her private life.

Ben Richardson: A Cinematography Powerhouse

Ben Richardson’s career has continued its upward trajectory, particularly in high-profile television. He has become a staple cinematographer and director for several of Taylor Sheridan's hit series, showcasing his dramatic and visually arresting style. His notable work since the split includes:

• *Mare of Easttown* (2021): Richardson served as a cinematographer on the critically acclaimed HBO limited series starring Kate Winslet.
• *1883* (2021-2022): He was the cinematographer for the prequel series to *Yellowstone*, known for its stunning, cinematic western visuals.
• *Those Who Wish Me Dead* (2021): He worked on the Angelina Jolie-led neo-Western thriller, further solidifying his collaboration with Taylor Sheridan.

Richardson's consistent work on major projects confirms his status as one of the most respected D.P.'s in the industry, maintaining the private, professional focus that defined his relationship with Kendrick. The careers of both Anna Kendrick and Ben Richardson continue to thrive, albeit on separate paths.