The Anti-Hollywood Secret: 5 Ways Kevin Kline And Phoebe Cates Built A 35-Year Marriage

The enduring marriage of Kevin Kline and Phoebe Cates has long been a quiet anomaly in Hollywood, a testament to privacy and shared values that stands in stark contrast to the fleeting nature of celebrity romance. As of December 2025, the couple has been married for over 36 years, a milestone that continues to fascinate fans of both the Academy Award-winning actor and the retired 80s icon. Their relationship, which began with a significant age gap, has thrived precisely because they chose a path far removed from the glare of Los Angeles, a choice Kline recently highlighted as the core of their success.

In a rare and insightful interview, Kevin Kline, now 78, credited their decision to live in New York City and maintain a mutual disinterest in the celebrity lifestyle as the primary "secret" to their decades-long partnership. This commitment to a grounded, private life allowed them to raise their two children, Owen and Greta, outside the Hollywood bubble, cementing their status as one of the most stable and respected couples in the entertainment world.

Kevin Kline and Phoebe Cates: Full Biographical Profile and Career Milestones

The story of Kevin Kline and Phoebe Cates is one of two distinct careers—one celebrated on stage and screen for decades, the other a brilliant flash that was willingly curtailed for family. Their union is a blending of Broadway gravitas and 80s cinema stardom.

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Kevin Kline (Spouse)

• Full Name: Kevin Delaney Kline
• Born: October 24, 1947 (Age 78 as of 2025)
• Birthplace: St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
• Key Films & Roles: Sophie's Choice (1982), The Big Chill (1983), A Fish Called Wanda (1988), Dave (1993), In & Out (1997).
• Major Awards: Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor (A Fish Called Wanda), three Tony Awards, a Golden Globe Award.
• Education: Indiana University; Juilliard School’s Drama Division (part of the inaugural class).

Phoebe Cates (Spouse)

• Full Name: Phoebe Belle Cates Kline
• Born: July 16, 1963 (Age 62 as of 2025)
• Birthplace: New York City, New York, U.S.
• Key Films & Roles: Paradise (1982), Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982, as Linda Barrett), Gremlins (1984), Lace (1984), Drop Dead Fred (1991).
• Career Shift: Largely retired from acting in the mid-1990s to raise her children.
• Current Venture: Entrepreneur and owner of the boutique "Blue Tree" on Madison Avenue in New York City.

The Anti-Hollywood Playbook: 5 Secrets to Their Enduring Marriage

The couple first met in 1982 during an audition for The Big Chill, a film that would become a cornerstone of 80s cinema. At the time, Kevin Kline was 34 and Phoebe Cates was 18, a significant age difference of 16 years. They married in 1989 and have since cultivated a relationship based on mutual respect and deliberate distance from the Hollywood machine. Kline's recent comments have solidified the five pillars of their successful union.

1. The New York City Sanctuary, Not Hollywood

The most crucial factor, according to Kevin Kline, is their decision to reside permanently in New York City, far from the daily pressures and scrutiny of the Los Angeles film industry. This geographical separation allowed Kline to focus on his dual career—balancing film work with his deep roots in the New York theatre scene—and provided Cates with a normal environment to raise a family. The lack of a "Hollywood marriage" environment is what Kline specifically points to as their saving grace.

2. Phoebe Cates’ Career Sacrifice for Family

A major turning point came in the mid-1990s after the birth of their two children. Phoebe Cates, at the height of her fame from roles like Linda Barrett in Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Kate Beringer in Gremlins, chose to retire from acting to focus on motherhood. This commitment ensured a stable, two-parent presence, a luxury often unavailable to celebrity couples with demanding international film schedules. Her brief return for the 2001 film The Anniversary Party was a rare exception, a nod to supporting her friends' project.

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3. Mutual Disinterest in the Celebrity Lifestyle

Both actors have consistently shied away from the trappings of A-list celebrity culture. Kevin Kline, despite his Oscar and multiple Tony Awards, has always been known for his reserved, private demeanor. Cates, post-retirement, pivoted to a grounded life as a businesswoman, opening her successful Upper East Side boutique, Blue Tree, which sells unique clothing and gifts, further cementing her non-Hollywood identity.

4. The Foundation of Theatre and Art

Kline's career is heavily rooted in the New York Public Theater and Broadway, where he earned his first Tony Awards. This focus on the stage, which demands a different kind of dedication and offers a different level of public scrutiny than film, has kept him creatively satisfied without requiring constant immersion in the Hollywood machine. This artistic foundation is a shared value, as evidenced by their children's pursuits in creative fields.

5. Raising Creative, Grounded Children

The success of their parenting is evident in the careers of their children, Owen and Greta Kline, both of whom have carved out their own unique paths in the arts while maintaining a low profile. Their children are a testament to the grounded environment the couple created.

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The Next Generation: Owen and Greta Kline's Creative Legacies (2025 Update)

Unlike many celebrity offspring who follow a traditional acting route, Owen and Greta Kline have embraced the independent and artistic spirit of their New York upbringing, creating fresh, unique work that echoes their parents' creative depth.

Greta Kline: The Indie Music Star (Frankie Cosmos)

Greta Simone Kline, born in 1994, has established herself as a leading voice in the indie rock scene under the moniker Frankie Cosmos. Her music is known for its witty, diaristic lyrics and lo-fi aesthetic. In a significant update, Frankie Cosmos released their sixth studio album, titled Different Talking, in June 2025. This project further solidifies her position as a prolific and critically acclaimed songwriter, a career path completely separate from her parents' film world.

Owen Kline: Filmmaker and Cartoonist

Owen Joseph Kline, born in 1991, is a filmmaker, actor, and cartoonist. While he had a notable early acting role in The Squid and the Whale (2005), his most current and significant work is behind the camera. Owen made his acclaimed directorial debut with the dark comedy feature film Funny Pages, which premiered in 2022. The film, which explores the life of a teenage cartoonist, received praise for its unique, gritty style, showcasing Owen's talent as a writer and director and proving that the Kline creative legacy continues to thrive.