5 Surprising Facts About Kirsten Dunst's Husband, Jesse Plemons, After His 2024 Cannes Triumph

As of December 2025, Kirsten Dunst's husband is the critically acclaimed actor Jesse Plemons, a man who has quietly risen from a beloved television star to an international award-winning cinematic force. Their relationship, which began on the set of the dark comedy series *Fargo*, has become one of Hollywood's most celebrated and private unions, evolving from an on-screen married couple to real-life partners with two children and a shared history of joint Oscar nominations. The couple officially tied the knot in July 2022 after a five-year engagement, cementing a bond that is not only personal but also deeply creative, as they frequently seek out opportunities to work together. Plemons’ recent career surge, highlighted by his 2024 Best Actor win at the Cannes Film Festival, has brought renewed attention to their powerful partnership, proving they are one of the industry’s most talented duos.

Jesse Plemons: A Complete Biography and Career Profile

Jesse Lon Plemons is an American actor known for his nuanced, understated, and often transformative performances across television and film. His career trajectory is marked by a steady climb from a child actor to a celebrated leading man, culminating in an Academy Award nomination and a major international acting prize.

• Full Name: Jesse Lon Plemons
• Date of Birth: April 2, 1988
• Age (as of late 2025): 37
• Place of Birth: Dallas, Texas, U.S.
• Raised In: Mart, Texas
• Spouse: Kirsten Dunst (Married July 2022)
• Children: Two sons, Ennis Howard Plemons and James Robert Plemons
• Breakthrough TV Roles: Landry Clarke in *Friday Night Lights* (2006–2011) and Todd Alquist in *Breaking Bad* (2012–2013)
• Major Filmography Highlights: *The Master* (2012), *Black Mass* (2015), *Bridge of Spies* (2015), *The Post* (2017), *The Irishman* (2019), *The Power of the Dog* (2021), *Killers of the Flower Moon* (2023), *Kinds of Kindness* (2024), *Civil War* (2024).
• Key Awards and Nominations:
  • Academy Award Nomination for Best Supporting Actor (*The Power of the Dog*, 2022)
  • Emmy Award Nominations (for *Fargo* and *Black Mirror*)
  • Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor (*Kinds of Kindness*, 2024)
  • Golden Globe Nomination (2025)

The Beginning: How *Fargo* Led to a Real-Life Marriage

The love story between Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons is a classic Hollywood tale of co-stars falling in love, but with a unique twist: they played a married couple first. Their connection began in 2015 while filming the second season of the FX anthology series *Fargo*.

The On-Screen Couple: Peggy and Ed Blumquist

In *Fargo*, Dunst played Peggy Blumquist, a beautician with dreams of a bigger life, and Plemons played Ed Blumquist, her devoted, simple-minded husband, a butcher's assistant. Their chemistry was immediately palpable, earning them both Emmy Award nominations for their performances. The intense, co-dependent nature of their characters' relationship, which revolved around a hit-and-run and subsequent cover-up, laid the groundwork for a deep off-screen bond. It was during this time that the two actors developed a profound respect for each other’s creative process. Dunst later recalled feeling an instant connection, stating that she knew Plemons would be in her life forever. They officially began dating in 2016, roughly a year after filming wrapped.

A Low-Key Engagement and Wedding

Jesse Plemons proposed to Kirsten Dunst in early 2017. Despite their high-profile careers, they maintained a notably private approach to their personal life. Their engagement lasted five years, during which time they welcomed their two sons. The couple finally tied the knot in a quiet ceremony in July 2022, which took place in Jamaica. True to their nature, few details of the wedding were released, with a representative simply confirming that they had married and no other details would be provided. This commitment to privacy is a hallmark of their relationship, allowing them to focus on family and career away from the intense media spotlight.

From Co-Stars to Co-Parents: The Plemons Family Life

Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons are parents to two young boys, who have become the central focus of their lives.

The Names of Their Sons

The couple welcomed their first son, Ennis Howard Plemons, in May 2018. Their second son, James Robert Plemons, was born in May 2021. The names are classic yet unique, reflecting the couple's preference for a grounded and private life. Dunst has often spoken about the challenges and joys of balancing motherhood with her busy acting career.

A Shared Creative Philosophy

Their professional relationship is just as important as their personal one. Plemons has openly expressed his desire to continue working with Dunst, stating, "I don’t wanna do another project without [Dunst]. It’s just the best". This shared creative space led them to two more major joint projects after *Fargo*:

1. *The Power of the Dog* (2021): Directed by Jane Campion, this Western drama earned both of them Academy Award nominations in 2022—Dunst for Best Supporting Actress and Plemons for Best Supporting Actor. Working on the film together, where they played a married couple once again, solidified their status as a Hollywood power duo.
2. *Civil War* (2024): They co-starred in this A24 dystopian action thriller, directed by Alex Garland, marking their third collaboration. While their scenes were separate, the decision to take on a project together shortly after their marriage underscores their professional synergy.

Jesse Plemons’ Recent Career Triumphs (2024–2025)

While Kirsten Dunst is a celebrated veteran, Jesse Plemons has recently reached a new peak in his career, securing major awards that solidify his reputation as one of the finest actors of his generation. This recent success is a key reason for the renewed interest in "Kirsten Dunst husband."

The Cannes Best Actor Win

In May 2024, Jesse Plemons received the prestigious Best Actor award at the 77th Cannes Film Festival. This honor was for his performance in the film *Kinds of Kindness*, a dark comedy anthology directed by the acclaimed Yorgos Lanthimos, the same director behind *Poor Things*. Plemons played three different roles in the film, showcasing his versatility, and the award is considered one of the highest honors in international cinema.

Upcoming High-Profile Projects

Plemons' momentum continued into 2025 with a Golden Globe nomination, further establishing him in the awards circuit. He also reteamed with cinematic legend Robert De Niro for the 2025 miniseries *Zero Day*, a high-profile political thriller that is highly anticipated. These projects, alongside his acclaimed work in Martin Scorsese’s *Killers of the Flower Moon*, demonstrate a career focused on collaborations with elite directors and challenging, complex roles.

The Secret to Their Enduring Hollywood Partnership

The enduring success of Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons' relationship, both personally and professionally, is often attributed to their shared values and grounded approach to fame. They both hail from a background of working in the industry from a young age—Dunst as a child star in *Interview with the Vampire* and *Jumanji*, and Plemons beginning with a Coca-Cola commercial at age three. This shared history provides an understanding of the pressures of Hollywood. Their mutual respect for their craft, which Plemons described as falling in love "creatively first," is a powerful foundation. They are often seen running errands and living a low-key life in Los Angeles, prioritizing their roles as parents to Ennis and James over the glitz of celebrity. This commitment to normalcy and their continued desire to challenge each other artistically makes the marriage between Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons one of the most stable and admirable in the entertainment world.