The Unbreakable Bond: Inside Jean Smart’s 33-Year Marriage To Husband Richard Gilliland And Her Life Now

The question of "Jean Smart's husband" today, as of late 2024, is a deeply personal one, centering on the enduring legacy of her late husband, actor Richard Gilliland. The Emmy-winning star of *Hacks* and *Designing Women* was married to Gilliland for 33 years until his sudden death in 2021. Their relationship, which began as a classic Hollywood set romance, remains one of the most celebrated and long-lasting in the industry, a testament to a profound partnership that spanned decades and two children.

The veteran actress has been remarkably candid in recent interviews, including a 2024 appearance on *Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace?*, about the shock of his passing and the challenges of navigating life and a soaring career as a single mother. While Jean Smart is currently single, her identity remains inextricably linked to the great love of her life, Richard Gilliland, and the beautiful family they built together.

Richard Gilliland: A Complete Biography of Jean Smart's Late Husband

Richard Morris Gilliland was a prolific American television and film actor who enjoyed a career spanning over four decades. He was perhaps best known for his role as J.D. Shackleford on the sitcom *Designing Women*, a series that would ultimately lead him to his future wife, Jean Smart.

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• Full Name: Richard Morris Gilliland
• Date of Birth: January 23, 1950
• Place of Birth: Fort Worth, Texas, USA
• Education: Attended the prestigious Goodman School of Drama in Chicago, where he honed his craft.
• Spouse: Jean Smart (Married June 1987; Died March 2021)
• Children: Connor Douglas Gilliland (born 1989) and Forrest Gilliland (adopted in 2009)
• Notable Roles (Film & TV):
  • Designing Women (1986–1991) as J.D. Shackleford
  • Operation Petticoat (1977–1978) as Lt. Nick Holden
  • Just Our Luck (1986) as Keith Colburn
  • The White Buffalo (1977)
  • Bug (1975)
  • Guest roles on major series including 24, Criminal Minds, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Scandal, Dexter, and Imposters.
• Date of Death: March 18, 2021
• Age at Death: 71
• Cause of Death: Following a brief illness, though Jean Smart has since implied a possible failure in his medical care.

The Designing Women Set: How Jean Smart and Richard Gilliland Met

The love story between Jean Smart and Richard Gilliland is a beloved piece of Hollywood lore, a true example of life imitating art. Their initial meeting took place on the set of the hit CBS sitcom, *Designing Women*, which aired from 1986 to 1993.

Jean Smart played the role of the naive but lovable interior designer Charlene Frazier Stillfield, while Richard Gilliland was cast as J.D. Shackleford, the on-screen boyfriend of Charlene's co-star, Annie Potts’ character, Mary Jo Shively. Despite their characters not being romantically linked, the two actors quickly developed a connection off-camera.

Smart recounted that she was initially hesitant to date a fellow actor, but Gilliland’s charm and persistence won her over. She reportedly asked him out for a drink, a bold move that set the stage for their decades-long partnership. They married in June 1987, soon after meeting, making their on-set romance a reality.

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Their relationship was characterized by mutual support and a shared passion for acting. They often worked together throughout their marriage, appearing in various stage productions and television projects, including a benefit reading of the play *Love Letters*.

Their enduring marriage of 33 years was a rare accomplishment in the often-turbulent world of celebrity relationships. It was a partnership built on a foundation of respect, humor, and a deep, personal connection that transcended their professional lives.

The Shocking Loss and Jean Smart’s Candid Reflections

The death of Richard Gilliland on March 18, 2021, came as a profound shock to his family, friends, and the Hollywood community. He passed away at the age of 71 following what was described at the time as a "brief illness."

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Tragically, Gilliland’s death occurred while Jean Smart was in the middle of filming the first season of her critically acclaimed HBO Max comedy series, *Hacks*. Smart has since spoken about the immense difficulty of balancing her personal grief with the professional demand of her career-defining role as Deborah Vance.

In a powerful and recent interview on the 2024 season of *Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace?*, Smart opened up further about the circumstances of his passing, implying that there were complications in his medical care. While she did not explicitly name the cause of death, she voiced a heartbreaking frustration with the medical system, suggesting that more could have been done to save him. This candid revelation provided a fresh, raw look into her grief and the lingering pain of the loss.

She has often credited her work and the support of her colleagues on *Hacks* with helping her through the darkest period of her life. The success of the series, which earned her multiple Emmy Awards, became an unexpected source of strength and a tribute to her husband, who was her biggest supporter.

Life as a Single Mother: Jean Smart and Her Two Sons

Today, Jean Smart’s primary focus is on her two children, whom she shared with Richard Gilliland. She has frequently spoken about the challenges of being a single mother following her husband’s death, describing the experience as "unimaginable" at times.

The couple welcomed their first son, Connor Douglas Gilliland, in 1989. Two decades later, they expanded their family by adopting their daughter, Forrest Gilliland, in 2009. The children are the center of Smart’s world, and she has publicly dedicated her professional success and strength to them.

The actress has expressed immense gratitude for her sons, noting that they are her life and her reason for continuing to move forward. The bond they share is a beautiful continuation of the family unit she and Richard Gilliland built over 33 years. Her commitment to them is a touching final chapter in the story of her marriage, ensuring that Gilliland's memory lives on through their family.

While the celebrity world often speculates on new relationships, as of the latest updates in late 2024, Jean Smart remains single, dedicating her time to her family and her thriving career, which continues to break records and win awards. Her journey is a powerful narrative of enduring love, sudden loss, and the resilience required to rebuild a life in the spotlight.