The Unexpected Second-Chance Romance: Who Is Helen Hunt's Partner Now?

The question of "Who is Helen Hunt's partner now?" has a surprisingly romantic answer, one that has been decades in the making. As of December 2025, the Oscar and Golden Globe-winning actress is in a relationship with fellow actor Jeffrey Nordling, a romance that has recently become red-carpet official after the pair reconnected following a brief, decades-old fling. This new chapter in her personal life comes after a period of being largely single following the end of her long-term partnership with producer Matthew Carnahan in 2017.

This fresh, high-profile coupling has delighted fans of both Hollywood veterans, especially after their joint appearances at major events in 2024, confirming the relationship and putting an end to years of speculation about Hunt's dating life. The story of their rekindled love is a perfect Hollywood twist, proving that some connections are simply meant to be.

Helen Hunt and Jeffrey Nordling: A Biographical Profile

The man who has captured Helen Hunt’s heart is a familiar face in Hollywood, known for his extensive work across film and television. Their relationship is a union of two seasoned actors with impressive careers.

• The Untouchable Privacy 7 Secrets Of Rachel Mcadams And Jamie Lindens Life Beyond The Red Carpet E820e

• Helen Hunt (Helen Elizabeth Hunt):
  • Born: June 15, 1963 (Age 62 as of December 2025)
  • Birthplace: Culver City, California, U.S.
  • Occupation: Actress, Director, Writer, Producer
  • Notable Works: Mad About You (TV Series), As Good As It Gets (Film - Academy Award Winner), Twister, Cast Away, The Sessions
  • Past Relationships: Married to actor Hank Azaria (1999–2000); Long-term partner Matthew Carnahan (2001–2017)
  • Children: Daughter, Makena Lei Gordon Carnahan (born 2004)
• Jeffrey Nordling (Jeffrey Richard Nordling):
  • Born: March 11, 1962 (Age 63 as of December 2025)
  • Birthplace: Ridgewood, New Jersey, U.S.
  • Occupation: Actor
  • Notable Works: Once and Again (as Jake Manning), 24 (as Larry Moss), Big Little Lies (as Gordon Klein), CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Desperate Housewives
  • Past Relationships: Previously married to Francia Dimase, with whom he shares twin daughters.

The Decades-Long Journey to a Red-Carpet Romance

The story of Helen Hunt and Jeffrey Nordling is not a typical new Hollywood romance; it’s a beautiful tale of a second chance that spanned over three decades. The couple first met and briefly dated in 1988, a time when both were younger actors navigating the industry.

Hunt revealed in an interview that she "always thought he was lovely and sweet and talented and dreamy" even after their initial short-lived romance ended. Life took them on separate paths: Hunt went on to achieve global fame with Mad About You and her Oscar win for As Good As It Gets, marrying Hank Azaria and later having a long-term relationship with Matthew Carnahan. Nordling, meanwhile, built a successful career in television and married Francia Dimase.

The timeline of their reconnection is not precisely public, but it is believed they began dating again around 2022. The relationship became officially public in late 2023 and early 2024 when they began making high-profile appearances together.

• The Facts Of Life Cast Where Are Eastlands Girls Now 2024 Updates 2tx8p

Their "red-carpet official" debut happened at the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s 20th Anniversary Gala, where they posed together for photographers. This was followed by another notable joint appearance at the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party, solidifying their status as one of Hollywood's new power couples.

Helen Hunt's Relationship History: From Hank Azaria to Matthew Carnahan

While her new relationship with Jeffrey Nordling is currently in the spotlight, Helen Hunt has a well-documented romantic history that includes a marriage and a significant long-term partnership.

The Brief Marriage to Hank Azaria

Helen Hunt married fellow actor and voice artist Hank Azaria in 1999. Azaria is famous for voicing numerous characters on The Simpsons. The couple had dated for approximately five years before tying the knot. However, their marriage was short-lived, with the two divorcing just 17 months later in 2000, citing irreconcilable differences.

• The Enduring Legacy Of Haylor 5 Shocking Facts About Harry Styles And Taylor Swifts Relationship 10 Years Later Sf662

The 16-Year Partnership with Matthew Carnahan

Shortly after her divorce, Hunt began a relationship with writer and producer Matthew Carnahan in 2001. This was her most significant long-term relationship, lasting 16 years.

During their time together, the couple welcomed their daughter, Makena Lei Gordon Carnahan, who was born in May 2004. Makena is Helen Hunt's only child. The family was a private unit, but the relationship eventually ended in August 2017. Despite the split, Hunt and Carnahan have maintained an amicable co-parenting relationship for their daughter.

What Jeffrey Nordling Brings to Helen Hunt’s Life

Jeffrey Nordling's career as an actor has seen him take on a variety of roles, often portraying complex characters, from the troubled husband in Big Little Lies to a counter-terrorism agent in 24.

His quiet, steady career and established personal life seem to align well with Hunt's desire for a more private existence away from the intense spotlight she experienced during her peak Mad About You and film years. The fact that they share a history, having dated briefly in the 1980s, adds a layer of comfort and familiarity to their connection.

The public appearances in 2024 confirm that the couple is serious and comfortable sharing their relationship with the world. For fans, this reunion is a heartwarming example of how timing is everything, and that a dream partner might just be someone from your past, waiting for the right moment to return.