The Enduring Love Story: 5 Surprising Facts About Jean Smart's Late Husband, Richard Gilliland

Jean Smart's love life, a private affair that spanned over three decades, is a powerful story of enduring Hollywood romance tragically cut short. As of late 2025, the legendary actress remains focused on her career and family after the devastating loss of her husband, actor Richard Gilliland, who passed away suddenly in March 2021. The couple’s 34-year marriage was a bedrock of stability in a notoriously volatile industry, a union that began on the set of the iconic sitcom Designing Women.

The latest updates on Jean Smart often revolve around her candid, heartbreaking discussions of grief and single parenthood, revealing the depth of her bond with the man she called her greatest supporter. The story of her husband, Richard Gilliland, is not just a footnote in her celebrated career, but a central chapter that shaped her life and success, particularly her recent Emmy-winning turn in the HBO Max series Hacks.

Richard Gilliland: A Complete Biography and Career Profile

Richard Morris Gilliland was an American television and film actor whose career spanned five decades, though he remains best known for his role as J.D. Shackleford on Designing Women, a role that also led him to meet his future wife, Jean Smart.

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

• Full Name: Richard Morris Gilliland
• Born: January 23, 1950, in Fort Worth, Texas
• Died: March 18, 2021, in Los Angeles, California, at age 71
• Cause of Death: "Brief illness" (Specific details were not publicly disclosed by the family)
• Wife: Jean Smart (m. 1987–2021)
• Children: Two sons, Connor Douglas Gilliland (born 1989) and Forrest Gilliland (adopted in 2009)
• Education: Graduated from the Goodman School of Drama in Chicago, Illinois
• Notable Roles (Television):
  • J.D. Shackleford on Designing Women (1986–1991)
  • Lt. Steve DiMaggio on Operation Petticoat (1977–1978)
  • Tony Lawrence on Just Our Luck (1983)
  • Guest roles on The Streets of San Francisco, The Love Boat, Matlock, 24, and Dexter
• Notable Roles (Film):
  • Minor roles in Stay Hungry (1976) and The White Buffalo (1977)

The Quirky 'Designing Women' Meet-Cute and 34-Year Marriage

The foundation of Jean Smart and Richard Gilliland's enduring relationship was laid in the most unexpected of places: the set of a television show where he was playing another woman's love interest. This quirky beginning is a testament to the powerful, immediate connection they shared.

Meeting on the Set of a Classic Sitcom

In 1986, Jean Smart was a main cast member on the hit CBS sitcom Designing Women, playing the sweet and naive office manager Charlene Frazier. Richard Gilliland joined the cast in a recurring role as J.D. Shackleford, the on-again, off-again boyfriend of Mary Jo Shively, played by Annie Potts.

Jean Smart once joked that she was so smitten with Gilliland that she asked their co-star, Delta Burke, to check if he was married. He wasn't. The two began dating, and Smart later revealed that the episode where they met was her favorite, simply because "we were never apart after that."

• The Unseen Story Jessica Simpsons Battle For Privacy And Body Image In A Digital Age Mlvqa

A Quiet Hollywood Power Couple

The couple married in 1987, a year after meeting. Their marriage lasted 34 years, a remarkable feat in Hollywood. They went on to work together in several projects beyond Designing Women, including the stage production of the play Love Letters, and later on the series 24, where Smart played First Lady Martha Logan and Gilliland played Captain Stanfield.

Their life revolved around raising their two sons, Connor and Forrest. Smart has often credited Gilliland with making "sacrifices" in his career to prioritize their family, allowing her to pursue the demanding roles that would eventually lead to her late-career resurgence.

Grief, Tributes, and Life as a Single Mother in the Spotlight

Richard Gilliland's death in March 2021 was a sudden and profound shock, occurring while Jean Smart was in the middle of filming the first season of her critically acclaimed series, Hacks. His passing has since become a public part of her journey, as she has spoken candidly about navigating immense personal loss while achieving unprecedented professional success.

• 5 Shocking Facts About Anna Congdon Penn State Sweetheart To Nfl Fiances Social Media Firestorm Cc90e

The Emotional Emmy Dedication

Just months after his death, Jean Smart won the 2021 Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her role as Deborah Vance in Hacks. During her acceptance speech, she tearfully paid a poignant tribute to her late husband.

"I would not be here without him, and without his kind of putting his career on the back burner so that I could take advantage of all the wonderful opportunities that I have had," she said, dedicating the award to him. This moment brought their private love story into the public eye, solidifying his role as her greatest supporter.

Coping with Unexpected Loss

Smart has been open about the unexpected and devastating nature of his death, which occurred after a "brief illness." She has stated that the loss was "unimaginable" and that she struggles to cope with the profound loneliness of his absence.

In a recent interview, she even implied a degree of frustration with the medical care he received, suggesting that more could have been done to save him. This raw honesty underscores the pain of losing her partner of over three decades so suddenly.

Single Parenthood and Moving Forward

The actress suddenly found herself a single mother to their teenage son, Forrest, and their adult son, Connor. The responsibility of single parenthood, especially while maintaining a demanding acting schedule, has been a major focus for Smart.

She has discussed how the need to be present for her children, particularly Forrest, helped her to prioritize her health and find the strength to continue working. Her commitment to her family is a living testament to the partnership she shared with Richard Gilliland, a partnership that continues to guide her life.

Jean Smart's Current Relationship Status: Focused on Healing

As of the most current reports in late 2025, Jean Smart is not publicly dating anyone. Her focus remains squarely on her career—which has never been hotter—and on her family. She continues to navigate the healing process after her husband’s death, choosing to dedicate her time to her children and her work.

The narrative surrounding Jean Smart is less about finding a new partner and more about honoring the legacy of the one she lost. Her public life is a powerful example of a woman finding strength and continuing to thrive after a profound personal tragedy, keeping the memory of Richard Gilliland alive through her success and her enduring love for their family.