The Untold Story: 5 Surprising Facts About Meg Tilly And Colin Firth’s Intense, Secretive Romance

The relationship between Meg Tilly and Colin Firth is one of Hollywood’s most fascinating and often-forgotten romances of the late 80s and early 90s. While both actors have gone on to forge legendary careers—Firth becoming an Academy Award winner and Tilly a Golden Globe recipient and acclaimed author—their five-year partnership was a pivotal, life-changing chapter for both, marked by a dramatic escape from the Hollywood spotlight to a quiet, secluded life in Canada. As of December 11, 2025, their enduring legacy is most clearly seen in their actor son, William Joseph "Will" Firth, who continues to connect the two stars.

This deep dive explores the truth behind their intense connection, the unexpected move that changed their lives, and the details of their family life that continue to resonate decades later. It is a story of two rising stars who fell in love on a Parisian film set and chose a path far removed from the red carpet.

The Complete Biography: Meg Tilly and Colin Firth

The foundation of their romance lies in the individual journeys of two immensely talented actors who, despite sharing a birth year, came from vastly different backgrounds.

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Meg Tilly (Margaret Elizabeth Chan)

• Born: February 14, 1960, Long Beach, California, U.S.
• Nationality: American-Canadian.
• Early Career: Began as a professional ballet dancer, appearing in the film Fame (1980). A serious back injury pivoted her career to acting.
• Key Achievements: Golden Globe Award winner and Academy Award nominee for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Agnes of God (1985).
• Family: Sister of actress Jennifer Tilly. Has three children: Emily and David (from her first marriage to Tim Zinnemann), and William Joseph "Will" Firth (with Colin Firth).
• Current Status: Successful novelist, known for her young adult and literary women's fiction, including the popular *Solace Island* series. She also returned to acting, notably in the TV series Bomb Girls.

Colin Firth (Colin Andrew Firth)

• Born: September 10, 1960, Grayshott, Hampshire, England.
• Nationality: English.
• Early Career: Began his career on stage, gaining early recognition in the film Another Country (1984) and the TV drama Tumbledown (1988).
• Key Achievements: Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, and BAFTA Award winner for his portrayal of King George VI in The King's Speech (2010). Widely known for playing Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice (1995) and Mark Darcy in the *Bridget Jones* film series.
• Family: Has three sons: William Joseph "Will" Firth (with Meg Tilly), and Luca and Matteo (with his ex-wife Livia Giuggioli).
• Current Status: Continues to be one of Britain's most prolific and respected actors, with recent roles including a cameo in *Barbie* (2023) and an anticipated return as Mark Darcy in the upcoming *Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy* (2025).

1. The Parisian Film Set That Sparked a Five-Year Romance

The intense romance between Meg Tilly and Colin Firth began in 1988 on the set of the period drama *Valmont* (1989), directed by Miloš Forman.

Tilly starred as the virtuous and pious Madame de Tourvel, a married woman who becomes the target of a notorious seducer, Vicomte de Valmont, played by Firth.

Despite the on-screen tension and the film's challenging production—which was overshadowed by the simultaneous release of the similar film *Dangerous Liaisons*—a deep connection formed between the two actors.

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Tilly was at the height of her career, having recently been nominated for an Oscar, while Firth was an up-and-coming British actor. They fell "madly in love" during the filming in Paris, a whirlwind romance that quickly became a serious commitment.

2. Their Unconventional Escape to the Pacific Northwest

The most surprising aspect of their relationship was the decision to abandon the high-pressure environment of Hollywood and London for a completely secluded life.

In 1989, shortly after filming *Valmont*, Tilly and Firth moved to a remote, log home near Vancouver, British Columbia, specifically settling on Vancouver Island, Canada.

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Tilly, who had two children (Emily and David) from her previous marriage, was eager to raise her family away from the spotlight, and Firth embraced the change, supporting her decision to prioritize family over her skyrocketing career.

For five years, the couple lived a quiet, domestic life, focusing on raising their blended family. This period saw Tilly largely step away from major film roles to focus on motherhood and her burgeoning writing career, a stark contrast to her previous life.

3. The Birth of William Joseph "Will" Firth

The most enduring connection between the two stars is their son, William Joseph Firth, who was born in 1990 while the couple was living in Canada.

Will Firth has since followed in his famous parents' footsteps, establishing his own career as an actor.

He has appeared in several projects, including a small role alongside his father in the 2016 film *Bridget Jones's Baby*, where he played a member of the press.

Will also has credits in films like *Spider-Man* (2002) and *Suddenly Now* (2016), carving out a niche in the industry and continuing the family’s acting legacy.

4. The End of Their Romance and the Enduring Friendship

The relationship between Meg Tilly and Colin Firth lasted for five years, ending in 1994. Although they never married, sources close to the couple have indicated that they were deeply devoted to each other during their time together.

Following their separation, Tilly returned to Vancouver Island and focused on her writing and raising her three children. She later married film producer John Calley in 1995 (they divorced in 2002).

Colin Firth returned to the UK, where his career exploded with his iconic role as Mr. Darcy in the 1995 BBC adaptation of *Pride and Prejudice*. He married Italian film producer Livia Giuggioli in 1997, with whom he had two more sons, Luca and Matteo, before their divorce in 2021.

Despite their romantic split, Tilly and Firth have maintained a respectful and civil co-parenting relationship, united by their son, Will. This mature approach to their past is a testament to the strong bond they once shared.

5. Their Current Careers and Continuing Artistic Legacy in 2025

Today, both Meg Tilly and Colin Firth are active in their respective fields, creating a rich, continuing artistic legacy that extends beyond their shared past.

Colin Firth remains an A-list actor, with recent projects like the anticipated return to his beloved role as Mark Darcy in the 2025 film *Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy* and other projects like *Someone's Daughter, Someone's Son* (2024).

Meg Tilly has established herself as a successful novelist, with a prolific output of novels in the literary fiction genre, often focusing on complex female characters and family dynamics. Her return to acting in projects like the Canadian series *Bomb Girls* also cemented her comeback to the screen.

Their son, Will Firth, continues his acting career, making the Tilly-Firth family a multi-generational powerhouse in the entertainment industry. The quiet romance that began on a film set in Paris has evolved into an enduring family connection that spans continents and decades.