The Ultimate Guide To Doug Savant And Wife Laura Leighton: From Melrose Place Co-Stars To Hollywood’s Most Enduring Marriage

Few Hollywood romances have stood the test of time, the spotlight, and the inevitable drama of a prime-time soap opera, but the marriage of Doug Savant and his wife, Laura Leighton, is a remarkable exception. As of December 2025, the couple is celebrating over 27 years together and more than 25 years of marriage, a true anomaly in the entertainment world.

Their story is not just one of co-stars falling in love; it’s a quiet testament to building a genuine life—complete with four children, a recent role as grandparents, and a shared career that continues to evolve—far removed from the scandalous world of Melrose Place where they first met. Here is the most up-to-date look at the private life and enduring partnership of one of television's most beloved couples.

Doug Savant and Laura Leighton: Complete Biographical Profile

Doug Savant and Laura Leighton are more than just their iconic television roles; they are veteran actors with extensive careers and a deeply rooted family life. Their shared history, beginning on the set of a legendary 90s drama, has cemented their status as a Hollywood power couple known for their stability.

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Doug Savant (Husband)

• Full Name: Douglas Peter Savant
• Date of Birth: June 21, 1964
• Birth Place: Burbank, California, United States
• Education: Attended UCLA
• Primary Roles: Matt Fielding on Melrose Place (1992–1997) and Tom Scavo on Desperate Housewives (2004–2012)
• Awards: Screen Actors Guild Award (SAG) for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series for Desperate Housewives (2006)
• Previous Marriage: Married to Dawn Savant (divorced); they share two daughters, Arianna Josephine and another daughter.

Laura Leighton (Wife)

• Birth Name: Laura Diane Miller
• Date of Birth: July 24, 1968
• Birth Place: Iowa City, Iowa, United States
• Primary Roles: Sydney Andrews on Melrose Place (1992–1997, 2009–2010) and Ashley Marin on Pretty Little Liars (2010–2017)
• Awards: Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film for Melrose Place (1995)
• Current Projects: Co-hosts the podcast Still the Place with former Melrose Place co-stars Courtney Thorne-Smith and Daphne Zuniga.

The Couple's Shared Life

• Met On: The set of Melrose Place in the mid-1990s.
• Marriage Date: May 1998
• Children Together: Jack Douglas Savant (born October 2000) and Lucy Jane Leighton Savant (born June 2005).
• Current Status: Happily married for over two decades and recently became grandparents for the second time.

How Matt Fielding and Sydney Andrews’ Off-Screen Chemistry Sparked a Real-Life Romance

The relationship between Doug Savant and Laura Leighton is a classic tale of a workplace romance, albeit one set against the backdrop of one of the most tumultuous fictional apartment complexes in television history. Savant played Matt Fielding, a compassionate social worker and one of the first openly gay characters on a prime-time series. Leighton portrayed Sydney Andrews, the conniving, yet often sympathetic, younger sister of Jane Mancini. Their characters rarely interacted romantically, which makes their real-life connection all the more intriguing.

The pair began dating during the height of Melrose Place’s popularity in the mid-90s. At the time, Savant was going through a divorce from his first wife, Dawn Savant. The friendship between him and Leighton blossomed into a serious relationship, proving that the drama on screen was completely separate from the genuine connection they were forging behind the scenes. Leighton has publicly called marrying Savant the "best thing" to come out of her time on the show.

They married in May 1998, shortly after both of their characters had exited the series, allowing them to step away from the relentless media scrutiny that often follows high-profile television couples. This strategic shift to a more private life is widely credited as a major factor in their relationship's longevity. They chose stability over sensationalism, a theme that has defined their family life ever since.

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Family Life and Current Projects: Grandparent Status and a Possible Revival

The Savant-Leighton household is a busy one. Doug and Laura have two children together, Jack and Lucy, who join Doug's two daughters from his previous marriage, creating a blended family of six. The couple has always prioritized their family, often stepping back from the spotlight to focus on raising their children.

In a sweet, recent development that highlights their family's growth, Laura Leighton announced that she is a grandmother for the second time. This new chapter as grandparents to their growing family offers a heartwarming contrast to the scandalous roles that made them famous. It underscores their transition from young Hollywood stars to established, family-focused veterans of the industry.

A Return to the Small Screen

While their private life remains stable, their professional lives continue to offer exciting new developments. Both actors have maintained steady careers in television, often appearing in other major, long-running series. Doug Savant is perhaps best known post-Melrose Place for his eight seasons as Tom Scavo, the husband of Lynette Scavo (played by Felicity Huffman), on the hit ABC series Desperate Housewives. More recently, Savant has appeared in shows like The Cleaning Lady, proving his continued relevance in modern television dramas.

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Laura Leighton, after her initial run as Sydney Andrews, became a familiar face to a new generation of viewers as Ashley Marin, the mother of Hanna Marin, on the popular teen drama Pretty Little Liars. Her ability to transition from the adult drama of the 90s to the mystery-thriller of the 2010s demonstrates her versatility.

The Buzz Around a ‘Melrose Place’ Revival

Perhaps the most exciting news for fans of the couple is the possibility of a new Melrose Place revival series. Reports indicate that a revival is in the works, with Laura Leighton, Doug Savant, and other original cast members like Thomas Calabro, Daphne Zuniga, and Josie Bissett expected to return. This potential project would not only reunite the couple on screen but also bring their iconic characters, Sydney Andrews and Matt Fielding, back into the cultural conversation.

In the meantime, fans can get a regular dose of Laura Leighton's insights on the podcast Still the Place, where she and co-hosts Courtney Thorne-Smith and Daphne Zuniga revisit the classic series and share behind-the-scenes stories. This project, along with their occasional public appearances, such as an event in London in September 2023, keeps the couple gently in the public eye, consistently reminding fans of their enduring, real-life love story that began in the fictional world of 90210's most notorious apartment complex.