The Anti-Hollywood Secret: 5 Reasons Kevin Kline And Phoebe Cates’ 35-Year Marriage Still Thrives In 2025

One of Hollywood’s most enduring love stories belongs to Academy Award-winner Kevin Kline and 80s icon Phoebe Cates, a couple who have successfully navigated the pressures of fame for over three and a half decades. As of December 2025, their marriage, which began in 1989, continues to be a rare beacon of stability in an industry notorious for fleeting romances, a testament to their deliberate choice to prioritize family life over the Hollywood spotlight. Their enduring partnership and private life in New York City have become as legendary as their individual film careers, with recent comments from Kline revealing the simple yet profound secret to their longevity.

The couple, who share a 16-year age difference, met during a pivotal time in their careers, with Cates stepping away from acting to raise their two children, Owen and Greta. Kline, meanwhile, has continued his celebrated career, most recently starring in the critically acclaimed Apple TV+ series *Disclaimer* in late 2024. Their collective journey, from the iconic roles of *Fast Times at Ridgemont High* and *A Fish Called Wanda* to their current roles as proud parents and a successful businessman/actor, offers a compelling look at a true 'anti-Hollywood' romance.

A Deep Dive into the Lives of Kevin Kline and Phoebe Cates

The foundation of their lasting relationship is built on two highly successful, yet vastly different, careers that ultimately converged in a shared desire for a private, stable family life away from the Los Angeles media machine. Their biographies reveal two artists who found fame young but chose to define success on their own terms.

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Kevin Kline: The Acclaimed Thespian and Film Star

• Full Name: Kevin Delaney Kline
• Born: October 24, 1947, in St. Louis, Missouri
• Iconic Roles: Otto West in *A Fish Called Wanda* (1988), which earned him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor; Stingo in *Sophie's Choice* (1982); and the dual role in *Dave* (1993).
• Career Highlights: Kline is a highly respected actor who has achieved the rare distinction of winning both an Academy Award and multiple Tony Awards, highlighting his deep roots in theater. He is a founding member of The Acting Company.
• Recent Work: In late 2024, Kline starred alongside Cate Blanchett in the highly anticipated Alfonso Cuarón-directed limited series *Disclaimer* for Apple TV+, demonstrating his continued commitment to high-quality, complex roles.

Phoebe Cates: The 80s Icon Turned Entrepreneur

• Full Name: Phoebe Belle Cates Kline
• Born: July 16, 1963, in New York City, New York
• Iconic Roles: Linda Barrett in *Fast Times at Ridgemont High* (1982) and Kate Beringer in *Gremlins* (1984) and its sequel *Gremlins 2: The New Batch* (1990).
• Career Shift: After marrying Kevin Kline in 1989 and having children, Cates largely retired from acting to focus on raising her family. Her last major film role was in *The Anniversary Party* (2001), a film that also featured her husband.
• Current Venture: In 2005, Cates transitioned into a successful businesswoman, opening the popular New York City boutique, Blue Tree, on Madison Avenue. The store features a curated collection of clothing, jewelry, and gifts, reflecting her creative and entrepreneurial spirit.

The Simple Secret to Their 35-Year 'Anti-Hollywood' Marriage

In a world where celebrity marriages often end in highly publicized divorces, Kevin Kline and Phoebe Cates have quietly built a relationship that has lasted far longer than most. The couple celebrated over 35 years of marriage in 2024, and Kline recently shared the surprisingly simple formula for their enduring success.

The core of their secret, according to Kline, is their deliberate choice to live in New York and maintain a distance from the traditional Hollywood ecosystem. This geographical and philosophical separation from Los Angeles has allowed them to raise their family with a degree of normalcy few celebrity couples achieve.

Kline has often remarked that their marriage works because it is simply "not a 'Hollywood marriage.'" Their life in New York City allowed Cates to step away from the pressures of her early fame and focus on raising their children, a decision that cemented the family's stability.

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The 16-year age gap between the two actors—Cates was 25 and Kline was 41 when they married in 1989—was a subject of media interest early on, but it proved inconsequential to the couple. They met in 1982 during an audition for the film *The Big Chill*, a movie Kline would go on to star in, and Cates would not. Their connection, however, was immediate and genuine.

Their enduring partnership is a powerful example of how shared values—particularly the prioritization of privacy, family, and a life away from the intense media scrutiny of Hollywood—can lead to lasting happiness. Cates's pivot to entrepreneurship with her boutique, Blue Tree, further underscores their commitment to a grounded, New York-centric lifestyle.

The Next Generation: Owen and Greta Kline Forging Their Own Paths

One of the most fascinating aspects of the Kline-Cates legacy is the careers of their two children, Owen and Greta, who have both successfully carved out unique artistic niches in the entertainment world, following in their parents' creative footsteps but with distinct modern sensibilities. Both children, now in their thirties, are proof that the family's New York-based, anti-Hollywood upbringing fostered genuine artistic expression.

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Owen Kline: Filmmaker and Cartoonist

Born in 1991, Owen Joseph Kline has become a respected independent filmmaker, actor, and cartoonist. His early acting career included a memorable role as a child in the critically acclaimed 2005 film *The Squid and the Whale*, directed by Noah Baumbach.

However, Owen has made his biggest mark behind the camera. His directorial debut, the dark coming-of-age comedy *Funny Pages*, premiered in 2022 to critical praise, showcasing his unique, sometimes unsettling, vision. The film cemented his reputation as a New York-based independent artist with a strong voice, separate from his parents' legacy.

Greta Kline: The Voice of Frankie Cosmos

Greta Simone Kline, born in 1994, is known primarily by her stage name, Frankie Cosmos. She is the lead singer and principal songwriter of the indie-pop/anti-folk band of the same name.

Greta began her music career in her late teens, self-releasing lo-fi bedroom recordings on Bandcamp around 2011. Her music is characterized by its intimate, diaristic lyrics and minimalist sound, which has garnered her a dedicated following in the independent music scene. She is a New York artist through and through, having no major designs on a traditional Hollywood career.

The success of both Owen and Greta in their respective fields—independent film and anti-folk music—reflects the creative, grounded environment established by Kevin Kline and Phoebe Cates. They represent a new generation of artists who value authenticity and independence over mainstream celebrity, a direct continuation of their parents' 'anti-Hollywood' ethos.

Enduring Legacy and Current Projects

As Kevin Kline continues his acting career into his late 70s, with recent projects like the 2024 Apple TV+ limited series *Disclaimer* keeping him in the public eye, the couple's relationship remains a topic of fascination. His role as Stephen Brigstocke in the psychological thriller is a testament to his enduring talent and preference for challenging, high-caliber work.

Phoebe Cates, meanwhile, is happy in her role as a successful entrepreneur and co-owner of Blue Tree, occasionally making a rare public appearance to support her husband or children. She has firmly established that her identity is no longer solely tied to her iconic 80s roles but to her life as a wife, mother, and businesswoman.

The story of Kevin Kline and Phoebe Cates is a masterclass in celebrity longevity. They are a powerful reminder that in the high-stakes world of Hollywood, the true secret to a lasting partnership may simply be choosing a life of privacy, prioritizing family, and building a home far away from the spotlight that originally made them famous. Their 35-year journey, continuing robustly into 2025, proves that a successful 'Hollywood marriage' is possible—as long as you don't actually live in Hollywood.