William H. Macy and Felicity Huffman first met when Macy conducted Huffman’s entrance interview for an acting workshop, where the pair found such chemistry, that the “interview” became more like a conversation.
“I was ready with all of my acting questions, and why I liked acting, and I had just gotten back from traveling around Europe with a boyfriend,” Huffman said. “And all he wanted to do was talk about Europe… so I talked about that, and he let me in.”
After that, Macy and Huffman dated on-and-off for 15 years, eventually marrying in 1997. They’ve been married for 25 years.
“Our marriage is a fairytale marriage,” Macy said, of Huffman. The pair often take weekend trips away together and make a habit of “checking in” with one and other about their days. When Macy was asked in an interview if love can last forever, he said, “Yes, it can. Can the same kind of love last as it is forever? No, I think it’s got to evolve.”
Macy and Huffman’s love has evolved over recent years. Macy stood beside his wife, as she was embroiled in the recent college admissions scandal, where celebrities paid their children’s ways into elite colleges. Huffman, herself, paid $15,000 to have her daughter’s SAT scores increased. She was sentenced to 14 days in prison, 250 hours of community service, and a $30,000 fine.
Macy wrote a strongly-worded letter to the judge on her case, urging that she receive a merciful sentence. One of his closing lines read, “If I may I’d like to tell you one more thing: every good thing in my life is because of Felicity Huffman.”
Post-prison, their relationship remains steady. Huffman is back to work on a new television show and Macy recently finished filming a movie–which, ironically, circles on how to find a quality life partner.
Some parting words on love, from Macy? “Take a chance. If you fail, get up, figure out what you did wrong. But you’ve got to keep moving forward and you’ve got to have faith in the future.”
