The Surprising Secret To Kevin Kline And Phoebe Cates' 35-Year Marriage: Life After Hollywood

Contents

One of Hollywood’s most enduring love stories belongs to the Oscar-winning actor Kevin Kline and the 80s icon Phoebe Cates, who have managed to keep their relationship thriving for over three and a half decades, a feat almost unheard of in the entertainment industry. As of late 2025, the couple continues to reside in New York, deliberately choosing a life away from the intense spotlight of Los Angeles, a decision Kline himself has recently credited as the key to their long-lasting bliss.

Their enduring partnership began with a significant age gap—Kline is 16 years Cates' senior—but has blossomed into a quiet, successful family life on the East Coast. This article delves into their individual careers, the full story of their private life together, and the recent updates on their two talented children who are now making their own marks in the arts.

Full Biography and Career Profiles: The Oscar Winner and the 80s Icon

The story of Kevin Kline and Phoebe Cates is one of two actors who met at the peak of their careers but ultimately chose family over fame, creating a unique legacy that spans both stage and screen.

Kevin Kline: The Acclaimed Stage and Screen Veteran

  • Full Name: Kevin Delaney Kline
  • Born: October 24, 1947, in St. Louis, Missouri.
  • Spouse: Phoebe Cates (Married 1989)
  • Children: Owen Kline and Greta Kline
  • Key Career Milestones:
    • Began his career in theatre, co-founding The Acting Company in 1972.
    • Won his first two Tony Awards for *On the Twentieth Century* (1978) and *The Pirates of Penzance* (1981).
    • Won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for the film *A Fish Called Wanda* (1988).
    • Known for versatile roles in films like *Sophie's Choice* (1982), *The Big Chill* (1983), and *Dave* (1993).
    • Inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame.
    • Won a third Tony Award for his role in the 2017 revival of *Present Laughter*.

Phoebe Cates: The Entrepreneur and Retired Actress

  • Full Name: Phoebe Belle Cates Kline
  • Born: July 16, 1963, in New York City.
  • Spouse: Kevin Kline (Married 1989)
  • Children: Owen Kline and Greta Kline
  • Key Career Milestones:
    • Began her career as a top teen model at age 14.
    • Achieved global fame with her breakout role as Linda Barrett in *Fast Times at Ridgemont High* (1982).
    • Starred as Kate Beringer in the hit films *Gremlins* (1984) and *Gremlins 2: The New Batch* (1990).
    • Stepped away from acting in the mid-1990s to focus on raising her children.
    • Became a successful entrepreneur, opening her own boutique, Blue Tree, in 2005.

The Simple Secret to a 35-Year Hollywood Marriage

In a world where celebrity marriages often falter under the weight of public scrutiny, Kevin Kline and Phoebe Cates have maintained one of the most stable relationships in Hollywood history. Their secret, according to Kline, is surprisingly simple: a commitment to privacy and a conscious decision to avoid the traditional Hollywood lifestyle.

The couple married in 1989 and chose to raise their family not in Los Angeles, but in the heart of New York City, specifically on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Kline has often joked that the key to their success is "not having a Hollywood marriage," suggesting that the geographical and emotional distance from Tinseltown's pressures has been their saving grace.

Phoebe Cates’ decision to retire from acting in the mid-90s was a pivotal moment for their family life. After her final film role in *Princess Caraboo* (1994), she dedicated herself to motherhood, a choice that allowed the family to maintain a sense of normalcy and stability away from the constant demands of movie sets.

In 2005, Cates channeled her creative energy into a new venture, opening the upscale boutique Blue Tree on Madison Avenue. The shop is described as an eclectic "general store but according to me," selling a diverse range of high-end women's clothing, jewelry, home goods, and unique gifts. This venture keeps her creatively engaged while solidifying their New York roots, far removed from the L.A. scene.

Meet Owen and Greta Kline: The Next Generation of Artists

The couple's commitment to prioritizing family has resulted in two children who have successfully navigated their own paths in the arts, inheriting their parents' creative genes but forging distinct, non-Hollywood careers.

Owen Kline: The Filmmaker and Actor

Born in 1991, Owen Joseph Kline has pursued a career that bridges acting and independent filmmaking. He is most widely recognized for his powerful performance as Frank Berkman in the critically acclaimed 2005 film *The Squid and the Whale*.

More recently, Owen has moved behind the camera, establishing himself as a director. His directorial debut, the dark comedy *Funny Pages*, premiered in 2022 to significant buzz, confirming his talent as a New York-based independent filmmaker and cartoonist.

Greta Kline (Frankie Cosmos): The Indie Music Star

Greta Simone Kline, born in 1994, has become a prominent figure in the independent music scene under the stage name Frankie Cosmos. She is the lead singer, guitarist, and primary songwriter for the band, known for her unique brand of anti-folk and indie music.

Greta's career is a testament to the family's New York focus, as she has deep roots in the city's DIY music scene. In a very recent and charming update from late 2025, news surfaced that Greta, at age 31, had finally gotten her driver's license, a late-blooming milestone that humorously reflects the non-traditional paths the Kline children have taken.

The Enduring Legacy of Privacy and Partnership

The story of Kevin Kline and Phoebe Cates serves as a powerful blueprint for sustaining a relationship in the public eye. By establishing a clear boundary between their professional lives and their Manhattan home, they successfully shielded their children from the worst excesses of celebrity culture.

Kline continues to take on challenging film and theatre roles, while Cates thrives as a successful entrepreneur and businesswoman at Blue Tree. Their collective decision to value stability, privacy, and their New York lifestyle over constant Hollywood visibility has not only preserved their marriage for over 35 years but has also allowed the next generation of Klines to flourish creatively on their own terms. Their quiet, enduring partnership remains one of the most respected and fascinating in the entertainment world, proving that sometimes, the best way to keep a Hollywood marriage alive is to simply not have one.

kevin kline and phoebe cates
kevin kline and phoebe cates

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