Judd Hirsch Found Love after Dating Co-star & 13-Year Marriage Hes a Dad of 3 & 'Looks 25 Yea

Publish date: 2024-05-20

American actor Judd Hirsch is best known for his roles in titles like "Taxi," "Ordinary People," and "Independence Day." Additionally, the actor has starred in more recent roles like "iMordecai," and "The Fabelmans."

Now in his late 80s, fans are still incredibly drawn to his work. His loyal admirers have recently shared how great he looks and wonder how he has not aged since his days in the 1970s Hollywood circuit.

Judd Hirsch on "Taxi" Season One in 1978 | Source: Getty Images

Judd Hirsch at the 29th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza in 2023 | Source: Getty Images

Hirsch was the subject of many conversations last year because of his role in "The Fabelmans" and gave many interviews surrounding the film's premiere. In a YouTube video of one of these interviews, fans struggled to focus on the content of the discussion as they marveled at Hirsch.

One fan commented that one could see Hirsch's contentment with his life because he looked 25 years younger than his actual age. The same fan said he wished he could live a life similar to the actor's but instead trudged through daily life.

Judd Hirsch on "Taxi" Season One in 1978 | Source: Getty Images

A comment left under a YouTube video of an interview with Judd Hirsch talking about "The Fabelmans" in 2022 | Source: youtube.com/@CBSSundayMorning

Another fan called Hirsch "blessed," saying that despite being in his late 80s, he did not look a day over 60. One more fan gushed:

"He looks FANTASTIC for his age."

The "Teachers" star concurred, saying he doesn't feel or act like he is in his 80s. However, he recognizes the change in his career as he has to fight harder for roles now than he did when he was much younger.

A comment left under a YouTube video of an interview with Judd Hirsch talking about "The Fabelmans" in 2022 | Source: youtube.com/@CBSSundayMorning

A comment left under a YouTube video of an interview with Judd Hirsch talking about "The Fabelmans" in 2022 | Source: youtube.com/@CBSSundayMorning

Hirsch said that even though he is now considered a B-list celebrity, he still enjoys his work. In 2018, he revealed he had no plans of slowing down. And even though he cannot be in many of the movie action scenes, he is not through with acting.

Who Did The Actor Date and Marry?

Over the years, the actor has been tied romantically to several women. While filming "Taxi," Hirsch got involved with Marilu Henner, the only woman on the set. The pair dated for a while in 1978, but their relationship did not stand the test of time.

Marilu Henner and Judd Hirsch on "Taxi" Season Five in 1982 | Source: Getty Images

Hirsch has also been married thrice. His first wife was Elisa Sadaune from 1963 to 1967. Then he broke off his relationship with Sadaune and maintained his bachelor status for quite some time until he met his second wife.

Hirsch's relationship with Sadaune remained primarily out of the spotlight, as did Sadaune herself. She is not from the industry, and little is known about their marriage besides welcoming a son named Alex Hirsch in 1966. Alex is now a music producer.

After his marriage to Sadaune ended, the actor met Bonnie Sue Chalkin, who he wed in 1992. Chalkin and Hirsch's relationship, which was also mostly kept private, only lasted until 2005. However, the couple publicly welcomed two children together, a daughter named Montana in 1994 and a son named London a few years later.

Judd Hirsch and Marilu Henner on Hirsch's sitcom "George and Leo" in 1997 | Source: Getty Images

Judd Hirsch and Kathryn Danielle at the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones | Source: Getty Images

Hirsch later married Kathryn Danielle, and the two remain married today. However, it is unclear when the couple tied the knot or how long they have been together.

Keeping up with the pattern of private relationships, Hirsch's marriage to Danielle has been kept out of the spotlight, but when the actor was still in his 50s, he confirmed that his world revolved around her, their daughter, and their adopted son. He gushed:

"I drive two and a half hours [to the country] and back to see them. Just a night — just for 20 minutes. They're worth it."

Judd Hirsch and Bonnie Chalkin at "The Graduate" Broadway opening night performance on April 4, 2002 | Source: Getty Images

Kathryn Danielle and Judd Hirsch at The Cinema Society and DKNY "Cassandra's Dream" after-party in 2007 | Source: Getty Images

Danielle is also an actor and has been since 1990. She is still active in the industry and even has three upcoming credits. Danielle's career has consisted chiefly of roles in television shows and short films.

What Did Hirsch Reveal About His Kids?

Hirsch once admitted that he envied others who had come from acting families, but his children do not feel the same. Instead, his children do not enjoy talking about their father's career. He confirmed none of his children had taken an interest in acting.

Judd Hirsch at the "Uncut Gems" premiere during the 57th New York Film Festival | Source: Getty images

The actor mentioned that he sometimes asked his children their opinion about his acting career because he valued their input, but the children were otherwise shy to talk about acting and their own life paths.

Hirsch also confirmed that Alex is a musician and once gave an interview about him on the young man's YouTube channel. Hirsch joked that Alex had never been a child, but Hirsch wished he was.

The actor then shared a story about Alex's childhood. He said that Alex struggled to sleep, and he would drive the little boy around and play music so that he could fall asleep soundly. Hirsch said this led to Alex taking an interest in music.

Judd Hirsch and family at the "Tower Heist' world premiere in October 2011 | Source: Getty Images

Soon, Alex began picking out individual instruments in songs, and it was then that Hirsch knew he had to get his son involved in music by encouraging him to play musical instruments. When Alex was introduced to musical instruments, he had a natural talent that allowed him to pick the skill up rather quickly.

Hirsch sent Alex into studios to learn how to play instruments, but the instructors told the actor that his son had no interest in learning how to play according to someone else; he wanted to improvise.

Hirsch confirmed that piano led Alex to want to try guitar, which led to him singing. All of his talents left his father "amazed." When asked how his son wrote the lyrics to his songs, Hirsch shared:

"He pulls lyrics from his life."

The actor mentioned that his son feels things profoundly and uses those deep emotions as lyrics for his music. Hirsch also said his son was a free spirit and wanted to be genuinely free and play music just for the joy of it.

Not much is known about Hirsch's children with Danielle, but he has confirmed that he loves each of them. The actor has not slowed down and looks better than ever—a truly inspirational actor.

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