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The Shocking Secret To Phoebe Cates And Kevin Kline’s 35-Year Marriage: A 2025 Update

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Few Hollywood romances stand the test of time, but the enduring marriage of Phoebe Cates and her husband, the Oscar-winning actor Kevin Kline, has become an industry legend. Now, in late 2025, their decades-long commitment continues to be a source of fascination, especially after Kline recently opened up about the unconventional choices that saved their relationship.

The couple, who share a notable 16-year age difference, have been married since 1989—a remarkable feat in the ephemeral world of celebrity. The key to their success, according to Kline's latest reflections, lies in their deliberate decision to reject the pressures of Los Angeles and build a quiet, family-focused life far from the Hollywood spotlight, a choice that required a major sacrifice from the Fast Times at Ridgemont High star.

Phoebe Cates and Kevin Kline: A Complete Biography and Profile

The union between the iconic '80s starlet and the distinguished, classically trained stage and screen actor is one of the most stable in modern Hollywood history. Their paths converged from two very different worlds, creating a powerful, yet low-key, celebrity power couple.

Phoebe Cates (Wife)

  • Full Name: Phoebe Belle Cates Kline
  • Date of Birth: July 16, 1963
  • Age (as of 2025): 62
  • Place of Birth: New York City, New York, U.S.
  • Occupation: Retired Actress, Model, Businesswoman (Owner of Blue Tree boutique)
  • Known For: Her iconic roles as Linda Barrett in Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982), and Kate Beringer in the Gremlins franchise (1984, 1990).
  • Retirement: Famously stepped away from acting in the mid-1990s to prioritize raising her children.

Kevin Kline (Husband)

  • Full Name: Kevin Delaney Kline
  • Date of Birth: October 24, 1947
  • Age (as of 2025): 78
  • Place of Birth: St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
  • Occupation: Actor, Comedian, Voice Artist
  • Known For: An accomplished career spanning over five decades, including films like The Big Chill, Sophie's Choice, Silverado, and his Oscar-winning role in A Fish Called Wanda.
  • Accolades: Academy Award winner (Best Supporting Actor), three-time Tony Award winner, and a 2003 American Theatre Hall of Fame inductee.

The Family

  • Marriage Date: March 5, 1989
  • Children: Son Owen Kline (born 1991), Daughter Greta Kline (born 1994)
  • Residence: New York City, away from the typical Hollywood scene.

How the '80s Icon Met the Broadway Legend: The Big Chill Audition

The couple's love story began, somewhat unceremoniously, during an audition for the 1983 film The Big Chill. Phoebe Cates, then a burgeoning star fresh off her breakthrough in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, was trying out for a role. Kevin Kline, already a celebrated stage actor with a burgeoning film career, was also auditioning.

Cates did not secure the part she was vying for, but she gained something much more lasting: a connection with Kline.

Despite the 16-year age difference—Cates was 19 and Kline was 35 when they first met—the two found a deep connection.

They began dating and eventually married in a private ceremony in New York City in 1989. This early decision to root their life in the less-frenzied environment of New York, rather than Los Angeles, proved to be the foundational "secret" to their long-term success.

The 2024 Revelation: Kevin Kline on the Secrets to a 35-Year Marriage

In a series of interviews in late 2024, Kevin Kline provided the most current and definitive insights into how he and Phoebe Cates have maintained their relationship for over three and a half decades. The actor, known for his discretion, highlighted two primary, interlinked factors that kept their marriage strong and vibrant.

1. The Non-Hollywood Life: Splitting the Distance

The most significant revelation was their commitment to living thousands of miles away from the main Hollywood machine in Los Angeles. Kline explicitly stated that not living in Hollywood was the core secret to their enduring marriage.

By making their home base in New York City, they successfully insulated their family from the relentless scrutiny, gossip, and career-driven pressures that often destroy celebrity relationships. This geographical distance provided a vital sense of normalcy and privacy for their children, Owen and Greta.

2. Phoebe Cates’ Career Sacrifice and Family Priority

The second pillar of their marriage was Phoebe Cates' conscious decision to step away from her skyrocketing acting career in the mid-1990s. At the peak of her fame, following hits like Gremlins 2: The New Batch and Drop Dead Fred, Cates chose to retire to raise their children full-time.

Kline acknowledged this choice as a major contributing factor to their stability, noting that Cates "chose to stay home with the kids." This allowed Kline to continue his acting career while ensuring a stable, present parent was maintaining their home life and shielding the family from the industry's chaos.

This division of labor—where one partner focused on the craft and the other on the family—proved to be an effective strategy for managing the demands of a high-profile career while preserving their personal life. Cates later transitioned into a successful businesswoman, opening her New York City boutique, Blue Tree, in 2005, further solidifying her life outside of the film industry.

The Next Generation: Owen and Greta Kline’s Creative Lives

The legacy of Phoebe Cates and Kevin Kline continues through their two children, both of whom have followed their parents into the creative arts, albeit with a more independent, New York-based approach. The children's current activities further demonstrate the family's success in cultivating a stable, creative environment.

Greta Kline, born in 1994, has carved out a successful career as an indie musician. She is the lead singer and principal songwriter for the band Frankie Cosmos. Her music is acclaimed in the indie rock scene, showcasing a distinct, introspective voice that is entirely her own.

Owen Kline, born in 1991, has pursued a career in filmmaking and acting. He has appeared in films such as The Squid and the Whale and has also moved into directing. His decision to follow his parents into the film world, but on his own terms, underscores the family’s commitment to supporting individual artistic expression.

The children's success in their respective fields is often cited as a testament to the stable, grounded upbringing provided by Cates and Kline, proving that a family can thrive even with one parent maintaining a demanding Hollywood career, provided the foundation is built on privacy and shared priorities.

Topical Authority Entities & Keywords

The story of Phoebe Cates and Kevin Kline is a masterclass in separating personal life from professional demands. Their enduring marriage, now past the 35-year mark, is built on mutual respect, Cates's incredible sacrifice to step away from the limelight of Paradise and Fast Times, and Kline's commitment to prioritizing family over the Hollywood rat race. Their combined estimated net worth, often cited around $70 million, reflects the success of two focused careers—one on stage and screen, the other on home and family. The couple remains a powerful symbol of longevity in a transient industry, proving that sometimes, the secret to a great Hollywood love story is simply leaving Hollywood behind.

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