The Four Husbands And Final Love: Unpacking Stockard Channing's Complex Marital History
Stockard Channing, the legendary actress known globally for her iconic roles as the tough-as-nails Rizzo in *Grease* and the formidable First Lady Abbey Bartlet in *The West Wing*, has led a life as dynamic and complex as her on-screen characters. As of late December 2025, the actress is currently single, having been married and divorced four times throughout her career. Her journey through four separate marriages and one long-term, committed partnership offers a captivating look into the private life of a fiercely independent Hollywood and Broadway star.
The quest for a lasting connection has been a central, though ultimately unmarried, theme of her adult life. While many people search for information on who Stockard Channing's current spouse is, the most current and accurate information confirms she is not married, but her relationship history is rich with prominent figures from the arts and business worlds. This deep dive into her personal life reveals the powerful men who shared her journey and how each relationship shaped the woman who became a theatrical and cinematic icon.
Stockard Channing: A Comprehensive Biographical Profile
Known professionally as Stockard Channing, the Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress was born Susan Antonia Williams Stockard. Her professional name, a unique amalgamation of her maiden name and her first husband’s surname, reflects her commitment to her craft and her early ties to the Channing family.
- Full Name: Susan Antonia Williams Stockard
- Date of Birth: February 13, 1944
- Age (as of 2025): 81
- Birthplace: New York City, New York, U.S.
- Education: Radcliffe College of Harvard University (B.A.)
- Occupation: Actress (Film, Television, and Theatre)
- Notable Roles: Betty Rizzo (*Grease*), First Lady Abbey Bartlet (*The West Wing*), Ouisa Kittredge (*Six Degrees of Separation*)
- Children: None
- Current Status: Single
The Four Marriages: A Timeline of Stockard Channing's Husbands
Stockard Channing’s marital history is characterized by four distinct marriages, all of which ended in divorce. Each spouse brought a unique background—from a wealthy scion to acclaimed writers and producers—into her life, reflecting the various stages of her burgeoning career. She has often spoken about the challenges of balancing a demanding career with the complexities of marriage, a theme that resonates with many of her female fans and followers.
1. Walter Channing Jr. (1963/64–1967/68): The Origin of a Name
Her first marriage was to Walter Channing Jr., a member of a wealthy and prominent New England family. They married when she was just 19 years old. It was this union that provided her with the professional name she would carry throughout her career. Born Susan Stockard, she adopted her husband’s surname, creating the memorable stage name, Stockard Channing. This marriage was relatively short-lived, lasting approximately four years before ending in divorce.
2. Paul Schmidt (1969/70–1976): The Poet and the Actress
Channing’s second husband was Paul Schmidt, a highly respected figure in the literary world. Schmidt was a renowned poet, playwright, essayist, and translator, most notably known for his translations of Russian literature, including the poems of Arthur Rimbaud. Their marriage lasted for seven years, a period during which Channing’s career was gaining significant momentum in the New York theatre scene. Schmidt tragically passed away in 1999 from complications due to AIDS.
3. David Debin (1976–1980): A Creative Partnership
The third man to marry the actress was David Debin, a writer and producer. This relationship was not only personal but also professional. Together, they founded the production company "Little Bear Productions." Their collaboration led to the production of the Emmy-nominated biography *Silent Victory*. Debin’s background as a screenwriter and author placed him firmly in the entertainment industry, a world Channing was increasingly dominating. Their marriage lasted for four years.
4. David Rawle (1980–1988): The Businessman
Stockard Channing’s fourth and final husband was David Rawle, a businessman. This was her longest marriage, spanning eight years from 1980 to 1988. Rawle’s non-show business background offered a different dynamic to her previous relationships. This marriage took place just after her career-defining role as Rizzo in the 1978 film *Grease*, which cemented her status as a global star. Despite the longevity, the marriage ultimately ended in divorce, marking the close of her chapter as a wife.
The Long-Term Love: Daniel Gillham and Her Life as a Partner
Following her fourth divorce, Stockard Channing entered a significant, long-term relationship that lasted for over two decades. From 1990 until his death in 2014, she was partnered with Daniel Gillham, a respected cinematographer.
This partnership was a defining one for the actress, lasting longer than all four of her marriages combined. Gillham was an accomplished professional, working behind the scenes in film and television. The couple’s decision not to marry reflected Channing’s own perspective on relationships after four divorces. In a 2006 interview, she openly stated that she did not see herself ever getting married again, emphasizing the comfort and commitment she found outside the legal bonds of matrimony.
The death of Daniel Gillham in 2014 was a profound loss. Following his passing, Channing relocated from her home in Maine to London, a significant personal change that marked the end of her longest and most private relationship.
The Question of Children and Current Status
A frequently searched question concerning Stockard Channing's personal life is whether she has children. Despite playing countless maternal roles on screen, including First Lady Abbey Bartlet, the actress has no children of her own. This was a conscious choice, and she has expressed no regrets about focusing her energy on her celebrated career. While one source suggested she had two children with her first husband, the overwhelming consensus from multiple reputable biographical sources is that she has no biological or adopted children.
As of today, Stockard Channing is single and not actively seeking a new partner, having found contentment in her independence and her enduring passion for acting. Her legacy is defined not by the number of husbands she had, but by her incredible body of work and her longevity in an industry that constantly demands reinvention. Her relationship history, spanning four different men and a 24-year partnership, is a testament to her search for connection and her ultimate comfort in her own company. She remains one of the most respected and powerful figures in American theatre and film.
Detail Author:
- Name : Ellen Legros
- Username : fspinka
- Email : eden09@white.net
- Birthdate : 1970-02-18
- Address : 563 Milton Loaf Lake Gudrun, NV 59935-5826
- Phone : 636.680.6456
- Company : Kling, Konopelski and Romaguera
- Job : Silversmith
- Bio : Sed non aperiam quas recusandae veritatis. At repudiandae fugiat a totam officia dolores. Numquam omnis occaecati ut quidem et excepturi quos. Aliquid ut et enim libero et id.
Socials
facebook:
- url : https://facebook.com/augustus9189
- username : augustus9189
- bio : Est dolor quas libero laudantium ut. Tenetur qui provident in.
- followers : 3721
- following : 1755
tiktok:
- url : https://tiktok.com/@strosin1975
- username : strosin1975
- bio : Sit sequi doloribus qui. Doloremque iste accusamus perferendis.
- followers : 5759
- following : 2451
