31-year romance puts Hollywood to shame

While Hollywood stars often can’t live up to the love stories portrayed on screen, one star couple has stood the test of time.

Andrew McMurtry

@AndrewMcMurtry

less than 2 min read

April 12, 2025 - 6:32AM

news.com.au

Hollywood is often known for quickie divorces, speculation about relationships and generally being a long way from the love stories that are portrayed on screen. But sometimes love stories actually happen in Hollywood. One example is former James Bond star Pierce Brosnan and his wife, US actress Keely Shaye Brosnan (nee Smith). Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP

1/40Hollywood is often known for quickie divorces, speculation about relationships and generally being a long way from the love stories that are portrayed on screen. But sometimes love stories actually happen in Hollywood. One example is former James Bond star Pierce Brosnan and his wife, US actress Keely Shaye Brosnan (nee Smith). Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP

Earlier this week, Keely celebrated the couple’s first red carpet appearance in London. Keely, who is a director, producer and actor (she played a season as Valerie Freeman on General Hospital) was also featured in television shows including Unsolved Mysteries and ABC’s The Home Show. Photo: Instagram

2/40Earlier this week, Keely celebrated the couple’s first red carpet appearance in London. Keely, who is a director, producer and actor (she played a season as Valerie Freeman on General Hospital) was also featured in television shows including Unsolved Mysteries and ABC’s The Home Show. Photo: Instagram

3/40x x x Photo: Instagram

4/40Actor Pierce Brosnan & partner Keely Shaye-Smith supporting Planet Ark's Christmas card recycling campaign.Brosnan/Actor

The couple also spoke of their first date, revealing it was a few days after they first met. She said they “sat down under the stars and he held my hand. There were fireworks going off over our heads, and Kenny Loggins was singing. We talked until 3 in the morning,” says Keely. “I understand why women find him sexy, because he is an appealing man. He really likes and appreciates women.” Photo: Instagram

5/40The couple also spoke of their first date, revealing it was a few days after they first met. She said they “sat down under the stars and he held my hand. There were fireworks going off over our heads, and Kenny Loggins was singing. We talked until 3 in the morning,” says Keely. “I understand why women find him sexy, because he is an appealing man. He really likes and appreciates women.” Photo: Instagram

Irish actor Brosnan had been finding his way in Hollywood before they met, having played in the likes of The Lawnmower Man and Mrs. Doubtfire, he hit it big soon after they met.

6/40Irish actor Brosnan had been finding his way in Hollywood before they met, having played in the likes of The Lawnmower Man and Mrs. Doubtfire, he hit it big soon after they met.

Before then, Brosnan was most well known on TV as Remington Steele. He portrayed Steele, a mysterious conman and thief who partners with Stephanie Zimbalist's private investigator Laura Holt.

7/40Before then, Brosnan was most well known on TV as Remington Steele. He portrayed Steele, a mysterious conman and thief who partners with Stephanie Zimbalist's private investigator Laura Holt.

Brosnan’s most famous role was as James Bond, starting with 1995’s GoldenEye, as well as 1997’s Tomorrow Never Dies, 1999’s The World Is Not Enough and 2002’s Die Another Day. Photo: PA, Yui Mok

8/40Brosnan’s most famous role was as James Bond, starting with 1995’s GoldenEye, as well as 1997’s Tomorrow Never Dies, 1999’s The World Is Not Enough and 2002’s Die Another Day. Photo: PA, Yui Mok

While James Bond is a lethario, Brosnan had the perfect answer when asked about his relationship. “I found a great woman in Keely Shaye,” he said in People in 2001. “Not if I searched a million times over would I find one as good.” Photo: AP Photo/BMW

9/40While James Bond is a lethario, Brosnan had the perfect answer when asked about his relationship. “I found a great woman in Keely Shaye,” he said in People in 2001. “Not if I searched a million times over would I find one as good.” Photo: AP Photo/BMW

10/40X x x. Photo: Instagram

11/40Actor Pierce Brosnan and companion Keely Shaye Smith arrive for 68th Academy (Oscar) Awards in LA 25 Mar 1996. Brosnan/Actor P/R headshot smiling

Brosnan was previously married to Australian actress Cassandra Harris in 1980. The couple had one son together, Sean. Unfortunately Harris was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1987 and died in December 1991. Brosnan adopted both of Harris’ children Charlotte and Chris after their birth father Dermot Harris died in 1986 and they subsequently took his surname. Charlotte also died of ovarian cancer in 2013.

12/40Brosnan was previously married to Australian actress Cassandra Harris in 1980. The couple had one son together, Sean. Unfortunately Harris was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1987 and died in December 1991. Brosnan adopted both of Harris’ children Charlotte and Chris after their birth father Dermot Harris died in 1986 and they subsequently took his surname. Charlotte also died of ovarian cancer in 2013.

Brosnan adopted both of Harris’ children Charlotte and Chris after their birth father Dermot Harris died in 1986 and they subsequently took his surname. Charlotte also died of ovarian cancer in 2013. Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

13/40Brosnan adopted both of Harris’ children Charlotte and Chris after their birth father Dermot Harris died in 1986 and they subsequently took his surname. Charlotte also died of ovarian cancer in 2013. Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

In November 1997, the couple graced the cover of Redbook Magazine with the publication’s first dual covers. One shows Brosnan gazing at Shaye Smith breastfeeding their son. The other shows Brosnan and Smith posing with Dylan. Photo: AP Photo/Redbook

14/40In November 1997, the couple graced the cover of Redbook Magazine with the publication’s first dual covers. One shows Brosnan gazing at Shaye Smith breastfeeding their son. The other shows Brosnan and Smith posing with Dylan. Photo: AP Photo/Redbook

15/40x x x Photo: Instagram

Hollywood actor Pierce Brosnan (right) his wife Keely Shaye Smith (left) and sons Paris, 5, and Dylan, 10, show their supports at a rally on Malibu Pier, California, Saurday, March 10, 2007. The group gathered to protest a massive liquified natural gas terminal BHP Billiton hopes to build off the coast of Malibu. (AAP Image/Peter Mitchell) NO ARCHIVING

16/40Hollywood actor Pierce Brosnan (right) his wife Keely Shaye Smith (left) and sons Paris, 5, and Dylan, 10, show their supports at a rally on Malibu Pier, California, Saurday, March 10, 2007. The group gathered to protest a massive liquified natural gas terminal BHP Billiton hopes to build off the coast of Malibu. (AAP Image/Peter Mitchell) NO ARCHIVING

17/40The boys are all grown up now and have modelled for Tommy Hilfiger. Photo: Instagram

18/40They were also included in the 2022 People Magazine Sexist Man Alive. Photo: Instagram

19/40In 2020, Dylan and Paris were also ambassadors for the Golden Globes. Photo: Instagram

The couple were married in 2001 with the Rolls-Royce motor car believed to be carrying Keely, surrounded by security as it arrived at Ballintubber Abbey in Ireland.

20/40The couple were married in 2001 with the Rolls-Royce motor car believed to be carrying Keely, surrounded by security as it arrived at Ballintubber Abbey in Ireland.

21/40Shaye Smith before marrying Brosnan. Photo: Instagram

22/40The actress was simply stunning on her wedding day. Photo: Instagram

Fans claimed that Princess Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, must have taken inspiration for her marriage to Prince William. Photo: Instagram

23/40Fans claimed that Princess Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, must have taken inspiration for her marriage to Prince William. Photo: Instagram

24/40What a beautiful couple. Photo: Instagram

25/40Brosnan and Shaye-Smith arrive at the christening of son at Ballintubber Abbey on August 3, 2001.

26/40Brosnan and Smith at the 55th International Film Festival in Cannes May 18, 2002. Photo: AP/Pierre/Villard

27/40The pair have been a staple on red carpets together. Photo: AFP/Getty

28/40Brosnan and Smith at the Laws of Attraction premiere in New York in 2004. Photo: AP Photo/Tina Fineberg

29/40Brosnan and Smith at Wimbledon in July 2007. Photo: AP/Kirsty Wigglesworth

The couple at the Serpentine Gallery's summer party at the gallery in Kensington Gardens on Wednesday July 11, 2007. Photo: AP Photo/Nathan Strange

30/40The couple at the Serpentine Gallery's summer party at the gallery in Kensington Gardens on Wednesday July 11, 2007. Photo: AP Photo/Nathan Strange

31/40Brosnon debuting some daring facial hair at the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards in January 2020. Photo by VALERIE MACON / AFP

32/40Brosnan and Keely at the Black Adam premiere in October 2022. Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP

33/40The lovers have aged like fine wine. Photo: Instagram

34/40The couple have come a long way from 1996. This was from the 2nd Annual Blockbuster Entertainment Awards. Photo: Instagram

35/40They make a beautiful couple. Photo: Instagram

36/40Smith could easily have been a Bond girl — the couple at the GoldenEye premiere. Photo: Instagram

37/40Keely told People that Pierce had a “mischievous sparkle in his eyes” — still seems to be the case. Photo: Instagram

38/40The couple look happier than ever. Photo: Instagram

39/40The pair look as glamorous as ever having been photographed together at the play “Good Night, and Good Luck”. She called it "a triumph". Photo: Instagram

40/40Here’s to many more years together for one of Hollywood’s true love stories. Photo: Instagram

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