Lily Tomlin is one of Hollywood’s most beloved actresses, but there was a time when she had to keep her greatest love a secret.
Tomlin first captured hearts in the late 1960s with her comedic roles on variety shows and sketch comedies. In recent years, she’s shined alongside longtime collaborator Jane Fonda in the hit Netflix series Grace and Frankie, where they play women navigating life after their husbands fall in love with each other.
Beyond Grace and Frankie, Tomlin has an impressive list of film credits, including Nashville, The Late Show, All of Me, and Big Business. She’s also made her mark as a voice actress in films and shows like The Ant Bully, The Simpsons, and The Last of the Red Hat Mamas.
Despite her long list of acting achievements, Lily Tomlin has kept much of her personal life private—especially her 55-year relationship with writer Jane Wagner.
The two first crossed paths in 1971, when Tomlin, then starring on the comedy sketch show Laugh-In, sought out Wagner’s help in perfecting her iconic character, Edith Ann. Their professional collaboration quickly turned into a deep personal connection, and they became a couple.
Reflecting on their instant bond, Tomlin revealed in a 2020 interview that she fell in love with Wagner in just “two minutes.” Their partnership has been a defining part of Tomlin’s life, even though it remained under wraps for many years.
As Lily Tomlin and Jane Wagner’s relationship evolved, so did their creative partnership. Wagner once said that Tomlin’s belief in her work gave her confidence, sharing, “We loved similar things, and it was remarkable how we were always on the same page.” She credited Tomlin’s drive and strength for inspiring her, adding, “Her appreciation of my work meant everything to me.”
Although deeply committed, marriage wasn’t initially part of their plans. On The Late Late Show with James Corden, Tomlin humorously recalled how a persistent red carpet reporter kept asking when they would get married. After same-sex marriage became legal, Tomlin joked that she had “no recourse but to get married,” and the couple finally tied the knot in 2013, after 45 years together.
The couple wed 10 years ago in December 2013, but received their marriage certificate a few days beforehand – collecting it incognito.
Tomlin since revealed that she did not wish publications to write about them, with the newlyweds saying “I do” in a private ceremony at a friend’s house.
I don’t know about you, but Lily Tomlin and Jane Wagner’s love story is one of the sweetest in Hollywood!
Wishing Lily Tomlin the happiest of birthdays
