Trying again at celeb relationships of the Eighties and early ‘90s is all the time enjoyable: the large hair, the classic outfits and the truth that each little nugget of data looks like gossip gold as a result of lack of web again then.
Courteney Cox and Michael Keaton are the right instance. Again within the trivia night time portion of your mind, you most likely keep in mind that they have been as soon as a factor — however we’re right here to remind you of the small print of their lengthy and really severe relationship.
The way it Started
The yr was 1989 and Keaton, now 74, was a reasonably large deal, recent off his Beetlejuice (1988) success, and about to look in Batman (1989.) The star was additionally within the strategy of divorcing his ex-wife, Caroline McWilliams. (The previous couple’s son, Sean, was born in 1983.)
At this level, Cox, now 61, was newer to the celebrity recreation, with just a few TV roles below her belt and, after all, that iconic look in Bruce Springsteen’s 1984 “Dancing within the Darkish” video.
After Cox, then simply 25, informed an business good friend how a lot she admired Keaton’s work, they have been arrange on a date — and, to keep away from consideration, it occurred at Cox’s home. “We talked for 5 hours,” she informed Folks in 1995. “We talked about our dream properties — the nice ones we’d seen and the sort we’d wish to construct ourselves.”
How Lengthy it Lasted

Michael Keaton and Courteney Cox in 1991 Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Assortment through Getty Photographs
A lengthy time — nearly six years! The couple made all of it the way in which to July 1995 when Cox was basking in her newfound worldwide fame as Monica Geller on Pals.
Their relationship was personal, with the couple preferring to remain in, cook dinner and revel in one another’s firm in and round Santa Monica than make too many pink carpet PDA appearances. In truth, in 1992, Keaton even purchased Cox a six-burner range. Nonetheless, opposite to rumors that began swirling within the months earlier than they cut up, he by no means gave her a hoop. “I guess that three-carat diamond is admittedly lovely,” Cox informed the L.A. Instances. “However I by no means noticed it.”
The way it Ended
It’s clear that calling it quits wasn’t a simple resolution for these two as, just a few months after their demise, Cox informed Folks: “It’s an important relationship I’ve ever had.” She added: “I feel he’s essentially the most fantastic particular person I’ve ever met. We nonetheless love one another.”
When requested if they could get again collectively, she even stated, “With us, you possibly can by no means inform. Nothing about our relationship was ever easy.” She revealed that the pair shared a particular connection, saying, “We have been sympathetic on so many ranges. If one thing bizarre occurred, we’d flip to one another and simply say, ‘I do know.’”

Michael Keaton and Courteney Cox in 1991 Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Assortment through Getty Photographs
The actress’s mother, Courteney Copeland, who died in 2020, additionally did just a little meddling within the press. “They have been all the time making an attempt to work on themselves,” she informed Folks. “They should neglect that and settle for one another the way in which they’re — and simply get married.”
Alas, she didn’t get her want — regardless of the apparent heartache they have been going by, they stayed aside for good.
What They Mentioned About Every Different
Keaton by no means spoke publicly about their relationship, however Cox was extra open, praising the actor for his wit. “He all the time got here up with essentially the most intelligent methods of constructing a line humorous,” she informed Folks in 1995. “Regardless of how upset or pissed off I used to be, Michael might make just a little face and crack me up.”

Michael Keaton and Courteney Cox in 1992 Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc
In 1996, Cox talked to the Women Dwelling Journal about a few of the causes behind the cut up. “Our life are very totally different,” she stated. “We simply have totally different personalities. I don’t need to inform an excessive amount of about him as a result of he’s a really personal particular person, and he’s not fairly as impulsive as I’m about making selections.”
What They Say Now
Their relationship is clearly historic historical past now however just a few years after the cut up, Cox was philosophical about the way it ended. “Relationships are harder than I believed,” she informed USA At this time in 1998. “I’ve received quite a lot of work to do on myself. Actors courting actors can work out. Crucial factor is to be with somebody who’s artistic and keen about what they do.”
In fact, just some years later, she did go on to fall for one more actor — David Arquette, who she was married to from 1999 to 2013. (They welcomed daughter Coco in 2004.)
Key Relationship Takeaways

Courtney Cox and Michael Keaton in 1993 Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Assortment through Getty Photographs
Her partnership with Keaton was a very formative relationship for Cox as she discovered her method in Hollywood — however maybe Keaton, already a father and revered A-list star after they met, was in the end just a little too mature and established for them to go the space.
Today, Cox is in a long-term relationship with Snow Patrol’s Johnny McDaid, 49, after assembly through Ed Sheeran in 2013. “I’ve by no means met somebody extra affected person,” she stated in 2022. “I like his coronary heart, his intentions. His morals. He’s extraordinarily proficient and clearly musical, however he’s a poet and a author. He’s simply so sensible, and I discover that actually horny. After which he’s attractive.”
Keaton, in the meantime, has been quietly courting Marni Turner for greater than a decade.