MomSkoop
Celebrity relationships come and go, but some are so unexpected or brief that they’ve faded from our memories. Before they found their current partners or went their separate ways, many stars had romances that might surprise you today. Take a walk down memory lane with these famous couples whose relationships have largely been forgotten by the public.
1. Ryan Gosling and Sandra Bullock
Long before Ryan Gosling became one half of Hollywood’s most admired couples with Eva Mendes, he dated Sandra Bullock after they met on the set of “Murder by Numbers” in 2002. Their 16-year age gap raised eyebrows, but the romance lasted for about a year. Gosling later called Bullock one of his “greatest girlfriends ever” in interviews. The relationship happened when Sandra was already an established A-lister while Ryan was just beginning his journey to stardom. Both have since moved on to other relationships and rarely mention their time together, which is why many fans completely forget this unexpected pairing ever happened.
2. Cher and Tom Cruise
Before Tom Cruise jumped on Oprah’s couch professing his love for Katie Holmes, he had a brief but memorable fling with music icon Cher in the 1980s. Cher, 16 years his senior, met the rising star at Madonna’s wedding to Sean Penn, and sparks flew despite the age difference. Years later on Watch What Happens Live, Cher ranked Cruise among her top five lovers of all time. The romance happened just as Cruise’s career was taking off with films like “Risky Business” and “Top Gun.” This short-lived relationship remains one of Hollywood’s most surprising forgotten couples that few remember today.
3. Brad Pitt and Christina Applegate
Back in 1989, before Brad Pitt became a household name, he briefly dated “Married with Children” star Christina Applegate. Their romance culminated in Applegate bringing Pitt as her date to the MTV Movie Awards—only to famously ditch him mid-date for another man! Christina later admitted on Watch What Happens Live that she left with someone else that night, though she refused to name who. This pre-fame relationship happened when both were young actors trying to make their mark in Hollywood. The story of their brief romance and dramatic award show night has become a funny footnote in celebrity dating history that most people have forgotten.
4. Ashton Kutcher and January Jones
Before Ashton Kutcher married Demi Moore (and later Mila Kunis), he dated “Mad Men” actress January Jones from 1998 to 2001. Their relationship began when both were models trying to break into acting, with Kutcher landing “That ’70s Show” during their time together. Jones later revealed that Kutcher wasn’t supportive of her acting ambitions, claiming he told her she wasn’t a good actress. The relationship ended after about three years, with both going on to successful careers. Few fans remember this early-career romance that happened before either became the household names they are today.
5. Madonna and Dennis Rodman
Madonna’s dating history includes many famous men, but her two-month relationship with NBA bad boy Dennis Rodman in 1994 stands out as particularly unexpected. During their brief but intense fling, Rodman claimed in his autobiography that Madonna desperately wanted to have his baby. The basketball star, known for his colorful hair and rebellious attitude, matched Madonna’s provocative public image perfectly. Their relationship made headlines but fizzled out quickly due to their equally strong personalities. Despite the media attention it received at the time, this odd pairing has largely been forgotten among Madonna’s many high-profile relationships throughout her decades-long career.
6. Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd
Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd’s relationship flew under the radar before they starred together in “Friends” (where he played Phoebe’s husband) and later in “The Object of My Affection.” Their brief romance reportedly happened in 1998, between Aniston’s relationships with Tate Donovan and Brad Pitt. The pair maintained such a good friendship afterward that they continued working together multiple times, including in the 2012 film “Wanderlust.” Their chemistry was always evident on screen, but few remember they once dated. This forgotten relationship demonstrates how some Hollywood romances can evolve into lasting professional partnerships and friendships.
7. Mila Kunis and Macaulay Culkin
While everyone knows Mila Kunis is now happily married to Ashton Kutcher, many forget she spent eight years in a serious relationship with “Home Alone” star Macaulay Culkin. The couple dated from 2002 to 2010, beginning when Kunis was just 18 and starring on “That ’70s Show.” Kunis later admitted on Dax Shepard’s podcast that the relationship ended partly because of her own immaturity. They kept their romance relatively private despite being followed by paparazzi. The length and seriousness of this relationship often surprises fans who’ve forgotten about it, especially considering how young both stars were when they committed to each other.
8. Sarah Jessica Parker and Robert Downey Jr.
Before Carrie Bradshaw and Iron Man, Sarah Jessica Parker and Robert Downey Jr. were a serious couple from 1984 to 1991. They met on the set of “Firstborn” when both were just 18 years old and moved in together shortly after. Their relationship coincided with Downey’s escalating substance abuse problems, which Parker has said was the primary reason for their breakup. Despite the challenges, they stayed together for seven years during their formative career years. Many fans of both actors have completely forgotten this significant relationship that shaped their early adult lives, long before their most iconic roles made them the superstars they are today.
9. Helen Mirren and Liam Neeson
Dame Helen Mirren and Liam Neeson shared a passionate romance in the early 1980s after meeting on the set of the medieval film “Excalibur.” Neeson later revealed that he was instantly smitten with Mirren, calling it “love at first sight” when he saw the actress in her Morgana Le Fay costume. The couple lived together for about four years, with Mirren even helping Neeson get his first agent. Their relationship ended amicably, and both have spoken fondly of each other in interviews decades later. Few remember this serious relationship between two of Hollywood’s most respected actors before they became the industry legends they are today.
10. Winona Ryder and Matt Damon
After Winona Ryder’s high-profile engagement to Johnny Depp ended, she briefly dated Matt Damon in 1998. The relationship began after Gwyneth Paltrow, who had previously dated Damon, introduced them at a New Year’s Eve party. Their romance coincided with the height of Damon’s post-“Good Will Hunting” fame and Ryder’s established career. The relationship lasted less than a year but represented a union of two of the biggest stars of the late 1990s. This short-lived Hollywood power couple has been largely forgotten, overshadowed by Ryder’s relationship with Depp and Damon’s later marriage to Luciana Barroso.