It's the type of shocking news that we've now come to dread: Another celebrity couple — one we had loved and admired and had really been rooting for throughout the years — has called it quits. Sure, it doesn't exactly affect our own lives, but it's still somewhat upsetting, especially if we can remember the days when they first started dating, or got married, or even welcomed a baby or two.
These announcements usually come complete with a handful of throwback photos and a carefully written statement about how the two stars will continue to support and care for each other while remaining the "best of friends." And that's where they tend to lose us. We've experienced enough breakups of our own to know that this is something that people just say, rather than actually do.
But a few famous former pairs really did follow through with their promises. Some of them committed to being excellent co-parents to their kids, while others simply realized that they were much better off as friends and were able to put the past behind them to just casually pal around. Most recently, Gwyneth Paltrow and Brad Pitt (who dated and were engaged in the '90s) came back together for a Goop interview, professing their love for each other in the process. Anything can happen!
We've put together a list of former celebrity couples who stayed friendly post-breakup, which is a strong dose of happy news that we're always in the mood to hear. It's certainly easier said than done, but it can happen.
Sheree Zampino & Will Smith
Will Smith and ex-wife Sheree Zampino are serious goals. They've found a way to not only co-parent but remain a true family — blending their families with their now grown-up son, Trey, and Will's two kids with Jada Pinkett Smith, Jaden and Willow (who are both also now adults). In the past, Jada even had a sit-down with Sheree on her Red Table Talk show to discuss their relationship and getting to a place of love.
Demi Moore & Bruce Willis
Partying together with all three of their daughters? Demi Moore hilariously roasting Bruce Willis on TV? They may no longer be a couple, but they clearly enjoy having fun together as a family. And since they do share three daughters — Tallulah, Scout, and Rumer — it seems like they'll always be in each other's lives.
Jennifer Garner & Ben Affleck
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner and their three kids spend holidays together, go to church together, and do pretty much most things together. Jennifer has supported Ben by driving him to get treatment for his alcohol addiction. She's also publicly wished the actor a happy Father's Day on Instagram, saying, "Our kids are lucky to have a dad who looks at them the way you look at them and loves them the way you love them."
Lisa Bonet & Lenny Kravitz
We understand being friendly for the sake of the kids, but exes Lisa Bonet and Lenny Kravitz take it to a whole new level. Not only do they still get along and spend time together with their adult daughter, Zoë Kravitz, but Lenny also stayed cool with Jason Momoa after he and Lisa got together (though they've since split).
Mariah Carey & Nick Cannon
Though Nick Cannon has had several children with new flames since his 2014 split from Mariah Carey, the two are still on great terms as they co-parent twins Moroccan and Monroe. "Obviously, Mariah and I co-parent really well," Nick said on The Language of Love podcast in February 2022. "We're really great friends, and she's taught me so much — so that's family."
Gwyneth Paltrow & Chris Martin
"Conscious uncoupling" really worked for Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin! The actress and Goop founder still considers Chris to be family, and they frequently go on vacation together and snap photos with their two children. And it doesn't seem like Gwyneth's current husband, Brad Falchuk, minds, either. She's shared a photo of the two men smiling while sitting side by side.
Jennifer Lopez & Marc Anthony
The romance may be gone, but Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony continue to make beautiful music together while co-parenting their twins, Max and Emme — and they've even performed together since their divorce. "I think we're really good the way we are," Jennifer said on an episode of Live With Kelly, at the time addressing rumors of a reconciliation. "Honestly, we're always gonna be great friends. I'm always gonna be there for him, he's always gonna be there for me."
Courteney Cox & David Arquette
Courteney Cox spoke about her split and friendship with David Arquette while on Running Wild With Bear Grylls in 2016. "I think that we were such good friends," she said. "We found ourselves leading separate lives and just coexisting and being great friends, but not having the intimacy that is so important in a relationship."
The exes now pride themselves on being there for their adult daughter Coco, and even took a picture together while attending her school play.
Dany Garcia & Dwayne Johnson
It was a risky move, but Dany Garcia became Dwayne Johnson's manager right before they split in 2008. And it turns out that a working relationship was much better for them.
"Some people go through separation and there's no conversation, and it's a dark time, and one person goes off, but that was never us," Dany told Marie Claire in 2017. "We spent over a year looking at the things that didn't work in our marriage, the reasons why, making sure those elements had been cleared and taken care of, and that we had a real understanding of respect."
Fergie & Josh Duhamel
Fergie and Josh Duhamel are another former couple who put their child, son Axl, first. They were even spotted hugging after a parent-teacher meeting at the end of 2018.
Josh also supported Fergie after she was criticized for a questionable rendition of the national anthem, telling Ellen DeGeneres, "She's an amazing woman, an amazing human being really." More recently, Fergie was one of the first in line to congratulate Josh on his engagement to Audra Mari.
Kate Beckinsale & Michael Sheen
Despite splitting in 2003, Kate Beckinsale and Martin Sheen have remained close, even spending holidays together with their daughter, Lily.
"I think the thing is, if you both really put your kid's well-being first, and share a sense of humor, you're sort of halfway there," Kate said on Netflix's Chelsea in 2017.
Elizabeth Hurley & Hugh Grant
Elizabeth Hurley and Hugh Grant's eight-year relationship ended after he got caught up in a prostitution scandal. But somehow, they've managed to remain close. Hugh is even the godfather to Elizabeth's son!
"I'm very lucky that 31 years into our friendship, he's still my best friend in the world," she said on E!'s Daily Pop in 2018. "He's a really great guy. Yeah, I see him a lot, I speak to him a lot. You know, he's now a father of five, he has five kids and he's a great dad. Yeah, he'll remain my best friend for life."
Miranda Kerr & Orlando Bloom
Miranda Kerr and Orlando Bloom are divorced, but they still make life-altering decisions as a team for the sake of their son — including moving across the country. Since the actor owned a home in Malibu, California, and wanted to move back to the area, Miranda made the choice to relocate from New York. "I started looking for houses because we wanted to be close as a family," she told Harper's Bazaar in 2016.
Now that Orlando is engaged to Katy Perry and shares a child with her, Katy and Miranda are also on excellent terms.
Amber Rose & Wiz Khalifa
Amber Rose and Wiz Khalifa are occasionally spotted together with their son, Sebastian. During a freestyle rap on the radio show Big Boy's Neighborhood, Wiz mentioned his ex, saying: "I still love her. She loves me, too. You think Imma talk bad about her, you're through. I never will, that's the mother of my kid."
According to Amber Rose, one of the reasons they're so good at co-parenting is because they "don't sleep together." "Move forward and just make it about your child and you'll be able to be friends," she advised.
Mindy Kaling & B.J. Novak
For years after meeting in 2004, Mindy Kaling and B.J. Novak had an on-again, off-again relationship (at one point, he even broke her heart). But these days, they promise they're just BFFs — who help promote each other's professional projects and walk the red carpet together. In 2014, Mindy spoke about their current status to Howard Stern. "He's legitimately one of my best friends," she revealed. "I love him, and I think he's a great person, but I'm not holding a candle for B.J."
There have even been rumors that B.J. could be the father of Mindy's two children, but she's never confirmed or denied them.
Busy Philipps & Colin Hanks
Busy Philipps and Colin Hanks dated while in college. But now, the two hang out together along with their spouses. Part of what continues to keep their bond strong? Their shared love of acting.
"We got our first television shows within the same week," Colin revealed on Live With Kelly. "We got our first movies within the same week. We were able to go through all the really special moments in a young actor's lives together."
Kaley Cuoco & Johnny Galecki
After spending two years as a couple, Kaley Cuoco and Johnny Galecki broke up … and had to continue working together on Big Bang Theory. Still, there was little drama involved: They continued to play on-screen love interests until the show ended, and they still give each other birthday shout-outs.
As Johnny put simply it to CBS Watch! magazine in 2013: "We're dear friends, still. Kaley's not just an ex, she's a part of my life."
Mandy Moore & Wilmer Valderrama
Wilmer Valderrama publicly lied about taking Mandy Moore's virginity, which is a pretty good excuse for her to never talk to him again. But the stars — who dated when Mandy was just a teen — are still on good terms. "We're not that close, but we're friendly," Mandy has said of their relationship, and the photos they've posted together in recent years back up her claim. They also attended Universal Studios' Halloween Horror Nights together in 2018, as part of a "yearly tradition."
In March 2022, Wilmer also made a cameo in Mandy's music video for "In Real Life."
Demi Lovato & Wilmer Valderrama
Speaking of Wilmer, he and Demi Lovato have remained close since calling it quits in 2016 after six years of dating. The That '70s Show star remained in constant contact with the singer after their overdose, visiting them in the hospital and in rehab. As recently as 2021, reports claimed that Wilmer and Demi are still on good terms.
Helena Christensen & Norman Reedus
Norman Reedus gave his model ex Helena Christensen a special shout-out when their son, Mingus, graduated high school, and again when posting a photo of his new daughter with Diane Kruger. In 2014, Norman spoke to the New York Post about his friendship with Helena, saying: "She's a really cool girl. She's really smart, and we laugh at the same crap."
Norman and Helena have even been caught hanging out in public recently — proof that they're still good friends.
Lena Dunham & Jack Antonoff
According to social media posts, Lena Dunham and Jack Antonoff are still "best friends 4ever" after ending their five-year relationship. Lena has even spoken about how they remain close and text often in recent interviews. Today, Lena is married to Luis Felber, while Jack is planning to walk down the aisle with actress Margaret Qualley.
Gwyneth Paltrow & Brad Pitt
Though Gwyneth Paltrow and Brad Pitt dated, got engaged, and broke up in the early '90s, they're still on good terms today — good enough that Gwyneth recently interviewed Brad for Goop. At one point in the interview, Brad told her, "It's lovely to have you as a friend now," and they both told each other they love each other. Aww!
