Hollywood breakups usually follow a script. There is the vague "mutual respect" statement, a flurry of paparazzi shots of someone looking sad at a gas station, and then... silence. But when Brandon Routh and wife Courtney Ford announced their split in early 2025, it felt different. For fans of the "Arrowverse" and anyone who remember Routh’s turn as the Man of Steel, these two were the gold standard. They weren't just a couple; they were a team that actually worked together—literally—on hit shows like DC's Legends of Tomorrow.
They were together for 21 years. That’s an eternity in Los Angeles. Honestly, most people thought they were the one couple that would actually make it. Seeing them file for divorce after 17 years of marriage was a genuine gut punch to the fandom.
The Meet-Cute That Wasn't at a Movie Premiere
You’d think a guy who played Superman would meet his wife at some glitzy industry party. Nope. Brandon Routh met Courtney Ford while he was working as a bartender.
It was 2003. Brandon was still a struggling actor, slinging drinks at the Lucky Strike bowling alley in Hollywood. Courtney was there for her brother’s wedding rehearsal dinner. Talk about high pressure—he met her entire family the same night he met her. Courtney later joked that he had to pass the "brother test" before he even got a first date.
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They dated for three years while their careers started to simmer. While Brandon was off in Australia filming Superman Returns, they stayed connected through nightly phone calls. This wasn't some casual fling; it was a foundational partnership built before the "fame" part really kicked in. Brandon eventually proposed in August 2006 at the Glastonbury Center in England, and they tied the knot in November 2007 at the El Capitan Ranch in Santa Barbara.
Brandon Routh and Wife: A Professional Partnership
What made their dynamic so unique was how often they shared the screen. Most actors avoid working with their spouses to keep some "mystery" or just to keep the peace. Not these two. They seemed to seek it out.
- Legends of Tomorrow: This is where they became iconic as a duo. Brandon played Ray Palmer (The Atom), and Courtney joined the cast as Nora Darhk. Their chemistry was so undeniable that the writers actually turned their characters into a romantic couple.
- The Big Exit: In 2020, fans were devastated when both were written off the show. It wasn't their choice—Brandon was pretty vocal on social media and in interviews that he wasn't ready to leave. But they left together, which felt like a poetic end to that chapter of their lives.
- Other Projects: They also popped up together in the 2011 indie film Fling (also known as Lie to Me).
Basically, they spent the better part of two decades as coworkers and life partners. That much "together time" can either forge a bond of steel or create cracks that are hard to mend once the cameras stop rolling.
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The 2025 Split: What Really Happened?
In January 2025, the news broke that Courtney Ford had filed for divorce. She cited "irreconcilable differences," which is the standard legal jargon, but the timing was surreal. The couple had to release their statement while wildfires were literally raging near their home in Los Angeles.
"It feels ridiculous to post this statement with fires still raging, but an online publication announced our news before we could," they shared on Instagram.
They noted they were entering a "new journey" as friends and co-parents. Their son, Leo James, who was born in August 2012, remains their absolute priority. By October 2025, Courtney opened up a bit more, telling Us Weekly that the divorce has been "amicable." She even used the word "coworkers" to describe their history, which says a lot about how intertwined their identities were.
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Life After the Man of Steel
So, what does Brandon Routh and wife Courtney Ford’s life look like now? For one, they’ve moved fast on the legal side. Reports indicate they settled the divorce details—including child support and custody of Leo—within weeks of the initial filing. They didn't want a long, drawn-out court battle in the tabloids.
Brandon has since been linked to other people in the industry, and Courtney seems focused on her production work and acting. It’s a weird transition. When you’ve been "Brandon and Courtney" for 21 years, finding out who you are as just "Brandon" or just "Courtney" takes some doing.
Key Takeaways for Fans
If you're looking for the "why" behind the split, there isn't some scandalous smoking gun. It seems to be a classic case of two people who grew up together and eventually grew into different versions of themselves.
- Prioritize the Kids: Both actors have kept Leo out of the spotlight throughout the process.
- Amicable is Possible: Even in Hollywood, you can end a 20-year relationship without burning the house down.
- Work and Life Balance: Their time on Legends of Tomorrow remains a highlight for fans because their real-life love made the fictional one feel authentic.
The "Superman" era of their relationship might be over, but they’ve both made it clear they are still "rooting for each other." In a world of messy celebrity breakups, that’s probably the most heroic thing they could do.
If you want to keep up with their individual projects, keep an eye on Brandon's upcoming indie slate and Courtney's guest spots on procedural dramas. They might not be a "package deal" anymore, but their legacy as one of the few long-term Hollywood success stories—even with this ending—remains intact.