Dermot Mulroney and Wife: Why the Marriage Actually Ended

Dermot Mulroney and Wife: Why the Marriage Actually Ended

Dermot Mulroney has always been that guy you recognize but can’t quite place until someone mentions My Best Friend’s Wedding. He’s the quintessential Hollywood leading man who somehow managed to keep his private life, well, private. For nearly two decades, the actor and his wife, Prima Apollinaare—formerly known as Tharita Cesaroni—were the definition of a "stealth" Hollywood couple. They didn’t do the messy tabloid thing. They didn’t overshare on Instagram.

Then came June 2025.

The news hit that Mulroney had filed for divorce after 15 years of marriage. It felt abrupt to fans who had just seen them performing a duet on the FOX game show We Are Family only a year prior. Honestly, it’s one of those breakups that makes you look twice at the "happily ever after" narrative celebrities usually try to sell.

The Evolution of Dermot Mulroney and Wife Prima Apollinaare

Dermot didn't just jump into this marriage. He had already navigated the high-profile Hollywood divorce circuit once before with actress Catherine Keener. After seventeen years and one son, Clyde, that marriage dissolved in 2007. Just a year later, in 2008, he met Tharita Cesaroni.

Tharita wasn't an actress, at least not in the way Keener was. She was an Italian musician and cinematographer, born in Milan to a creative family. Her mother, Emy Cesaroni, was a singer and actress, and her father played trumpet and piano. Music was basically in her DNA. It’s likely what connected her to Mulroney, who isn't just an actor but a classically trained cellist who has played on scores for massive films like Jurassic World and Star Trek.

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By the time they officially tied the knot in 2010, they already had two daughters, Mabel Ray and Sally June. For the next decade and a half, they lived a relatively quiet life in Los Angeles.

The Strange Name Change

In 2015, things took a bit of a quirky turn. Tharita filed legal paperwork to change her name. You’d think she might finally take "Mulroney," right? Nope. She became Prima Apollinaare.

People were confused. Was it a stage name? A spiritual awakening? A tribute to the French poet Guillaume Apollinaire? She never really gave a straight answer, but Dermot started referring to her as Prima in interviews, and the world just kind of moved on. It was just another layer of the "stealth" vibe they cultivated.

Why Did They Split in 2025?

When the divorce papers were filed on June 21, 2025, the reason cited was the classic "irreconcilable differences." It’s the legal equivalent of saying "it just didn't work out," but the filings themselves raised some eyebrows.

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Dermot, representing himself without a lawyer at first, requested spousal support from Prima while simultaneously asking the court to block her from receiving any from him. On paper, that looks aggressive. It looks like a "money move." However, the reality behind the scenes seems much more chill.

According to sources close to the couple and reports from Entertainment Weekly, the filing was actually a technicality. The couple reportedly used mediators rather than high-priced divorce attorneys to keep things civil. They were advised to file the paperwork in a specific way that looked dramatic in headlines but was actually part of a pre-agreed-upon settlement.

A Friendly Breakup?

"They are friends and this is amicable," an insider told reporters shortly after the news broke. They weren't fighting over the kids or the bank accounts. In fact, they were even listed at the same Sherman Oaks address in the initial documents.

It’s a rare thing in Hollywood to see a 15-year marriage end without a "source" leaking stories about infidelity or hidden gambling debts. In this case, it seems they just grew apart. They had spent nearly 20 years together if you count the dating years. That’s a lifetime in industry years.

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Life After the Split

So, where does that leave them now in 2026?

Prima Apollinaare is doubling down on her music career. She’s been working with producer Eren Cannata and teasing new projects on social media. She’s 75 percent Italian and 15 percent Argentinian, and she’s leaning back into those roots for her newer, soulful tracks.

Dermot, meanwhile, is still everywhere. Between his stint on Chicago Fire and his roles in various indie films, his career hasn't slowed down a bit. He’s 62 now, and by all accounts, he’s focused on co-parenting his daughters, who are now in their late teens.

  • The Kids: Mabel Ray and Sally June are the priority. Both parents requested joint legal and physical custody.
  • The Career: Mulroney continues to balance acting with his cello sessions, proving he's still one of the hardest-working guys in the business.
  • The Legacy: Despite two divorces, Mulroney has managed to maintain a reputation as a "good guy" in an industry that usually eats those for breakfast.

Basically, the story of Dermot Mulroney and his wife isn't a tragedy. It’s just a long chapter that finally reached its natural conclusion. They stayed together longer than most, raised two kids, and managed to walk away without burning the house down. In Hollywood, that’s actually a massive win.

If you’re following this story to see if there’s a "villain," you’re probably going to be disappointed. Sometimes, two people just decide they’re better off as friends and co-parents than as romantic partners.

For those looking to keep up with their current projects, you can check out Prima's music on streaming platforms or catch Dermot in his latest series. Moving forward, the best way to support both is to appreciate the art they’re making separately, rather than waiting for a reunion that likely isn't coming.