You’ve seen her crush it as Liz Lemon, Sarah Palin, and the mastermind behind Mean Girls. But when it comes to her private life, people still find themselves asking: is Tina Fey married? Honestly, in an industry where marriages often have the shelf life of an open carton of milk, Tina Fey’s relationship is kind of a statistical anomaly.
She isn't just married; she has been with the same guy since before Saturday Night Live even knew her name. We’re talking about a bond that goes back to the mid-90s Chicago improv scene. It’s a Hollywood rarity. No messy public divorces, no tabloid cheating scandals—just a long-term partnership with a man she once jokingly described as "travel-size."
The short answer is yes. Since 2001, Tina Fey has been married to Jeff Richmond. But calling him just "her husband" is a bit of an undersell. He’s the guy behind the music of your favorite shows, her frequent creative collaborator, and the person she credits for keeping her grounded through decades of fame.
The Chicago Meet-Cute That Actually Worked
They didn't meet on a red carpet. They met at The Second City in Chicago. Back then, Tina was an aspiring performer, and Jeff was a director and composer. Think about that for a second: they were together when they were basically broke, long before the Emmys and the multi-million dollar Netflix deals.
Jeff famously told The New Yorker that he knew Tina was special the moment he saw her on stage. He wasn't just impressed that she was "funny for a woman"—a backhanded compliment she probably heard too often back then—but that she was funnier than all the talented men she was performing with. They dated for seven years before they finally tied the knot.
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When Did They Get Hitched?
The big day happened on June 3, 2001. It wasn't some over-the-top Vegas spectacle or a destination wedding in Italy. They had a traditional Greek Orthodox ceremony. This was right around the time they moved to New York City so Tina could lean into her role at SNL.
They’ve been married for over 24 years now. In "celebrity years," that’s basically a century.
Why the Height Difference is a Thing
If you’ve seen them on a red carpet, you might notice Jeff is a bit shorter than Tina. She’s about 5'4" and he’s roughly 5'0". Tina has always been super cool about it, often using her sharp wit to address the "dimunitive" elephant in the room. She once told Alec Baldwin that Jeff resembles a "Margaret Keane painting" with his big eyes and curly hair. It’s that kind of playful, respectful ribbing that seems to keep their dynamic fresh.
A Partnership That Pays the Bills
One reason people keep asking is Tina Fey married to a fellow actor is because they see her name and Jeff’s name together so often in the credits. Jeff Richmond is an Emmy-winning powerhouse in his own right. He didn't just ride her coattails; he composed the music for 30 Rock, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and Girls5eva.
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If you can hum the 30 Rock theme song, you're humming Jeff’s work.
They work together constantly. Most couples would lose their minds spending 24 hours a day together, but they’ve made it their brand. They co-wrote the Mean Girls musical (both the Broadway version and the 2024 movie musical). They talk shop over coffee and dinner. Jeff once mentioned on a podcast that he does most of the cooking at home, which Tina seems more than happy with.
The Two Daughters Keeping Them Busy
The couple has two daughters who, according to Tina, aren't particularly impressed by their mom's fame.
- Alice Zenobia Richmond: Born in 2005. You might remember her from a brief cameo on 30 Rock where she played a young Liz Lemon.
- Penelope Athena Richmond: Born in 2011. Tina actually announced this pregnancy on The Oprah Winfrey Show, mentioning that she and Jeff decided to prioritize their family even if it meant juggling a chaotic production schedule.
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The reason this marriage works seems to be a mix of mutual respect and shared roots. They’re both "theater nerds" from the Midwest (Jeff’s from Ohio, Tina’s from Pennsylvania via the Chicago scene).
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There’s no "game playing" in their history. Tina told Women's Health years ago that because Jeff is nine years older, he brought a level of maturity to the relationship that she really needed when she was starting out. He was patient. He was supportive. And most importantly, he wasn't intimidated by her success.
Common Misconceptions
- "Is she married to Alec Baldwin?" Nope. Their chemistry on 30 Rock was legendary, but it was purely professional. Alec actually wrote in his memoir about how much he admired her relationship with Jeff.
- "Did they get divorced?" Not even close. They’re frequently spotted at Broadway openings and premieres, looking as solid as ever.
- "Is her husband famous?" In the industry, yes. To the average person on the street? Maybe not by face, but definitely by his music.
What You Can Learn From the Fey-Richmond Duo
If you're looking for relationship goals, you could do a lot worse than these two. They’ve managed to stay under the radar while being at the top of the food chain.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Watch their collaborations: If you want to see their chemistry in action, re-watch 30 Rock or check out Girls5eva on Netflix. You can really feel the "fey-richmond" vibe in the timing of the jokes and the music.
- Listen to the music: Jeff's scores are more than just background noise; they’re the heartbeat of Tina’s writing.
- Follow their philanthropic work: They’ve been known to support the arts and theater education, often donating proceeds from their work to help struggling actors and musicians.
At the end of the day, Tina Fey and Jeff Richmond prove that you don't have to sacrifice your personal life for a massive career. You just need to find someone who’s willing to cook the roast chicken while you write the jokes.