Hollywood is basically a graveyard for long-term relationships. You see it every week: a "conscious uncoupling" here, a "mutual respect" divorce there. But then you have Julianna Margulies and husband Keith Lieberthal. They’ve been together since 2006, married since 2007, and honestly? They seem to have cracked a code that most A-listers haven't even found the manual for yet.
It wasn’t a "power couple" setup. Keith isn't an actor. He’s not a director. He’s not even in the industry. He’s a Harvard-educated lawyer who, according to Margulies, didn't even know who she was when they first locked eyes across a dinner table. In a world of ego and brand-building, that kind of start is almost unheard of.
The Dinner Party That Changed Everything
Most people think stars meet on movie sets or at the Oscars. Julianna and Keith met because Julianna almost stayed home. It was 2006. She was 39. She was tired. An agent she hadn't even signed with invited her to a dinner in New York. She told herself she’d go for one drink. Just one.
Then she saw him.
"I said, 'Are you an actor?'" she recounted later on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. She admitted she was "done" with actors at that point in her life. She’d spent ten years with Ron Eldard and wasn't looking for another Hollywood romance. When Keith told her he was a Wall Street litigator who had practiced for six years, she didn't believe him. She thought he looked way too young—basically like a 12-year-old, in her words.
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Why the "Non-Actor" Dynamic Works
There’s a specific kind of peace that comes from marrying someone who doesn't care about your IMDb page. Julianna has often mentioned that Keith’s lack of familiarity with her work—at least initially—was a massive breath of fresh air. He didn't seeAlicia Florrick or Nurse Carol Hathaway. He saw a woman he liked talking to.
- He’s an intellectual peer: He went to Dartmouth for undergrad and Harvard Law for his J.D.
- He’s grounded: He spent years as a litigator before moving into other areas of law and corporate strategy.
- The age gap: He’s six years younger than Julianna, a fact she’s joked about often, noting that his "baby face" initially made her skeptical.
Julianna Margulies and Husband: A Timeline of Their Private Life
They didn't wait long once they knew. By November 10, 2007, they were getting married in Lenox, Massachusetts. It wasn't a massive, televised spectacle. It was intimate. Julianna was seven months pregnant at the time, wearing a stunning white Narciso Rodriguez gown. Her father, Paul Margulies, walked her down the aisle, later telling reporters it was a "touching" and "traditional" ceremony.
In January 2008, they welcomed their son, Kieran Lindsay Lieberthal.
Since then, they’ve managed to stay remarkably low-key despite Julianna’s massive success on The Good Wife and The Morning Show. You won't find them in the tabloids for "insider" drama. Instead, you'll see them at the Museum of Jewish Heritage or walking the red carpet at the amfAR Gala. Most recently, in April 2025, they were spotted looking as synchronized as ever at the Broadway opening night of Good Night, and Good Luck in New York City.
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The Accidental Pregnancy and the Right Timing
Margulies has been incredibly open about the fact that she wasn't sure if she wanted kids or marriage. She’s mentioned in interviews, including for her memoir Sunshine Girl: An Unexpected Life, that she didn't have a great model for marriage growing up. Her parents divorced when she was very young.
When she told Keith she wasn't sure about having children, his response was basically: "It’s more important to find the person you want to spend your life with. The rest will follow."
It did follow. They got pregnant "totally by accident," and suddenly, the woman who "wasn't a kid person" was navigating motherhood in her 40s with a partner who actually understood the word partnership.
What Most People Get Wrong About Celebrity Husbands
People often objectify Keith because, let's be real, the man is very handsome. He’s a regular on "Hottest Celebrity Husbands" lists. But Julianna has consistently pushed back on that. She’s quick to remind people that he’s "unbelievably bright."
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It’s easy to be the "plus-one" on a red carpet and lose your identity. But Keith hasn't. He has his own career, his own intellectual life, and a family lineage (his father is the noted academic Kenneth Lieberthal) that has nothing to do with the SAG-AFTRA world.
That separation of church and state—acting versus home life—is likely why they’re still together 18 years later. They live in Manhattan, they have a country house in Upstate New York, and they seem to prefer a quiet dinner at Raoul’s in SoHo over a Hollywood party.
Real Insights for the Long Haul
What can we actually learn from Julianna Margulies and husband Keith Lieberthal? It’s not just about finding a "hot lawyer."
- Vulnerability over Performance: Julianna admitted she stopped "pretending to be anything" by the time she met Keith. Being yourself at 39 is a lot easier than being yourself at 22.
- Wait for the "Adult" Relationship: She’s been quoted saying she was finally ready for a mature connection without bringing all the "baggage" to the table.
- Support is Quiet: Keith is there for the big nights, the Walk of Fame stars, and the premieres, but he isn't seeking the spotlight. He’s the anchor, not the kite.
If you’re looking for a blueprint on how to stay married in the public eye, this is it. You find someone who challenges you intellectually, you don't rush the "Hollywood" version of a wedding, and you keep your private life exactly that: private.
To keep track of their latest appearances or Julianna's upcoming projects, you can follow her official social media channels or check the Broadway schedules for NYC, as they remain staples of the New York theater scene.
Next Steps for Readers:
- Check out Julianna’s memoir, Sunshine Girl: An Unexpected Life, for a deeper dive into her childhood and the mindset shift she had before meeting Keith.
- Look for Keith’s professional contributions in international law if you’re interested in the "other side" of this power couple.
- Visit the Museum of Jewish Heritage in NYC, a location the couple frequently supports and visits for events.