If you’ve spent any time on the internet over the last few years, you’ve probably seen Matt Rife's face. He is everywhere. Whether it is his crowd-work clips blowing up on TikTok or the massive controversy surrounding his Netflix specials, the guy is a lightning rod for attention. But before the sold-out arenas and the heated Twitter threads, he was largely known for one thing: being the 21-year-old dating Kate Beckinsale.
Back in 2017, the tabloids went into a full-blown frenzy. The age gap was the headline. She was 43; he was barely legal to drink in some countries. They were spotted kissing outside a West Hollywood restaurant, and suddenly, a struggling stand-up comedian was the most talked-about man in Hollywood. Honestly, it felt like one of those "blink and you’ll miss it" celebrity flings, but the fallout lasted way longer than the actual relationship.
The Timeline: How Kate Beckinsale and Matt Rife Actually Started
It wasn't some grand Hollywood gala meeting. According to various reports from the time, the two met through a mutual friend. By June 2017, they were officially "a thing." People who saw them out at the Villa Lounge in West Hollywood said they weren't exactly trying to hide it.
They were all over each other.
Beckinsale had recently split from her husband of 12 years, director Len Wiseman, and she seemed like she was just ready to have some fun. Her friends even told People magazine that she referred to Rife as an "old soul." It’s a classic line, right? Whenever there is a massive age gap, someone is always an "old soul."
But the initial spark didn't keep the fire going for long. Within two months, by August 2017, sources were already saying the romance had "fizzled out." The reason given was pretty standard: she was busy with her career and her daughter, Lily Mo Sheen. At the time, Lily was only three years younger than Matt Rife himself. You don't need to be a psychologist to see how that might get a little... complicated.
The Second Attempt and the Final Split
Most people forget that they actually tried again. In September 2018, they were spotted at a Dave Chappelle comedy show. They looked like they were back on, but by the time 2019 rolled around, the bridge wasn't just burned—it was being dismantled on TMZ.
The "Run" Comment Heard Round the World
The real drama didn't start until Kate Beckinsale started dating Pete Davidson in early 2019. This was right after Pete's very public breakup with Ariana Grande. When TMZ caught up with Matt Rife at the Laugh Factory and asked if he had any advice for Pete, he didn't hold back.
"Man to man? Run," he said.
He followed it up with a "just be careful," but the damage was done. He called their year-long relationship "complicated" and filled with "ups and downs." He even joked on Instagram about her age, which he later deleted. It was petty. He admitted it later, but at the time, it looked like a classic case of a bitter ex-boyfriend watching his former flame move on with a bigger star.
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Looking Back: Was it Compatibility or Just Bad Timing?
Years later, Rife finally walked those comments back. In a 2023 interview with Elle, he called himself a "petty a--hole" for what he said. He apologized to both Pete and Kate, explaining that he was just speaking from a place of personal hurt.
"I wanted to make sure that both of them were careful with their emotions," he claimed.
It’s interesting to see how the power dynamic shifted. In 2017, he was the "boy toy." In 2026, he’s a household name in comedy with his own massive platform. Their relationship was a stepping stone in the public eye, whether they intended it to be or not.
Where They Stand Today
Surprisingly, they seem to be on okay terms now. At the 2025 Golden Globes after-party, rumors flew that the two were "steamy" and kissing in a corner at Spago. Beckinsale’s representatives were quick to shut that down, though. They clarified that the two are just "friendly exes" who were having a laugh.
Basically, they’ve reached that stage where they can be in the same room without it being a total disaster. That’s a win in Hollywood.
Why This Relationship Still Matters for Celeb Culture
This whole saga is a perfect case study in how we view women dating younger men versus men dating younger women. Beckinsale has faced relentless scrutiny for her dating choices, often clapping back at trolls on Instagram who think they have a say in her personal life.
The reality? People are messy. Relationships end. Sometimes they end with a "run" warning on TMZ, and sometimes they end with a polite chat at a Netflix party years later.
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If you’re looking for the "lesson" here, it’s probably that "old souls" and "petty exes" are often the same person, just at different stages of a breakup. If you want to keep up with how these two are navigating their now-separate (but occasionally overlapping) worlds, keep an eye on their upcoming projects. Rife is still touring heavily, and Beckinsale continues to be one of the most candid and entertaining follows on social media.
Next Steps for You:
- Check out Matt Rife’s latest special if you want to see how his "insult comedy" style has evolved since the 2019 drama.
- Follow Kate Beckinsale on Instagram—not for the dating rumors, but for her legendary animal content and sharp wit.
- Take celebrity "advice" with a grain of salt; usually, it says more about the person giving it than the person receiving it.