Honestly, it’s kind of wild when you think about it. In a town where marriages usually have the shelf life of an open avocado, Sarah Jessica Parker and her husband have been a thing for nearly thirty years. That’s like several centuries in Hollywood time. While everyone else is busy getting "consciously uncoupled" or making messy TikToks about their prenups, Matthew Broderick and SJP are just... there. Usually walking through the West Village or heading to a Broadway opening.
But here’s the thing: calling him just "Sarah Jessica Parker's husband" is a bit like calling Paul McCartney "that guy from the Wings." It’s technically true, but you’re missing about 90% of the story.
Matthew Broderick isn't just a plus-one. He was a massive star back when SJP was still finding her footing in Square Pegs. He’s the guy who gave us the ultimate "sick day" anthem and the voice of a literal lion king. Even now, in 2026, he’s still putting in the work, recently wrapping up runs on stage and proving that you can actually have a long-term career without being a chaotic mess on social media.
The Secret Origins: How They Actually Met
You might think they met on a glitzy movie set or at some fancy Oscar after-party. Nope. It was way more New York than that.
They met through her brothers, Pippin and Toby. They had started a theater company called Naked Angels, and Matthew was already part of that inner circle. It was 1991. Broderick had just come off a string of massive hits, and Parker was a theater kid herself. They didn’t rush into a wedding, though. They dated for six years.
That 1997 Surprise Wedding
When they finally did get married in May 1997, they pulled off the ultimate celebrity heist. They invited 100 people to a "party." When the guests showed up at the Angel Orensanz Synagogue in the Lower East Side, they realized it was actually a wedding.
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Sarah Jessica Parker famously wore a black Morgane Le Fay dress. She’s since said she regrets the black dress—mostly because she just wanted to not make a fuss—but it became one of the most iconic fashion moments in celebrity wedding history anyway.
Beyond the Ferris Bueller Shadow
Look, we all love Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. It’s a classic. But if you think that’s all Matthew Broderick has done, you’re sleeping on a massive resume.
He’s a two-time Tony winner. That’s a big deal. He won his first at just 21 for Brighton Beach Memoirs, making him one of the youngest actors to ever snag that trophy. Then he did it again for How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.
And then there was The Producers.
That show was a literal cultural earthquake in the early 2000s. People were paying thousands of dollars for "premium" seats just to see him and Nathan Lane bounce off each other. It’s arguably one of the greatest comedic duos in the history of the American stage. He’s basically theater royalty who happens to do movies on the side.
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The Broderick-Parker Family Life
The couple lives a surprisingly "normal" life in New York City. Well, as normal as you can be when you’re worth a combined $200 million.
They have three kids:
- James Wilkie: Born in 2002. He’s 23 now and recently graduated from Brown University. He’s even started dipping his toes into acting, which makes sense given the DNA.
- Tabitha and Marion: Their twin daughters, born via surrogate in 2009. They’re 16 now, navigating the weird world of being teenagers in Manhattan with very famous parents.
What’s interesting is how they handle the fame. You don’t see them selling "at-home" tours to magazines every six months. They are notoriously private. SJP has mentioned in interviews that they don't even talk about work that much at home. Matthew is the guy who does the grocery shopping and helps with the homework.
Why the Marriage Works (According to Them)
People always ask what the "secret" is. In 2011, SJP told The Telegraph that it’s not all sunshine and roses. "We’ve been together for 20 years and you have good days, you have decent days, and you have bad days," she said.
Basically, they just stay. They don't run when things get "decent" instead of "dazzling." They also keep their lives separate from their personas. Matthew once joked that he’s just "the guy who carries the bags," but anyone who has seen him on stage knows he’s a powerhouse in his own right.
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What Most People Get Wrong About Matthew Broderick
People often assume he’s just the "quiet one" compared to SJP’s fashion-forward, Carrie Bradshaw energy. But Matthew has a pretty sharp, dry wit. He’s played complex, sometimes even unlikable characters in movies like Election—which, if you haven’t seen it, go watch it immediately. He plays a high school teacher who becomes obsessed with taking down a student (Reese Witherspoon), and it is darkly brilliant.
He’s also a massive part of the Disney legacy. If you grew up in the 90s, he is Simba. He voiced the adult version of the character in the 1994 original. That’s a voice that defined a generation.
Actionable Takeaways from the Broderick-Parker Playbook
If you’re looking at this couple and wondering how they’ve managed to stay relevant and sane for three decades, there are a few real-world lessons here:
- Keep it Local: They stayed in New York. By staying out of the "LA Bubble," they avoided a lot of the superficial pressure that grinds down Hollywood marriages.
- Separate the Brand from the Person: Sarah Jessica Parker has her shoes and her shows; Matthew has his theater and his legacy. They aren't a "joint brand" first; they are two individuals who happen to be married.
- Surprise People: From their secret wedding to their unexpected career pivots (like Matthew doing voice work for Rick and Morty or appearing in The Conners), they don't stay in the boxes people build for them.
The reality is that Matthew Broderick doesn't need to be "Sarah Jessica Parker’s husband" to be a legend. But the fact that he is—and that they’re still going strong in 2026—is probably his most impressive long-running show yet.
If you want to see what he's up to lately, keep an eye on the Broadway listings. He's almost always involved in a project that reminds everyone why he's been a staple of the New York scene since the 80s. Whether he's playing a neurotic accountant or a bumbling dad, the man knows how to hold a room.
Pro Tip: If you're ever in the West Village, keep your eyes peeled but stay cool. They’re known for being incredibly gracious neighbors, provided you don't treat them like a tourist attraction. Support local theater—that’s where you’ll find the heart of the Broderick-Parker legacy anyway.