You’ve probably seen her as the brilliantly scatterbrained Elsbeth Tascioni or the fiery Arlene Fowler on True Blood. But when the cameras stop rolling, fans are often dying to know: who is Carrie Preston's husband in real life?
Honestly, the answer is a total treat for TV buffs. Since 1998, Carrie Preston has been married to fellow Emmy winner Michael Emerson.
If that name doesn’t immediately ring a bell, his face definitely will. He’s the guy who played the chillingly manipulative Benjamin Linus on Lost and the reclusive billionaire Harold Finch on Person of Interest. Basically, they are a total acting powerhouse couple.
How they met (and a funny misconception)
They didn't meet at a glitzy Hollywood party. Nope. They met the old-fashioned way: working in theater.
Back in 1994, both were cast in a production of Hamlet at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. Carrie was playing Ophelia, and Michael was playing Guildenstern. Funnily enough, Carrie recently admitted on Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s Dinner’s On Me podcast that she initially thought Michael was gay.
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"He walked into rehearsal with the three-piece suit, and I was like, 'Oh, he's gay,'" she joked. She figured he was just another well-dressed, polite actor she’d have a "crush" on from afar. It wasn't until her brother, John G. Preston (who was also in the play), set her straight that things took a romantic turn.
Michael eventually won her over with old-school romance—leaving little vases of flowers and baskets of peaches from his own tree outside her dressing room. Talk about a smooth move.
A marriage built on "Appreciation"
They got married in 1998 in Carrie’s hometown of Macon, Georgia. Since then, they've navigated the tricky waters of being two high-profile actors with busy schedules.
Sometimes that means long distances. When Michael was filming Lost, he was stuck in Hawaii for four and a half years while Carrie was primarily in New York. She famously joked that "The Island stole my husband!"
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So, what is the secret to staying together for nearly three decades? Carrie says it basically boils down to one word: appreciation.
She’s mentioned in interviews that they don’t necessarily "work" at the marriage in a heavy way. Instead, they just genuinely like each other. They share a rescue dog named Chumley and prioritize the time they actually get to spend in the same city.
Working together: From Lost to Elsbeth
One of the coolest things about this couple is how often they pop up in each other's projects. It’s kinda like an Easter egg for fans.
- Lost: In a weirdly meta twist, Carrie played Emily Linus—the mother of Michael’s character, Ben Linus—in a flashback scene.
- Person of Interest: Carrie had a recurring role as Grace Hendricks, the former fiancée of Michael's character, Harold Finch. Seeing them play a couple on screen felt incredibly natural because, well, the chemistry was already there.
- Elsbeth: Most recently, Michael joined the cast of Carrie’s hit show Elsbeth in season two. He plays Judge Milton Crawford, a witty foil and adversary to his wife's character.
Michael has joked that he had to get a part on the show just so he could actually see his wife, given how much she's been filming lately.
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What to know about Michael Emerson
Michael isn't just "Carrie Preston's husband." He’s a heavyweight in the industry. Born in 1954 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, he spent years as a struggling actor and even worked as a freelance illustrator before his big break.
His breakthrough came on Broadway playing Oscar Wilde, but he became a household name for his "creepy guy" roles. He’s won two Primetime Emmys—one for The Practice and one for Lost. Recently, he’s been scaring everyone as the demonic Dr. Leland Townsend on Evil.
Quick facts about the couple
- Married since: September 1998
- Met in: 1994 (Alabama)
- Resident city: New York City
- Combined Emmy wins: 3 (Carrie has one for The Good Wife, Michael has two)
Taking a page from their book
If you're looking for relationship "goals," these two are it. They prove that you can be successful in a competitive industry without losing your connection.
If you want to see their chemistry for yourself, definitely check out the Person of Interest episodes where they share the screen. It’s some of their most touching work. Or, for a bit of fun, catch Michael’s recent arc on Elsbeth to see them go head-to-head.
The next time you see Carrie Preston on screen, you'll know exactly who's waiting for her at home in NYC—likely with a rescue dog and a lot of mutual respect.
Actionable Insight: To see the real-life spark between these two, watch the Person of Interest Season 1 episode "No Good Deed" or the Season 2 episode "Till Death," which features some of their best shared scenes.