20 Most Powerful Celebrity Couples

America’s Sweethearts - Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie

Actors marry other actors for one obvious reason: Attractive people are generally attracted to other attractive people. But in addition to being hot, they're intimately familiar with the trade-offs that come with celebrity (the loss of privacy, the rumor-mongering, the burdensome six-figure tax bills) in ways that the average American can’t grasp. That’s doubly true for Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, who, independent of one another, are among the most recognizable faces on the planet.

They get the nod here not only because of their relatively equivalent level of fame and talent but because, with their large family of adopted and biological children and extensive humanitarian work, they are among the most globally-minded couples in Hollywood. In November, Jolie is slated to become the youngest recipient of the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for her philanthropic work, while Brad Pitt has been credited as a producer on several films with a strong social message, most recently “12 Years A Slave.”

Actors married to actors: Superstar edition

urprisingly not annoying - Ben Affleck & Jennifer Garner

Definitely trying our nerves - Will Smith & Jada Pinkett Smith

Hoping it works out better for her this time - Jennifer Aniston & Justin Theroux

 America’s Sweethearts - Anna Paquin & Stephen Moyer

Paquin and Moyer met on the set of their HBO series “True Blood,” where he plays a vampire and she’s...I’m not really sure what she is, having only seen a couple episodes of the first season. Their chemistry on the show is certainly strong, which surprisingly isn’t always the case for real-life-couples when they appear together onscreen.

They began to date shortly after shooting the show’s pilot in 2007, got married in 2010 and welcomed a set of twins in September of 2012. Even though Sookie and Bill have had their share of drama on “True Blood” -- and I’m just assuming they have, since that’s usually how these things go on pay cable soaps about horny vampires -- Paquin and Moyer seem like a genuinely happy couple in real life.

 Actors married to actors: Co-star edition

Cute couple even though the movie they were in together sucked - Ryan Reynolds & Blake Lively

Feels like they should have starred in something together even though they haven’t - Rebecca Romijn & Jerry O’Connell

REALLY Feels like they should have starred in something together even though they haven’t - Maggie Gyllenhaal & Peter Sarsgaard

 America’s Sweethearts - Michael Douglas & Catherine Zeta Jones

Why do we personalize the troubles of celebrity marriages? It’s a question social scientists are no doubt working to answer as you read this (and tabloid magazine editors hope they never solve), but my theory is that we build emotional attachments to actors in real life the same way we do to their characters over the course of a movie. When you’re a Hollywood star with a seemingly perfect marriage to another beautiful and talented actor, it’s easy to buy into the fictional narrative we’re familiar with from the movies they've made in favor of the accepting messy reality that all couples face.

Not long after Douglas' friend Danny DeVito announced his separation from “Cheers” star and wife of 30 years Rhea Pearlman came news that Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones were on the rocks, and America’s collective heart sunk. The couple -- who have two children and three Oscars between them -- seem to be optimistic that, like Devito and Pearlman, some time apart will help them reconcile, with Douglas recently telling Jay Leno that he’s “very hopeful” they’ll be able to work out their differences. The rest of America is too.

 Actors married to actors: Award winners edition

They’ve both won Oscars for supporting roles - Penelope Cruz & Javier Bardem

She’s won an Oscar, he’s won an MTV Movie Award for “Best Shirtless Performance” - Rachel Weisz & Daniel Craig

Neither has won an Oscar for acting even though it feels like they should have - Annette Bening & Warren Beatty

 America’s Sweethearts - Goldie Hawn & Kurt Russell

Kurt Russell seems to have some commitment issues; he’s been with girlfriend Goldie Hawn for 30 years and still hasn’t put a ring on it. She’s not going to wait forever for you, Kurt!

Even if they've never walked down the isle, the two have always seemed like one of Hollywood’s most stable couples. Russell’s flinty charm and Hawn’s playfulness have balanced each other well over the years and at a recent event for her charity the Hawn Foundation, pictured above, they seemed as adorably affectionate as ever.

Actor married to actor for over 15 years which in Hollywood is like an eternity: Movie star edition

Feels like they’ve been married for longer than 25 years - Tom Hanks & Rita Wilson

Makes us feel old knowing they’ve been married for 16 years - Matthew Broderick & Sarah Jessica Parker

 America’s Sweethearts - Mark Harmon & Pam Dawber

Did you know that Mark Harmon is married to Pam Dawber, aka Mindy from “Mork and Mindy”? It’s true, they’ve been hitched since 1987. How awesome is that?

When it comes to cool families vis-à-vis Mark Harmon, the awesomeness doesn’t there. Harmon is also the uncle of Matthew and Gunnar Nelson, aka Nelson, aka the twin sons of Ricky Nelson, aka, the band behind the one-hit-wonder “(Can’t Live Without Your) Love and Affection,” whose video is one of the best pieces of cultural ephemera to come out the early 90’s. Oh, also his dad won the Heisman Trophy. And, as we said, he’s married to Mindy from “Mork and Mindy.” Mark Harmon’s family is incredible.

Actor married to actor for over 15 years which in Hollywood is like an eternity: TV Star edition

Divided by Reagan on TV but happy since the 80’s in real life - Michael J. Fox & Tracy Pollan

Wow they’re coming up on 15 years together, OMG how old AM I?! - Sarah Michelle Gellar & Freddie Prinze Jr.

 America’s Sweethearts - Nick Offerman & Megan Mullally

These two comedians, frequent collaborators, and all-around awesome people have assumed the mantle of America’s favorite comedy couple now that his “Parks & Recreation” co-star Amy Poehler has split from...nevermind, it's still too soon, let’s not talk about it.

Instead, let’s lavish praise on these two like a coat of water-resistant lacquer on a handmade canoe. He’s become an icon to mustachioed-males thanks to his Ron Swanson character and Mullally has been hilarious in basically everything she’s turned up in recently, “Children’s Hospital” in particular. Together, they’ve given us many classic moments on “Parks and Recreation,” as well as “Wings of a Dragon,” a song that cast a guiding light of resolution between mutually-attracted evolutionists and creationists on it’s way to becoming a country and western karaoke standard.

  

Comedians married to comedians: TV edition 

Has potential to jump to the movie list if “Guardians of the Galaxy” is hit and she finally gets offered a good script - Chris Pratt & Anna Faris

Best former “Daily Show” correspondents - Steve Carell & Nancy Walls

Best former “Saturday Night Live" castmates - Julia Louis-Dreyfus & Brad Hall

 America’s Sweethearts - Ben Stiller & Christine Taylor

Ben Stiller and his wife Christine Taylor could be considered the second generation of Stiller's to earn this honor. His father Jerry Stiller is best known as George Costanza’s dad Frank on “Seinfeld” and his mom Anne Meara has been nominated for several Emmy’s. Coming from a showbiz family, it made sense that Ben would find love with fellow actress and comedienne Christine Taylor, who appeared in several of his movies (including “Zoolander” and “Dodgeball”) and played Marcia in the remake of “The Brady Bunch.”

 Comedians married to comedians: Movie star edition

Dude, wow, way to go! - Jason Sudeikis & Olivia Wilde

Wait, no seriously, you’re KIDDING me! - Sacha Baron Cohen & Isla Fisher

 America’s Sweethearts - Ellen DeGeneres & Portia de Rossi

Looking at it now, it’s kind of funny that it was a pretty big deal in 1997 when Ellen DeGeneres came out of the closet. She now inhabits a role akin to America’s fun and kooky aunt, someone you can always count on to lift your spirits with an easy smile. In other words, she doesn’t come off as a politically courageous pioneer for gay rights.

Yet that’s exactly what she and partner Portia de Rossi are. They were married in 2008 before Proposition 8 ended gay marriage in California, making them one of the first famous same-sex couples to do so. The fact that both women’s sexual orientation is sort of an afterthought when it comes to their personas speaks to the progress that Ellen herself helped engender with her 1997 announcement.

Best same-sex celebrity couple

Definitely the most adorable - Neil Patrick Harris & David Burtka

Definitely wouldn’t call them adorable but we’re happy for them nevertheless - Sarah Gilbert & Linda Perry

 America and England's Sweethearts - Helena Bonham Carter & Tim Burton

Once one of Hollywood’s most original and reliable directors, Tim Burton hasn’t made a truly great film since...what? Big Fish? But his wife Helena Bonham Carter has been the best thing about many of his recent efforts, from her (literally) big-headed performance as the Red Queen in “Alice in Wonderland” to her memorable turn as Mrs. Lovett in “Sweeney Todd.” If Burton does end up making a sequel to “Beetlejuice” as rumored, it will be interesting to see if she turns up in a role; with her pale, gothic look and wildly expressive eyes, I'm sure he could find some part that would suit her.

Actresses married to directors

Always in top form in one of her husband’s films - Frances McDormand & Joel Coen

Would love to see her in one of her husband’s films - Maya Rudolph & Paul Thomas Anderson

Seen her way too often in her husband’s films - Kate Beckinsale & “Underworld” director Len Wiseman

 American and English Sweethearts - Gwyneth Paltrow & Chris Martin

Here’s why actors are always falling for musicians: They write them super sweet songs and melt their hearts with the sensuous voices. That would certainly seem to be the case with Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and his wife of 10 years, Oscar-winner Gwyneth Paltrow. Coldplay is one of the best bands to throw on when you’re trying to prove the sincerity of your affection to a woman; one can only imagine the depths of vulnerability Paltrow sees in her husband’s eyes when he performs “Clocks” for her in person each night before bed, which I’m certain he does.

The couple deserves credit for trying to maintain some normalcy for their family while being at the top of their respective fields. Despite the miles of red carpet Paltrow's walked over the course of her movie career, they’re almost never photographed together (hence Gwyn’s solo shot above) and Martin has been vocal about his disdain for the British tabloids, which are somehow more intrusive than ours here in the states. They even gave their kids regular names like Moses and Apple.

Actors married to musicians: Pop edition

Have a lot of room for upward mobility if she can finally star in a good movie - Justin Timberlake & Jessica Biel

That one guy from “Transformers” and his Black Eyed Pea wife - Josh Duhamel & Fergie

Putting up with a lot this fall - Paula Patton & Robin Thicke

 Australia’s Sweethearts - Nicole Kidman & Keith Urban

When Nicole Kidman split from her ex-husband Tom Cruise, America wasn’t so much devastated as relieved; as we all know now, Tom Cruise is one of the most annoyingly-enthusiastic romantics this side of Fitzwilliam Darcy. Although she’s since fallen into the arms of another celebrity -- country singer and fellow Aussie Keith Urban -- their relationship seems one of quiet dignity next to the screeching gesticulations that marked the previous relationship of her now thrice divorced ex-husband.

Actors married to musicians: String instrument edition

 Makes no sense based on their work but I love it anyway - Andy Samberg & Joanna Newsom

What the heck do they talk about at dinner? - Mandy Moore & Ryan Adams

Totally pulling a Chris Martin - Marcus Mumford & Carey Mulligan

 Just plain annoying - Kanye West & Kim Kardashian

As our attention spans continue to be whittled down thanks to lists about celebrity couples such as the one you’re reading right now, the media has begun helpfully truncating the names of two separate people into a single proper noun that makes a clever pun/ is just plain lazy. So congrats on your engagement, Kimye. May your marriage last longer than the ill-fated relationships between Bennifer, TomKat, Vaughniston, Ashmi, Spederline, Zanessa, Robsten, and, closer to home, Khlomar.

Reality TV “stars” married (or engaged) to musicians

Surprisingly not annoying - Nicole Richie & Joel Madden

Annoying but we’re not surprised - Nick Lachey & Vanessa Minillo

 “Head over heels and it shows” - Garth Brooks & Trisha Yearwood

Presumably because they hail from the south, country musicians often marry one of their own. From Johnny Cash & June Carter to Tammy Wynette and George Jones, there’s long been a place for love among tales of broken down dogs and rascally old pick-up trucks, or whatever it is these people sing about.

That makes it hard to single out the top power couple, but if we had to take a guess -- which is what we’re doing, since we’re clearly ignorant of both country music and southern culture -- Garth Brooks’ union to Trisha Yearwood seems like the best, mostly because he has that one song I know and I can’t name a lick of anything else these other people have done. Sorry.

Musicians married to musicians: Country edition

“Mine would be you” - Blake Shelton & Miranda Lambert

“Everywhere I am there you’ll be” - Tim McGraw & Faith Hill

 “Bonnie & Clyde” - Beyonce & Jay Z

Forbes recently released their annual list of highest-earning celebrity couples and, as with Billboard, Beyonce and Jay Z topped the chart, with a combined income of $95 million. That’s not cumulative; the hip-hop power couple pulled in almost $100 million between June of 2012 and June 2013, largely on the receipts of their tours.

Money like that should allow Jigga to continue to buy the Picasso's he incessantly rapped about on his new album, but the couple, who have been married since 2008, have never really come off as opportunistic self-promoters. For spouses of their stature, they’ve been surprisingly reserved and guarded about their personal lives both together and apart, a lesson many of their friends and peers (*cough* Kimye *cough*) would be wise to follow.

Musicians married to musicians: Pop edition

 “Always be my baby” - Mariah Carey & Nick Cannon

“If I ain’t got you” - Alicia Keys & Swizz Beatz

 “Cowboy Casanova” - Carrie Underwood & hockey player Mike Fisher

Unlike many other former “American Idol” contestants, Carrie Underwood has always maintained a down-to-earth quality even as she’s become one of country music’s biggest stars. Her husband Mike Fisher, who plays center for the NHL’s Nashville Predators, has a similar aw-shucks demeanor despite his success in hockey. The closest these two have come to controversy was when Fisher was traded to Nashville, Underwood’s hometown, from the Ottawa Senators in early 2011, and an Ottawa radio station decided it would stop playing Underwood’s music in protest. “I think they meant it as a joke that really wasn’t funny,” Fisher said in the most polite diss an athlete has ever issued. As an athlete, Fisher knows the drill: Haters gonna hate, players gonna play.

Musicians married to athletes: Country edition

“The Cowboy’s Lament” - Jewel & rodeo star Ty Murray

“My Cowboy” - Jessie James & Denver Broncos receiver Eric Decker 

 GOOOOOAAAAAALLLLL! - David & Victoria “Posh Spice” Beckham

England may share a common language with us, but their culture is totally foreign. Their pop stars assume monikers like “Posh Spice,” whatever the heck that means, and their version of “football” involves people kicking things around with their feet! Truly, British culture is inscrutable to our Yankee eyes, except in one regard: Their amazingly good-looking athletes also hook up with their amazingly good-looking pop stars. As cultural emissary, I’d Beckham offer a high five, but that gesture probably means something else entirely to them.

Musicians married to athletes: Pop edition

More ups-and-downs than a motocross track - Pink & motocross star Corey Hart

Surprisingly sweet music together - Jessica Simpson & former 49ers DB Eric Johnson

 America’s Sweethearts - Dwyane Wade & Gabrielle Union

Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union aren’t married, or best I can tell engaged, but they have been together since 2007, so they fall under the common law designation. Besides, they’ve been through a lot already. Wade was involved in a contentious custody battle for his sons after divorcing his high-school sweetheart, a fight he eventually won. And Union has been an outspoken advocate for survivors of sexual assault, after courageously coming forward as a rape victim in 2009. Besides, Wade is the only one on this list with a championship ring, and rings go a long way toward making it to the top of lists having to do with marriage.

In other words, Pete Sampras, trade in one of your millions of trophies for some jewelry and then we’ll talk, OK?

 Athletes married to actors

Intercepted her heart - Nandi Asmonga & Kerry Washington

Hit a game-winner for her love - Carmelo Anthony & Lala Vasquez

40 Love - Pete Sampras & Bridgette Wilson

 No mystery to this one - Tom Brady & Gisele Bundchen

It’s not surprising that models and athletes would hook up, as both require an emphasis on health, exercise and a carefully sculpted physique. But there must be some kind handsome-blindness afflicting the modeling industry. Jeff Garcia is a goofy-looking, balding ginger and he’s married to a former Playboy Playmate of the Year. Even more shocking is Adriana Lima’s marriage to Marko Jaric. She’s an international super-model and one of the most beautiful women on the planet; he’s a middling former NBA player that’s averaged 7.1 points per game for his career; they have two daughters and seem exceedingly happy together.

Then there’s Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen. Brady is a sure-fire Hall of Fame quarterback with three rings in five Super Bowl appearances. Yet it would not be inaccurate to refer to him as the “Gisele of the NFL,” as opposed to the other way around. His wife is quite possibly the most famous model of all-time, a woman who has taken a step back from her industry in recent years yet remains the top-earning model in the world, according to Forbes. Just look at the picture above: If we were to select just one couple to represent us as the Milky Way’s entrant in the “Mr. & Mrs. Universe” beauty pageant, it might very well be these two.

Sorry, Jets fans, I know that just hurt.

Athletes married to models

How did he get her? - Jeff Garcia & Carmella DeCesare

No, seriously, how in the heck did HE get HER?! - Marko Jaric & Adriana Lima

 Warmest - Orlando Bloom & Miranda Kerr

As George Clooney or Leonardo DiCaprio could tell you, dating models is fun. Yet for some strange reason, many movie stars are loathe to put a ring on it. Not so for Mark Wahlberg and Matthew McConaughey; they both settled down took with plunge with models, and with seven children between the two couples, seem all the happier for it.

Orlando Bloom as well. He and Victoria’s Secret wife Miranda Kerr have a son and look super-cute together, whether on the red carpet or simply out getting groceries. Of course, we all know that actor/ model marriages are part of vast conspiracy to hoard all of the good genes among the powerful and elite. But despite the best efforts of this Illuminati-backed eugenics experiment, there is still one refuge for models to flee to when they want to pair with a genetic inferior...

UPDATE: Right after this list was published came news that Bloom and Kerr are splitting up. Celebrities get divorced at such an expedited rate, lists about their happy marriages have a shelf-life of approximately four hours.

Actors married to models

Warm - Mark Wahlberg & Rhea Durham

Warmer - Matthew McConaughey & Camila Alves

 Gives hope to every single male on the planet - Ric Ocasek & Paulina Porizkova

Before his split with Heidi Klum, Seal appeared to be the poster child for the “wait, what!?” marriage between an average-looking-or-worse musician and a super model wife. Students of history would tell us, however, that this heartening phenomena actually began with The Cars frontman Ric Ocasek’s marriage to Paulina Porizkova, one of the most recognizable models of the 1980’s. As you can tell from the image above, Ocasek is not “traditionally handsome” (in fact, “moderately attractive” is a ways up the road). But he and Porizkova are now going on 24-years of wedded bliss. There’s a lesson in here; even among models, personality, charm, and romance go farther than looks alone. If you put time and care into treating a woman right, you too could find yourself in an enduring and happy marriage, even if you appear to outsiders as a mismatched couple.

Now please excuse me, I'm off to band practice.

Musicians married to models

 OK, I get it - John Legend & Chrissy Teigen

If I squint my eyes, I can kinda see it - David Bowie & Iman