When a red carpet needs some real romance, you call in Michael McKean and Annette O’Toole.
The longtime Hollywood couple made a rare and elegant public appearance at the Season 2 premiere of Netflix’s political hit The Diplomat on October 28 at The Plaza in New York City. McKean, 77, who plays President William Rayburn on the show, was joined by his wife of 25 years, actress and Virgin River star Annette O’Toole, 72 — and the pair looked more in love than ever.
💕 From On-Screen Co-Stars to Real-Life Soulmates
McKean and O’Toole’s story spans decades and genres. Though they first crossed paths in the 1970s, it wasn’t until working together on the 1998 Lifetime movie Final Justice that their connection turned romantic. One date later — at a benefit concert with legends like Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, and Van Morrison — and O’Toole knew he was “the one.”
“I would have married him that day,” she confessed in a 2018 TheaterMania interview, tearing up at the memory.
They tied the knot in March 1999, and since then, they’ve been inseparable — personally and professionally.
🎬 A Marriage That Doubles as a Creative Partnership
Their on-screen collaborations have become fan favorites over the years. McKean even guest-starred on Smallville, where O’Toole played Martha Kent, and the pair portrayed Topanga’s quirky parents on Boy Meets World.
But their bond goes beyond acting. In 2004, the couple received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song for “A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow,” a heartfelt duet featured in the cult musical mockumentary A Mighty Wind. They also contributed to Disney’s World of Happiness album and continue to write music together.
🛋️ Life Behind the Scenes: Love, Laughter & Bedtime Books
While many celebrity couples keep their love lives private, McKean and O’Toole are refreshingly open about their everyday romance. One of their sweetest rituals? They read to each other every night, no matter where they are in the world.
“Michael has a very mellifluous voice,” O’Toole shared with Vanity Fair in 2022. “I get up really early, so I’m tired by the end of the night. His voice completely puts me to sleep — not because I’m bored, but because it’s so soothing.”
✨ A Red Carpet Reunion Worth Watching
At The Diplomat premiere, McKean looked sharp in a black suit paired with a rust-toned tie, while O’Toole turned heads in a tailored pantsuit and soft cream blouse — a perfectly coordinated look for a couple whose love story continues to age like fine wine.
Their hand-in-hand stroll down the red carpet wasn’t just a style moment — it was a celebration of 25 years of enduring love, creativity, and connection. And in a world of whirlwind romances and Hollywood breakups, McKean and O’Toole remind us that some stories are built to last.
