Bonnie Hunt, beloved actress from Cheaper By The Dozen, recently shared a funny and heartwarming story on The Talk about her first impression of Chicago Fire star Taylor Kinney — a moment that made her feel “25 again.”
A Flirty First Meeting
Hunt, now 63, reminisced about her initial encounter with the 43-year-old Kinney during a charity event in Chicago. She immediately recognized him as “the guy who was engaged to Lady Gaga and stars in Chicago Fire.” As the two chatted, Hunt found herself wondering if Kinney was flirting with her.
“He was kind of talking to me,” Hunt said with a smile. “I’m standing there thinking, ‘Is he flirting with me, or am I just imagining it? I hope he is!’” The event ended, but the memory of their friendly exchange lingered in her mind.
A Reunion with a Twist
A year and a half later, fate brought them together again at another charity event. This time, Kinney greeted her warmly, saying, “Bonnie, hi. Gosh, I’ve been thinking about you since I saw you.” The audience on The Talk laughed as Hunt recounted her reaction: “I knew it! He is flirting with me.”
Hunt felt a surge of youthful excitement, saying, “My whole body changed. Suddenly, I felt like I was 25 again.” But the romantic moment took an unexpected turn.
The Surprising Proposal
Just as Hunt was reveling in the idea that Kinney might have been smitten, he added, “I didn’t have your number, and I couldn’t contact you.” Hunt was eager to hear what he had to say next, but his proposal left her speechless: “I wanted to call you because I thought maybe you could play my mom on the show.”
The revelation brought Hunt back to reality, but she couldn’t help but laugh at the misunderstanding. “Well, that sure brought me back down to Earth,” she quipped, turning the amusing story into a memorable moment on the talk show.
Taylor Kinney’s Romantic Life
Despite his charm and flirtatious demeanor, Taylor Kinney is officially off the market. In May, a representative confirmed to PEOPLE that Kinney had tied the knot with model Ashley Cruger on April 30. The couple enjoyed a small, private ceremony in Chicago, where Kinney had recently finished filming Season 12 of Chicago Fire.
Kinney and Cruger have been together since early 2022. The actor first shared a photo of Cruger on his Instagram in March of that year, and they made their public debut as a couple at a charity event in Utah the following month. Cruger, in turn, shared a sweet moment from a race they attended in Texas, solidifying their relationship in the eyes of fans.
A Funny Memory and a Happy Ending
Bonnie Hunt’s story of her encounter with Taylor Kinney offers a lighthearted glimpse into Hollywood’s unexpected moments. Though she may not have ended up with a romantic connection, the exchange left her with a funny memory — and gave fans a reason to smile.
