Felicity Huffman and William H. Macy: A Timeline of Their Lasting Relationship

Credit: Jim Smeal/WireImage)

Felicity Huffman and William H. Macy: A Timeline of Their Lasting Relationship

A desperate housewife and a Shameless dad! Felicity Huffman and William H. Macy’s romance has stood the test of time amid personal struggles and triumphs. The couple married more than 20 years ago after dating on and off for 15 years. They are also the parents of daughters Sophia and Georgia. The Shameless star and the Desperate Housewives alum have often gushed about their relationship and family life. “What’s the secret? I don’t think there is a secret,” Macy told Us Weekly of his marriage in September 2017. “But mostly, I’m lucky. I met her, she said yes, we grew up in the theater together, we have shared interests, and she’s a good woman to her core and evolving always. And no one has ever seen me the way she sees me.” The actors even work well together. “Don’t try this at home, kids. This is not a good idea,” he said. “We talk the talk and walk the walk. I read her scripts, she reads mine, we give each other notes, we run lines with each other, we’re in it. It’s dangerous territory, but if you’re married well, you can get through it.” Huffman echoed her husband’s statements when she caught up with Us in April 2018. “I lucked out, I married Bill Macy,” she admitted. “But that’s as far as I can go. I don’t know how you make marriage work, I just got lucky. I have no idea.” The Fargo star stayed by his wife’s side when she was arrested in March 2019 for her alleged involvement in a college admissions scam. “To all the moms out there, you’re all superheroes and you’re all good enough,” the actress wrote via Instagram days before the scandal broke. “Don’t let anyone tell you differently.” Huffman pleaded guilty to charges of fraud in May 2019. She served 11 days in prison in October 2019 and completed her full sentence in October 2020. Macy advocated on her behalf in a letter to the judge ahead of her sentencing, writing, “If I may I’d like to tell you one more thing: every good thing in my life is because of Felicity Huffman.” Scroll to relive Macy and Huffman’s decades-long relationship.

Credit: Jim Smeal/WireImage

1980s

The Oscar nominees met at the Atlantic Theater Company in New York City in the early 1980s. They proceeded to date on and off for 15 years.

Credit: Jim Smeal/WireImage)

1980s – 1990s

Macy proposed to Huffman “several times over several years,” according to the American Crime alum. However, she rejected him. “I was so scared of marriage that I thought I would’ve preferred to step in front of a bus,” the actress told Tribune News in February 2015.

Credit: Jim Smeal/WireImage

1990s

The pair called it quits at one point during their courtship and stayed apart for “four or five years,” Huffman revealed to Tribune News.

Credit: Russ Einhorn/Liaison Agency

September 1997

Macy popped the question again after the duo’s lengthy breakup. “I was finally smart enough to go, ‘I’m going to marry this guy or really lose him for good.’ … I knew I couldn’t say no,” she confessed to Tribune News. “It was the work I had to do in order to bring myself to the marriage and then the work that I did to be able to trust another person and see what comes out of that comfort and that safety. I was able to blossom out of that.” The twosome tied the knot on September 6, 1997.

Credit: Gregg DeGuire/WireImage

2000s

Macy and Huffman added to their brood when they welcomed daughters Sophia on August 1, 2000, and Georgia on March 14, 2002. The Emmy winner told Us in March 2019 that their parenting approaches are “really complimentary.”

Credit: Jason Merritt/Getty Images

March 2012

The Krystal costars became the second married couple ever to receive stars on The Hollywood Walk of Fame on the same day in March 2012.

Credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

September 2017

Huffman and Macy celebrated their milestone 20th wedding anniversary in 2017. “You took me home in 1985. You married me in 1997. You give me a thrill every time you walk through the door,” the Transamerica star wrote via Instagram at the time. “Thank you for marrying me 20 years ago today.” In a Twitter post, the Cake actor added: “Twenty years ago today I did the best thing I’ve ever done in my life. I married Felicity Huffman.”

Credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

March 2019

The Sports Night alum was arrested in March 2019 for allegedly making “a purported charitable contribution of $15,000 … to participate in the college entrance exam cheating scheme on behalf of her eldest daughter.” Macy was not charged in the scandal, but he supported Huffman at her court hearing.

Credit: KATHERINE TAYLOR/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

April 2019

Huffman announced that she planned to plead guilty for her part in the college admissions scandal on April 8. The When They See Us actress was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud after she paid $15,000 to consultant William Singer to boost her 18-year-old daughter Sophia’s SAT score, according to the complaint. Macy was not charged in the case, though the documents claim he “agreed to the plan.”

“I am pleading guilty to the charge brought against me by the United States Attorney’s Office,” Huffman said in a statement. “I am in full acceptance of my guilt, and with deep regret and shame over what I have done, I accept full responsibility for my actions and will accept the consequences that stem from those actions. I am ashamed of the pain I have caused my daughter, my family, my friends, my colleagues and the educational community.”

Credit: Steven Senne/AP/Shutterstock

May 2019

The Transamerica actress formally entered a guilty plea on May 13. According to the press release, prosecutors recommended a four-month prison sentence and a $20,000 fine.

Credit: David Fisher/Shutterstock

September 2019

On September 6, 2019, Huffman and Macy celebrated their 22-year wedding anniversary.

Credit: CJ GUNTHER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

September 2019

Macy was by Huffman’s side on September 13 as she received her sentence for her role in the nationwide college admissions scandal. The judge ordered the actress to 14 days in prison, a $30,000 fine, a year of supervised release and 250 hours of community service.

Credit: Eric Charbonneau/Shutterstock

October 2019

Huffman reported to the Federal Correctional Institution in Dublin, California, to begin her 14-day prison sentence. Macy was spotted visiting her later that month.

The Get Shorty alum was released early in October 2019. She then began her court-ordered community service the following month. She completed her full sentence in October 2020.

Credit: Courtesy of Georgia Macy/Instagram

December 2019

The couple’s youngest daughter, Georgia, announced that she’s attending Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York, following Huffman’s involvement in the admissions scandal. She added “Vassar 2024” to her Instagram bio.

Credit: Michael Dwyer/AP/Shutterstock

October 2020

Us confirmed Huffman completed her full sentence, which included community service and a supervised release after wrapping her stint in prison the year before.

Credit: Danny Moloshok/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

September 2021

Macy attended the Emmys — where he was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for his role as Frank Gallagher on Shameless — without Huffman. The event marked his first red carpet appearance since the college admissions scandal.

Credit: Broadimage/Shutterstock

February 2022

The couple were photographed having dinner in Santa Monica, California, with friends. In one snap, Huffman put her arm around her husband while the duo strolled down the street.

Credit: Fati Sadou/ABACAPRESS.COM/Shutterstock

December 2022

The couple attended the A New Way Of Life 2022 Gala at Hollywood American Legion in Los Angeles.