Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard Celebrate 20 Years Together

The couple's relationship has endured through ups and downs over two decades.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard have been together for nearly 20 years, having first met at a mutual friend's birthday party in 2007. The couple faced some early challenges, with Shepard initially hesitant about committing, but they eventually got engaged in 2009 and married in 2013. They now have two daughters, Lincoln and Delta, and continue to support each other through Shepard's sobriety journey and other ups and downs in their partnership.

Why it matters

Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard's long-lasting relationship in Hollywood is noteworthy, as many celebrity couples struggle to make their marriages work over the long term. Their willingness to be open about the hard work required to maintain a healthy partnership provides an inspiring example for others.

The details

Bell and Shepard first crossed paths at a birthday party in 2007, where Shepard immediately impressed Bell with his talkative nature. They reconnected a couple weeks later at a hockey game, and Shepard soon got Bell's number from a mutual friend. Though they hit it off, Shepard was initially hesitant to fully commit, leading to a brief breakup before they got back together. The couple co-starred in the 2009 film When in Rome, and Shepard proposed shortly after. They kept their engagement private for a few weeks before announcing it at the Grammys. Bell and Shepard married in 2013 at the Beverly Hills courthouse, and went on to have two daughters, Lincoln and Delta.

  • Bell and Shepard first met at a birthday party in 2007.
  • They reconnected at a Detroit Red Wings hockey game two weeks later in 2007.
  • Shepard proposed to Bell in 2009 after they co-starred in the film When in Rome.
  • Bell and Shepard married in June 2013 at the Beverly Hills courthouse.
  • Their first daughter, Lincoln, was born in March 2013. Their second daughter, Delta, was born in December 2014.

The players

Kristen Bell

An American actress known for her roles in TV shows like Veronica Mars and The Good Place.

Dax Shepard

An American actor, writer, director, and podcast host, known for his roles in films like Hit and Run and CHiPs.

Shauna Robertson

A Canadian film producer who produced the movie Forgetting Sarah Marshall.

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What they’re saying

“The only thing I remember is that he talked so much.”

— Kristen Bell (Town & Country Magazine)

“I violated your privacy and got your number from Shauna. How do you feel about that?”

— Dax Shepard (Town & Country Magazine)

“I can't have this right now. I think you're wonderful, but I am still dating other people.”

— Dax Shepard (Town & Country Magazine)

“I don't know what I was thinking. I was dating someone else but they're just not as interesting as you, and I don't know what I'm doing.”

— Dax Shepard (Town & Country Magazine)

“Stop fucking around and marry Kristen.”

— Jason Bateman (Town & Country Magazine)

The takeaway

Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard's enduring relationship, despite their differences, serves as an inspiring example of the hard work and commitment required to make a marriage last in Hollywood. Their willingness to be open about the challenges they've faced and overcome provides valuable insights for other couples.