A Look Back at Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell's Long-Term Romance in Photos, as the “Escape from New York” Actor Turns 75 Today
A Look Back at Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell's Long-Term Romance in Photos, as the “Escape from New York” Actor Turns 75 Today
Grace Gavilanes, Stephanie SengweTue, March 17, 2026 at 10:00 AM UTC
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Goldie Hawn and Kurt RussellCredit: Stewart Cook/Variety/REX/Shutterstock
Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell first met on the 1968 set of The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band — and while their romantic relationship didn't begin for another decade, Russell did leave a lasting impression on Hawn.
The two have now been together for more than four decades, growing a family with equally successful children, numerous grandkids and endless happiness.
As Russell celebrates his 75th birthday on March 17, 2026, take a look at the movie stars' love story in photos.
01 of 15
The Ultimate Meet-Cute
Goldie Hawn and Kurt RussellCredit: Ron Galella/Wireimage
"I was 21 and he was 16 and I thought he was adorable but he was much too young," the actress told Desert Island Discs on BBC Radio 4 of the first time they met. "And then years later we met up again and I liked him and I remembered that I liked him very much when I first met him. But we both said we would never go out with another actor so it just shows you never can tell."
02 of 15
Making the First Move
Goldie Hawn and Kurt RussellCredit: ©Warner Brothers/Everett
Turns out the couple's long-term romance started with a terrible pickup line — following a night of drinking for Russell before reading lines with Hawn at an audition the next day.
"I was severely hungover … and I didn't know Goldie at all outside of having worked with her many years before," Kurt Russell recalled to Conan O'Brien of striking up conversation with his now-longtime partner. "I just didn't know in my mind what I was going to see. [Goldie] had a great body, and so the first that came out was 'Man, you got a great figure.' And it kind of came out quickly and it could've been wrong and she said, 'Why thank you.' "
03 of 15
First Date
Goldie Hawn and Kurt RussellCredit: Barry King/WireImage
Following a night of dancing at The Playboy Club on their first date, Russell and Hawn both agreed that "the night wasn't over yet," and wound up at a home the actress had recently purchased to renovate. "We eventually found our way upstairs, looking around at imaginary furniture and we were in the imaginary bedroom, now, and we are realistically having sex," Russell recalled during an appearance on Harry, "when the police walked in because we had to break into the place to get in."
"That was our first date," Russell said. "It was a lot of fun, I'll tell you what. I can't believe it was a long time ago."
04 of 15
Working Together
Goldie Hawn and Kurt RussellCredit: Everett
Since reconnecting, Hawn and Russell have starred together in 1984's Swing Shift and 1987's Overboard, both of which continued to display their chemistry on the big screen. "I think sometime we'll work together again," Russell told Today in a 2017 interview when asked of the possibility of an on-screen reunion. "We already had movie careers going and they weren't co-dependent. There was no reason for them to be forced to be in that position ... The last [script] we read together was Overboard, so sometimes there's a long time in between."
05 of 15
Family Matters
Goldie Hawn and Kurt RussellCredit: Steve Granitz/WireImage
At the time she began dating Russell, Hawn was already a mother of two — to Kate and Oliver Hudson, her children with second husband Bill Hudson — and she says it was Russell's interaction with her kids that made her fall for him. "What really got me was when I watched my kids when they'd come to the set and how he was with them. He was amazing with them. He was such a natural," the actress told PEOPLE.
To celebrate their "pa" on his 64th birthday back in 2015, the Hudson siblings wrote loving notes on Instagram, paying tribute to Russell, who serves as the stars' stepdad. "No matter what he was doing in his busy life, he always showed up," read Kate's message. "Not because he had to but because there was no other place on earth he would rather be than with his family. We felt the purity of that our whole childhood and my gratitude for his love is immeasurable."
Kurt also had son Boston from his prior marriage to Season Hubley.
06 of 15
Adding to the Crew
Goldie Hawn and Kurt RussellCredit: Runway Manhattan/AFF
In 1986, Hawn and Russell welcomed son Wyatt. The actor is following in his famous parents' footsteps, having starred in 2014's 22 Jump Street, among other titles.
07 of 15
Still Committed
Goldie Hawn and Kurt RussellCredit: Chris Polk/FilmMagic
Despite having never married, the couple remain committed to one another. In fact, they attribute their longevity to the fact they haven't tied the knot. "If you like your independence there's something psychological about not being married because it gives you the freedom to make decisions one way or the other," Hawn said at a film panel in 2016. "So for me, I chose to stay, and Kurt chose to stay."
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08 of 15
What's Their Secret?
Goldie Hawn and Kurt RussellCredit: Jamie McCarthy/Getty
"Love, gratitude, compassion, because sometimes every man or every woman will drive their partner crazy. Family. Fun. Laughs. Sex," Hawn told PEOPLE of the keys to the actors' successful relationship. "If you don't nurture that, and remember, you're done."
09 of 15
Just Like Everybody Else
Goldie Hawn and Kurt RussellCredit: Kevin Mazur/WireImage
Despite constantly defining relationship goals in the eyes of the public, Russell stresses that he and his leading lady have a relationship many couples can relate to.
"Look, I've said this for 34 years, I don't think Goldie and I, in real terms, are any different than any other couple; we go through all the same things," he explained. "But the important thing of who the two people are in a relationship is what you have to deal with. There's gonna be ups and downs and sideways and everything else ... I just think after 34 years you're gonna have experienced every emotion that you can together," he added.
10 of 15
Star Among Us
Goldie Hawn and Kurt RussellCredit: Eric Charbonneau/Invision for Twentieth Century Fox/AP
In May 2017, Hawn and Russell were honored with dual stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. "It turned out to be a lovefest," Hawn told PEOPLE. "The last thing he said was, 'I'll always cherish you.' I didn't expect him to say those things. I had no idea he was going to be so beautiful."
11 of 15
Built to Last
Goldie Hawn and Kurt RussellCredit: Ari and Louise
In their PEOPLE interview in November 2020, Hawn insisted there isn't a secret to their success. "You've just got to want to be together," she said. "I don't think there's any way other than do it."
As for their continued choice not to marry, "It's okay," said Hawn, who costarred with Russell in Netflix's The Christmas Chronicles: Part Two. "It's not about the marriage. It's about the people and the relationship, and the will to stay together. And that's a big one because if you want it, you can have it. You've got to give things up, but the joy and the excitement of being together and touching the toes of somebody at night is really a nice feeling."
12 of 15
Merry Couple
Goldie Hawn and Kurt RussellCredit: Joe Lederer/Netflix
In November 2020, the couple shared the screen yet again in The Christmas Chronicles 2 as Christmas power couple Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus. Hawn also had a small appearance in the first film alongside with her son Oliver Hudson.
13 of 15
Still the One
Goldie Hawn and Kurt RussellCredit: Kevin Mazur/Getty
Forty years later and Goldie and Kurt are still going strong. Asked what the key to their long-lasting union is, the Death Becomes Her actress doubled down on her previous sentiments, telling E! News, "You have to have good sex because sex is something that connects you and creates more belonging."
"People who have healthy sexual relationships usually last a lot longer," Hawn explained. "But it's not just because of the act, it's because of the warmth and the intimacy that it creates.”
14 of 15
Cheer On
Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell and Kate HudsonCredit: Marion Curtis/StarPix for Focus Features/Shutterstock
Russell and Hawn have raised three successful actors — and a therapist! — supporting their careers while still emphasizing the importance of hard work.
For Kate's Oscar-nominated performance in Song Sung Blue, the parents showed up to the film's premiere and a special screening as their daughter's cheerleaders.
"When I first saw this movie, Kurt and I were sitting together and it wasn't totally put together yet," Hawn revealed while moderating a post-screening Q&A for the film. "The two of us held onto each other and cried."
15 of 15
Party People
Goldie Hawn and Kurt RussellCredit: Cindy Ord/VF26/Getty
The industry veterans still frequent the big ceremonies and A-list functions. Hawn, an Academy Award winner in her own right, accompanied her daughter as a plus-one to the 2026 Oscars. Following the ceremony, Hawn changed into an elegant black gown as she walked hand-in-hand with Russell into the Vanity Fair afterparty.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
