15 Celebrity Couples You Totally Forgot Ever Dated

15 Celebrity Couples You Totally Forgot Ever Dated

Celebrity dating history is a wild roller coaster, and sometimes the most surprising pairings are the ones we completely forgot ever happened.

Some of these relationships were short-lived flings.

Others lasted for years but disappeared from public memory the moment both stars moved on.

What’s fun is looking back and realizing just how random, unlikely, or downright iconic some of these couples really were.

It’s like stumbling upon old yearbook photos you didn’t know existed.

You look.

You blink.

You double-check Wikipedia.

And you think, “Hold on—this was real?”

These 15 forgotten romances prove that Hollywood’s relationship timeline is way messier, more entertaining, and more unpredictable than any reality show.

Let’s take a stroll down memory lane and revisit some celebrity couples you probably haven’t thought about in years.

1. Sandra Bullock & Ryan Gosling

Long before “Hey Girl” memes made Ryan Gosling an internet boyfriend, he was quietly dating America’s sweetheart, Sandra Bullock.

Their relationship surprised fans not just because of the star pairing but because of the 16-year age difference between them.

The two met while filming Murder by Numbers and quickly developed a connection that seemed surprisingly genuine despite the Hollywood chaos surrounding them.

They even dated for nearly two years, which is practically a decade in celebrity time.

Their romance was sweet, low-key, and refreshingly drama-free.

Nothing explosive, no scandals, no messy tabloid headlines—just two extremely photogenic people spending time together.

When they eventually went their separate ways, it was as quietly as it began.

And somehow, the world collectively forgot this pairing existed.

But now you remember, and you’re welcome.

2. Cher & Tom Cruise

Few celebrity pairings feel more like the result of pulling random names from a hat than Cher and Tom Cruise.

Their romance happened in the mid-’80s, when Cruise was still a rising actor and Cher was already, well, Cher.

She later revealed that he ranked among her all-time “top lovers,” which instantly gave their forgotten fling new life.

The two reportedly met at a White House event, which feels hilariously on-brand for both of them.

Imagine the sunglasses, the hair, the confident strutting—peak ’80s energy all around.

Their relationship didn’t last long, but the idea of two such larger-than-life icons sharing a quiet romance is undeniably charming.

They were both busy, ambitious, and climbing their respective career mountains.

Eventually, they drifted apart.

But as celebrity trivia goes, this one’s gold.

3. Madonna & Dennis Rodman

If you ever needed proof that the ’90s were absolute chaos, look no further than Madonna and Dennis Rodman’s relationship.

This was a pairing that made headlines every other day, yet somehow managed to fade from public memory over the years.

Rodman claimed Madonna wanted to have a baby with him, which he announced in the most Dennis-Rodman way possible—loudly, publicly, and with several questionable details.

Their whirlwind romance was passionate, unpredictable, and perfectly matched for two people who consistently rewrote the rules of fame.

They were unapologetic, bold, and a little bit wild together.

And honestly, we expect nothing less.

Their time as a couple was short but fascinating.

Hollywood simply wasn’t ready for the energy they created.

And that might explain why we all collectively blocked it out.

4. Scarlett Johansson & Jack Antonoff

Long before Jack Antonoff became the go-to producer for every cool indie pop star, he was dating Scarlett Johansson in high school.

Yes—actual high school.

They attended the same private school in New York, and their teenage romance was sweet, normal, and completely un-Hollywood.

No paparazzi, no red carpets, no stylists hovering with powder brushes.

Just two artsy teenagers figuring things out like everyone else.

Antonoff has joked in interviews about how surreal it feels that the world even cares about a relationship he had at seventeen.

Meanwhile, Scarlett went from child actress to global superstar.

Their lives took wildly different paths, but the nostalgia of their brief young love feels oddly wholesome.

It’s a cute reminder that even celebrities once had awkward high school relationships.

5. Ryan Reynolds & Alanis Morissette

Anyone who remembers this pairing usually forgets how serious it was.

Ryan Reynolds and Alanis Morissette weren’t just casually dating—they were engaged for nearly three years.

The two met at a birthday party, hit it off instantly, and became one of the most unexpected yet oddly perfect celebrity couples of the early 2000s.

They were playful and affectionate in public, which made the breakup feel surprisingly heartbreaking.

Alanis later hinted that some of her most emotional songs were inspired by the split, which tracks because the angst was real.

Even so, both of them moved on to happy marriages, proving that some relationships are meant to shape you rather than last forever.

Their romance feels like a time capsule of early-2000s energy, complete with chunky highlights and low-rise everything.

6. Natalie Portman & Moby

Few celebrity matchups have sparked more collective confusion than Natalie Portman and Moby.

His memoir claims they dated.

She later said he “creeped her out.”

And somewhere in between the conflicting accounts lies the truth about their brief and somewhat awkward connection.

What we do know is that they spent time together when she was a college student and he was a massive star in the electronic music world.

Their worlds couldn’t have been more different, which might explain why things fizzled quickly.

Fans were puzzled then and remain puzzled now.

Moby himself has admitted that he misread social cues during that time.

The entire situation is a strange footnote in both their lives.

But as far as forgotten celebrity pairings go, it’s one of the most memorable.

7. Brad Pitt & Christina Applegate

One of the most legendary almost-romances in Hollywood belongs to Brad Pitt and Christina Applegate.

They went on exactly one date, and the night turned into celebrity folklore because she reportedly left him mid-date for someone else.

To this day, she’s never revealed who the mystery man was, and Brad has never spilled the beans either.

This tiny piece of drama has hovered in entertainment history like a fun, unsolved riddle.

Their brief encounter happened long before either of them became household names, which explains why many people forget it ever happened.

Still, the idea of Christina ditching Brad Pitt—Brad Pitt!—is forever iconic.

It’s the kind of story that proves the universe has a sense of humor.

And it remains one of the greatest “what might have been” Hollywood moments.

8. Sarah Jessica Parker & Robert Downey Jr.

Long before she became Carrie Bradshaw and he became Iron Man, Sarah Jessica Parker and Robert Downey Jr. were deeply in love.

Their relationship lasted seven years, which is practically an eternity by Hollywood standards.

They met on the set of a film and quickly became inseparable.

But their romance was also marked by Downey’s struggles with addiction, something he has openly acknowledged with gratitude for her support during those difficult years.

Parker was devoted and tried to help him through it, but eventually, the emotional toll became too heavy.

Their breakup was bittersweet rather than dramatic.

Both moved on, healed, and built successful careers and families.

Their story is a reminder that even strong love sometimes isn’t enough when personal battles get in the way.

And that’s what makes this pairing unforgettable—even if many forgot it happened.

9. Ashton Kutcher & January Jones

It’s easy to forget that January Jones dated Ashton Kutcher before either of them became famous.

At the time, she was a rising model transitioning into acting, and he was building his career after That ’70s Show.

Their relationship reportedly had some rocky elements, with January hinting years later that Ashton didn’t exactly believe in her acting dreams.

Ouch.

The two eventually split, and both went on to have successful careers—proof that you don’t need the support of a doubtful boyfriend to shine.

January’s breakthrough on Mad Men became iconic.

Ashton, of course, became a tech investor and sitcom staple.

Looking back, their pairing feels like two people standing on the cusp of massive fame without realizing what was ahead.

It’s an interesting “before they were stars” chapter for both.

10. Jake Gyllenhaal & Kirsten Dunst

Fans from the early 2000s might vaguely recall Jake Gyllenhaal and Kirsten Dunst dating, but it’s one of those celebrity relationships that quietly faded from public memory.

They were young, adorable, and Hollywood’s favorite artsy couple for a brief moment.

Pictures of them grabbing coffee, walking dogs, or laughing over brunch were everywhere.

Their vibe was cozy and low-key compared to the dramatic celebrity pairings of the time.

But the relationship didn’t last, and they went their separate ways peacefully.

Jake later called her one of the most talented people he’d ever worked with, which is a pretty classy reflection.

Both of them continued on to impressive careers—and, of course, widely publicized relationships with other stars.

Their romance remains a charming snapshot of early-2000s Hollywood.

11. Kim Kardashian & Nick Lachey

People often forget that Kim Kardashian and Nick Lachey briefly dated in the early days of Kim’s fame.

Nick claims that when they went to a movie together, paparazzi magically showed up despite no one caring about him and Kim at the time.

He later added that he suspected she tipped them off—something extremely on-brand for someone building a career in reality TV.

Their relationship didn’t go beyond a few outings, but it was an interesting moment in both their timelines.

Kim was on the rise.

Nick was post-Jessica Simpson and navigating single life.

Their pairing feels like peak 2006 energy—juicy, slightly chaotic, and perfect for tabloid culture.

Even though it didn’t last, the story still adds an entertaining footnote to Kim’s climb to superstardom.

12. Mila Kunis & Macaulay Culkin

Before Mila Kunis married Ashton Kutcher, she spent nearly a decade with Macaulay Culkin.

Their long-term relationship is surprising to many people because they kept things incredibly private.

They met as young stars navigating fame, and their connection grew into something stable and meaningful for years.

Mila later described the breakup as messy but acknowledged that they cared deeply for each other.

Meanwhile, Macaulay has said nothing but kind things about their time together.

Their romance wasn’t flashy or overly publicized, which is likely why it slipped out of the spotlight.

Looking back, it’s actually one of the sweetest forgotten celebrity relationships.

They seemed genuinely supportive of each other during important years of personal growth.

It’s a quiet chapter, but an important one in both their lives.

13. Heath Ledger & Naomi Watts

The relationship between Heath Ledger and Naomi Watts is one of Hollywood’s most graceful forgotten romances.

They met while filming Ned Kelly and connected instantly.

Both were thoughtful, artistic, and deeply committed to their craft, which created a strong bond.

After nearly two years together, their breakup was amicable rather than dramatic.

Watts has spoken lovingly about Heath many times since his passing, describing him as someone filled with warmth and generosity.

Their relationship felt mature and grounded, especially compared to the tabloid-fueled romances of the era.

Despite ending things romantically, they remained supportive of each other.

It’s a relationship that faded from memory simply because it lacked scandal—not because it lacked meaning.

And in Hollywood, that’s rare.

14. Courteney Cox & Michael Keaton

There was a time when Courteney Cox and Michael Keaton were considered one of Hollywood’s most wholesome couples.

They dated for six years—longer than many celebrity marriages.

Their relationship was incredibly private, which is impressive considering both were rising stars with increasingly busy schedules.

Courteney once said that she had never loved anyone as much as Keaton, which made their split even more emotional for fans.

They were supportive, funny, and genuinely fond of each other, even after things ended.

Their romance was built on real compatibility rather than publicity.

But as Friends catapulted Cox to global superstardom, the memory of this earlier relationship began to fade.

Still, it remains one of the more unexpected and enduring Hollywood love stories from the ’90s.

15. Joaquin Phoenix & Liv Tyler

The romance between Joaquin Phoenix and Liv Tyler was sweet, tender, and incredibly low-key.

They met while filming Inventing the Abbotts and quickly fell into a relationship that lasted several years.

Liv has said Joaquin was her first real love, which adds an extra layer of nostalgia to their story.

The two were shy, artsy, and more interested in acting than fame, which made them an unexpectedly adorable match.

Their breakup wasn’t dramatic or messy—they simply grew apart as they navigated early adulthood.

Both went on to build impressive careers, but their young-love relationship still feels like a soft-focus snapshot from the late ’90s.

It’s one of those celebrity romances that didn’t make massive headlines, but absolutely deserves a place in Hollywood history.

And now you remember it again.