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Talia Balsam's Love Life Including Failed Marriage to George Clooney and a Lucky Second Husband

Talia Balsam was married to actor George Clooney for years before they divorced and she is now married to "Mad Men" actor John Slattery with whom she has a son.

Actress Talia Balsam has been carrying the label of being the ex-wife of Hollywood's most sought-after leading man, George Clooney, for well over 20 years, even though she remarried in 1998.

Talia has been happily married to actor John Slattery, best known for his work in "Mad Men" and his role as Howard Stark, Iron Man Tony Stark's father, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe Movies.

Talia Balsam at the opening night of "What the Bleep!?: Down the Rabbit Hole" in 2006 in New York | Source: Getty Images

ACTING DYNASTY

Talia was born into the acting tradition. Her father was actor Martin Balsam, winner of a Tony and an Academy Award. Among the many films he starred in were "12 Angry Men," Alfred Hitchcock's iconic "Psycho," "Breakfast at Tiffany's," and "All the President's Men."

Talia's mother is Joyce Van Patten -- Dick Van Patten's sister -- known for her work in stage, TV, and film, and whose credits include Neil Simon's "Brighton Beach Memoirs," the series "The Good Guys," and films like "The Falcon and the Snowman" and " St. Elmo's Fire."

John Slattery and Talia Balsam at the opening of the first Hermes Men's Store in 2010 in New York City | Source: Getty Images

TALIA BALSAM, ACTRESS

As a young actress, Talia landed herself a recurring role in the cult 70s sitcom "Happy Days" and guested in hit series like "Dallas" and "Magnum, P.I." Fans will best remember Talia for her roles in "Without A Trace," "Mad Men" and "Homeland."

Her most recent work includes the role of Anne Stevens in "The Good Wife" and Dallas Holt, Sarah Jessica Parker's BFF in "Divorce." Talia also starred in the acclaimed 2020 film "Worth" with Michael Keaton, Amy Ryan, and Stanley Tucci.

Clooney spent decades talking about his brief marriage to Talia and swearing he'd never marry again.

George Clooney and Talia Balsam at the ABC Television Affiliates Party in 1990 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

MARRIED TO A BACHELOR

“I probably, definitely wasn’t someone who should have been married at that point. I just don’t feel like I gave Talia a fair shot.”

IN LOVE AGAIN

While Clooney went on to become Hollywood's most coveted bachelor for the next 20 years, Talia met another handsome actor, John Slattery. The couple married in 1998 and welcomed their son Henry in 1999.

John is also known for his role in the Academy Award-winning film, "Spotlight," and as Tony Stark's father in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and is currently starring in the sci-fi series "Next."

GEORGE CLOONEY MARRIED

The couple married in Italy in 2014 and welcomed twins, daughter, Ella, and a son, Alexander, in 2017. The eternal bachelor is now a loving and devoted husband and a doting dad to his three-year-old twins.

George Clooney and Amal Clooney at "China: Through The Looking Glass" MET Gala in 2015 in New York City | Source: Getty Images

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Arica Deslauriers

Update: 2024-05-19