Rose Byrne has never legally married, but she openly considers herself married to Bobby Cannavale, her long-time partner and the man she calls her husband.
Both have built respected acting careers of their own, and over the years, their professional paths have crossed through shared work on Broadway and in film.
Away from their careers, their relationship has also grown into a family. After more than a decade together, Rose and Bobby are parents to two children.
So how did they come to see themselves as husband and wife without ever walking down the aisle, and who exactly is Bobby?
Rose Byrne Calls Bobby Cannavale Her Husband — and He Calls Her His Wife
Rose Byrne and Bobby Cannavale met in 2012 through mutual friends. Not long after, they were seen together at the Portlandia season launch party held at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, where they arrived hand in hand.
Their relationship stayed low-key in the early days, even as they began spending more time together. In June 2013, they appeared on the red carpet as a couple for the first time at the CFDA Fashion Awards in New York.
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Around the same time, their personal connection also extended into work, with both appearing together in the 2014 Annie remake and later in the indie comedy Adult Beginners. Even with years together and shared projects, marriage was never rushed or formally announced.
In November 2025, Byrne spoke openly about their relationship in an interview with The Washington Post, explaining that, in her mind, the label is already settled. She said she considers herself married to Cannavale, even though they have never gone to the courthouse. “I say ‘married,’” she explained. “We just haven’t gone to the courthouse yet, but we’re married.”
She also shared a light moment about their everyday life in New York City, noting that Cannavale tends to draw more attention when they’re out. According to Byrne, people recognize him instantly, calling him hard to miss and even joking that he stands out on the street alongside Robert De Niro.
Cannavale echoed the same feeling years earlier. In January 2020, during an appearance on The Late Late Show With James Corden, he explained why he uses the word “wife” when talking about Byrne. He said other labels never felt right — “boyfriend” and “girlfriend” sounded too young, while “partner” felt cold — and calling her his wife simply made sense and avoided explanations.
Byrne Also Calls Cannavale Her Hubby During Her Golden Globe Award 2026 Win
Rose Byrne used the word “husband” again while accepting her Golden Globe Award in 2026, making her stance on her relationship with Bobby Cannavale clear on one of Hollywood’s biggest stages.
Byrne won Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture Comedy or Musical. When she reached the microphone, she explained why Cannavale was not there to see the moment in person.
She told the audience that Bobby had stayed behind because they were getting a bearded dragon and he had gone to a reptile expo in New Jersey. She then thanked him directly, ending the moment with a warm, “Thank you, baby.”
The Couple Has Two Kids
Rose Byrne and Bobby Cannavale are parents to two sons. Their first child, Rocco, was born on February 1, 2016. Their second son, Rafael — often called Rafa — arrived in November 2017.
After Rocco’s birth, Byrne spoke honestly about early motherhood, describing the newborn stage as “challenging.” She also pointed out that having the right people around her helped her adjust during that time.
The couple has kept most details private, but it’s clear their focus stays firmly on raising their two sons away from constant attention. Select 70 more words to run Humanizer.
Bobby Cannavale Was Married Before
Bobby Cannavale was married once before his relationship with Rose Byrne. He was previously married to Jenny Lumet, an award-winning writer and the daughter of filmmaker Sidney Lumet. She is also the granddaughter of the late singer and actress Lena Horne.
Cannavale and Lumet were married from 1994 until 2003. During their marriage, they welcomed a son, Jake Cannavale. Jake later followed a creative path of his own, working as both an actor and a musician.
Father and son also shared the screen years later, appearing together as father and son in season four of Nurse Jackie.
After his marriage ended, Cannavale began dating actress Annabella Sciorra in 2004. Their relationship lasted until 2007, before the two went their separate ways.
