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David Schwimmer’s Relationship History

The former ‘Friends’ star was married for seven years to a British visual artist.
Zoe Buckman, David Schwimmer and daughter Chloe Buckman Schwimmer
David and Zoe co-parent their daughter Cleo
Getty

Compared to former castmates Jennifer Aniston and Courtney Cox, David Schwimmer’s post-Friends career has been a lot more low-key. But in the 15 years since the finale aired, the actor has racked up some impressive acting and directorial credits. He also got married and, then in 2017, announced his separation from his wife, British artist Zoe Buckman.

Catch up on David Schwimmer, his previous girlfriends, and his relationship with Buckman right here!

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Who Is David Schwimmer?

Schwimmer is a world-famous actor, producer, and director. He is most famous for his role as Ross Geller on the hit ‘90s show Friends, who he played for the entirety of the show’s 10-year run alongside Aniston, Cox, Matthew Perry, Matt LeBlanc, and Lisa Kudrow.

After this breakthrough role, David appeared in several other films and TV shows. His most notable credits post-Friends include Band of Brothers, the voice of Melman the Giraffe in the Madagascar film franchise, and American Crime Story, where he garnered critical acclaim and an Emmy nod for his portrayal of Robert Kardashian.

Schwimmer took a break from acting and directed his first feature film in 2007, British comedy Run, Fatboy, Run, starring Simon Pegg. Shortly after that, he directed an Off-Broadway production of Fault Lines. He then returned to Chicago to direct a play for the Lookingglass Theatre, a theatre company which he founded shortly after college graduation. 

In 2010, he returned to television with an appearance on comedy mockumentary series Come Fly with Me. Recently, Schwimmer and Rebel Wilson ‘roasted’ James Corden on Drop the Mic.

David Schwimmer during a screening of 'Kissing The Fool' in 1998
(Credit: Getty)

Which Co-Stars & Celebrities Has Schwimmer Been Linked To In The Past?

Although he has acted with some of the biggest names in Hollywood (and despite persistent rumours to the contrary), Schwimmer did not date with any of his Friends co-stars. Sorry, Ross and Rachel shippers – David Schwimmer and Jennifer Aniston never got together! Strangely enough, there was also some gossip based on writer’s room talk that Schwimmer was gay, but there’s been no evidence to support this claim.

David Schwimmer and Debra Messing were also romantically linked after he guest-starred on an episode of Will and Grace, but reps from both camps denied any non-platonic relationship. He was, however, once engaged to Israeli actress Mili Avital, who he met on the set of NBC miniseries Uprising.

Other than Avital, Schwimmer has also been in relationships with other actresses and singers. This includes his first famous girlfriend, “Torn” singer Natalie Imbruglia, who he dated from 1996 to 1997. He also dated Carla Alapont, a Spanish actress, from 2002 to 2003; and Tina Barrett, who is most known for being a part of the ‘90s pop group S Club 7.

Actor Natalie Imbruglia during the 1998 MTV Awards
David dated Natalie Imbruglia for nearly two years (Credit: Getty)

How Many Times Has David Schwimmer Been Married?

In contrast to other Hollywood celebs his age who have gone through multiple marriages and divorces, Schwimmer has only been married once, to his current wife Zoe Buckman. 

David Schwimmer And Wife Zoe Buckman

How Did David Schwimmer And Zoe Buckman Meet?

David Schwimmer and Zoe Buckman first met in 2007 at the Cuckoo Club in London. Schwimmer was in town directing Rut, Fat Boy, Run, and he stopped at the establishment for food and drinks. Buckman was a waitress at the club and served Schwimmer’s table.

It didn’t take long for the two to strike up a relationship after that. Zoe, who was a part-time photographer and artist at the time, left her London home to move in with Schwimmer in Los Angeles.

Zoe Buckman and David Schwimmer pictured together at the 'Sex with Strangers' Opening Night
David and Zoe soon after they met (Credit: Getty)

When Did David Schwimmer And His Wife Get Married?

Schwimmer and Buckman tied the knot in a private ceremony in June 2010, just three months after they announced their engagement. However, they kept their marriage a secret from the public for four months, until finally announcing it in October of that year.

Did The Couple Have Kids Together?

Schwimmer and his wife welcomed a daughter on May 8, 2011. Cleo Buckman-Schwimmer is now 8 years old. The parents have done a good job of keeping their young child out of the limelight

Zoe Buckman, David Schwimmer and daughter Chloe Buckman Schwimmer
David and Zoe co-parent their daughter Cleo (Credit: Getty)

What Are They Up To Now?

34-year-old Buckman just recently put up an installation/exhibit at Fort Gansevoort entitled Heavy Rag, a feminist visual ‘thinkpiece’ about female domesticity, vulnerability, and suffering – especially in the context of monthly menstruation.

Schwimmer, on the other hand, wrapped up filming on The Laundromat. The Madagascar star appears alongside Meryl Streep, Gary Oldman, and Antonio Banderas in the Netflix film, which will be released on the streaming platform on October 18.

A New Chapter

Even though their marriage didn’t work out, it seems like Schwimmer and Buckman are pretty good co-parents to their 8-year-old Cleo. Plus, the two are thriving professionally after their separation, with Zoe setting up exhibits and David doing what he does best – acting.

RELATED: David Schwimmer reveals fame from ‘Friends’ made him “want to hide”

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