6 stars settling down with much younger girlfriends, from Leonardo DiCaprio and Camila Morrone’s four-year run, to Josh Duhamel and Audra Mari’s engagement news

Jan 14 , 2022

Hollywood stars with younger girlfriends: from Zach Braff and Florence Pugh, to Leonardo DiCaprio and Camila Morrone. Photos: @zachbraff, @camilamorrone/Instagram; Getty

In Hollywood, couples who are far apart in age have always been a hot topic, but how many of them have actually gone the distance? A number of male celebrities have coupled up with younger partners recently and appear to be preparing for a long future together.

Let’s look at some A-listers who suggest they are done playing the field and are ready to settle down and start a family, if they haven’t done so already …

1. Josh Duhamel and Audra Mari

Josh Duhamel and Audra Mari. Photo: @joshduhamel/Instagram

The Transformers star popped the question against a dreamy sunset on January 8 – the 28th birthday of his girlfriend of two years, Audra Mari.

The 49-year-old actor began dating the former beauty queen just as he was finalising his 2019 divorce from 46-year-old Black Eyed Peas singer, Fergie. He and his ex-wife share an eight-year-old son, Axl, whom they co-parent.

During a separation from Fergie in 2018, Duhamel shared in an episode of the podcast Armchair Expert that it was his plan to have more kids all along and for that, he would have to find a young wife. (Maybe he missed the memo about some celebs who became first-time mums at 40 and 50?) “I’m trying to find a girl that I can be with and have a family with, you know?” he said.

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2. Leonardo DiCaprio and Camila Morrone

Man about town Leonardo DiCaprio, 47, has been linked to many younger women, models in particular, over the years, but his relationship with 24-year-old actress and model Camila Morrone is proving to be a lasting one. They have been together now for four years and kicked off 2022 with a loved-up holiday in the Caribbean, where they were spotted swimming in St. Barts. A source told E! News in December that the pair were “going strong” and that DiCaprio “does really like his life with her.” Could this mean another proposal soon?

3. Chris Martin and Dakota Johnson

After his “conscious uncoupling” with Goop founder Gwyneth Paltrow, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, 44, found another love interest in 50 Shades of Grey actress Dakota Johnson, who is 13 years his junior. How serious are they? Their relationship reached new heights when Johnson made her directorial debut for the music video of Coldplay’s Cry Cry Cry. She’s also on very good terms with Paltrow, who told Harper’s Bazaar, “I just adore her”.

Martin and Johnson are living in Malibu, and recently sold one property and moved into another worth US$14.4 million.

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4. Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara

An Oscar winner for Joker in 2019, Joaquin Phoenix, 47, has maintained a low-key relationship with Rooney Mara, who is 11 years younger than him, for several years. They met on set while filming Her in 2012 and dating rumours began to circulate in 2017. They were engaged in 2019 and a year later they welcomed their first child named River, after Joaquin’s late brother.

Rooney has lately made headlines after being cast as Audrey Hepburn in an upcoming biopic backed by Apple TV+.

5. Zach Braff and Florence Pugh

Zach Braff with Florence Pugh. Photo: @zachbraff/Instagram

Three years into dating, Florence Pugh and Zach Braff are still very much into each other, as evidenced by a sweet message the 46-year-old Scrubs star posted on Instagram about his 26-year-old girlfriend on her birthday on January 3. It read: “I am so lucky to know you. And the world is so lucky they get to witness your incredible talent.” He also shared photos of her, including a photo of Pugh with the dog they have together.

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The Black Widow actress has publicly defended her relationship with her older partner on Instagram, saying: “I do not need you to tell me who I should or should not love and I would never in my life ever, ever tell anyone who they can or should not love.”

6. Eddie Murphy and Paige Butcher

Comedian Eddie Murphy, 60, welcomed his 10th child in 2018, the same year he got engaged to long-time girlfriend Paige Butcher, 42. In spite of the 18-year age difference, the match seems to work for the pair, who have been together since 2012 and have two children together: Izzy and Max.

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Fame and celebrity

Joaquin Phoenix, an Oscar winner for Joker, has dated Rooney Mara for several years, while Black Widow’s Florence Pugh once defended her relationship with Zach Braff on Instagram