9 'Unexpected' Celebs Who Were Dating That Shocked Their Fans

Here Are 9 Surprising Celebrity Couples You Never Knew Dated

From the unexpected pairing of these A-Listers like Sandra Bullock and Ryan Gosling to Cher and Tom Cruise, discover the secret romances that sizzled behind the scenes of everyone's screen. While they found lasting love elsewhere, these surprising pairings left an indelible mark on Hollywood hearts. The rollercoaster of star-studded twists and turns in the chapter of celebrity romances you never knew existed! The mysteries of these on-set connections contribute an intriguing layer to the complex fabric of their lives.

1. Sandra Bullock and Ryan Gosling

Sandra Bullock and Ryan Gosling kindled a romance on the set of Murder By Numbers in 2001. Despite a substantial 16-year age gap, their love blossomed, captivating the public when they appeared together at the movie's Cannes premiere. However, after a passionate two-year relationship, the stars parted ways in 2003, blaming the relentless demands of their showbiz careers. While Bullock faced the heartbreak of a failed romance, Gosling found solace in the arms of Eva Mendes, whom he met on the set of The Place Beyond the Pines in 2011. Their low-key relationship has since become a Hollywood staple, as per Bright Side.

2. Nicole Kidman and Lenny Kravitz

Nicole Kidman and Lenny Kravitz, an unexpected pair, were once engaged in the early 2000s, keeping their romance clandestine for nearly 15 years. Meeting when Kravitz was Kidman's landlord, their connection fizzled out in 2003. Despite the split, their amicable relationship has endured. At the CMT Music Awards in 2013, they posed for photos with Kidman's current husband, Keith Urban, displaying an #ExGoals camaraderie. Even during the Big Little Lies press tour, Kidman casually dropped the bombshell about their engagement, reflecting on their deep connection. While Kravitz explored various romances, including links with Madonna and Naomi Campbell, Kidman remarried Keith Urban, raising two daughters and maintaining her prolific acting career, as per Yahoo!.

3. Chris Evans and Jessica Biel

In the early 2000s, Hollywood witnessed a surprising and low-key romance between Jessica Biel and Chris Evans, long before Biel's marriage to Justin Timberlake. Their relationship, shrouded in secrecy, spanned five years and saw the couple discussing marriage and children. Despite occasional appearances on the red carpet and discussions about their romance, the couple successfully kept their love under the radar, attributed to the suitable timing in their respective careers. Their connection was evident during red-carpet appearances, including the second annual My VH1 Music Awards in December 2001. Biel even shared sweet anecdotes, recalling Evans' romantic gestures and their talks about marriage and children. The enigmatic romance eventually came to an end in 2006, with details of the breakup remaining private, as per The Things.

4. Macauley Culkin and Mila Kunis

Mila Kunis and Macaulay Culkin's surprising eight-year relationship kept remarkably low-key from 2002 to 2011, stunned fans as the couple navigated Hollywood without the typical spotlight. The duo, both transitioning from child stars to adult actors, "grew up together," according to Kunis. Despite media speculation, the couple maintained an extraordinarily private life. The relationship, marked by shared interests like playing World of Warcraft and cooking, eventually came to an amicable end in 2011, with Kunis acknowledging its positive impact on her identity, as per In Style.

5. Amy Poehler and John Stamos

In the realm of surprising celebrity pairings, the rendezvous between Amy Poehler and John Stamos takes the cake. Following her split from Will Arnett, Poehler found herself on an unexpected date with the Full House heartthrob. Poehler, unsure about the nature of their dinner, recounted the episode on Howard Stern, confessing she wore a Leslie Knope top from the set of Parks and Recreation. Stamos, however, left no room for ambiguity, asserting he had asked her out on a date and considered it such. Despite the confusion, the duo remains close friends. Poehler has since found love with comedian Nick Kroll, as per ABC News.

6. Drew Barrymore and Christian Bale

Christian Bale and Drew Barrymore, two Hollywood stars with seemingly separate paths, once had a surprising rendezvous. Their brief encounter occurred during a date to watch a "bloody awful horror film," as Bale revealed to GQ Australia in 2012. Despite his recollection, Barrymore couldn't recall the reason she didn't call him back, later admitting on Watch What Happens Live that she had bigger issues to deal with at the time. Both child stars with varying experiences of fame, Bale and Barrymore matured into successful adults with thriving acting careers. Years later, Barrymore confessed that if she were to meet Bale now, she would likely "clam up or embarrass herself," as per Cheat Sheet.

7. Aaliyah and Jay Z

Aaliyah, the late R&B sensation, held a brief romance with Jay-Z before her tragic death in 2001. Following their split, she found companionship with Damon Dash, unraveling a complex web of unexpected pairings. Dash recently disclosed their relationship, which spanned from 2000 until her untimely demise, even hinting at discussions about marriage. The most shocking revelation, however, was Aaliyah's flirtation with Jay-Z, who reportedly pursued her vigorously. Despite the rumors, Aaliyah's relationship with Jay-Z appears to have been more casual, with Dash shedding light on her open-minded approach to dating, as per The Things.

8. Cher and Tom Cruise

Iconic stars Tom Cruise and Cher were once a secret item in the mid-1980s. Cruise, a rising leading man with hits like Top Gun, connected with Cher, a pop legend and actress, at Madonna and Sean Penn's wedding in 1985. Despite their 16-year age difference, the dyslexic duo shared a brief fling, rekindling their connection at a White House event for dyslexic individuals. Cher later revealed Tom as one of her "top five lovers," expressing regret that their busy schedules forced them apart. Remarkably, Cher also dated Tom's Top Gun co-star, Val Kilmer, from 1982 to 1984, as per Smooth Radio.

9. Helen Mirren and Liam Neeson

Liam Neeson and Helen Mirren's surprising romance bloomed on the set of the 1981 film Excalibur, where the actors, immersed in medieval drama, found themselves falling in love. The relationship lasted from 1980 to 1985, creating a unique Hollywood love story. Neeson, reflecting on those years in a 2014 CBS interview, expressed awe at the experience of riding horses in armor and having sword fights while developing a romantic connection with Mirren. Despite their eventual parting, both stars have consistently spoken fondly of their time together, as per People.