Vials of blood…that’s probably your main association with Billy Bob Thorton and Angelina Jolie, right? In the spirit of spooky season, Mel tells the tale of this 2000s Gothic couple.

He was a 45-year-old, late bloomer “hillbilly” from Arkansas on his fifth marriage. She was a beautiful, brooding 25-year-old Hollywood “nepo baby” on her second. All the stars aligned for these two dark and twisty social outcasts to find each other and French kiss on red carpets. While their relationship might have evolved to be a mere footnote in the bigger Brangelina saga, this episode proves that the past IS prologue. Join us as we look back at their controversial affair featuring a scorned Laura Dern, tattoos, matching burial plots, and a flame that burned too bright for daylight.

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This is a teaser for a bonus episode— the full episode is 2 hours 15 minutes long! You can listen to it in full ⁠on Patreon⁠.

About Significant Lovers

Significant Lovers is a true-love podcast exploring couples throughout history and pop culture, hosted by cousins Kelly, Melissa, and Kaitlyn.

Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @significantlovers, listen on YouTube, and contact us at significantlovers@gmail.com.

Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward’s 50-year marriage is arguably Hollywood’s most enduring real-life love story. Regarded as the “Last Movie Stars” of the Golden Era, they worked together on 16 films and shared a combined 14 Academy Award nominations. A rarity in showbusiness, they somehow managed to maintain their deep chemistry and friendship all while raising a big family in Connecticut, chasing big dreams, and selling salad dressing.

Of course, they weren’t perfect. Our story kicks off with a five-year affair, when Paul was still married to Jackie Witte with three babies at home. We can’t help but wonder: if someone cheats WITH you, will they inevitably always cheat ON you? We look back on Paul’s infamous line comparing Joanne to a juicy steak, his complicated psyche and battle with alcoholism, and Joanne’s struggle to balance stardom with motherhood.

In an industry known for divorce, what was their secret to weathering the storms and making it last all those years? Listen and find out.

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About Significant Lovers

Significant Lovers is a true-love podcast exploring couples throughout history and pop culture, hosted by cousins Kelly, Melissa, and Kaitlyn.

Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @significantlovers, listen on YouTube, and contact us at significantlovers@gmail.com.

Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for ‘fair use’ for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.

In this week’s Patreon episode, Kaitlyn's covering a couple that was once called “Mr. and Mrs. Brooklyn” by the New York Times in 2007: Michelle Williams and Heath Ledger.

From falling in love on the set of Brokeback Mountain, to becoming first time parents a year later, Heath and Michelle’s fairy tale love story appeared to have all the makings of forever. But less than 3 years after meeting, they called it quits. What happened? Was it because of the Joker? Other women? Drugs? And would Heath and Michelle have gotten back together had Heath not tragically passed?

All this and more we discuss, including the sweet, funny, and heartfelt moments that made their relationship so memorable, while also looking at how their bond continues to be remembered, or misremembered, today. This episode will surely make you want to smile, laugh, cry, and rewatch Brokeback Mountain (and probably also 10 Things I Hate About You).

*****

This is a teaser for a bonus episode— the full episode is 1 hr 40 minutes long! You can listen to it in full ⁠on Patreon⁠.

About Significant Lovers

Significant Lovers is a true-love podcast exploring couples throughout history and pop culture, hosted by cousins Kelly, Melissa, and Kaitlyn.

Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @significantlovers, listen on YouTube, and contact us at significantlovers@gmail.com.