At 82, Juliet Mills Is Happily Married to ‘Grease’ Heartthrob 18 Years Her Junior — Their Love Story
A former child star has fallen deeply in love with her much younger spouse, who has expressed the same feelings toward her. The pair has always maintained their connection in the face of criticism.
Actress Juliet Mills, 82, has been happily married for more than 40 years to a man who is over 20 years her junior. At one point, many questioned whether their love would last given their stark age difference.
Both of them work in the entertainment business; Mills signed a contract with Warner Brothers and made her cinematic debut first. She appeared in a few small comedies, including “Carry on Jack” (1964) and “Nurse on Wheels” (1963).
Nevertheless, it was not until 1966 that she started to receive significant recognition, costarring with James Stewart and Maureen O’Hara in the western picture “The Rare Breed.”
1970 saw Mills land her first major role in the TV show “Nanny and the Professor.” After just two seasons, ABC canceled the sitcom despite its rapid growth in popularity.
In an interview conducted decades after the end of the comedy series, the actress talked about her favorite childhood recollections. “I have incredibly good recollections of it and am really proud of it. It’s amazing that I’m still acknowledged everywhere for it more than anything else I’ve ever done,” Mills remarked.
Mills, who was nominated for her first Tony Award at the age of eighteen, revealed that she is frequently recognized by her voice alone and that people often turn to say, “Hey, Nanny!” She thinks it was a family program that made people happy and left them with lasting memories.
Through her acting career, the former child star got to know her future husband, Maxwell Caulfield, who was at the time a budding actor. Caulfield debuted in a motion picture with “Grease 2.” A later engagement brought him and Mills together onstage for a U.S. tour of the critically acclaimed play “The Elephant Man.” Mills would go on to marry him.
He played John Merrick in the play, a man whose terrible facial deformities gave rise to the cruel nickname mentioned in the play’s title, and Mills played Mrs. Kendal, the actress who becomes his friend.
She described meeting Caulfield as “love at first sight” in an interview, saying, “We were instant friends, immediately attracted.” They felt as though they had known one other in a past life, she said.
Caulfield concurred in the same interview, describing their love as “full-blown” and mentioning a strong mental bond, saying, “It was instantaneous for us both.” Mills’ friend Natalie Wood had invited them to attend Harold Pinter’s “Betrayal” on Broadway, and that was their first date.
Sitting between Mills and the renowned Wood, who had starred in “West Side Story” and “Rebel Without a Cause,” Caulfield remembered the event as bizarre.
Many people didn’t think Caulfield and Mills’ 1980 marriage would last when they were just 21 years old. The pair avoided trouble despite their age difference making news.
Mills clarified that they never concerned about the age gap because they lived in California, where the news didn’t receive much attention. Not even those close to them, such as Mills’ father, thought it was a problem.
He merely said, “It’s irrelevant,” when she told him about her past romantic involvement. It’s a soulmate when you find someone you want to spend the rest of your life with, regardless of their color, age, or other characteristics.”
And I discovered that. We’ve now silenced our detractors,” Mills remarked. Having been married twice before, the actress never felt particularly older than Caulfield. He was her best friend, passionate, and protective, according to her.
Caulfield even took charge of their nuptials, arranging a private celebration at Mills’ Beverly Hills house after a dawn ceremony on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean at Point Dume in Malibu.
He created a mystical ambiance by decorating the house with fairy lights and archways. He made an equally passionate proposal, releasing two doves from his tuxedo pockets. “She brings out the romantic in me,” wrote Caulfield.
The actor acknowledged in a recent interview that he stays young because of his 44-year wife. The couple went to the traditional #ENOCarousel in April 2017. Great conviction from @AlfieBoe & @KathJenkins, vocals not 2 shabby either! Caulfield expressed his feelings online. wonderful theater.”
Additionally, he shared a happy picture of the two on X, and people couldn’t stop gushing about how well they got along. One commenter said, “What a lovely photograph!” Something similar was said by another: “You two lovebirds look great!”
When Caulfield shared a new photo of the happy couple in December 2013, he said, “Right side up!” They received a remark from someone who wrote, “A Lovely couple [sic].”
By overcoming the odds, Mills and Caulfield have demonstrated that love can endure a generational divide and public scrutiny. Their lasting relationship is proof of genuine affection and companionship.
