Los Angeles, CA – William H. Macy, the veteran actor known for his roles in films like Fargo and the television series Shameless, opened up about the secrets – or lack thereof – to his enduring marriage with fellow actress Felicity Huffman during an exclusive interview at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards on Sunday, January 4.
Speaking to Us Weekly on the red carpet, Macy, 75, emphasized the foundation of openness and shared passion that has sustained their nearly three-decade union. “There’s no secrets. First of all, she’s a fabulous human being, so if you want a good marriage, marry her. But I already did,” Macy quipped, highlighting Huffman's character as a cornerstone of their relationship.
The couple's bond, Macy explained, is deeply rooted in their mutual love for the performing arts. “Our relationship is founded in show biz. We met in the theater. We talk about acting all the time. We love acting. She’s a magnificent actor. We talk about our roles together,” he said. This shared professional world, according to Macy, has helped them navigate the challenges of Hollywood life while maintaining a strong personal connection.
Macy and Huffman first crossed paths at the Atlantic Theater Company in New York City in the early 1980s. Their romance was not without hurdles; they dated on and off for 15 years before finally tying the knot in 1997. The couple has since built a family in Los Angeles, raising two daughters: Sophia Macy, 25, who has followed in her parents' footsteps as an actor, and Georgia Grace Macy, 23.
Despite their high-profile careers, Macy stressed the importance of shielding their children from the industry's glare. “We’ve been lucky and we raised our kids here in Los Angeles, and we kept them out of the business, although my oldest, Sophia Macy, is an actor. We tried to have a normal family, and it was pretty normal,” he told Us Weekly. This effort to foster a sense of normalcy, Macy noted, has been key to their family dynamics.
The family's recent holiday celebrations underscored their close-knit ties. Macy recounted ringing in the new year in Colorado with Huffman and their daughters, joined by a lively group of young adults. “My wife [and] both daughters were there, and 13 of their friends. I spent the holidays with 13 20-something year olds,” he shared. “It was exciting and bewildering.” Such gatherings, he implied, keep their relationships vibrant and grounded.
Looking ahead, Macy revealed that he and Huffman have set intentional goals for the year. “Felicity and I talked about what we want and the coming year, and we made a bit of a list,” he recalled. “It’s going to be a good year. I’m feeling very bullish about it.” This optimistic outlook comes as the couple continues to support each other's endeavors in an industry known for its volatility.
Of course, the Macy-Huffman marriage has not been without public scrutiny. In 2019, Huffman found herself at the center of the nationwide college admissions scandal, also known as Operation Varsity Blues. She was arrested on March 12, 2019, accused of paying $15,000 to have a proctor correct her daughter's SAT exam answers. Huffman pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud later that year.
Her sentence, handed down in September 2019, included 14 days in federal prison – of which she served 11 days starting October 15, 2019 – a $30,000 fine, 250 hours of community service, and one year of supervised release. Throughout the ordeal, Macy stood by his wife, though he was not implicated in the scheme. The scandal thrust their private life into the spotlight, testing the resilience of their partnership.
Huffman has since reflected publicly on the lasting impact of the events. In a December 2023 interview with ABC-7 Eyewitness News, she described the moment of her arrest with disbelief. “I thought it was a hoax [when I was getting arrested],” she said. “I literally turned to one of the FBI people, in a flak jacket and a gun, and I went, ‘Is this a joke?’” Her words captured the surreal nature of the federal raid on their home.
By February 2024, Huffman elaborated further in an interview with The Guardian, discussing the profound personal toll. “It’s been hard. Sort of like your old life died and you died with it,” she explained. Despite the difficulties, she expressed profound gratitude for her family's unwavering support. “I’m lucky enough to have a family and love and means, so I had a place to land,” Huffman added, acknowledging the privileges that aided her recovery.
Huffman has been candid about carrying the weight of her actions. “I walk into the room with it. I did it. It’s black and white,” she told The Guardian. “But as long as my kids are well and my husband is well, I feel like I’m well.” Her reflections highlight a journey toward accountability and healing, with Macy's steadfast presence playing a pivotal role.
Meanwhile, Macy's career continues to thrive. At the 2026 Critics Choice Awards, his film Train Dreams earned nominations in five categories, including Best Cinematography, which it ultimately won. Macy praised the project's emotional depth during his Us Weekly chat. “First, the script, it was beautifully written. It’s based on a novella, but the writing is beautiful, just gorgeous scenes,” he said. The story, set among loggers at the turn of the 20th century, follows a simple man's heroic life journey, resonating with themes of perseverance that mirror the couple's own experiences.
The awards event itself was a glamorous affair, with Macy attending amid a sea of Hollywood stars. Related coverage highlighted standout red carpet looks, but for Macy, the evening was as much about personal milestones as professional ones. His comments on marriage came against this celebratory backdrop, offering a glimpse into the private joys that sustain public figures.
As Macy and Huffman navigate their 28th year of marriage, their story serves as a testament to the power of communication and mutual respect in the face of adversity. With new projects on the horizon and family at the forefront, the couple appears poised for continued success. Whether discussing scripts or setting yearly goals, their partnership remains a model of Hollywood longevity, unmarred by the 'secrets' that often plague Tinseltown romances.
The broader implications of their experience extend beyond celebrity gossip, touching on themes of redemption and family solidarity in the public eye. As Huffman rebuilds her career – with recent roles in projects like the 2024 film I Know What You Did Last Summer – and Macy garners acclaim for Train Dreams, observers note how their united front has helped them weather the storm. Looking forward, Macy's bullish sentiment for 2026 suggests more chapters yet to be written in this resilient love story.