The Criminal Minds Cast And Their Real-Life Partners

For over two decades, the crime drama "Criminal Minds" has kept audiences enthralled with its gripping storylines, unforgettable characters, and powerhouse performances. The procedural first ran from 2005 to 2020. It focused on an elite team of profilers in the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) as they hunted some of the world's most terrifying serial killers, with their personal and professional hurdles front and center.

With a cast of talented stars including Mandy Patinkin, Matthew Gray Gubler, and Paget Brewster, the show attracted a passionate following that ultimately helped it return for a revival in 2022, breathing new life into the franchise. Viewers can't get enough of beloved characters like Penelope Garcia, David Rossi, and Jennifer "JJ" Jareau, and fans have become deeply invested in the lives of its decorated stars.

Unlike their on-screen counterparts, many "Criminal Minds" cast members have found their happy endings with their romantic partners. Some of the show's illustrious stars have been with their spouses for decades, while others have recently become first-time parents or are simply enjoying the excitement of a new romance. 

Paget Brewster has been a staple on "Criminal Minds" since first joining the series in its second season. The actor memorably portrayed Kathy in "Friends" and appeared in shows like "BoJack Horseman" and "Community." Since October 2014, she has been married to composer Steve Damstra, who is a member of the three-piece bands Whirlwind Heat and Folded Light. Her co-star and close friend, Matthew Gray Gubler, introduced the couple to one another and even officiated their nuptials.

Brewster had previously revealed her engagement to Damstra on X, showing off the stunning ring. "It's jade. And he's the best," she wrote. "Wait for the best, ladies, wait until you're 44 if that's what it takes!" Brewster and Damstra have even collaborated, joining creative forces on her 2020 song "Drove to the Ocean." The TV star's romance with the composer has inspired Gubler, who opened up about their relationship and his bond with Brewster.

"She taught me that all in the right time, true love will find you," Gubler shared with Glamour of what he's learned from his longtime pal. "She had dated some people and was sort of like, 'I'm fine with either being alone or not,' and then she met Steve, who swept her off her feet and then she knew what the lifetime of waiting was for. I admire that." 

Joe Mantegna has played "Stallion the Italian" David Rossi for nearly two decades; the actor and character came to the BAU following the departure of Mandy Patinkin in 2007. Mantegna has been married to Arlene Vrhel since 1975, the high school sweethearts first exchanging informal vows at the top of the Eiffel Tower in an intimate, romantic ceremony. During their decades-long relationship, the couple welcomed daughters Mia in 1987 and Gia in 1990, their youngest following in her father's footsteps and dabbling in acting.

Vrhel owned the popular Chicago-themed restaurant Taste Chicago in Burbank from 2003 to 2019 and supported her husband as he pursued his Hollywood dreams. Their daughter Mia was diagnosed with autism in 1990, and they have become devoted advocates for autism awareness, establishing the Mantegna Family Foundation to help empower people with disabilities and support their families.

The couple has been married for more than 50 years; Mantegna revealed the secret to their enduring romance in an interview with Closer. "The way I like to put it is that marriage is like being on a roller coaster. It's fun, but then these scary turns happen," he told the outlet. "The trick is, at least for me, is that we hung on during those scary turns. Then things smoothed out again. For us, the ride keeps getting better and better." 

Known for her fan-favorite performance as the quirky, comedic tech analyst Penelope Garcia, Kirsten Vangsness has remained a staple on "Criminal Minds" since its inception. The actor has reportedly been in a relationship with Los Angeles-based veterinarian and singer Stephen Moffitt since 2020 after previously being engaged to actor Keith Hanson.

The seasoned star has opened up about her sexuality, saying she's attracted to both men and women. She was in a 7-year relationship with editor Melanie Goldstein before splitting in 2013. "I guess I never understood the term of being bisexual because once I let myself come out ten or 12 years ago, I was like, 'Oh, okay I'm gay,' and I was perfectly okay with that, but then I was like, 'Wait, nothing changed in me,'" Vangsness said to People in 2015. "I don't feel any different."

Though she has remained private with her love life throughout the years, Vangsness and Moffitt have appeared on each other's social media since they were first linked together. The veterinarian wished her a happy birthday in 2024, sharing an Instagram video and captioning it, "Happy Birthday to my favorite weirdo. Let's share all the birthdays." Vangsness also celebrated Moffitt on his big day, sharing a clip of him performing on stage on Instagram and calling him "My Beloved."

A.J. Cook has been with "Criminal Minds" since the show premiered in 2005, starring as savvy Supervisory Special Agent Jennifer "JJ" Jareau. Cook married her longtime love, Nathan Andersen, in 2001. The couple first met while attending Utah Valley University. They welcomed sons Mehkai and Phoenix in 2008 and 2015, respectively; the boys even portrayed JJ's children, Henry and Michael, on-screen.

"It was one of those super cheesy moments where the room stands still, our eyes connected, the air got sucked out of me," Cook told Southbay Magazine of meeting Andersen. "It was like I saw his soul, and I knew him in that instant. I guess that's what a soul mate is. I had never felt anything like that before." Andersen shared the same sentiment, as he had gone home and told his college roommate he would marry Cook one day.

After the birth of Mehkai in 2008, the couple had believed they were unable to have any more children and were shocked when Cook got pregnant years later. Phoenix's name also holds a special meaning for the longtime lovebirds. "It's as in 'to rise [like the bird],' not as in Arizona! My husband and I were told we couldn't have any more children, so Phoenix was a total surprise. He just rose up, and here he is," she said to Us Weekly. 

Matthew Gray Gubler is arguably one of the most beloved stars of "Criminal Minds," the actor making fans swoon with his eccentric portrayal of SSA Dr. Spencer Reid during the show's initial run. Gubler delighted longtime viewers when he reprised the quirky character in a guest appearance in 2025. Though he remains tight-lipped about his love life, Gubler was previously in a relationship with Kat Dennings and allegedly had a fling with Taylor Swift.

He sparked dating rumors in July 2025 when he was spotted with country singer Willow Avalon at a Zach Bryan concert following months of speculation. The pair were photographed sharing PDA at the London event, and Avalon even served as an opener for Bryan. Despite being publicly linked together, neither Gubler nor Avalon has confirmed the nature of their relationship.

Though he stays mum on his personal life, the TV staple has opened up about what he looks for in a romantic partner. "I fall in love with wonderful people and people that can't be replicated. They are completely unique individuals, and those people are really rare and you can't let them go," he shared with Glamour. "You gotta be friends with them forever because if I'm going to date someone, it's a real big thing for me. It means that I feel that we're tied together for life, whether they like it or not!"

After starring as Eric Delko for 10 seasons on "CSI: Miami," Adam Rodriguez headed to the BAU to portray Supervisory Special Agent Luke Alvez in 2016. Rodriguez tied the knot with model Grace Gail in 2016 in Tuscany, Italy, in an intimate ceremony; his wife is the daughter of TV veteran Max Gail. Famous faces like Channing Tatum and Kevin Nash attended the romantic nuptials. Rodriguez and Tatum became friends after starring in "Magic Mike" together in 2012.

He met the model shortly after starring in the flirty flick, though Rodriguez's role as exotic dancer Tito seemingly played no hand in his luck with Gail. "I don't think Tito's magic moves would ever hurt. Well, maybe just a little. But I'd say they had no effect on my landing an initial date with my wife," he told 26 Magazine of first meeting his partner.

"She hadn't even seen the movie when we first met. Once I laid eyes on my wife for the first time, there wasn't anything that could have stopped the rest of our life together from happening." The couple shares three children, daughters Frankie and Georgie and son Bridgemont, and Rodriguez often shares photos of his family on social media. "The words will take me the rest of this life. The Love is for forever," he wrote on Instagram in a tribute to Gail. 

For over a decade, Shemar Moore captivated audiences with his complex portrayal of SSA Derek Morgan, the actor subsequently starring in "S.W.A.T." from 2017 to 2025. Since 2020, Moore has been in an on-again, off-again relationship with girlfriend Jesiree Dizon. The couple welcomed their daughter, Frankie, in January 2023. Dizon is a jack-of-all-trades in the entertainment industry, as she is not only a professional model but also a makeup artist and actor, appearing in shows like "True Blood" and "Hawaii Five-0." 

In 2025, Moore and Dizon announced that they had decided to go their separate ways, but their split was short-lived, and they rekindled their romance soon after. In September 2026, "The Young and the Restless" alum spoke to TMZ after a woman was catfished into believing she was communicating with Moore and showed up at his Los Angeles home. The outlet and officials referred to Dizon as his significant other, and Moore playfully stated she was ready to handle the situation if things had escalated. 

Since reuniting, the pair frequently pop up on each other's social media, and Dizon honored Moore on Father's Day 2026. "Daddy looks GREAT on you, stud! Today we celebrate YOU and all that you do for us! You are the greatest dada, partner, protector, provider, dad joker, speech maker, friend and LOVE we could ever ask for," she wrote on Instagram.  

Accomplished star Mandy Patinkin notably portrayed SSA Jason Gideon for the show's first 3 seasons before shockingly walking away from the role in 2007. "The Princess Bride" alum has been married to actor and producer Kathryn Grody since 1980, the couple first meeting in 1978 while working on a play together. After a bitter breakup, Patinkin made a personal rule to never date someone he was working with and waited until the show was done before asking Grody out on a proper date.

"I was dying to get to know her!" he said in a 2018 Vulture interview. "So we made a date for the Sunday when it was over. And I sat down and gave her the flowers, and I said, 'I'm gonna marry you!'" They welcomed sons Isaac in 1983 and Gideon in 1987, and became heavily involved in politics and nonprofit organizations. Patinkin and Grody are ambassadors for the International Rescue Committee, which explores the many challenges refugees face around the world.

"We talk a lot about being stunned about being older. Some days it's really shocking. But even when it's shocking, I see him as the person I first met," Grody told Vulture of their decades-spanning romance. "I see that person in him now. So I get more of him. I get the gorgeous young guy and the gorgeous old guy." 

Jeanne Tripplehorn portrayed Dr. Alex Blake from 2012 to 2014; the actor appeared in films like "Basic Instinct" and "The Firm" and in popular shows like "Big Love." After starring in the 1998 black comedy "Very Bad Things" alongside Leland Orser, the pair got hitched in 2000 and later welcomed son August on May 23, 2002. The pair once again shared the screen in 2010 when they starred in "Morning," which Orser directed and wrote.

The drama featured Tripplehorn and Orser as a married couple who must navigate the devastating death of their only son. The "Criminal Minds" star was blown away by her husband's writing skills and was eager to collaborate. "She said, 'The very first thing I'll say to you is if this script was sent to me by my agent or manager, I would do anything within my power to have this role,'" Orser told SF Gate. "Once we were both on the same page, then there really was no stopping the inevitability of this movie."

Tripplehorn frequently shares snapshots of her husband and son on social media; the "Criminal Minds" alum even paid tribute to Orser on Father's Day on Instagram. "Here's to all you great dad's being celebrated today but especially to this man! Our fierce, fun and loving protector. The best a son could ask for ... Happy Father's Day."

Scream Queen Jennifer Love Hewitt is perhaps best known for her iconic performances in the slasher classic "I Know What You Did Last Summer" and in shows like "Party of Five" and "Ghost Whisperer." She also played former undercover agent Kate Callahan in the tenth season of "Criminal Minds." Hewitt married her "The Client List" co-star Brian Hallisay in 2013, and the couple welcomed Autumn, Atticus, and Aidan Hallisay.

She walked away from "Criminal Minds" following her second pregnancy with Atticus and took a three-year acting hiatus to focus on her family. "I was looking in the mirror, talking with myself, going, 'Hey, we started something, remember? We were gonna take a step back. So let's do that,'" she told ELLE of her decision to hit pause on Hollywood. Their daughter, Autumn, has decided to pursue a career in acting like her famous parents; the adolescent appeared alongside Hewitt in "9-1-1" and in the Lifetime Christmas movie "The Holiday Junkie."

When it comes to advising Autumn on how to survive being a child star in the industry, Hewitt told In Touch (per OK! Magazine), "We've told her our hope is that she'll hold off on [acting] for a little while. But she can do little jobs in between like she's been doing. And then if she wants to go for it, I'm there. I'll teach her everything I know." 

Daniel Henney starred as Special Agent Matt Simmons as a series regular from seasons 13 through 15 in the crime drama, having previously made guest appearances in the 10th and 12th seasons. In October 2023, Henney married fellow actor and model Ru Kumagai after dating rumors first swirled back in 2018. The couple found love after the "Criminal Minds" star had suffered heartbreak.

Henney and Kumagai first met when she was working as a hostess at a restaurant; the duo quickly hit it off and became friends before pursuing a romance. "My wife, Ru, is wonderful, she's my life partner. She is much more my better half than me," Henney shared on "Shoes Off Inside with MKT" in 2024. "She's been the greatest thing I think that's happened to me."

Kumagai has notably starred in movies like "Only the Brave" and "Happy Mart" and in shows such as "9-1-1," "Good Trouble," and the Korean series "All of Us Are Dead." She also holds a 1st degree black belt in Taekwondo. The couple largely keeps their relationship private, but in 2024 Henney took to Instagram to honor his wife on her birthday with a sunset beach photo of Kumagai. "Happy birthday my [love]," he wrote in the rare post.

"Friday Night Lights" staple Zach Gilford delivered an impressive performance as psychopathic serial killer Elias Voit in "Criminal Minds: Evolution." The TV star married Kiele Sanchez in 2012, and the couple welcomed daughter Zeppelin and son Revel during their relationship. Gilford filed for divorce in 2025 after 12 years of marriage, reportedly citing "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for their split.

Gilford previously shared the screen with Sanchez in "Kingdom" and "The Purge: Anarchy," and opened up about juggling work and personal life. "We've worked together several times and in very different situations," Gilford recalled to Us Weekly. "But there's a theme on set when you are coworkers but also a married couple. It's kind of trying to walk that tightrope," he told Us Weekly. Gilford subsequently moved on with his fellow "Criminal Minds" co-star Liana Liberato, the couple confirming romance rumors in November 2025 via Us Weekly.

Liberato portrayed the recurring role of Jade Waters in "Criminal Minds" after previously appearing in popular shows like "Sons of Anarchy," "A Million Little Things," and "Based on a True Story." Though the couple has remained tight-lipped about their relationship, Liberato called Gilford "My valentine" in an Instagram story (via Us Weekly) from February 2026. The actor shared a photo of her kissing Gilford with their heads cut out of frame in the Valentine's Day post.