She’s All That star Rachael Leigh Cook and her former husband, Daniel Gillies, have managed to maintain a strong friendship after their divorce. The Hallmark Channel star and the NCIS actor first tied the knot in 2004, embarking on a 15-year journey that ultimately ended in 2019. Despite the separation, they've continued to support each other as co-parents and friends. Keep reading to learn more about this unique relationship and how they’ve navigated life post-divorce.
Getting to Know Daniel Gillies: Rachael Leigh Cook's Former Spouse
Born in Canada, Daniel Gillies grew up in New Zealand before setting his sights on Hollywood. In the early 2000s, he made the bold move to Los Angeles, where he quickly carved out a successful career in acting. It was in one of those quintessential LA bars that he met Rachael Leigh Cook, and the rest, as they say, is history. They married in 2004, the same year Daniel landed a role in the blockbuster Spider-Man 2. Their marriage wasn’t just a personal milestone—it was also the beginning of two remarkable careers intertwined.
Daniel’s career took off in 2010 when he joined the cast of The Vampire Diaries, playing the beloved character Elijah Mikaelson. His portrayal earned him a loyal fanbase and led to spin-offs like The Originals. Alongside this, he starred in the medical drama Saving Hope from 2012 to 2015. Most recently, Daniel ventured into the world of Netflix, where he became a fan favorite in the romantic drama series Virgin River.
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In June 2019, Rachael and Daniel made the difficult decision to part ways, announcing their separation in a heartfelt joint statement shared on Instagram. “With deep gratitude for every year we have spent together, and the thousands of beautiful memories shared, we have mutually decided to separate as a couple,” the statement read. “This decision isn’t one we have come to easily or lightly.”
Their divorce was finalized in 2021, but rather than severing ties, the pair chose a different path. “It was really hard when Daniel and I decided to separate because of the massive implications that come with that and the upheaval, but honestly, we’re really good,” Rachael told Entertainment Tonight in August 2020. “We’re friends now. We talk about things that we never talked about before because we have this new relationship.”
Their friendship has evolved in unexpected ways, with both openly discussing their dating lives with each other. “He’ll tell me about dates that he goes on and funny things that might have happened and we genuinely laugh about it,” Rachael shared. “I don’t know. Divorce needs a new publicist. It’s not that bad.”
Rachael didn’t let the end of her marriage stop her from embracing new love. Shortly after her separation, she met producer Kevin Mann through mutual friend Judy Greer. “I love his perfect heart. He’s magic… He’s a producer. He has incredible taste. He’s the greatest guy,” Rachael gushed. “He’s fine with working really hard and doing great things and he does so much for other people. And then he will watch unlimited seasons of 90 Day Fiancé with me.”
Co-Parenting and Family Life: A New Chapter
Even as their romantic relationship ended, Rachael and Daniel remained committed to their roles as parents. Together, they welcomed daughter Charlotte in 2013 and son Theodore in 2015. Speaking to Us Weekly in August 2020, Rachael revealed the thoughtful way they approached discussing their separation with their children. “We sat them down, we said, ‘This is a serious talk,’” she explained. “We told them what mom and dad know, and [that] this is a grown-up decision, not a kids' decision. We’re always going to be your parents but we’re just not going to be married to each other anymore. Everything else is going to be the same for the foreseeable future, but just so you know that’s something that’s going to happen.”
Their ability to communicate openly and prioritize their children’s well-being serves as a testament to their strength as co-parents and friends. Through it all, they’ve shown that love and respect can endure even after the end of a marriage.
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