Don Cheadle Jokes ‘Drugs’ Is Secret to 30-Year Relationship With Wife

Don Cheadle gave a cheeky response when asked about the secret behind his 30-year relationship with wife Bridgid Coulter.

“Drugs, yeah, mostly drugs,” Cheadle, 61, joked to Us Weekly exclusively on Friday, January 9, while attending an All the President’s Men benefit reading for the Stella Adler Foundation at the Harmony Gold Theater in Los Angeles.

The Marvel star had already been with Coulter, 57, for 28 years when they wed in 2020. The pair, who share two children — Ayana, 31, and Imani, 29 — began dating in 1992, and their bond remains stronger than ever.

“My kids are grown, and my wife is very busy and does her own thing, but we’ve been together for a lot of it,” the actor told Us about his life with Coulter. “We’re tight, we’re tight-knit, and we support each other. So it’s been great.”

Regarding why they decided to finally make it official, Cheadle previously teased that it was for tax purposes.

“Our accountant proposed to both of us and he showed us the numbers, and we said, ‘Yeah, we should probably do it,’” he said to Entertainment Tonight in 2021. “It came up a lot. But every time, we were like, ‘But we’re already together?’ [The accountant said], ‘Yeah, but this is a better reason to be together.’ Really, it’s because our accountant proposed to us. I wish there were some big sweet romantic story, but the romance happened, you know, the first year.”

The Iron Man star also gave advice on what to do before taking the leap.

“Wait 28 years before you get married. Do not rush into things. Be very careful!” he added.

Don Cheadle Makes Rare Comment About Romance With Wife Bridgid Coulter

While Cheadle is currently gearing up for Broadway, starring alongside Ayo Edebiri in a revival of David Auburn‘s award-winning play, Proof (previews start on March 31 at the Booth Theatre), don’t expect him to make a career jump into politics anytime soon.

“Never say never. But I have no designs on it, no designs right now,” he told Us about his political future. “Think you can kind of be more effective sometimes from this seat than that one.”

Unlike Cheadle, his longtime friend Mark Ruffalo teased his own political aspirations at the All the President’s Men benefit reading.

“It isn’t on my game card right now, but who knows,” Ruffalo, 58, exclusively told Us. “I mean, I spent a lot of time in that world, and acting — it’s for the people. So, I love the people and politicians could be doing something good for the people.”

Ruffalo also praised New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s win before giving his thoughts on the current political climate.

“It’s bulls***,” he said. “And the people in America are suffering. If the people in America weren’t suffering, we wouldn’t be where we are right now. You know, it’s a failure on both parties. They become completely captured by corporations, both parties. And it’s time for a new America that is for the working people who were the plurality of this country.”