The Story of Frances McDormand and Joel Coen, Whose Marriage Survived Infertility and Got Solidified by Their Adopted Son

With all the news about marriages breaking down, we really want to know more about the couples that have been together for several decades. Actress Frances McDormand and director Joel Coen have been such an example for 38 years. During this time, they have got professional recognition, they have worked together many times, and they adopted a child that made their marriage even stronger.

We at CHEERY just can’t ignore such a strong family, so we’re going to tell you about the path these celebrities have walked in their long years together.

McDormand and Coen met during the casting for Blood Simple. For Frances, it was the first role not in a series, and for the Coen brothers, Ethan and Joel, it was a full-length movie debut.

During the first audition, the actress told them there would be no second chance to cast her because she had promised her boyfriend to watch his debut in a soap opera, so she wouldn’t attend the second casting round.

In an interview, McDormand joked that it was this thing that gave her the role in the film. Coen doesn’t deny it, but also says that it was her talent.

The affection between Frances and Joel appeared on the set of this film. McDormand took just one book for the filming and she finished it quickly. The director quickly solved the problem by bringing her a bunch of other books. When she asked him which to read first, Joel said, “The Postman Always Rings Twice.”

The book was very hot, and McDormand asked Coen if he was ready to discuss it with her.

And this is how it started. Frances openly talks about how he perceived this relationship after a difficult previous romance:

Blood Simple didn’t only earn a lot of awards, but was the beginning of the creative path for the couple. McDormand was in many other movies by the famous brothers and won her first Oscar with them for her role in Fargo. The brothers also won the Award for their script.

Joel once said that since the moment he first worked with McDormand, every time he writes a female character, he thinks about her. So, she literally became his muse.

But they didn’t get married right away, only after 10 years. They have an interesting story. For a long time, her engagement ring was actually Joel’s ex-wife. The actress easily accepted it, saying that something this good shouldn’t just lie around unused.

What shows the strength of this couple is this example. In 1995, after numerous failed attempts to have children, they decided to adopt a boy, Pedro, for Paraguay. The actor tenderly, but in her own way, describes this period of time:

The actress called the experience of raising their son the most fascinating part of the relationship. Right now, Pedro McDormand Coen is a grown-up man that does different things. He is a certified masseur, coach, and also actor that was in several movies. He also gives his mom fashion advice — it was Pedro’s idea to create this look for his mom’s Vogue appearance.

Joel and Frances work in movies and appear in public events together, and aside from that, they rarely give personal interviews. They hide the location of one of their residences in the US.

When asked about the secret of such a long and happy marriage, Joel lets his wife talk. And she responds that it’s about the ability to share stories with each other. Even though they work together, their careers were built independently. There’s no jealousy in their couple and Frances doesn’t hide her envy towards her husband: he pushes his career forward himself, and she, as an actress, has to wait for role proposals.

Of course, they had some misunderstandings, despite working together. For a role in Miller’s Crossing, the Coen brothers hired a different actress. Frances didn’t like the fact her husband didn’t offer the role to her, but then she realized it was a good lesson. Being married doesn’t give you roles.

To be fair, she could have lost a great role and a lot of awards if it hadn’t been for her husband. She wanted to reject the role in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri because of her age, but Joel told her, “Just shut up and do it.” And it was the right call — the critics loved the film, and the actress got another Oscar.

In her acceptance speech, aside from other important words, she thanked her family, Joel and Pedro:

Which film with Frances McDormand and Joel Coen do you like the most?