I love Kristen Bell and Dax Shephard as a couple. I know she seems a little high strung and over-emotional, judging by her viral video featuring her reaction to the mere mention of a sloth on Ellen. (Seriously, watch it if you haven’t yet.) But she also seems cool to me, in the way that a friend who’s over the top makes life seem like an awesome adventure. Maybe you couldn’t take it to hang out with her every day, but she seems like a hell of a lot of fun. (Check out this recent profile of her in Esquire, which confirms my impression of her.) Dax Shephard is also the highlight of my favorite drama, “Parenthood,” and I’ve been impressed with him in the interviews I’ve seen. He kind of reminds me of my brother, which is probably why I think he’s so cool.
So I’m glad to have a chance to write about them, and to help promote their movie. They’re co-starring in Hit and Run, an action movie also featuring Bradley Cooper, Kristen Chenoweth and Tom Arnold. It was written and co-directed by Shephard, and the trailer is below. It looks fun as anything. Hit & Run is out next week.
As part of promotion for the film, Celebuzz asked these two when they were going to get married. They got engaged a whopping two and a half years ago, over the holiday season in 2009/2010. Earlier this year Kristen said “We consider ourselves already married. We already wear the rings. I don’t want a wedding. It’s too much stress.” Now she’s saying that they’re waiting until same sex marriage is legal in California:
They met in 2007 and he popped the question on Christmas day 2010, [sic: it was Christmas, 2009] but Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard aren’t ready for a stroll down the aisle just yet.
“This is very much up to the State of California,” Bell told Celebuzz when asked about her wedding plans.
“We’ve been very vocal about not wanting to be married in a state that doesn’t allow that right to all of its citizens. We’ll wait until California gets on the right side of history.”
A union of another kind came early for Bell and Shepard as the two star in Hit & Run their first movie together since 2010’s When in Rome. Directed by Shepard and starring his good friends Tom Arnold, Bradley Cooper and his Parenthood costar, Joy Bryant, the new movie fulfills one of the actor’s lifelong ambitions.
“Seeing the man I love really accomplish one of his dreams, which is directing a real car chase movie, I wanted to give him the best performance,” said Bell. “I wanted to be able to do what he wanted to see. So there wasn’t ego involved when he was directing me.”
Not this time, but there might have been. Working with a loved one can be bliss or it can be hell. Chemistry in the home can turn into chaos on the set, especially when budgets are as short as the shooting schedule.
“We disagree on almost everything,” said Bell.
“But not work,” added Shepard. “We typically like the exact same movies. We have the same opinion on scripts and on television shows. In that respect, we’ve very, very aligned.”
So earlier this year Kristen said that it was too much stress to get married, and now she’s saying she’s postponing the wedding in solidarity with same sex couples. Maybe she’s just happy with the way things are and doesn’t want to mess it up. They live together (next to Justin Bieber) and it sounds like they’re doing well – I hope! I was ready to praise them for taking a stand on an important issue, but now it sounds like Kristen has her own reasons for not wanting to make it official yet. Whatever works for them.
Here’s the trailer for Hit & Run. I think Bradley Cooper is a solid actor, and this looks really funny.
These are photos from the Hit & Run premiere last night, also including Bradley Cooper. I really dislike that jumpsuit on Bell, but I’m not going to focus on that. Credit: WENN.com
This is a still from Hit & Run. I used it for the front page because there’s such a height difference between the that I had a hard time finding a photo where their faces were side by side
I’m finally over the fact that he looks like a blonde Zach Braff! Kristen is everything as far as I’m concerned, and her freaky viral videos attest to how much she loves animals–yay! And she had me at the pilot of Veronica Mars. Love two decent people doing great work. Very refreshing indeed!
Omg…for the longest time I thought they were the same person! I was so confused when I realized they were two separate peeps!
OMG YES! That’s it! I couldn’t figure out why I loathed him so deeply despite knowing nothing about him…he looks like Zach Braff, the one person in the world I want to just kick so hard in the teeth! He is the WORST THING EVER AAAAAAGH!
I like them both, think they’re a cute couple
I don’t get the whole “we won’t get married until they can get married” thing. I think it’s great that they vocally support gay marriage but who really gives a damn if these celebs do or don’t get married. Boycotting chick-fil-a seems more of a statement.
Sayin.g that “I will not get married until gay people can” is another way of saying “I do not want to get married. ” Many of the couples that used to say that have broken up (Charlize Theron.) Nothing wrong with supporting marraige between all people but sure seems like a dodge to me
When Angelina and Brad said something like this I thought it was faintly ridiculous; when these two relative (to the aforementioned pair) say it, it just sounds stupid. I fully support gay marriage in all fifty states. It’s an abomination that it isn’t fully legal. But do they really think that if they don’t get married… What, all the religious conservatives will change their minds? I’m just going to go with your interpretation: they got a good thing and don’t want to mess with it. So why not just say that?
cos people need a better reason than that 🙂
I agree. I think it sounds stupid at this point. I get the support but I think the line “we wont get married until everyone can” has now become a cliche, gets them press I guess.
This is actually old news–they’ve been saying they’re going to wait for same-sex marriage to get legalized pretty much since they first got engaged years ago…
I agree. Supporting same-sex marriage is awesome but there are better ways to do so. Saying “I won’t get married until same sex marriage is legal” won’t change anyone’s stance on the issue. They come across as self-important, as if everyone’s main priority is they get married and people will do anything, including change long held views, to make it happen.
I don’t really have a good explanation of why I think this, but I think their notion of waiting is more of a ploy than anything else. It just seems immature and/or famewhorey to me for some reason? Don’t get me wrong…I 100% support allowing two ppl who love each other the ability to marry regardless of gender…but this stunt doesn’t further the cause of equality for marriage @ all in my opinion.
It’s laughable if they think they hold enough clout to push marriage equality. I have no idea who they are (I think he was on Punk’d, wasn’t he?). This is totally just stalling their own marriage.
He’s on Parenthood…she was on Veronica Mars, a few cheesy romcoms and is the voice of Gossip Girl. Lol
He did actually start out on Punk’d so I was prepared to be underwhelmed by him in Parenthood and was very pleasantly surprised by the depth he brings to his character which could easily have been a caricature
Just admit that you don’t want to get married.
They were on the public radio show “Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me” recently and they were so funny, cute and genuine together. Love them! Plus, he was in the greatest movie of all time, by the Prophet Mike Judge, “Idiocracy” (see it!)
I got my law degree from Costco
One of my favorite movies. I see Idiocracy everywhere!!!
I bought the movie and lend it out to those who haven’t seen it as often as possible.
WHAT? I <3 WWDTM. I'm going to have to go back & find that one
I love them together. She is totally my girl crush.
‘Kristen Bell says she won’t marry Dax Sheperd until same sex marriage is legal in CA’ – which means she doesn’t want to get married.
Exactly. Ten bucks says she’s likes him, but isn’t quite ready to lock it down in case someone hotter comes along. I think he could do better.
Having said that, I ADORE Dax Shepard, and if he’s happy, I’m happy.
I’m just here to say that I LO♥̸̸̨̨̨͡͡E Kristen Bell, she’s one of my favourite celebrities. I think she and Dax are great together so I dont care if she gets married or not, as long as she’s happy and she seems to be.. More Kristen Bell stories please.
Yeah she has a cute, fun personality. Kind of separates her from the blonde barbies that come dime for the dozen.
I took the same stand in Canada, and got married once they changed the laws here.
I like this couple a lot. They’re both funny, smart vegetarians!
I think it’s just an excuse to not get legally married. If they are happy with their present arrangement then why get married?
Agree.
‘That’s disgusting’ LOOOOL.
I’m gonna watch this, it really seems super funny.
Also, doesn’t Dax reminds you of Zach Braff or is it just me?
These ridiculous celebrities trivialize marriage by putting these “conditions” on their own marriages, and then go out and preach about how important other people’s marriages are to them. There is no reason that they couldn’t fight for marriage equality for others while being married themselves, unless of course, one of them really doesn’t want to be married……
I can’t speak for celebrities, but I didn’t want to enter into an institution that excluded people based on their sexual orientation – and I didn’t want to accept the privilege that comes with it unless it was offered to all.
Likewise, I wouldn’t join a country club that didn’t let in jews or people of colour, no matter how great pool or tennis court they had.
In this case, I didn’t want the social or financial benefits of being married, unless everyone in my country was offered the same rights.
I agree. Marriage has really evolved from a biblically-sanctioned vow of commitment to a political agenda. People trying to turn it into something they want it to be.
Yeah, because people who want to necessarily tie marriage to the bible have no agenda.
Marriage was always about a political agenda. It’s how land was traded between families. For the lower classes it was about uniting whatever property they had, and to legally give birth to people to work on the farm. Kings sold off daughters to gain control-political marriages were pretty much the norm for thousands of years.
And the bible was the same-create a heir to control your tribe. Get married and have a baby to carry on the name and to keep your house. So many biblical stories are about having multiple wives and concubines for this purpose.
Plus plenty of people in the world follow the torah, the koran, buddah’s teaching, flying spaghetti monster etc that marriage has never ever been about the bible for them.
Exactly, L. Marriage has an incredibly political history, often associated with property, and treating women as such. And according to EmmaStoneWannabe, my atheist marriage somehow misses the point.
Don’t be silly, anyone is free to put whatever ‘conditions’ they wish on any agreement they seek to enter.
It’s also an admirable way for her to draw attention to this ridiculous idea that the state has power to decide who can wed.
I have two friends who are engaged but are refusing to get married until everyone can.
When I told my best friend (who happens to be gay) about that, her response was ‘That’s not the point. I WANT people to get married if they want. Holding out and shouting ‘not until the gays can’ doesn’t help me marry my partner of 15 years. There are other ways to express support and recognizing the difference that are more meaningful to me and to the community. Plus I think Dave* just doesn’t want to get married’
Very well said by your friend.
I don’t see how boycotting getting married helps gays. The only people who care if a heterosexual couple get married are the couple and maybe their families, depending on the situation. Other than that, it doesn’t matter to anyone else, not really. It is an empty gesture.
Brangelina and this couple would be more useful in bringing about equal treatment by using whatever influence and money they have to actively campaign to get the laws changed. Do something that actually has impact.
Of course if all people who support gay rights would stop getting married things might change (just a crazy idea, I know it’s not going to happen, ever, but if people would follow i’d be up for it).
P.S: These two are siblings
I predict they will never get married and I think Kirsten is saying this because she is just stringing Zach along until she finds someone better.
Jason Mraz said the same thing and a few months later he dumped his fiance/girlfriend.
I think this excuse not to marry is so lame and cliche. They just want to draw attention to themselves.
I LOVE Kristen Bell, have since the beginning of Veronica Mars. I never liked Dax much, but once they got together, and he has been so good on Parenthood, I’ve totally changed my mind.
Not sure about the movie, but if that’s what he wanted to do and made it happen, that’s great.
If that’s truly their reasoning, I can respect that, though I don’t think it actually has any effect on the laws. But it sounds like it’s only part of the reason. Anyway, if they’re happy together, that’s awesome and I wish them the best.
Wait – so this Dax guy isn’t the Scrubs guy? Mind=blown.
I feel about Kristen Bell how Kristen Bell feels about sloths. She’s so freaking adorable I could just sob.
Wow, like people were holding their breath waiting for these two weasel faces to tie the knot? Who are you two again? Ohhh that’s right….B listers at best so gotta say something to drum up some attention! Assuming this is true, why would anyone make their life into a political statement? Do they think that lawmakers are gonna be “OMGZ Dax Whoever and Kristen Nobody aren’t going to get married til we allow gays to marry!! Better get right on that!”? How narcissistic.
PS he REALLY needs a chin implant. Maybe it will enable him to close his mouth. Idk what the bug situation is out there in LA but he’d be eating bugs like crazy here lol. Good thing I wasn’t there because I don’t think I’d be able to keep myself from whipping pennies at his head trying to get one in that gaping maw!
They are in a civil union – they get along and have been together for longer than a lot of celeb “marriages” and maybe they feel that if they get married they will lose the civility of their union? I’ve heard of people who have been together a long time, like 12 years, they get married and then divorce very quickly after getting married.
I always suspected she was a dude.
I’ve always suspected that she’s a half-human half-weasel hybrid, the result of some secret experiment. And who knows what he is…just plain ugly I guess. He should be the poster child for “HERP DERP” because that’s exactly what I picture him saying when I see him.
What an ugly thing to say.
Yep, it is, isn’t it? Lol and I stand by it 100%.
He is unfortunate looking.
I really like them. But I find these types of proclamations ridiculous. It doesn’t do anything to help the fight for gay marriage. Nice thought, but relatively meaningless. Like others said, maybe they just like things the way they are now.
I like her, but he gives me major creepy vibes. Ick.
Oooh Kirstin and Dax wont get married. We better change the law! Get a life you wannabes!
With the fact, that most marriages between two actors, have a hard chance of lasting 5 years. You gotta ask… why get married?
And have to fight over a pre-nup. That alone, could end a great relationship.
Without a legal marriage. Chances of losing 75% of your sh*t in a nasty divorce… is nil.
So why not just live together. Enjoy each other till you don’t.
Make sure if you buy the house… then only your name is on the deed. Same with your vehicle. Cover your ass. Just in case the relationship ends.
But be sure to go to a lawyer and make sure your significant other, can make medical decisions if you are ever hurt.
And for the love of all things holy… get a Will done!
Yep, moving right along to the “Brave New World” aren’t we? What progress, I sure feel empowered….doesn’t everyone?
Not ragging on you, just find that type of relationship to be so sad (I know H-wood is different than real life too) but I’m a weirdo so feel free to ignore me 🙂
I agree – if marriage is important to you, go for it, but for some people it’s better to just live together. I know a few people who are on marriage #3 or 4, and at some point think, aren’t you tired of giving away all your money every couple of years?
If you’re happy and everyone is on the same page, do what works, and there’s nothing sad about that.
Yeah I see your point, I just wish people would take this type of thing more seriously whether or not they’re married. I get so sick of the attitude that nothing is worth working for (obviously not every relationship is good but I think you know what I mean) but that’s really more of a defect in society. Ahhh I don’t know, I’m probably just talking out my behind lol.
OMG! It’s a desperate, sad and horrendous situation if they have to refuse married bliss like forever and never wed.. isn’t it..?
I’ll add them to my prayer list, just after Omarion.
This is another couple that I think look related…they could pass for brother and sister. I like these two…they are nice people.
Sounds like a cop-out to me. So her happiness is dependent on external forces outside the relationship? She also won’t marry Dax until..
1. the cows come home
2. pigs fly
3. the end of time
Dude should cut(dump) her like a used ace bandage.
Who is Kristin Bell?
Veronica Mars
What is wrong with all the douche bag haters commenting in here right now? It’s like I stumbled onto Perez Hilton for a second and am surrounded by jerks. I love her and Parenthood is amazing.
ikr? could you imagine what would happen if she had actually said something offensive?
I wasn’t aware that we all had to say nice things about two nobodies that are using their relationship to make some political statement. Because I don’t really have anything nice to say about people like that. They just wanted to score liberal cred and be on the right side of the issue for easy popularity and that’s so lame. They aren’t getting married because they don’t WANT to get married and it sure would be nice if they could just say that instead of turning it into some sanctimonious drivel about gay marriage. They need to get over themselves…that’s why I’m so mean about it. Besides that dude has the most punchable face ever, how could I not dislike him?
Oh and I don’t see how this isn’t offensive. Way to use something that hs NOTHING WHATSOEVER to do with you or your life to get some easy publicity! Blatant pandering for popularity and attention is always offensive IMO.
aw they are an adorable couple. the movie actually looks pretty funny. wish them the best.
Who cares if these two get married? It’s a nice gesture and all, but seriously, I doubt there was anyone out there who was wondering when Kristen Bell would finally marry Dax Shephard. Other than her frequent appearances on Craigy Ferg’s couch, she’s done absolutely nothing of merit since she was killed off Heroes.
Bullshit.
You got engaged when same sex couples couldn’t, so what makes you conjugal warriors now? Don’t call reticence activism, it’s incredibly transparent and celebrity-trite.