In an appearance on Ellen’s show last week, Courteney Cox called her estranged husband, David Arquette, her “best friend in the world” and added that she appreciates him “now more than I ever did.” It was a rare example of a Hollywood divorce staying friendly, and it had me hoping that David and Courteney could reconcile at some point. David filed for divorce from Courteney in June of last year, but their divorce is not final yet. He’s moved on and has a newish girlfriend, ET’s Christina McLarty. (David and Christina have had an on-off relationship, but they’ve been together for about a year and a half.)
David was recently honored for his charity work with children (which he does largely behind the scenes) at an event for the Art of Elysium. He was asked about Courteney Cox’s positive comments about him, and he had just as many nice things to say about her. He was careful to add that he loves his current girlfriend too.
David Arquette and Courteney Cox may be in the middle of a divorce, but you’d never know it by the way they speak about each other.
Following Cox’s confession on The Ellen DeGeneres show last week – “He’s my best friend in the world,” she said, “I love him” – Arquette, 41, says the feeling is mutual.
“She’s incredible,” he told PEOPLE Saturday at the Art of Elysium Sixth Annual Heaven Gala in L.A., where he was honored and was accompanied by girlfriend Christina McLarty. “I love her, too, and she’s an amazing person, a beautiful person.”
What’s their secret to keeping things amicable?
“We have a great relationship because we treat each other with respect,” he says. “We’re honest with each other. We’re respectful, and that’s what it comes down to.”
Cox, 48, and Arquette, who have an 8-year-old daughter, Coco, both filed for divorce last June, citing irreconcilable differences. They announced their separation after 11 years of marriage in 2010.
I got the impression that Courteney was pushing for a separation and divorce because she was going through some personal issues and she was getting close with other guys on the set of Cougar Town. (She was rumored to have had an affair with her co-star, Brian Van Holt, although she denied having affairs and David backed her up). It’s like she wanted a break to see what was out there and ended up appreciating David more, but he’d already moved on. It’s probably unrealistic to say that a couple should stay together just because they still get along. Sometimes mutual respect and admiration is not enough. Still, I’m really rooting for them and would be thrilled if they made it work.
Also, props to David for staying sober for so long. He does need to wash his hair here, though.
David and his new girlfriend, Christina McLarty. They have the exact same expression here! (on 9-21-12)
David and Christina are shown on 9-21-12 and 1-28-12. Credit: FameFlynet. Other photos are from the 2013 Art of Elysium benefit on 1-12-13. Credit: Emiley Schweich / PR Photos. Courteney Cox is shown on the set of Cougar Town on 12-6-12. Credit: FameFlynet
I’ve really enjoyed how they have handled their divorce. True, sometimes it can be overshare on both of their ends, but they are so human in their sharing as well. I think they have a great friendship post split with a lot of love and respect for one another. They are great coparents to Coco and she will benefit from their ongoing mutual support of one another.
Well done kiddos!
+1
Time out. You seem to have forgotten his terrible downward spiral and stint in rehab in your speculation of what ended the marriage. I don’t think Courteney got bored; I think she didn’t want their daughter exposed to his self-destructive behavior. I am glad he was able to get healthy again and that they are able to stay friends at least.
Also, they both denied the rumor of her affair and yet it still lives? That seems unfair.
Actually Arquette’s descent was prompted by Cox asking for a divorce. There were rumors (true or false IDK) of infidelity with her co stars long before the separation and Arquette’s subsequent breakdown.
the rumors said also they had an open marriage.My guess: i don’t know and it’s not my interest.
They’re always friends,great parents for their kid and what’s is important
@carrie
They didn’t have an open marriage. When they separated, Courteney gave him permission to be with others. When he did start to date, David talked about the fact that he felt weird having sex with someone else for the first time since getting married. He also talked about the fact that he and Courteney hadn’t been intimate for half a year even before they separated (her choice, she totally froze him out).
I tend to agree with CB. Courteney thought the grass was greener on the other side of the fence and has since learned otherwise. Men who believe in fidelity and aging naturally are as rare as unicorns in Hollywood.
If they ever do reconcile, I hope that Courteney doesn’t put him through the wringer like this again. David seems to be a genuinely decent guy and deserves better.
@violet carrie is referring to rumors before they even separated that they were in an open relationship and that Courtney was with her co-star.
@mln76
My interpretation of those rumors wasn’t that they had an open marriage, but that Courteney cheated on David. (Which I believe, despite their denials. However, I think that David was faithful to her until she asked for the official separation and told him it was alright to see others.)
Courteney’s face in that beach picture…shudder. I hope she comes to terms with the inevitable: we all age. Good for them for being mature and staying friends.
I had never seen a man in Hollywood as singularly devastated by a divorce as David Arquette was shortly after his split with Courteney. I’d be surprised if he didn’t still hold a flame and his current gf probably knows that!
I agree. He was destroyed over it, and even said he’s dream is for them to reconcile. The heart and soul doesn’t change just because you sign papers. There is a very deep love there and it must be a little uncomfrontable for anyone to date either one of them.
Agreed Aims, I always feel like they are going to get back together at some point.
I love that they’ve gotten to this place in their lives, I always rooted for them. He’s a sweet goofball (when sober) and she’s my favorite plastic face.
She was the popular answer to a blind about an actress in the midst of a very amicable divorce dating two men (one co-star after dating another co-star, one regular guy). Who knows if these blinds are true, but it suggested their split was friendly because she encouraged his torch for her.
I can imagine her problems with him (immaturity despite his sweetness) and I can imagine his problems with her face. That is all.
God he’s fugly.
Kind of sounds like the romance/marriage part of their relationship came to an end, but it’s awesome that they’re in such a good place with each other though. It’s good for their daughter and for them too.
It can be difficult to co-parent like that after a divorce; glad they’re putting Coco first
I think it’s great that Cox and Arguette seem to be doing a good job co-parenting and embracing friendship.
Perhaps when Arquette cleaned and became truly sober, he matured. If I recall, one of Cox’s issues was that she felt more like a parent than wife. Occasionally, a leopard can change their spots.
Whatever happened with infidelity, I care not to speculate.
I think both were hurt and David was clearly in a great amount of pain.
I wish Cox would stop messing with face. I don’t get it-age gracefully. Also, there are so many alternatives than botox, surgeries, etc. You have cold laser, peels, etc.
I know Hollyweird is a competitive industry with women and youth but sometimes you have to look at reality.
I suppose with her friends’ residuals, she doesn’t have to do that.