Dennis Quaid Opens Up About Divorce, Fatherhood, And Life Lessons

Let me tell you about Dennis Quaid. This guy’s career stretches all the way back to an uncredited role as a bellhop in Crazy Mama. Fast forward to today, and Dennis, now 64, has built quite the name for himself in Hollywood. But it's not just his movies that have grabbed headlines—it's also his personal life, especially his three divorces. Recently, Dennis sat down with The Sunday Times to share how those divorces have deeply impacted him, and let me tell you, his words are both raw and relatable.

A Journey Through Marriages

Dennis's first marriage was to actress PJ Soles, which lasted from 1978 to 1983. Then came the iconic union with Meg Ryan, America's sweetheart, that spanned a decade from 1991 to 2001. And yes, Dennis revealed that he and Meg are still friends. His most recent marriage was to Kimberly Buffington, which ended in divorce after 16 years together. Dennis opened up about the emotional toll these breakups have taken on him, saying, “I think what divorce does is, it takes away your identity. It’s like death. Your identity is wrapped up in the relationship, and if it’s not going to be there anymore… who are you?”

Divorce: The Emotional Rollercoaster

Dennis isn’t shy about admitting he’s had enough of the stress that comes with divorce. He continued, “Aren’t the most stressful things in life supposed to be the death of a family member or moving house? And then there’s divorce, which is like both—death and moving rolled into one.” He also touched on the immense stress of parenthood, saying, “The birth of a child is another major life event. Not just because things could go wrong, but because it forces you to redefine who you are. Suddenly, you’re not just you anymore; you’re someone’s parent.”

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Fatherhood: A Life-Changing Experience

Dennis has three children: his eldest, Jack, 26, with Meg Ryan, and 11-year-old twins Zoe Grace and Thomas Boone with Kimberly Buffington. He shared his experience of becoming a father for the first time, saying, “I was 38 when Jack was born, and I realized my life was over. No more guilt-free experiences for me. I’m exaggerating a little, but the truth is, I became responsible for someone else, and that responsibility never goes away. My mom still worries about me, and now I’m the one worrying about my kids.”