When you think of the blue-skinned shapeshifter from the early 2000s X-Men films, that’s Jerry O’Connell’s wife. Rebecca Romijn—actress, former Victoria’s Secret model, and the woman behind Mystique’s iconic transformation—has been married to the Stand by Me star since July 14, 2007.
Their love story began at a Las Vegas pool party in 2004 and has since grown into an 18-year marriage with twin daughters and two thriving careers. Here’s everything you need to know about Jerry O’Connell’s wife.
Who Is Rebecca Romijn?
Rebecca Alie O’Connell, born Rebecca Romijn on November 6, 1972, in Berkeley, California, didn’t start out dreaming of Hollywood. The Dutch-American was studying music at UC Santa Cruz when modeling scouts spotted her in 1991.
At 5’11”, Romijn had the height and presence fashion demanded—plus charisma that translated effortlessly from runways to cameras.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Rebecca Alie O’Connell (née Romijn) |
| Born | November 6, 1972 (Berkeley, California) |
| Profession | Actress, Former Model |
| Famous For | Mystique (X-Men), Victoria’s Secret Model |
| Married To | Jerry O’Connell (2007-present) |
| Children | Twin daughters Dolly & Charlie (born 2008) |
| Height | 5’11” (180 cm) |
From Runways to Hollywood: Rebecca’s Career Journey
Modeling Career
Rebecca Romijn’s modeling career took off fast. After starting in 1991, she became one of the most recognizable faces—and bodies—of the 1990s fashion scene. Victoria’s Secret came calling. So did Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, where she appeared regularly from 1994 to 2007.
Her most memorable Sports Illustrated moment? The 1996 body paint shoot where she wore nothing but artfully applied paint. It was bold, beautiful, and very much Rebecca.
She walked for Christian Dior, Tommy Hilfiger, and Giorgio Armani, and graced covers of Elle, Marie Claire, GQ, and Cosmopolitan internationally. By the late ’90s, she was a household name.
Acting Breakthrough
But modeling has an expiration date. In 2000, Rebecca landed the role that would define her career: Mystique in Bryan Singer’s X-Men.
Playing Mystique meant something most people don’t think about—nine hours in the makeup chair. Call times at midnight to be camera-ready by 9 a.m. Every single day of shooting. Rebecca endured prosthetics covering three-quarters of her body, silicone scales, and bright yellow contact lenses. She actually enjoyed it, calling the transformation process fascinating.
She reprised the role in X2: X-Men United (2003) and X-Men: The Last Stand (2006), cementing her status as one of the franchise’s most memorable characters. In 2011, she made an uncredited cameo in X-Men: First Class, passing the torch to Jennifer Lawrence’s younger version of the character.
| Year | Career Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1991 | Modeling career begins |
| 1994 | First Sports Illustrated Swimsuit appearance |
| 1997 | Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show |
| 2000 | X-Men debut as Mystique |
| 2004 | The Punisher |
| 2019 | Star Trek: Discovery |
| 2022 | Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (main cast) |
| 2026 | Returns as Mystique in MCU’s Avengers: Doomsday |
But Rebecca didn’t stop at Mystique. She appeared in The Punisher (2004), the Brian De Palma thriller Femme Fatale (2002), and various TV projects. In 2019, she joined the Star Trek universe as Number One (Una Chin-Riley) on Star Trek: Discovery, later becoming a series regular on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds in 2022. And in a move that delighted longtime fans, she’s set to return as Mystique in the MCU’s Avengers: Doomsday in 2026.
How Jerry O’Connell Met His Wife
Las Vegas, 2004. The Maxim Hot 100 Bash. Jerry O’Connell spotted Rebecca Romijn across the pool party and felt an instant connection—even though she was technically still married to actor John Stamos at the time. They’d announced their separation, but the divorce wasn’t yet final.
By August 2004, Jerry and Rebecca were officially dating. Jerry later revealed that Rebecca had been a secret fan of his breakout film Stand by Me, the 1986 coming-of-age classic where he played the chubby kid, Vern. She’d kept that fandom quiet early in their relationship, not wanting to seem starstruck.
Just over a year later, on September 17, 2005, Jerry proposed at his parents’ Manhattan apartment. Rebecca said yes. They married on July 14, 2007, in an intimate backyard ceremony at their Calabasas home with about 100 family members and close friends. No tabloid frenzy, no magazine deals—just a quiet celebration of their love.
Marriage & Family Life
Twin Daughters
On December 28, 2008, Dolly Rebecca Rose and Charlie Tamara Tulip were born. Today, they’re 17 years old.
From the beginning, Jerry and Rebecca committed to one rule: one parent is always home. They tag-team their work schedules, ensuring the twins are never without a parent—commitment many dual-career couples talk about but few execute.
Their Unique Marriage Philosophy
Here’s where Jerry O’Connell and Rebecca Romijn’s marriage gets interesting. In 2025, they revealed something unconventional: they keep almost completely separate finances.
They share one joint account—exclusively for their daughters’ expenses. Everything else? Separate. Whoever’s working more contributes proportionally to the family “community pot,” but they maintain financial independence.
It’s not about distrust. It’s about individuality within partnership. They renewed their vows in November 2011, cementing their commitment to each other and this unique approach.
What makes their marriage work:
- Financial independence within a committed partnership
- Coordinated work schedules so one parent is always home
- Mutual respect for each other’s careers and identities
- Shared parenting responsibilities with clear communication
- Maintaining individual interests and friendships
- Learning from their divorced friends—they immediately reach out separately when friends split up, a protocol born partly from Rebecca’s first divorce
Rebecca’s Previous Marriage to John Stamos
Before Jerry, there was John. Rebecca met Full House star John Stamos in 1994. They got engaged on Christmas Eve 1997 and married September 19, 1998, at the Beverly Hills Hotel. During the marriage, she went by Rebecca Romijn-Stamos—you’ll see that name in the first two X-Men films.
They announced their separation in April 2004. Divorce was finalized in 2005. Both moved on—Rebecca to Jerry, John eventually to actress Caitlin McHugh in 2018.
Then came John’s 2023 memoir, If You Would Have Told Me. Stamos wrote about his first marriage in ways that blindsided Rebecca, hinting at infidelity. She chose not to comment, refusing to promote the book. Jerry called it a “betrayal.”
But time heals: by November 2025, Jerry and John were photographed together. Fences mended.
Jerry O’Connell: The Husband
Jeremiah O’Connell, born February 11, 1974, in New York City, became a household name at age 11 playing Vern Tessio in Stand by Me—a generational touchstone based on Stephen King’s novella.
He went on to star in Sliders, appear in Jerry Maguire, and build a steady film/TV career. Since 2021, he’s co-hosted CBS’s The Talk, where his humor has made him a fan favorite.
Their careers complement rather than compete. When one’s working more, the other scales back. Jerry even has a “Mystique shelf” at home—merchandise from Rebecca’s X-Men days that he finds both embarrassing and endearing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Jerry O’Connell’s wife?
Jerry O’Connell’s wife is Rebecca Romijn, an American actress and former model best known for playing Mystique in the X-Men film trilogy (2000-2006) and her successful modeling career with Victoria’s Secret and Sports Illustrated. They have been happily married since July 14, 2007.
How long have Jerry O’Connell and Rebecca Romijn been married?
Jerry O’Connell and Rebecca Romijn have been married for over 18 years, having tied the knot on July 14, 2007, in an intimate ceremony at their Calabasas, California home. They renewed their vows in November 2011.
How many children do Jerry O’Connell and Rebecca Romijn have?
They have twin daughters named Dolly Rebecca Rose and Charlie Tamara Tulip, born on December 28, 2008. As of 2026, the twins are 17 years old. The couple has worked hard to maintain their daughters’ privacy while raising them with strong values.
How did Jerry O’Connell meet Rebecca Romijn?
Jerry O’Connell met Rebecca Romijn at the Maxim Hot 100 Bash, a pool party in Las Vegas in 2004. They felt an immediate connection, began dating in August 2004, and got engaged in September 2005 before marrying two years later.
What is Rebecca Romijn famous for?
Rebecca Romijn is famous for multiple accomplishments: playing the blue-skinned shapeshifter Mystique in the X-Men trilogy, her prolific modeling career including Victoria’s Secret and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue appearances, and currently starring as Number One in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
Was Rebecca Romijn married before Jerry O’Connell?
Yes, Rebecca Romijn was previously married to actor John Stamos from September 1998 to 2005. They announced their separation in April 2004, and Rebecca began dating Jerry O’Connell later that summer. Despite some tension following Stamos’ 2023 memoir, both parties have moved on amicably.
Is Rebecca Romijn still acting?
Absolutely. Rebecca Romijn is very active in her acting career. She currently plays Commander Una Chin-Riley (Number One) in the Paramount+ series Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, which began in 2022. Even more exciting for X-Men fans, she’s set to reprise her role as Mystique in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Avengers: Doomsday, scheduled for release in 2026.
Where do Jerry O’Connell and Rebecca Romijn live?
Jerry O’Connell and Rebecca Romijn live in Calabasas, California—the same location where they got married in 2007. They’ve maintained a relatively low-key lifestyle there, prioritizing their daughters’ privacy and normal upbringing away from the intense Hollywood spotlight.
A Hollywood Partnership Built to Last
Jerry O’Connell’s wife is Rebecca Romijn, and their 18-year marriage proves Hollywood relationships can work. From meeting at a Las Vegas party in 2004 to building a life with twin daughters and thriving careers, they’ve made it work.
Their secret? Independence within commitment. Coordinated schedules prioritizing family. Financial autonomy respecting individual identities. Genuine respect for each other’s work.
Rebecca shines as Number One in Star Trek and will soon reclaim her Mystique scales in the MCU. Jerry entertains daytime audiences on The Talk. Their daughters are growing into young women. This is a modern Hollywood love story—built not on red carpets, but on mutual support and genuine partnership.
