Don Cheadle can’t help but gush about his wife, Bridgid Coulter, when it matters most.
Before accepting an award at the HollyRod Foundation’s 2025 DesignCare Gala on Saturday, October 4, the private couple shared a rare glimpse into what they admire most about each other.
“She’s a great mom, a great wife, an amazing entrepreneur and designer,” Cheadle, 60, exclusively shared with Us Weekly at NYA EAST in Los Angeles. “She’s just a solid citizen, and it’s been 30-plus years.”
The Crash and Hotel Rwanda actor began dating Coulter, 57, in 1992. They secretly got married during the coronavirus pandemic in 2021.
While Coulter appreciated her husband’s kind remarks on the red carpet, she had a bit more fun with her answer.
When asked to share what she admires most about Cheadle, Coulter joked, “He’s cute. It’s all about the looks, and he’s very talented, of course!”
Bridgid Coulter and Don Cheadle Chelsea Lauren / Shutterstock for HollyRod
Holly Robinson Peete and Rodney Peete awarded Cheadle and Coulter with the Clarence & Jacqueline Avant Humanitarian Award at their foundation’s annual gala. The honor is reserved for individuals whose compassion, advocacy and selflessness create lasting impact.
While Cheadle serves as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Environment Programme, Coulter has created transformative spaces of belonging, leadership and creativity for women of color and allies through the Blackboard Collective and Blackbird Alliance.
Back in June 2021, Cheadle first confirmed that he was a married man when he appeared on an episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show. At the time, guest host Wanda Sykes apologized for not knowing the actor was already married until he texted her with the personal news.
Cheadle quickly told the comedian there were no hard feelings.
Bridgid Coulter, Don Cheadle, Holly Robinson Peete and Rodney Peete John Salangsang / Shutterstock for HollyRod
“Yeah, I mean, that’s understandable, given that we’ve been together 28 years before we got married,” the Oscar nominee joked. “I hold you blameless.”
While the pair — who share adult children Tai and Imani — try to keep their romance off of social media and away from the public eye, Coulter acknowledged that being honored by the Peete family’s charity was a big deal.
“We don’t really do a lot together in public,” she said alongside her husband. “This is only because of the cause.”
The HollyRod Foundation is dedicated to providing compassionate care to those living with autism and Parkinson’s disease.
Holly and Rodney’s son, RJ, was diagnosed with autism at the age of 3. He is now 27 years old and thriving as an employee of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Meanwhile, Holly’s father, Matt Robinson, died of Parkinson’s in 2002. Holly’s brother is currently living with early-onset Parkinson’s.
“We’ve been friends of their family for a while, and just really supporters of what they do,” Cheadle said of Holly and Rodney’s work. “What they’re doing for their foundation is so unique and years of great work. I’m glad to be here to support them.”
Coulter added, “Their work for autism and Parkinson’s is really important, and we’ve known Matt [Robinson] forever. Honoring the work they do is something we feel privileged to do here.”
