The US Traitors’ version of Claudia Winkleman, Alan Cumming, is hosting the TV Baftas this evening. But what does his life look like outside of his film and TV work?
The Scottish actor, 60, who is an Emmy, Bafta, Tony and Olivier Award-winner himself, lives in New York with his husband of almost 20 years, illustrator and photographer Grant Shaffer.
Grant – who is also around 60 – is a well-known figure in the NYC art scene, and his distinctive work has featured in a number of prominent publications including The New Yorker, Air Mail Weekly, The New York Times, and The New York Review of Books.
He’s also worked as a storyboard artist for films including Zoolander, The Girl On The Train, and Wicked, and sketched artistic concepts for music videos by stars including Beyoncé, Lady Gaga and Madonna.
How did Alan Cumming meet his husband?
In an interview with Closer in 2020, Alan opened up about meeting Grant and revealed how he knew he was the one.
‘We met through friends in New York. He’s lovely, kind, and hilarious, but he’s also the first person who hasn’t wanted to change me,’ the GoldenEye star said.
‘We respect each other, and we were a little bit older when we met, so you know yourself more and are more respectful.’
When did Alan Cumming and Grant Shaffer marry?
The couple tied the knot after two years of dating in a civil partnership in London on January 7, 2007.
This came two years after the Civil Partnership Act came into force in the UK in December 2005, which allowed same-sex couples to gain legal recognition of their relationship.
‘Not only are we so happy to be able to celebrate our love for each other, but also to be able to do it in a country that properly recognizes the rights of same-sex couples,’ the actor said via spokesperson Bianca Bianconi.
‘As residents of America, we would have loved to marry there, but we hope that soon, the civil rights that we have been afforded in the UK will be available to all gay Americans, and we look forward to celebrating not only our marriage but the end of prejudice.’
The pair married at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, and among the 140 guests were Sir Ian McKellen, Geri Halliwell, Rufus Wainwright, and Monica Lewinsky.
Exactly five years after their UK nuptials, the pair legally married in Soho Grand Hotel in Manhattan, months after same-sex marriage was legalised in New York.
‘On the fifth anniversary of our wedding in London, Grant and I tied the knot again in NYC!!!!’ Alan posted on X.
Cummings’ previous marriage to Hilary Lyon
The X-Men actor was previously married to actress Hilary Lyon for eight years, tying the knot in 1985.
Looking back on the relationship while speaking on White Wine Question Time podcast,Alan reflected: ‘I was so young when I got married. I left home to get away from my father, I got into a marriage to feel secure and to feel… I was in love and everything as well. But I felt I was seeking the familiar.
‘I realise, now I’ve done a lot of therapy, it’s partly I want to prove my parents wrong, you could have a relationship that lasted,’ he said.
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