If you were a fan of the big screen in the 1980s, you couldn't escape the magnetic pull of Kathleen Turner. From the sultry, dangerous vibes of Body Heat to the high-stakes adventure of Romancing the Stone, she was basically the queen of Hollywood. Naturally, fans have always been curious: who is Kathleen Turner's partner now? People still search for the name of the man who won her heart, perhaps hoping for a legendary Hollywood romance that stood the test of time.
The reality? It’s a bit more complicated—and a lot more independent—than the tabloids might suggest.
The One That Lasted: Jay Weiss
For over two decades, if you asked about Kathleen Turner's partner, the answer was Jay Weiss. Unlike the leading men she sizzled with on screen, Weiss wasn't an actor. He was a New York City real estate developer, a man Turner once credited with keeping her "in the real world." They met right as she was finishing the shoot for Romancing the Stone in 1983.
Honestly, it sounds like a classic New York meet-cute. He helped her find an apartment, and she took him to lunch as a thank you. They married in 1984. For years, they were one of those rare, stable celebrity couples you’d see at the Kennedy Center Honors or strolling through Manhattan. They had a daughter, Rachel Ann Weiss, in 1987. But even the strongest foundations can shift. In 2006, they announced a trial separation, which turned into an official divorce in 2007.
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Kathleen Turner's Partner Today: A Choice of Independence
So, who is Kathleen Turner's partner in 2026?
She’s single. And she seems pretty okay with that.
Turner has been incredibly vocal over the years about her life post-divorce. She hasn’t remarried, and she hasn't been linked to any high-profile boyfriends in the way the gossip blogs might like. In several interviews, she’s emphasized that while she still considers her ex-husband, Jay Weiss, her "best friend," she has embraced a life of independence.
You’ve gotta respect it. In an industry that often defines women by who they are dating, Turner has spent the last two decades focusing on her craft, her health—having famously battled rheumatoid arthritis—and her voice. She’s become a bit of a "straight shooter" in interviews, often dismissing prying questions about her love life with her trademark gravelly wit.
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The Michael Douglas "What If"
You can't talk about Kathleen Turner's partner without mentioning the man everyone wanted her to be with: Michael Douglas. Their chemistry in the '80s was so intense that people just assumed they were a thing.
Turner recently admitted that they actually did start falling in love while filming Romancing the Stone in Mexico. She was single, and he was separated from his first wife, Diandra Luker. It felt like destiny. But then, as Turner tells it, Luker showed up on set and made it very clear that Douglas was not available. Turner, true to her principles, backed off immediately.
"I can't get involved with another woman's relationship," she told The Guardian. That was that. They stayed friends instead, eventually reuniting decades later to play bickering exes on The Kominsky Method. It’s a great example of how a "partner" can be a platonic life-long collaborator rather than a romantic interest.
Why the Search for a Partner Persists
Why are we so obsessed with finding a Kathleen Turner partner for her? It’s probably because we remember her as the ultimate romantic lead. We want the movie ending. But Turner’s real life is more nuanced.
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- Friendship over Romance: She still spends time with Weiss. They raised their daughter together.
- Professional Partnerships: Her bond with Michael Douglas remains one of the most enduring "work-marriages" in Hollywood history.
- Self-Reliance: She has often said that she has no intention of being "second to anybody," especially a man who might want her to play a traditional, supportive role.
Living the Single Life in 2026
Kathleen Turner is 71 now. She’s still working, still teaching acting, and still being a "gay icon" (a title she reportedly loves). If there is a Kathleen Turner partner these days, it’s her own fierce sense of self.
She lives in New York, stays in touch with her old co-stars, and basically does whatever she wants. There is something incredibly refreshing about a woman who was once the world's premier sex symbol saying, "I'm good on my own, thanks."
Actionable Takeaways from Turner's Path
If you're looking for lessons from Kathleen Turner's approach to relationships, here are a few things to consider:
- Prioritize the Friendship: Even after a divorce, Turner kept a bridge open with Jay Weiss. If you have children together, a "best friend" dynamic with an ex is the ultimate goal.
- Boundaries Matter: Just because there is "chemistry" (like with Michael Douglas) doesn't mean you have to act on it if it crosses your moral lines.
- Independence Isn't Loneliness: Being without a romantic partner isn't a "failed" status. It can be a deliberate choice to focus on your own legacy and health.
- Keep Collaborating: Find people who challenge you professionally. Turner's best "partners" have often been her directors and co-stars who pushed her to be better.
Don't wait for a tabloid headline to tell you how to feel about your relationship status. Like Turner, you can define your own "partnership" through the friends and family you keep close.