Hollywood is weird. Relationships there usually last about as long as a fast-break in a basketball game, yet somehow, Phil Laak and Jennifer Tilly have been a thing for over two decades. They aren't married. They don't have kids. They just... play poker and hang out.
It’s a bizarre success story that honestly defies the standard celebrity playbook. Most people know Jennifer as the Oscar-nominated actress with the distinct voice from Bullets Over Broadway or the voice of Bonnie in Family Guy. Others know her as Tiffany from the Chucky movies. But in the poker world? She’s a killer who has won a World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet. And Phil "The Unabomber" Laak is her equally eccentric partner-in-crime.
How they actually met (It wasn't a movie set)
You’d think a couple like this met at a flashy premiere or a rooftop bar in West Hollywood. Nope. They met at the 2004 World Poker Tour (WPT) Celebrity Invitational at the Commerce Casino.
Jennifer was already deep into the game back then. People think Phil taught her how to play, but that’s a total myth. She was already obsessed with cards, having grown up in a house where her father was a serious gambler. When she saw Phil at the table—hoodie up, sunglasses on, looking like a total weirdo—she was intrigued.
She actually approached him first.
Basically, she told him she wished she could play like he did. Phil, being Phil, told her he’d teach her the game if she taught him how to "accessorize." It sounds like a line from a bad rom-com, but it worked. Jennifer asked for his number. She didn't call him, though. She actually lost the number. They didn't link up again until months later at another tournament where Phil basically told her, "Look, if I give you my number again, there’s a 3% chance you’ll call. If you give me yours, there’s a 100% chance I’ll call."
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That was the "all-in" moment. They’ve been together ever since.
The Unabomber and the Oscar Nominee
Phil Laak is a strange guy. He’s a mechanical engineer from UMass Amherst who decided that playing cards for a living was a better use of his brain. He got his nickname because he used to wear a grey hoodie and sunglasses, resembling the forensic sketch of Ted Kaczynski.
He’s famous for:
- The 115-hour session: In 2010, he set a Guinness World Record by playing poker for nearly five days straight at the Bellagio. No caffeine. No stimulants. Just pure mental grit (and some hallucinations by hour 90).
- Inventing Lingo: If you’ve ever used the term "felted" (losing all your chips) or "upstuck" (being down from your session high), you’re quoting Phil.
- The Mask: He once played a WSOP event in a full latex mask to see if he could hide his tells. It worked so well they had to change the rules.
Jennifer isn't just a "celebrity player" either. She’s legit. In 2005, she won the WSOP Ladies' No-Limit Texas Hold 'em event, beating out 600 other players. She has over $1 million in live tournament earnings as of early 2026.
Why they work in 2026
Honestly, their relationship is refreshing because it’s so low-stakes in terms of drama. While Jennifer has recently joined the cast of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, she’s been vocal about how Phil is her "type." She recently joked on the RHOBH After Show that he just "shuffles around in his pajamas and mutters about things going on in the world."
They live a high-roller life, but they seem grounded in their shared obsession. They travel to Spain, France, and Ireland for tournaments, often flying private with other poker pros, yet they still seem like two nerds who just happened to get rich playing a game.
One of the biggest misconceptions is that they are constantly competing. In reality, Jennifer has moved more toward high-stakes cash games because the stress of three-day tournaments is "soul-crushing." Phil is the same way—he loves the math and the psychology more than the fame.
The Secret Sauce
So, what’s the takeaway from 22 years of Phil Laak and Jennifer Tilly?
- Shared Obsession: They don’t just "support" each other’s hobbies; they live them together.
- Independence: They aren't joined at the hip. Jennifer does her acting and reality TV; Phil does his commentary and engineering projects.
- No Pressure: By not rushing into marriage or the traditional Hollywood "power couple" trap, they’ve stayed interesting to each other.
If you’re looking to improve your own poker game (or your relationship), you could do worse than following their lead. Focus on the "math" of the person you're with. If the odds of being happy together are high, don't overcomplicate the hand.
To see them in action, check out the archives of High Stakes Poker or look for Jennifer on the latest season of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. You’ll see exactly why this "odd couple" is actually the most normal thing in Vegas.
Practical Next Steps:
If you're inspired by their longevity, start by finding a shared hobby that requires actual skill—whether it's poker, chess, or even backgammon (Phil's first love). It keeps the conversation from getting stale. Also, if you're hitting the poker tables, remember Phil's advice: the trick to staying awake and focused isn't coffee; it's keeping your mind active and engaged with the people around you.