You probably know the name Sarah Silverman for her sharp-edged stand-up or that viral "I’m F***ing Matt Damon" video from back in the day. But lately, people aren't just talking about her comedy specials. They want to know about the guy often seen by her side on red carpets or heard as a frequent guest on her podcast. Honestly, the story of Sarah Silverman's partner is way more "wholesome gamer" than "Hollywood elite," which is kinda refreshing for a celebrity couple in 2026.
If you’ve been out of the loop, Sarah Silverman has been in a committed relationship with Rory Albanese since 2020.
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Most people assume celebs meet at fancy galas or through high-end dating apps like Raya. Not these two. Their origin story is basically a pandemic cliché that actually worked out. While the rest of us were sourdough baking, they were "killing Nazis" together. Literally. They bonded over Call of Duty: WWII.
Who is Rory Albanese?
Rory isn't just "the boyfriend." He's a heavy hitter in the comedy world himself. He spent years as a showrunner and executive producer for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. If you enjoyed the peak years of that show, you have Rory to thank for a lot of that rhythm.
Currently, he’s a writer for Jimmy Kimmel Live!. If that sounds a bit awkward—considering Jimmy Kimmel is famously one of Sarah’s most high-profile exes—they’ve already beaten you to the punchline. They’ve joked about it openly on The Howard Stern Show. Rory even quipped that it’s his "kink" to pretend he’s Jimmy. It's that level of secure, weird comedy that seems to keep them glued together.
The Gamer Meet-Cute
Let's look at the timeline because it’s actually pretty sweet.
Sarah was in New York when the world shut down in 2020. She was "peacefully and happily single," as she told PEOPLE magazine. She basically felt done with dating. To pass the time, she bought a console and started playing video games.
Rory, who she knew vaguely from the stand-up circuit but hadn't really "seen" in years, slid into her DMs. Not with a thirsty pick-up line, but with a technical question: "Do you have headphones?"
He talked her through the setup. Soon, every night at 7:05 PM—right after the New York "bang the pots and pans" tribute to healthcare workers—they’d hop on their headsets. They spent months talking through controllers before they ever saw each other in person again.
Why this relationship is different for Sarah
Sarah Silverman has a "type" in the sense that she dates brilliant, funny men. We’re talking Jimmy Kimmel, Dave Attell, and Michael Sheen. But she’s been vocal about her past patterns of "falling in" and doing two or three years before things fizzle.
With Sarah Silverman's partner Rory Albanese, the vibe shifted. They’ve been together for over five years now. In 2025, Sarah shared that she bought her first-ever house in Los Angeles, and Rory moved in with her. For a woman who has famously valued her independence and never married, this move into "domesticity" is a big deal.
- They work together: Rory has a recurring segment on The Sarah Silverman Podcast called "Rory’s Side of the Albanese."
- They perform together: They’ve shared the stage at Comedy Rocks and various clubs like the Hollywood Improv.
- They share a dog: They’ve been open about their life with their dog, Sibby, creating a little family unit.
The "Marriage" Question
Is there a wedding coming? Don't hold your breath. Sarah has been the poster child for "I don't need a piece of paper to be committed" for decades. However, she told Howard Stern that if Rory really needed to be married, she’d think about it.
That’s a massive concession from someone who once compared marriage to "joining a country club that doesn't let your friends in."
What to take away from their story
It’s easy to look at celebrity relationships and think they’re all flash and no substance. But the stay-power of Sarah and Rory seems to come from a genuine friendship forged when nobody could go out to dinner or hit the clubs.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Listen to the podcast: If you want to hear their dynamic firsthand, check out The Sarah Silverman Podcast. The "Rory's Side" segments give a really honest look at how they bicker and laugh.
- Watch the new special: Sarah’s Netflix special PostMortem deals with a lot of personal loss (her father and stepmother passed away in 2023), and she’s mentioned how Rory was her rock during that time.
- Follow the comedy: Rory is still active in the stand-up scene and writing for late-night. Watching his work gives you a better idea of the wit that keeps Sarah on her toes.
Ultimately, they’ve proven that sometimes the best way to find a partner isn't by looking for one, but by finding someone who wants to play the same game as you.