Brad Pitt, Jennifer Aniston, Paul Newman, and Joanne Woodward  

Introductory Chapter

So in the world of Hollywood, where love and happiness in a lasting marriage are indeed possible, this ebook will focus on two celebrity marriages.  One will be on Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward’s marriage who have proven that a successful celebrity marriage is possible.  Second will be on Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston who, after one year, are still married and thus, there is always hope.  These high-profile, celebrity couples are chosen because they illustrate the two stages of marriage, one that has proven to work, and the other, one that is just beginning and must go through many passages.  Moreover, while one shows the compromises, considerations, sacrifices and struggles, that help lead toward a lasting and happy marriage, the other is just beginning to understand what it will take.

This ebook looks to the interviews of both couples and to the biography of Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward in providing some insight, a glimpse into celebrity marriages.  Why is writing an ebook about a proven celebrity marriage and one that is only just beginning significant?  Because there is always the hope that the ideals attached with love in marriage, do work even in what can be considered the difficult circumstances of being rich and famous.  Having fame and money can be difficult circumstances.  Financial issues in most cases no longer become the ball and chain that keep celebrities from pursuing interests, and instead, all the other things such as eager paparazzi trying to make a living become their problems.  Of course these kinds of problems must be placed in the perspective of other people’s lives around the globe, where some are simply trying to find food to eat.  This is summarized by a bumper sticker that once said, “Live simply, so others can simply live.”  However, this is not to diminish the fact that celebrity couples have worked hard to attain many privileges such as financial freedom. 

So, within a global context, celebrities have their problems to deal with and even if these problems seem non-fundamental when compared to starving people around the globe, celebrities must be recognized for the fact that they often make use of their fame and money for many, beneficial causes throughout the world.  Some have been written about traveling to impoverished places like Africa to help the needy.  Some give time and money in improving children’s welfare throughout the world.  They continue to be the most prolific philanthropists.  Most Hollywood couples are fortunate when their problems are put in a global perspective.

In addition to the frustrations and anger toward paparazzi, the stress of keeping up public appearances, and the pressures of box office power, which are only some of the difficulties that come with the territory of being a celebrity, these are included to the usual journeys in life, such as the loss of departing loved ones, the difficulty of raising children, broken friendships, underhanded in-laws, illnesses, and the list can go on, etc.  These challenges of being a celebrity, as well as an individual, who is also taking part in the human journey, show that instead of Hollywood completely ignoring marriage because of its challenges, Hollywood is instead making the effort to embrace those good things that love in a marriage can stand for. 

So what makes Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward’s marriage last?  What makes Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston’s marriage a challenge?  These two questions will be explored in this ebook through one marriage, where it has indeed worked, and through another, where marriage and the ideals usually identified with it such as love, will continue to be tested by Hollywood and the world.