The Couple Overcame a Terrible Trial
The couple faced harrowing adversity in 2004. A lump on Simone’s leg came back malignant. She was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer. Staying true to vows, “in sickness and health,” LL Cool J opened up with Oprah and said, “You don’t abandon someone in that foxhole, you know.”
The rapper explained, “You got to be there in that foxhole with them. So I made some decisions professionally and decided to be by Simone’s side during that period.” Simone says they are closer than ever after the experience.
Daniels Got Serious About Acting and Dropped Out
His university presented him with an Honorary Doctorate in Fine Arts in 2009. He is perhaps most loved for his role opposite Jim Carrey in "Dumb and Dumber" (1994). Ironically, his agent tried to warn him against Carrey’s project, threatening it would ruin his career. It looks like Daniels got the last laugh.
Daniels had moved out to Hollywood to pursue his acting career. When he returned to Michigan, Kathleen reminisces the time when he “came over and sat on my porch swing with me for five hours.” Kathleen was able to raise her kids as a low-profile mom, in spite of their famous actor dad. They have three now-grown children: Benjamin, Lucas, and Nellie.
LL Cool J Married His “Candy Girl.”
The 1983 chart-topping song is just as relevant today as it was when LL Cool J (James Todd Smith) wrote it for Simone Smith. “You are my world / Look so sweet / You’re a special treat / Candy girl / All I want to say / I need your love / Each and every day.” In a sweet Instagram post, she said “I’ll be your candy girl forever.” We say, ‘Awww!’
The sweet lovebirds met as teens when their friend set them up. That was in the 80s. Now Simone and Cool J have three daughters. They have been married since 1995.
Samuel L. Jackson and LaTanya Richardson
These longtime lovebirds met in college in 1974. Samuel L. Jackson was at Morehouse, active in Civil Rights and the Black Power movements, and LaTanya Richardson was at Spelman.
They have been together for over 40 years. The showbiz couple married in 1980 and have one daughter, Zoe. She was born in 1982 and is also in the entertainment business as a producer.
They're Still Going Strong!
Marvel Comic has been keeping the prolific actor, who brings us Nick Fury, very busy. His wife is busy too. LaTanya has made appearances in Grey’s Anatomy and in films, "Sleepless in Seattle" and "Fried Green Tomatoes", and she was nominated for a Tony for a 2014 stage production of "A Raisin in the Sun," with Denzel Washington.
After winning a Lifetime Achievement Award at the BET awards, Jackson thanked his wife for saving his life and making him who he is.