Open Marriages: Hollywood’s Worst Kept Secret?

Dolly Parton and Carl Thomas Dean

Although country star Parton and Dean’s 50-plus year marriage has managed to stay afloat it seems more like open infidelity rather than an open marriage. Stating that she would not want to know if Carl cheated on her and vice versa, it doesn’t seem entirely convincing that the two have been honest with each other over the years.

However, after discussing with the Independent the details of their open arrangement in 2007, she was quoted telling Oprah that “we let each other be who we are and what we are, but I’d kill him if I knew he was with somebody and he’d kill me.” Make up your mind, Dolly.

Ethan Hawke and Ryan Shawhughes

While still in a relationship with Uma Thurman, actor Ethan Hawke started dating his now-wife Ryan; so being monogamous is clearly not on his list of priorities. Claiming that sexual fidelity “can’t be the whole thing you hang your relationship on,” Hawke feels strongly about his open arrangement with Ryan. “If you really love somebody you want them to grow, but you don’t get to define how that happens. They do,” he told Mr. Porter.

Seeing human beings as sexual and primal through instinct, Hawke doesn’t believe much in the concept of monogamy as he related sexual infidelity to the inevitably of our hair turning gray, in the same interview. With no comment from Ryan however, we’re hoping she is on board with sharing her man.