With James Marsden in the spotlight for returning as 'Cyclops' in Marvel's 'Avengers: Doomsday', let's take a look at his love life, which has piqued fans' interest over the years.
James Marsden is one of the most phenomenal actors that Hollywood has seen in recent years. He made his debut in the industry back in the ‘90s while guest-starring on television shows such as Saved by the Bell: The New Class (1993), Touched by an Angel (1995), and Party of Five (1995). James had his breakthrough when he played the role of 'Cyclops' in the film, X-Men, which was released in the year 2000. Owing to the Marvel character's popularity, he continued to appear in the film's many sequels over the years. It is worth mentioning that James's character later died in X-Men: The Last Stand in 2006.
Now, almost a decade later, in a shocking twist, James Marsden is all set to return as 'Cyclops' once again in Marvel's upcoming film, Avengers: Doomsday. Fans have not been able to keep their calm since the fact was revealed in the film's latest preview ahead of its theatrical release in December 2026. While James's on-screen persona formed romantic relationships with characters like 'Jean Grey', here's a look at the actor's real-life love interests over the years.
James Marsden's first relationship in the public eye was with the Days of Our Lives star, Lisa Linde. The couple started dating in the ‘90s, when they were in their early 20s and “really young,” as James explained to Men's Health later. After being together for five years, they tied the knot on July 22, 2000. At the time of their marriage, James was 26 years old while his wife was 28. In 2001, a year after they tied the knot, James and Lisa welcomed their first child, a son named Jack Holden. They expanded their family again in 2005, when they welcomed their second child, a daughter named Mary James.
During the course of their marriage, everyone in Hollywood knew how much James and Lisa loved each other. This is because they never shied away from talking about the same in public. For instance, during a 2007 interview with Elle magazine, Lisa gave her and James's fans a glimpse into their happy married life. In fact, she also shared the unconventional manner in which they first met each other. Lisa revealed that at the time, she was actually dating one of James's friends. This led them to form a friendship that remained platonic for nearly 1.5 years, until they decided to turn it into a romantic connection and give dating a chance. Ultimately, James and the actress were able to forge a strong bond, which culminated in an even stronger marriage.
Unfortunately, James and Lisa weren't able to maintain their bond forever as they had hoped. In September 2011, Lisa filed for divorce, something which really left everyone surprised as it put an end to their 11-year marriage. Years later, the Marvel actor opened up about how painful the divorce was for him and how it was “by far the hardest thing” he's had to endure in life. Speaking to Men's Health in 2018, he said:
“My life hasn’t been filled with sorrow and deep struggle. When the divorce happened, it was the first time I felt I lost my equilibrium. It was scary and sad and made me pull everything into focus. I needed to focus on what was important. So that’s who I am now because of that. I know regrets can be catalysts for good things.”
James Marsden allegedly dated Brazilian model, Rose Costa, soon after his divorce, in late 2011 or early 2012. If a Page Six report is to be believed, the duo spent a night together in Miami, following which Rose became pregnant. Prior to this, she was in a 2-year relationship with actor, Chris Santos, whom you might recognise from the film, The Girlfriend Experience.
Owing to Rose's unexpected pregnancy, James Marsden became a father for the third time when he welcomed their son, William Luca. His birth left the Disenchanted actor more than excited. In a 2014 interview, James confessed that he considers being a father to his three kids a remarkable role and something he is really proud of.
James's two failed attempts at love did not discourage him from trying his luck once again. This is because in September 2015, romance rumours between him and singer, Edei spread like wildfire. Apparently, James and Edei were first spotted hanging out together in New York City. A few weeks later, they were captured once again, enjoying each other's company at a friend's party. Fuelling their romance rumours even more, James joined Edei onstage during one of her performances at a Los Angeles bar in 2016. It is worth mentioning that the singer is 15 years younger than James. Despite their age gap, they dated for a few more years and eventually went their separate ways, though it is unclear when.
Currently, James Marsden is believed to be in a relationship with Dutch model, Frederique Brons. Romance rumours between the two began back in October 2023, when paparazzi cameras caught them sharing a kiss. A month later, they were also spotted holding hands. While they like to keep their relationship out of the spotlight, over the years, they have been captured in a few public events. Their most notable appearance was their red carpet debut as a couple at the 2025 Emmy Awards, held on September 14, 2025.
What are your thoughts on X-Men actor, James Marsden's love life and relationships over the years? Let us know.
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