Are ‘The Office’ Star Jenna Fischer and ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ Director James Gunn Friends?
The Office star, Jenna Fischer, recently celebrated her 10-year wedding anniversary with her husband, director, Lee Kirk. In 2000, Fischer was married to Guardians of the Galaxy director, James Gunn. That relationship officially ended in 2008. Are the two friends now?
The Office star, Jenna Fischer, recently celebrated her 10-year wedding anniversary with her husband, director, Lee Kirk. But back in 2000, Fischer married Guardians of the Galaxy director, James Gunn. That relationship officially ended in 2008. Are the two friends now?
A look at Jenna Fischer and James Gunn’s marriage and divorce
Jenna Fischer played secretary Pam Beesly who eventually married salesman Jim Halpert on The Office. But, in real life, Fischer married director James Gunn in 2000. The two met through Gunn’s brother, actor Sean Gunn.
After more than six years of marriage, Fischer and Gunn decided to end things.
“We have chosen to separate. We are sorry for any pain this causes family and friends,” the two said in a statement according to Today. “The enthusiasm we have expressed for each other’s lives, spirits, and careers is real — we have been each other’s cheerleader and friend during the past six years and continue to be so now and in the future.”
They finalized their divorce in 2008. Since then, each has moved into new relationships. Gunn has been with girlfriend Jennifer Holland for over five years. And Fischer married Kirk, whom she met at a film festival, in 2010.
Gunn previously came under fire for controversial tweets
In 2018, Gunn was removed from his directing duties for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. This came after past controversial tweets surfaced.
“The offensive attitudes and statements discovered on James’ Twitter feed are indefensible and inconsistent with our studio’s values, and we have severed our business relationship with him,” Walt Disney Studios Disney Chairman Alan Horn said in a statement via CNN.
Gunn responded with an apology on Twitter:
Many people who have followed my career know when I started, I viewed myself as a provocateur, making movies and telling jokes that were outrageous and taboo. As I have discussed publicly many times, as I’ve developed as a person, so has my work and my humor.
It’s not to say I’m better, but I am very, very different than I was a few years ago; today I try to root my work in love and connection and less in anger. My days saying something just because it’s shocking and trying to get a reaction are over.
In the past, I have apologized for humor of mine that hurt people. I truly felt sorry and meant every word of my apologies. For the record, when I made these shocking jokes, I wasn’t living them out. I know this is a weird statement to make, and seems obvious, but, still, here I am, saying it.
Twitter
Through all the public scrutiny, Holland and Gunn stayed together. Holland, who’s starred in projects like CSI: Miami, Bones, and Rizzoli & Isles, told Maxim in 2017 she fell into acting after being a gymnast.
“I got a taste for the instant gratification you get when you perform,” Holland said. “I ended up pursuing an acting career when I was 16 and moved out to Los Angeles.”
Are James Gunn and Jenna Fischer Fischer friends now?
Unlike many of Hollywood’s couples, Fischer and Gunn left things amicable. According to Gunn, Pajiba summarized their relationship and split accurately. Gunn shared the link with quotes from the piece.
“I never quite understood how two people can love each other deeply but, when they break up, they grow suddenly hateful and cruel,” he wrote.
“Just because a relationship doesn’t work doesn’t mean the other person is bad. I’m proud of the good relationships I have with most of my exes, but especially Jenna. She’s a great person, a true and wonderful friend, and she’ll always make me laugh.”
Along with that, a quick scroll through both stars’ social media accounts shows there’s no love lost.
“Happy Birthday to one of the greatest women I know & one of the most important people in my life, @jennafischer!” Gunn tweeted in 2014.
“One more week until Guardians of the Galaxy! Can’t wait! @JamesGunn@prattprattpratt@Michael_Rooker@zoesaldana@DaveBautista,” Fischer tweeted later in that same year.
The bottom line? As Gunn described their relationship on the Alison Rosen Is Your New Best Friend podcast, “I think in some ways we misinterpreted a really close bond.”
