Jaclyn Smith and Brad Allen have built a lasting marriage through love, laughter and everyday support.
For Jaclyn Smith and Brad Allen, a lasting marriage appears to come down to a combination of affection, humor and knowing when to admit the other person is right.
The couple, who married in 1997, recently gave fans a glimpse into their relationship during a playful Instagram question-and-answer video. Smith, 79, and her husband, a cardiothoracic surgeon, responded to a fan asking for advice on maintaining a healthy marriage. Their answer was less about complicated rules and more about the everyday habits they have developed together.
As Allen stood behind Smith and embraced her, the actress explained that physical affection plays an important role in their relationship. She also encouraged other couples to make time for hugs and kisses, while Allen offered his own humorous take on what makes a marriage work.
The lighthearted exchange was a reminder that the couple’s relationship has remained affectionate and playful after almost 30 years of marriage.
The Couple’s Advice Starts With Affection
Smith shared the Q&A video on Instagram on Sept. 22, 2025, inviting followers to hear the couple’s thoughts on a healthy marriage.
The actress sat in a chair while Allen stood behind her, wrapping his arms around her as they answered the question.
Allen began by saying that a good marriage requires a good wife and a husband who knows how to apologize and acknowledge when his wife is right.
His answer prompted Smith to laugh.
The actress then highlighted one of the habits she believes helps keep their relationship strong: regular physical affection.
She explained that Allen hugs and kisses her throughout the day and encouraged men watching the video to follow his example.
The exchange was casual, but it offered a clear picture of how the couple approaches their relationship. Rather than presenting marriage as something that depends on grand romantic gestures, Smith emphasized small expressions of love that can become part of everyday life.
Smith and Allen Say Their Differences Help Their Relationship
The couple also discussed the fact that they are not alike in every way.
Smith described herself and Allen as opposites, suggesting that their personalities and interests differ. But she added that they share the same morals and values.
That distinction appeared to be important to the actress.
For Smith, having different personalities does not necessarily create problems in a marriage. Instead, she suggested that a shared foundation of values can matter more than agreeing on everything.
Allen then added his own playful comment, saying that he and Smith also agree that she is the perfect wife.
Smith responded with laughter and agreed with him.
Their exchange showed how easily the couple moved between sincere relationship advice and humor. It also reflected the tone of the video, which focused on affection and enjoying each other’s company.
Laughter Is Another Part of Their Marriage
Smith included one more piece of advice in the caption accompanying the Instagram video.
“Don’t forget laughter!” she wrote, adding a winking emoji.
The actress then asked whether they had mentioned laughter, making humor an important part of the message she wanted to share with followers.
One fan responded in the comments, praising the couple and suggesting that laughing together was one of the secrets to their relationship.
Smith replied with a short answer: “That’s the key.”
Her response reinforced the idea that she and Allen do not take their relationship so seriously that they lose the ability to enjoy one another.
The video also showed that their affection is not limited to public appearances or anniversary celebrations. Allen’s embrace and Smith’s laughter made the exchange feel like a natural moment between two people who are comfortable together.
How Jaclyn Smith and Brad Allen First Met
Although Smith and Allen have now been married for nearly three decades, their relationship began through a family medical experience rather than the entertainment industry.
According to the supplied article, Smith first met Allen while her father was receiving treatment for a heart condition at the University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center.
Allen was working as a surgeon at the time, and the two eventually began dating.
Their relationship continued for seven years before they married in Los Angeles on Oct. 11, 1997.
Ahead of their wedding, Smith told the Boston Herald that she wanted the marriage to be forever.
The couple’s long courtship preceded their wedding, giving them years together before they officially became husband and wife.
Their relationship also developed during a period when Smith was already an established actress, best known for her role as Kelly Garrett in the original Charlie’s Angels television series.
Their 1997 Wedding Came After Seven Years of Dating
Smith and Allen’s wedding marked the beginning of a new chapter after years of dating.
The couple married in Los Angeles, with the actress entering her fourth marriage and Allen becoming her husband after their long relationship.
Smith had previously been married to actor Roger Davis from 1968 to 1975, actor Dennis Cole from 1978 to 1981, and director and cinematographer Tony Richmond from 1981 to 1989.
Her marriage to Allen has lasted significantly longer than her previous marriages.
The couple celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in 2022, marking a milestone that Smith acknowledged with a heartfelt Instagram tribute.
She described Allen as her guy, best friend and partner in life, while also praising him for keeping her laughing through the ups and downs.
Her message reflected the same themes she later discussed in the 2025 Q&A: friendship, humor and the importance of having a partner who is there through different stages of life.
Smith’s Anniversary Tribute Highlighted Their Friendship
For their 25th anniversary, Smith shared a photograph of herself and Allen on Instagram.
In the accompanying message, she referred to him as her best friend and partner in life.
She also thanked him for making her laugh and taking care of their family.
The tribute showed that the actress views their marriage as more than a romantic partnership. Friendship and companionship appear to be equally important parts of the relationship.
Smith’s description of Allen as someone who keeps her laughing through the ups and downs also connects with the advice she later gave in the Instagram Q&A.
The couple’s approach to marriage, at least in the moments Smith has shared publicly, emphasizes staying connected through humor and everyday affection.
They Bring Their Playful Relationship Into Their Workouts
Smith and Allen have also shared glimpses of their relationship outside of anniversary posts and relationship advice.
In December 2022, the couple posted a behind-the-scenes look at one of their joint workouts.
The video showed them exercising together and sharing kisses between repetitions.
Smith explained that staying motivated to work out during the holiday season could be difficult, but she and Allen had found a way to make exercise more enjoyable.
She said that their routine allowed them to get a workout done while also having a few laughs.
The workout video offered another example of the couple’s shared sense of humor. Rather than treating exercise as a completely serious activity, they appeared to enjoy making it a joint experience.
Their willingness to laugh together, even during a workout, is consistent with the relationship advice Smith has shared over the years.
A Marriage Built Around Everyday Connection
Smith and Allen’s public moments together suggest that their relationship has remained grounded in companionship.
Their Instagram Q&A was not a formal interview or a lengthy discussion about marriage. It was a short, affectionate exchange that gave viewers a glimpse of how they interact.
Smith’s comments about hugs and kisses, Allen’s willingness to joke about being right, and their shared laughter all contributed to the same picture.
The couple seems to place value on simple actions that help them stay connected.
Their relationship also illustrates that long marriages are not necessarily defined by having identical personalities or interests.
Smith described herself and Allen as opposites, but she emphasized their shared morals and values.
That distinction may be especially meaningful for couples who have different personalities but want to build a life together.
Smith Continues to Share Personal Moments With Fans
Smith has remained active in sharing selected parts of her personal life with her Instagram followers.
Her posts about Allen have included anniversary tributes, workout videos and relationship advice.
Although she is widely recognized for her acting career, these moments offer a different view of her life away from the screen.
They show her as a wife who enjoys spending time with her husband and who is comfortable sharing affectionate moments with fans.
The couple’s recent Q&A also reflected Smith’s willingness to answer a simple question in a way that felt personal rather than overly formal.
Instead of offering a long list of marriage rules, she focused on the importance of affection, shared values and laughter.
What Smith’s Advice Says About Their Relationship
The actress’s comments do not suggest that she believes marriage is without challenges.
In her anniversary tribute, she acknowledged the ups and downs of life while describing Allen as someone who keeps her laughing.
That message is consistent with her recent advice.
Smith’s approach appears to emphasize the importance of having a partner who can offer support, make you laugh and share the same basic values.
Her comments about Allen knowing when to say he is sorry also point to the importance of being willing to acknowledge mistakes.
Together, these ideas form a simple picture of what Smith believes contributes to a lasting relationship.
Affection helps maintain closeness.
Shared values provide a foundation.
Humor makes difficult moments easier to handle.
And being able to apologize can help couples move forward after disagreements.
Nearly 30 Years Together
Smith and Allen’s marriage has now lasted nearly three decades.
They married in October 1997 after dating for seven years, and they marked their 25th anniversary in 2022.
Their recent Instagram video offered a glimpse into the relationship they have built over that time.
The couple’s advice was delivered with laughter, affection and a sense of familiarity. It also reflected a broader message about marriage: a lasting relationship can be strengthened by the small things people do for each other every day.
For Smith, those things include hugs, kisses, humor and a willingness to appreciate her husband.
For Allen, the exchange showed that he is comfortable playing along with his wife’s jokes and offering his own perspective.
The result was a lighthearted moment that gave fans a glimpse of the connection between the actress and her husband.
As Smith continues to share occasional personal updates, her marriage to Allen remains an important part of the story she tells about her life outside of Hollywood.
Their relationship began in 1990, when they first met through her father’s medical treatment, and led to their 1997 wedding.
Nearly 30 years later, Smith is still emphasizing the same qualities she has highlighted in earlier anniversary messages: friendship, laughter and a partner who is there through life’s ups and downs.
