Julia Stiles (R) and husband Preston Cook attend the “The God Committee” premiere during the 2021 Tribeca Festival at Brooklyn Commons at MetroTech on Ju 2021 in New York City.Photo: Jim Spellman/Getty
Julia Stilesand Preston Cook’s love story played out behind the scenes.
The10 Things I Hate About Youactress and Cook, a camera assistant, first met in 2014 on the set of the thrillerBlackway. The pair instantly hit it off, and it wasn’t long before their connection turned romantic.
A year later, Cook proposed. Stiles recounted their picture-perfect engagement night during a 2016 appearance onLive with Kelly!.
“I’m so in love,” she said. “Life is great … It was a full moon. We were on a tropical island, and he’s a really good man. I found it!”
In September 2017, Stiles and Cook got married andwelcomed their first son, Strummer, a month later. Five years on, their son Arlo joined the family. In April 2024, Stiles revealed toThe New York Timesthat she and Cook hadwelcomed their third childthe previous year.
From their first on-set encounter to growing their family, here’s everything to know about Julia Stiles and Preston Cook’s relationship.
2014: Julia Stiles meets Preston Cook
Julia Stiles and Preston J. Cook attend the Premiere Screening for the new season of Sky Original “Riviera”.David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty
David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty
Stiles and Cook first crossed paths in 2014 on the set of the thrillerBlackway.
The film also featuredAnthony Hopkins,Ray LiottaandAlexander Ludwig.
2015: Julia Stiles and Preston Cook work on another film together
Preston J.Cook and Julia Stiles attend the 70th EE British Academy Film Awards.Mark Cuthbert/UK Press/Getty
Mark Cuthbert/UK Press/Getty
Stiles and Cook were back on set together when he was the second assistant cameraman onthe fifth installmentof theMatt Damon-ledBournefranchise — 2016’sJason Bourne.
Stiles reprised her role as Nicky Parsons, the film series' heroine, who leaves the CIA to work with Bourne.
December 24, 2015: Julia Stiles and Preston Cook get engaged
Julia Stiles and Preston Cook.Julia Stiles Instagram
Julia Stiles Instagram
Cook proposed to Stilesin Isla Grande, Colombia, on a vacation with their families.
“All around, it was a really wonderful trip,” Stiles told PEOPLE in 2016. “We stayed on an island that was really beautiful, and there was a lot of great snorkeling.”
Later, reflecting on the proposal, Stiles toldLive!co-hostKelly Ripa, “It [the proposal] was a total surprise. Mostly because I talked myself out of it.”
Still, there were some hints that Cook was considering getting down on one knee.
“We had had a conversation waiting for an elevator one day, where he was randomly like, out of nowhere, ‘With jewelry, you don’t really wear silver or platinum. You’re more into gold,’ " she recalled. “And then I went, ‘What is up with this conversation?’ "
Days after Cook popped the question, Stilesannounced the big news on Instagram. “Best Christmas Ever!” she captioned a photo featuring her new ring.
August 5, 2016: Julia Stiles discusses wedding plans with Preston Cook
Preston Cook and Julia Stiles attend Tribeca Festival Premiere of “The God Committee”.Patrick McMullan/PMC/Getty
Patrick McMullan/PMC/Getty
In 2016, Stiles shared that she and her then-fiancé were in no rush to walk down the aisle. They also didn’t ask their loved ones for any words of wisdom concerning married life.
“I’m not getting a ton of marital advice,” Stiles told PEOPLE. “We’re really slow on the wedding planning, so I haven’t really been soliciting advice. Somebody told me about radical empathy, but I’m still trying to figure out what that means. I’m trying to figure out what makes it radical.”
February 12, 2017: Julia Stiles and Preston Cook make their red carpet debut
Preston J.Cook and Julia Stiles attend the 70th EE British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) at Royal Albert Hall on February 12, 2017 in London, England.Chris Jackson/Getty
Stiles and Cook made their red carpet debut as a couple at the 70th annualBritish Academy Film Awards (BAFTA)at the Royal Albert Hall in London. The Emmy nominee shared aphoto on Instagramof her and Cook in the audience, standing behindPrince WilliamandKate Middleton.
“Hey England, we are sorry for the revolution. We were young … Mel Brooks @bafta,” Stiles jokingly captioned the image.
On the red carpet,The Lakestar wore a long-sleeved, light blue dress with a plunging neckline and beaded floral designs. Cook wore a sleek black suit and posed with his arm around Stiles.
June 12, 2017: Julia Stiles and Preston Cook are expecting
Danny Martindale/Getty
In June 2017, Stiles' rep confirmed to PEOPLE that the couple wereexpecting their first child together.
June 15, 2017: Julia Stiles opens up about working with Preston Cook onRiviera
In 2016, Stiles and Cook embarked on their first television production together, the drama seriesRiviera. He was the first and second assistant cameraman, and she starred as American art curator Georgina Clios.
“We were so lucky, because you often don’t get to [work together], and if you’re away from each other it can be hard on your relationship,” Stiles toldMarie Claire UKin 2017.
“[When I got the part], I panicked and thought, ‘Oh my god, I’m going to be away for seven months.’ But they hired him because he has a great résumé, and they needed someone bilingual,” she said. “It turned into the most romantic experience ever.”
While filming in the south of France, Stiles and Cook explored and relaxed together. “I love beaches — generally, if I can go swimming, I’m happy,” Stiles wrote in an essay forThe Timesin 2021.
September 26, 2017: Julia Stiles announces she married Preston Cook
Julia Stiles and Preston Cook.Julia Styles Instagram
“Who doesn’t love a shotgun wedding?” shecaptioned the image, adding a winking face emoji. The ceremony was intimate, with only the officiant and two witnesses in attendance.
“They got married Labor Day weekend with two friends on the beach in Seattle,” Stiles' rep confirmed to PEOPLE.
October 20, 2017: Julia Stiles and Preston Cook welcome their first child together
“Thanks and ever thanks to the extraordinary Doctors, Nurses and staff at Mount Sinai for helping bring this utter joy into our lives. ‘Hello, World!’ " the new mother captioned anInstagram photo of her newborn’s handwrapped around Cook’s thumb.
“Both sets of grandparents don’t like the name that we came up with,” she told SiriusXM’sWake Up with Taylor. “But they’re gonna get over it.”
September 3, 2020: Julia Stiles and Preston Cook celebrate their third wedding anniversary
Julia Styles and Preston Cook.Julia Styles Instagram
“Three years, Five countries, Two Quarantines, and we haven’t killed each other,” Stiles wrote alongside the throwback pic. “Happy Anniversary, Luv.”
June 20, 2021: Julia Stiles and Preston Cook attend Tribeca Film Festival
Preston Cook and Julia Stiles attend the âÂÂThe God Committee” premiere during the 2021 Tribeca Festival.Jamie McCarthy/Getty
Jamie McCarthy/Getty
The couple walked another red carpet together at theTribeca Film Festivalin New York City for the premiere ofThe God Committee, in which Stiles andKelsey Grammerstarred.
The actress wore a black and tan polka dot dress and Cook wore a striped, earth-toned button-down.
November 19, 2021: Julia Stiles and Preston Cook announce they’re expecting their second child
Julia Stiles attends as A24 and the Cinema Society host a screening of “The Humans” at Village East Cinema on November 18, 2021 in New York City.Dia Dipasupil/Getty
December 2021: Julia Stiles discusses having another child with Preston Cook
Julia Stiles (L) and Preston J.Cook attend the 70th EE British Academy Film Awards.David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty
Stiles admitted toTodayco-hostsHoda KotbandSheinelle Jonesthat she found the notion of expanding her family “terrifying.”
“I’m so excited. Kids are wonderful. It’s such a joy, it’s such a delight,” Stiles said a month before her second child was born. “But now they outnumber me. How do you get two kids dressed in the morning to go out the door?”
January 26, 2022: Julia Stiles and Preston Cook welcome their second child
TheDexteralum announced that shegave birth to her and Cook’s second son, Arlo, on Jan. 26, 2022. Stiles shared a photo of the newborn’s feet on Instagram to share the news.
In the same post, she shared a picture of a toilet covered in red marker, adding to the caption, “Scroll Forward to see how my 4 year old is taking it…”
April 3, 2024: Julia Stiles reveals she welcomed her third child with Preston Cook in 2023
In an interview withThe New York Timesin April 2024, Stiles spoke about her directorial debut,Wish You Were Here,and revealed that she welcomed her third child with Cook the year before.
After saying she wasn’t interested in talking about her pregnancy, Stiles added, “I think that actually being a mom is really great training for being a director. You have to think 10 steps ahead but also be in the present moment. You have to be good at time management.”
The addition of her third child, whose name has not been shared, led to renewed motivation for Stiles. “I am running on fumes in terms of sleep. But I feel more energized than I ever have," she said.
source: people.com
