Julia Stiles and Preston Cook: Tracing the Journey of Their Love Story

Julia Stiles and her husband, Preston Cook, have kept their relationship private for almost ten years. The actress and Cook, who works as a camera assistant, started dating in 2014 when they met on the set of her movie Blackway. They got engaged quietly one year later.

"It was a total surprise," Stiles shared during an appearance on Live With Kelly! in July 2016. She explained that she had talked herself out of expecting a proposal. During a trip to Colombia with Cook's family over the holidays, she had decided to just enjoy the vacation and stay in the present moment.

However, Cook gave a hint before he popped the question. Stiles remembered a conversation they had while waiting for an elevator. Out of the blue, he mentioned her preference for gold jewelry over silver or platinum. She couldn't help but wonder about the significance of this random discussion.

The pair tied the knot in September 2017 before welcoming three children.

Scroll below to revisit their relationship timeline:

Julia Stiles and Husband Preston Cook A Timeline of Their Relationship

Credit: Kristina Bumphrey/Shutterstock

Julia Stiles and Husband Preston Cook: A Timeline of Their Relationship

Julia Stiles and her husband, Preston Cook, have ensured that their relationship was private for nearly a decade.

The actress and Cook, a camera assistant, started dating in 2014 after meeting on the set of her film Blackway. They quietly got engaged one year later.

“It was a total surprise,” Stiles shared during an appearance on Live With Kelly! in July 2016. “Mostly because I talked myself out of it. We went on a trip to Colombia with his entire family over Christmas and New Year’s. So, because I’m a lady, I was like, ‘Do not ruin a perfectly good vacation by getting your hopes up. Just let it go. Be in the present moment.’”

Cook gave a heads up to the 10 Things I Hate About You star before proposing. During a casual chat by the elevator one day, he mentioned, "You don't really wear silver or platinum. You're more into gold." This left her wondering about the sudden topic of conversation.

They got married in September 2017 and later had three children.

Scroll below to revisit their relationship timeline:

Julia Stiles and Husband Preston Cook A Timeline of Their Relationship

Credit: Stephen Coke/Shutterstock

November 2014

The duo began dating after meeting on the set of her film Blackway, which was released in September 2015. Cook served as a second assistant camera on the project.  

Julia Stiles and Husband Preston Cook A Timeline of Their Relationship

Credit: Courtesy of Julia Stiles/Instagram

December 2015

Stiles shared the exciting news in January 2016 that she and her partner were engaged. The special moment happened on Christmas Eve in Isla Grande, Colombia, when she said yes to his proposal. She couldn't contain her happiness, captioning an Instagram photo of them holding hands and showing off her beautiful ring with the words "Best Christmas Ever!"

Julia Stiles and Husband Preston Cook A Timeline of Their Relationship

Credit: Joanne Davidson/Shutterstock

September 2017

The Save the Last Dance star confirmed to us in June 2017 that she was pregnant with her first child with Cook. In September 2017, Stiles shared on Instagram that she and Cook had gotten married, posting a photo from their wedding day. In the caption, she joked about having a "shotgun wedding" as they cradled her baby bump in the picture.

According to her representative, the couple got married over Labor Day weekend with just two friends on a beach in Seattle.

Julia Stiles and Husband Preston Cook A Timeline of Their Relationship

Credit: Courtesy of Julia Stiles/Instagram

October 2017

Stiles shared the exciting news of welcoming their first child with Cook in November 2017, just a month after their son was born. She joyfully announced on Instagram, "Meet Strummer Newcomb Cook, born on October 20, 2017! Huge thanks to the amazing doctors, nurses, and staff at Mount Sinai for bringing this incredible happiness into our lives. Say hello to the world, baby Strummer!"

Julia Stiles and Husband Preston Cook A Timeline of Their Relationship

Credit: Courtesy of Julia Stiles/Instagram

September 2020

The actress from The Prince and Me posted a special photo with Cook to mark their anniversary. She humorously mentioned, "Three years, Five countries, Two Quarantines, and we haven’t killed each other. Happy Anniversary, Luv."

Julia Stiles and Husband Preston Cook A Timeline of Their Relationship

Credit: Courtesy of Julia Stiles/Instagram

January 2022

Stiles’ representative had previously shared the exciting news in November 2021 that she was expecting her second child. Fast forward to January 2022, and the Bourne Identity star joyfully announced the birth of Baby Arlo on Instagram. In her post, she expressed, “Welcome to the world, Baby Arlo! The newest addition to our family, reminding me how infinite love can be.”

Julia Stiles and Husband Timeline

Credit: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Tribeca Festival

April 2024

Stiles confirmed in a New York Times profile published on April 3 that she had secretly given birth to baby No. 3 several months earlier.

“I’m kind of like a bundle of emotions because I have a 5-month-old baby and I went into directing my first movie,” she said, adding that she “didn’t really talk about” her pregnancy.

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