How Peter Sarsgaard and Maggie Gyllenhaal Have Made Marriage Work for Years

Peter Sarsgaard isn’t just a talented actor; he’s also a devoted husband and father. Married to Maggie Gyllenhaal for 15 years, the couple has built a life balancing two successful acting careers while raising their two daughters. Recently, Peter shared some rare insights into their partnership and how they’ve made it work for over a decade.

Speaking to People, Sarsgaard revealed one of their keys to success: taking turns. “We take turns in terms of our work,” he explained. “I think that’s one of the things that you just sort of have to do—let someone have their dance, and then you take your dance. There is great value in that.”

The September 5 star admitted that while his approach to his career has changed over the years, he believes it’s ultimately been for the better. “I think at one point I used to think that I would work more if I could,” he shared. “But I think that’s wrong. I think I would’ve done a lot more things that I was not proud of. When I say yes to do something, it’s some type of sacrifice for me… I have a whole other life. I have a family.”

Peter also opened up about why being married to another actor has its advantages. “I think it would be a lot more difficult to be married to someone who had a more consistent type of employment in one place,” he noted. “I pick and choose, and I think it makes it so that I take meetings seriously.”

The couple recently collaborated on the upcoming film The Bride, which Maggie wrote, directed, and produced, with Peter and her brother Jake Gyllenhaal among the cast. Watching Maggie lead the massive production was inspiring for Sarsgaard. “This is a huge movie. She was leading a set of hundreds of people,” he said. “It’s my wife up there, darting out of the tent, talking to this actor, and darting back in. She’s such a great leader and she has such a great mind.”

What do you think about Peter and Maggie’s approach to balancing love, family, and their careers? Share your thoughts and let us know your secrets to a long-lasting relationship in the comments below!