Meet the Real-Life Families of theDesperate HousewivesCast as the Series Turns 20

Mar. 15, 2025

‘Desperate Housewives’ stars Felicity Huffman as Lynette Scavo, Teri Hatcher as Susan Mayer, Nicollette Sheridan as Edie Britt, Marcia Cross as Bree Van De Kamp and Eva Longoria as Gabrielle Solis.Photo:Andrew Eccles/Disney General Entertainment Content/Getty

Andrew Eccles/Disney General Entertainment Content/Getty

For eight seasons,Desperate Housewivesentertained viewers as the show explored the not-so-picture-perfect lives of the women on Wisteria Lane.“It was a decade of my life and it was the No. 1 show in the world,” one of the show’s stars,Eva Longoria, said during an appearance onToday with Hoda and Jennain June.“I just remember the first time I went to London, I had never been to London before and there was a big crowd of people outside the hotel,” she recalled. “And I was like, ‘Gosh, who’s here? Is Bono here? Somebody important must be here!’ And the driver was like, ‘… You…’ And I was like, ‘No, somebody like, big. Like a big deal!’”“And he didn’t understand that I didn’t understand,” she continued, “the global reach of that show.“Since the series wrapped, many of the stars have gone on to grow and raise their own families while staying busy on- and off-screen. Continue reading for a deep dive into the stories of the beloved star’s spouses and children.

For eight seasons,Desperate Housewivesentertained viewers as the show explored the not-so-picture-perfect lives of the women on Wisteria Lane.“It was a decade of my life and it was the No. 1 show in the world,” one of the show’s stars,Eva Longoria, said during an appearance onToday with Hoda and Jennain June.

“I just remember the first time I went to London, I had never been to London before and there was a big crowd of people outside the hotel,” she recalled. “And I was like, ‘Gosh, who’s here? Is Bono here? Somebody important must be here!’ And the driver was like, ‘… You…’ And I was like, ‘No, somebody like, big. Like a big deal!’”

“And he didn’t understand that I didn’t understand,” she continued, “the global reach of that show.”

Since the series wrapped, many of the stars have gone on to grow and raise their own families while staying busy on- and off-screen. Continue reading for a deep dive into the stories of the beloved star’s spouses and children.

01of 10

Eva Longoria’s Husband, José Antonio ‘Pepe” Bastón,’ and Their Son Santiago

Eva Longoria with son Santiago and husband José “Pepe” Bastón.eva longoria/instagram

Actress and producer Eva Longoria (Gabrielle Solis) and Latin media mogulJosé Antonio “Pepe” Bastóntied the knot in 2016. After dating for three years, thetwo wed at Bastón’s homein Valle de Bravo, Mexico.

02of 10

Felicity Huffman’s Husband, William H. Macy, and Their Daughters Sophia and Georgia

Felicity Huffman with husband William H. Macy and daughters Sofia Grace Macy and Georgia Grace Macy.Stefanie Keenan/Getty

Stefanie Keenan/Getty

ActorsFelicity Huffman(Lynette Scavo) andWilliam H. Macyfirst met in the early 1980s. The couple dated on and off for 15 years before they wed in 1997. Together they have two daughters: Sophia, born in 2000 and Georgia, born in 2002.

03of 10Marcia Cross’ Husband, Tom Mahoney, and Their Twins Eden and SavannahLeft: Marcia Cross with husband Tom Mahoney; Right: Marcia Cross' twin daughters Eden and Savannah.Rob Latour/Variety/Penske Media/Getty; Marcia Cross/InstagramMarcia Cross(Bree Van De Camp) married stockbroker Tom Mahoney in San Gabriel, Calif., in 2006. The couplewelcomed fraternal twin girls, Eden and Savannah the next year.In 2009, Mahoney was diagnosed with throat cancer, which has since gone into remission. Cross, now 62, revealed she had beenundergoing treatment for anal cancerin 2018. Doctors have since linked the two diagnoses to the same strain of HPV, or human papillomavirus.“As I sat at my twin daughters’ graduation yesterday, I was so grateful to be alive and well and thought that if I could give that gift to another person it would all be worth it,” Cross toldCNNof sharing her story in 2019.

03of 10

Marcia Cross’ Husband, Tom Mahoney, and Their Twins Eden and Savannah

Left: Marcia Cross with husband Tom Mahoney; Right: Marcia Cross' twin daughters Eden and Savannah.Rob Latour/Variety/Penske Media/Getty; Marcia Cross/Instagram

Rob Latour/Variety/Penske Media/Getty; Marcia Cross/Instagram

Marcia Cross(Bree Van De Camp) married stockbroker Tom Mahoney in San Gabriel, Calif., in 2006. The couplewelcomed fraternal twin girls, Eden and Savannah the next year.

In 2009, Mahoney was diagnosed with throat cancer, which has since gone into remission. Cross, now 62, revealed she had beenundergoing treatment for anal cancerin 2018. Doctors have since linked the two diagnoses to the same strain of HPV, or human papillomavirus.“As I sat at my twin daughters’ graduation yesterday, I was so grateful to be alive and well and thought that if I could give that gift to another person it would all be worth it,” Cross toldCNNof sharing her story in 2019.

04of 10Teri Hatcher’s Daughter, EmersonTeri Hatcher with daughter Emerson Tenney.Franziska Krug/Marcel Remus/Getty“I’ve always made mothering the priority of my life,” actressTeri Hatcher(Susan Mayer) said during a 2006 appearance onThe View. “Over my career, over everything.”Hatcher and her ex-husband, actor Jon Tenney, welcomed their daughterEmerson Rose Tenneyin 1997. The couple was married for nine years between 1994 and 2003. After the divorce, they continued to co-parent Emerson.Emersonattended Brown Universityand graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in creative writing in May 2020. She followed in her parents’ footsteps and pursued a career in the entertainment industry, writing scripts and directing her first animated short film,Vibrantea.In January, Emerson and her mom, now 59, were seentwinning at Berlin Fashion Week.

04of 10

Teri Hatcher’s Daughter, Emerson

Teri Hatcher with daughter Emerson Tenney.Franziska Krug/Marcel Remus/Getty

Franziska Krug/Marcel Remus/Getty

“I’ve always made mothering the priority of my life,” actressTeri Hatcher(Susan Mayer) said during a 2006 appearance onThe View. “Over my career, over everything.”

Hatcher and her ex-husband, actor Jon Tenney, welcomed their daughterEmerson Rose Tenneyin 1997. The couple was married for nine years between 1994 and 2003. After the divorce, they continued to co-parent Emerson.

Emersonattended Brown Universityand graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in creative writing in May 2020. She followed in her parents’ footsteps and pursued a career in the entertainment industry, writing scripts and directing her first animated short film,Vibrantea.

In January, Emerson and her mom, now 59, were seentwinning at Berlin Fashion Week.

05of 10Brenda Strong’s Husband, John Farmanesh-Bocca, and Her Son ZakBrenda Strong and Director John Farmanesh-Bocca attend the HBO Luxury Lounge featuring PANDORA at Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills on August 23, 2014 in Beverly Hills, California.Rochelle Brodin/GettyBrenda Strong (Mary Alice Young) tied the knot with her husband John Farmanesh-Bocca in 2015. The two had met while working together on a play.In December, Strong, now 64, celebrated her husband’s birthday with a post onInstagram.“Your huge and generous heart brings joy to all who are lucky enough to know you,” she wrote in the caption. “Being your wife is the privilege of my life. I get to laugh every day, have thought provoking conversations, be creative and have the most amazing adventures in the most amazing places with you.”Strong has one son, Zak Henri, 29, with ex-husband Tom Henri. Zak became an actor, with his most notable roles in theAdam SandlerandDrew BarrymoreromcomBlendedand the showsAwkwardandBudheads.

05of 10

Brenda Strong’s Husband, John Farmanesh-Bocca, and Her Son Zak

Brenda Strong and Director John Farmanesh-Bocca attend the HBO Luxury Lounge featuring PANDORA at Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills on August 23, 2014 in Beverly Hills, California.Rochelle Brodin/Getty

Brenda Strong (Mary Alice Young) tied the knot with her husband John Farmanesh-Bocca in 2015. The two had met while working together on a play.In December, Strong, now 64, celebrated her husband’s birthday with a post onInstagram.“Your huge and generous heart brings joy to all who are lucky enough to know you,” she wrote in the caption. “Being your wife is the privilege of my life. I get to laugh every day, have thought provoking conversations, be creative and have the most amazing adventures in the most amazing places with you.”

Strong has one son, Zak Henri, 29, with ex-husband Tom Henri. Zak became an actor, with his most notable roles in theAdam SandlerandDrew BarrymoreromcomBlendedand the showsAwkwardandBudheads.

06of 10Ricardo Chavira’s Wife, Marcea Dietzel, and Their Children Tomás and BelénLeft: Ricardo Chavira with wife Marcea Dietzel; Right: Ricardo Chavira’s kids Tomás and Belén.Gregg DeGuire/WireImage; Ricardo Chavira/InstagramRicardo Chavira (Carlos Solis) married longtime girlfriend Marcea Dietzel in 2007, whileDesperate Housewiveswas on air. Together, the actor, now 53, and his wife have two children, Tomás Antonio, 21, and Belén Elysabeth, 16.

06of 10

Ricardo Chavira’s Wife, Marcea Dietzel, and Their Children Tomás and Belén

Left: Ricardo Chavira with wife Marcea Dietzel; Right: Ricardo Chavira’s kids Tomás and Belén.Gregg DeGuire/WireImage; Ricardo Chavira/Instagram

Gregg DeGuire/WireImage; Ricardo Chavira/Instagram

Ricardo Chavira (Carlos Solis) married longtime girlfriend Marcea Dietzel in 2007, whileDesperate Housewiveswas on air. Together, the actor, now 53, and his wife have two children, Tomás Antonio, 21, and Belén Elysabeth, 16.

07of 10

James Denton’s Wife, Erin O’Brien, and Their Children Sheppard and Malin

James Denton with wife Erin O’Brien and kids Sheppard and Malin in 2006.Sipa/Shutterstock

Sipa/Shutterstock

08of 10Doug Savant’s Wife, Laura Leighton, and Their Children Jack and LucyDoug Savant with wife Laura Leighton and kids Jack and Lucy.Laura Leighton/InstagramAfter starring alongside each other for five seasons onMelrose Place, costars Doug Savant (Tom Scavo) andLaura Leightongot married in 1998.“We were friends on the set, but then it became, ‘Oh my God, this person I think is so perfect is right here,' " Savant, now 60,told PEOPLE in 2007. “The best thing that happened to me as a result ofMelrosewas meeting my wife.”Together, the couple has two children, Jack, 23, and Lucy, 19. Savant also has two daughters from his previous marriage: Arianna, 32, and Madeline, 31.

08of 10

Doug Savant’s Wife, Laura Leighton, and Their Children Jack and Lucy

Doug Savant with wife Laura Leighton and kids Jack and Lucy.Laura Leighton/Instagram

Laura Leighton/Instagram

After starring alongside each other for five seasons onMelrose Place, costars Doug Savant (Tom Scavo) andLaura Leightongot married in 1998.

“We were friends on the set, but then it became, ‘Oh my God, this person I think is so perfect is right here,' " Savant, now 60,told PEOPLE in 2007. “The best thing that happened to me as a result ofMelrosewas meeting my wife.”

Together, the couple has two children, Jack, 23, and Lucy, 19. Savant also has two daughters from his previous marriage: Arianna, 32, and Madeline, 31.

09of 10

Jesse Metcalfe’s Girlfriend, Helene Immel

Jesse Metcalfe and girlfriend Helene Immel.Amy Sussman/Getty

Amy Sussman/Getty

10of 10Nicollette SheridanNicollette Sheridan.Frazer Harrison/GettyNicollette SheridanmarriedDeceptionsco-starHarry Hamilinin 1991. Hamlin filed for divorce a year later. In December 2015, she married businessman Aaron Phypers but ended upfiling for divorce six months later. She alsodated singer Michael Boltonon and off in the early ’90s and again in the mid-2000s.But more recently, Sheridan has been spending time with her nephew, Devo.“Our favorite things … laughing, talking, playing, horses and loving each other up!” she wrote onInstagramalongside a Reel of the two.

10of 10

Nicollette Sheridan

Nicollette Sheridan.Frazer Harrison/Getty

Frazer Harrison/Getty

Nicollette SheridanmarriedDeceptionsco-starHarry Hamilinin 1991. Hamlin filed for divorce a year later. In December 2015, she married businessman Aaron Phypers but ended upfiling for divorce six months later. She alsodated singer Michael Boltonon and off in the early ’90s and again in the mid-2000s.But more recently, Sheridan has been spending time with her nephew, Devo.“Our favorite things … laughing, talking, playing, horses and loving each other up!” she wrote onInstagramalongside a Reel of the two.

source: people.com