55-year partnership with writer Jane Wagner.

Lily Tomlin in costume as a switchboard operator from the television series, ‘Laugh-In’ in 1971. Credit / Jack Robinson / Hulton Archive / Getty.

Tomlin has known Wagner for a long time, starting from when she was acting on the comedy-sketch show ‘Laugh-In’ in 1969. In this gig, Tomlin became well-known for creating some pretty hilarious personalities – though, she expressed an interest in hiring a writer to help her perfect one of them; a precocious five-year-old named Edith Ann.

Wagner was hired to work on the characters in 1971, and she instantly bonded with Tomlin. Before long, the pair became and official item.

Reminiscing on their romance in a 2020 interview with Variety, Tomlin said that, for her, it was love at first sight “in two minutes”.

As the pair’s romance progressed over the years, their personal and professional lives blossomed, with Wagner telling the outlet: “When I got confidence, it was because of Lily, who believed in my work. We loved similar things, and it was just kind of remarkable that we were on the same page, aesthetically.”

She continued: “Her appreciation of my work meant all the difference to me. I saw her motivation. I saw her drive, and her strength taught me something.”

Clearly, Wagner has enjoyed watching Tomlin appreciate her work, and vice versa. During the interview, she also added that it was Tomlin’s admiration for Wagner that gave her the drive she needed.

When did Tomlin and Wagner marry?
Interestingly enough, marriage wasn’t always on the cards for this dynamic duo. In fact, Tomlin appeared on ‘The Late Late Show with James Corden’ where she discussed her marriage with Wagner and why they eventually decided to take their relationship to the next stop.

Corden then asked why the pair waited 45 years before tying the knot with Wagner, with Tomlin responding: “Truthfully, there was a guy on the red carpet that constantly asked me when we were going to get married. And after it was possible to get married, I had no recourse but to get married.”

The couple wed 10 years ago in December 2013, but received their marriage certificate a few days beforehand – collecting it incognito.

Tomlin since revealed that she did not wish publications to write about them, with the newlyweds saying “I do” in a private ceremony at a friend’s house.

I don’t know about you, but Lily Tomlin and Jane Wagner’s love story is one of the sweetest in Hollywood!