Is Busy Philipps Getting Divorced? Why did She Get Divorced?
by Aishwarya R
Updated Apr 29, 2023
Who is Busy Philipps?
Elizabeth Jean Busy Philipps is a true American gem, known for her remarkable talent as an actress and her unwavering advocacy for abortion access. Her career has been a testament to her incredible range, from her early days on the hit television series Freaks and Geeks to her unforgettable portrayal of Laurie Keller on Cougar Town, for which she received the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. She's also shone brightly in the film world, appearing in supporting roles in numerous popular films such as The Smokers, He's Just Not That Into You, and I Feel Pretty.
Beyond her remarkable talent, Philipps is known for her infectious personality and quirky sense of humor, which she brought to her own television talk show, Busy Tonight, on E!. Currently starring in the Peacock original series Girls5eva, she continues to captivate audiences with her incredible energy and passion.
Born in Oak Park, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, Philipps earned the nickname "Busy" as a child. Although the sources conflict on whether it came from her parents or her babysitter named Susie, she clarified on an episode of Comedy Bang! Bang! that it was, in fact, her babysitter who gave her the nickname, which she still goes by to this day.
During her time at Loyola Marymount University, Philipps crossed paths with fellow Freaks and Geeks costars Linda Cardellini and Colin Hanks. She then dated Hanks for several years after they left school, which only adds to her incredible charm and likability.
Overall, Elizabeth Jean "Busy" Philipps is a true force to be reckoned with in the entertainment industry and beyond. Her passion, talent, and unique personality have made her a beloved icon, and her advocacy for important causes only adds to her incredible legacy.
Is Busy Philipps Getting Divorced?
In May 2022, actress Busy Philipps announced on her podcast, Busy Philipps Is Doing Her Best, that she had split from her husband, Marc Silverstein, after 14 years of marriage. The couple had separated back in February 2021, but had kept the news private until that point. In her podcast, Busy revealed that their families, friends, and children were aware of the separation, but they had decided to keep it private in order to protect their children.
Busy and Marc share two children together: Birdie Leigh, 13, and Cricket Pearl, eight. Despite their separation, Busy emphasized that she and Marc still loved each other very much and that there were many things that worked about their relationship.
While Busy had been private about her marriage in the past, she had opened up about it in her 2018 memoir, This Will Only Hurt a Little, in which she revealed that she had sought support from another man during a difficult period in her marriage.
In the aftermath of the separation, Busy shared a video on her Instagram Stories of herself singing along to the song "Just Be Simple" by Songs: Ohia, which includes the lyrics, "How there's really no difference in who he was once and who he's become.."
Throughout her career, Busy has been known for her roles in popular TV shows such as Dawson's Creek and Cougar Town, as well as in films like White Chicks and I Feel Pretty. She has also been a vocal advocate for women's rights and has spoken out about issues like body positivity and mental health.
Why did Busy Philipps Get Divorced?
According to Busy Phillips, she and her now ex-husband Marc Silverstein decided to separate after a long period of time during which their relationship had been struggling. In a May 2022 episode of her podcast, Busy Philipps Is Doing Her Best, she revealed that she and Marc had been separated since February 2021.
During the podcast, Busy also shared that her therapist had advised her and Marc to focus on the aspects of their relationship that did work, and to remove the parts that did not, in order to maintain some stability for their children. Despite the separation, Busy emphasized that she and Marc still loved each other and that there were many things that worked about their relationship.
In her 2018 memoir, This Will Only Hurt a Little, Busy revealed that she had reached out to another man for support during a difficult time in her marriage. However, it is not clear whether this played a role in her separation from Marc.
The reasons behind Busy's divorce from Marc remain largely private, and the actress has emphasized the importance of keeping some aspects of her personal life out of the public eye in order to protect her family's privacy.
Busy Philipps and Marc Silverstein Split
In June 2007, Busy Philipps surprised her friends and family by marrying her partner Marc Silverstein. The couple had invited their loved ones to what they thought was Busy's surprise birthday party. However, upon her arrival, they revealed that the event was, in fact, their wedding ceremony.
Reflecting on the day in a post on Instagram in June 2014, Busy described it as the "most magical and fun day" of her life. She noted that when times got tough in their marriage, she often thought back to the feeling in the room that day and how fortunate she was to have Marc as her partner in life and in throwing fun parties.
In just over a year after Busy Philipps and Marc Silverstein's wedding, the couple welcomed their first child, Birdie. Fast forward to December 2020, and Busy publicly revealed on her podcast that their 13-year-old child, Birdie, identifies as gay and uses they/them pronouns. The actress and former host of Busy Tonight shared that she is proud of her child for being their true self and wants to use her platform to support the LGBTQ+ community.
In December 2016, Busy Philipps asked for a divorce from Marc Silverstein after realizing that their relationship had not been going well for some time. In a November 2018 interview with Parents, Philipps disclosed that Silverstein's lack of involvement in parenting their children was a significant factor in her decision to end their marriage. The couple eventually separated in February 2021, but Philipps chose to keep the news private for over a year to safeguard their family's privacy.
Busy Philipps Husband
Marc Silverstein is a highly respected figure in the entertainment industry, known for his exceptional skills as a screenwriter, producer, and film director. Born on July 1, 1971, Silverstein's career began to soar in 1997 when he earned his first writing credit for the short film Fairfax Fandango. In addition to writing, he also directed the film.
Silverstein's portfolio also includes writing the storyboard for the 2010 film Valentine’s Day and the 2003 television film, Splitsville. However, he is best known for his romantic comedy work, which he has done in collaboration with his partner Abby Kohn. Together, they have written several box office hits, including Never Been Kissed, He’s Not That Into You, and How to Be Single. They also co-wrote the romantic drama The Vow, which was released in 2012.
Silverstein made his feature film directing debut alongside Kohn in the comedy film, I Feel Pretty, which was released on April 20, 2018. The movie, which stars Amy Schumer, follows an insecure woman who gains extreme self-confidence in her appearance after suffering a head injury. Although it received mixed reviews from critics, the film grossed around $94 million at the box office, proving that Silverstein and Kohn's reputation for delivering box office hits was well deserved.
While Silverstein's professional life has been a great success, his personal life has been bittersweet. He was married to actress Busy Philipps for 15 years before they decided to separate. Together they have two children. Despite the end of their marriage, Silverstein remains a highly respected and sought-after professional in the entertainment industry.
Is Busy Philipps Getting Divorced - FAQs
Busy Philipps' real name is Elizabeth Jean Phillips.
Some of Busy Philipps' notable acting roles include Kim Kelly in Freaks and Geeks, Audrey Liddell in Dawson's Creek, and Laurie Keller in Cougar Town.
Yes, Busy Philipps is known for her advocacy work in support of abortion access and reproductive rights.
Yes, Busy Philipps hosted her own television talk show, Busy Tonight, on the E! network from 2018 to 2019.
Busy Philipps currently stars in the Peacock original series Girls5eva, in which she plays the character Summer.