Julia Stiles Husband: His Career, Wedding and Family Life With Three Children

Julia Stiles has been enjoying a return to the dance floor on Dancing With the Stars, with her husband, Preston J. Cook, supporting her throughout the competition. The actress, best known for 10 Things I Hate About You and Save the Last Dance, has spoken about practicing routines at home while balancing rehearsals with raising their three children.

The couple also celebrated their ninth wedding anniversary in September 2026. Stiles shared a heartfelt message thanking Cook for looking after their family while she pursued her dancing ambitions. The anniversary offered fans a rare glimpse into a marriage that the actress has largely kept away from public attention.

Stiles and Cook met while working on a film in 2014 and married three years later. Their relationship has remained relatively private despite both working in the entertainment industry.

Who Is Julia Stiles’ Husband Preston Cook?

Julia Stiles’ husband is Preston J. Cook, a camera assistant and film industry professional who has worked on several major Hollywood productions.

Unlike his wife, who became famous through acting, Cook has spent much of his career working behind the camera.

His professional credits include The Revenant, Deadpool, War for the Planet of the Apes and Jason Bourne. He has also worked on television productions and occasionally appeared in acting roles.

Cook’s work in filmmaking gave him a natural connection with Stiles, who has spent decades working in Hollywood. Their shared understanding of the entertainment industry has remained an important part of their relationship.

How Did Julia Stiles Meet Preston Cook?

Julia Stiles and Preston Cook first met in 2014 while working on the thriller Blackway.

Stiles appeared in the film alongside Anthony Hopkins and Ray Liotta, while Cook worked in the camera department as a second assistant.

Their professional introduction eventually developed into a romantic relationship.

The couple began dating and largely avoided public attention during the early stages of their romance.

In December 2015, Cook proposed to Stiles during a holiday trip to Colombia. The actress later explained that the proposal surprised her, even though she had hoped they would eventually become engaged.

Their engagement marked an important milestone after approximately a year together.

When Did Julia Stiles and Preston Cook Get Married?

Julia Stiles and Preston Cook married in September 2017 during a small beach ceremony in Seattle, Washington.

Rather than organizing a large Hollywood wedding, the couple chose an intimate celebration attended by only two witnesses and an officiant.

Stiles was pregnant with their first child at the time.

Following the ceremony, she shared a photograph showing their wedding rings and her growing baby bump.

The wedding reflected the couple’s preference for keeping important personal moments simple and private.

In September 2026, Stiles celebrated their ninth wedding anniversary with an affectionate Instagram tribute.

She thanked Cook for supporting her participation in Dancing With the Stars and managing family responsibilities while she attended rehearsals.

How Many Children Do Julia Stiles and Preston Cook Have?

Julia Stiles and Preston Cook have three children together.

Their eldest son, Strummer Newcomb Cook, was born on October 20, 2017, approximately one month after their wedding.

The couple welcomed their second son, Arlo, in January 2022.

Their third child was born in 2023, although Stiles did not publicly reveal the birth until April 2024.

The actress has chosen not to disclose the youngest child’s name or sex, maintaining a degree of privacy for her family.

Stiles has spoken about the challenges of balancing motherhood with her acting and directing career. She has explained that raising children has strengthened her ability to manage several responsibilities simultaneously.

The family lives in New York City, where Stiles continues balancing professional projects with family life.

How Does Preston Cook Support Julia Stiles’ Career?

Preston Cook has remained a supportive presence throughout Julia Stiles’ professional journey.

When she joined Season 35 of Dancing With the Stars in 2026, Cook helped manage responsibilities at home while she spent long hours rehearsing with professional partner Ezra Sosa.

Stiles revealed that her children sometimes watch her practice dance routines around their home.

She also described using Cook as a stationary partner while practicing movements.

His encouragement has been particularly meaningful because Stiles had not regularly attended dance classes for many years.

Although she famously played a talented dancer in Save the Last Dance, the actress explained that ballroom dancing presented a completely different challenge.

Cook has also supported her transition into directing, including her feature directorial debut with the romantic drama Wish You Were Here.

Did Julia Stiles Date Anyone Before Preston Cook?

Before marrying Preston Cook, Julia Stiles was romantically linked to several entertainment industry personalities.

She previously dated actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt, her co-star from 10 Things I Hate About You.

The film’s director, Gil Junger, later discussed their relationship, explaining that the two had developed a romantic connection during that period.

Stiles was also in a relationship with actor David Harbour from approximately 2011 to 2015.

However, neither relationship resulted in marriage.

There have also been longstanding rumors about Stiles and Heath Ledger because of their convincing romantic performances in 10 Things I Hate About You.

Despite their on-screen chemistry, the two actors were not romantically involved in real life.

Are Julia Stiles and Preston Cook Still Married?

Yes, Julia Stiles and Preston Cook remain married as of November 2026.

Their ninth wedding anniversary celebration confirmed that the couple continue sharing a close relationship.

While Stiles occasionally discusses her husband during interviews, Cook generally avoids public attention and does not maintain a prominent social media presence.

The couple have focused on raising their three children while continuing their respective careers in entertainment.

For fans searching for Julia Stiles’ husband, Preston J. Cook is her longtime partner, a film industry professional and the father of her three children. Their marriage has lasted more than nine years, with the couple continuing to prioritize family life alongside their Hollywood careers.