Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn Reveal How Their Viral 1983 Oscars Moment Came to Be

Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn are the epitome of ‘relationship goals’ and have been that way for nearly 40 years. The famous couple originally met in 1968 on the set of The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band, a live-action movie musical by Disney – Goldie was 22 at the time, while Kurt was just 17.

It wasn’t until 1983, a mere 15 years after they first met, that Russell and Hawn started dating. Three years later, they welcomed their first and only son, Wyatt Russell – who was born in July 1986. Things were going great between the two, which led everyone to wonder: “Are they ever going to get married?”

In 1989, the couple were asked to present the award for best directing at the Oscars, also known as the Academy Awards. Before presenting the award, the couple went off-script and joked about getting married – an interaction that went viral at the time because no one could tell if they were joking or not. 

RELATED: Goldie Hawn Recalls Being ‘Very Depressed’ When She First Became Famous

During a recent interview with Variety, Russell and Hawn were asked about that viral Oscars’ moment in 1986 and they confirmed what many of us believed – they were just joking. In fact, it was an idea they came up with last-minute while showering together – as they were getting ready to attend the red carpet.

“We’re taking a shower together, getting ready to go and we looked at each other and said, ‘There’s gonna be a lot of people watching, so let’s get this right.’ And we started punching it back and forth for about 20 minutes. We didn’t tell anybody anything about going off-script,” Russell said in the interview. 

Kurt Russell expressed his confusion over everyone’s obsession with them getting married – adding it’s not something him, Goldie, or their children really think about. “We’d asked our kids if they cared about it. They didn’t. We didn’t,” he said. And while talking with USA Today, Hawn admitted being married is just not necessary.

“Because we have been married and because when it doesn’t work out it ends up to be a big business. Somebody has to own something. It’s always ugly,” Hawn explained.

In addition to their shared son, Wyatt, the couple have three other children from previous relationships. Hawn has two children – son Oliver Hudson, 46, and daughter Kate Hudson, 44 – with her ex-husband, Bill Hudson. Russell has one child – son Boston Russell, 43 – with ex-wife, Season Hubley

Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn Bring Out the Puppets

On April 26, Goldie Hawn took to Instagram to share a video of her and her husband, Kurt Russell, waiting for their food at a restaurant. Bringing out their goofy side, the couple each had a sock puppet in their hand – Kurt had Goofy, while Goldie had Daffy Duck – and were voicing their respective characters. 

“Working on our communication skills,” Hawn wrote in the caption. According to a comment by Goldie’s daughter, Kate Hudson, the puppets are nothing new in the family. “Yep… They taught us everything we know,” she wrote in the comments. After 40 years together, it’s good they still have a sense of humor. 

Russell and Hawn have been open about the secret to their long relationship. “I think the secret is to know when to depend on somebody and when not to. It’s important that you are able to hold up your side of the house,” Hawn said in a 2007 interview – adding that ‘one person can’t bear the whole burden.’

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Kate Hudson And Goldie Hawn Talk Mother-Daughter Beauty Routines

Now that their children are older, the Russell-Hawn family is only growing larger. Not only does Kate Hudson have three children, but Oliver Hudson has three children and Wyatt Russell has one child – meaning the couple have eight grandchildren in total between the ages 2 and 19 years old.

About Mamas Uncut

Mamas Uncut is THE online place for moms. We cover the latest about motherhood, parenting, and entertainment as well – all with a mom-focused twist. So if you're looking for parenting advice from real parents, we have plenty of it, all for moms from moms, and also experts. Because, at the end of the day, our mission is focused solely on empowering moms and moms-to-be with the knowledge and answers they’re looking for in one safe space.

-->