Lisa Linde Remains Friends with Ex James Marsden & Keeps a Low Profile

After the perfect romance saw her through the 2000s, Lisa Linde had to end things with her prince charming. Their relationship was a 16-year affair that came to a reasonably happy ending.

The Nashville, Tennessee-born actress, Lisa Linde, fell in love with her boyfriend's buddy and, after five years, exchanged vows with him. During their time together, they welcomed their son, Jack Holden Marsden, and daughter Mary James Marsden.

Lisa is best known for her roles in "Days of Our Lives," "The Darkling," and "Pacific Blue." Her ex-husband is a famous actor best known for playing Richard White in "Superman Returns" and Cyclops in the action-adventure film "X-Men." Lisa's father is also a composer who worked with Elvis Presley.

Lisa Linde Used to Be Her Ex-Husband's Close Confidant

Lisa and James Marsden were inseparable before their relationship went on the rocks. The movie star had a special relationship with his ex-wife because she stood by him, honored him, and loved him in many different situations. Their love story started more than a year after they met.

When James was about 20 years old, he met his future wife, who was strangely in a relationship with his friend. James recalled that his first words to Lisa were "Hi, I am Jimmy" - unconvincing but reasonable, considering that they met while Lisa was a forbidden fruit for the actor.

Their relationship began when Lisa was in her early 20s and James was precisely 22. They dated for five years before saying yes to each other. James is no stranger when it comes to long-term relationships. He revealed that he had a four-year relationship with a woman that spanned from high school to college before dating Lisa.

Lisa's ex-husband was someone who never lacked empathy and commitment to his family. He backed this up with an off-the-cuff explanation of what he assumed his ex-wife complained about when talking to her friends about him. He said:

"I'm going to see if I can guess this right. Not helping as much with the kids as I should? She says no. Wanting sex too much? Not that, either. Oh, that's it: When I'm getting ready to start work on a job, I turn into a vegetable, like I've gotten a lobotomy."

The actor adds that he's always a little nervous when taking up a new job because he thinks he might ruin it and end up unemployed. James would hibernate for a few weeks to keep that side of himself away from his confidante, which would drive her crazy.

Lisa Linde's Fairytale-like Marriage to James Marsden Dissolved as They Grew Apart

In 2011, Lisa could no longer stop the wedge that was driven between her and the "X-Men" star and decided to divorce after 11 years of fairytale romance. The separation was difficult because they had already become parents of two children: Son Jack and daughter Mary. James revealed that this was "by far the hardest decision."

Lisa's husband felt guilty and disappointed in himself for imitating what he did not like about his parents, namely a divorce. However, he later adds that divorce was essential to his growth and that he chose to go through with things rather than avoid them as his parents did.

The divorce was amicable, with Lisa pushing for spousal support and joint custody of the children. They remained friends after the separation, terrific friends.

Lisa Linde Stays Private but Would Go on Vacations with His Ex

Their love was pure and connected beyond the pleasures of romance and perhaps on an interpersonal level. Even after their heartfelt breakup, they stayed in each other's lives, taking the kids on family vacations, and even James' new girlfriend tagged along, commenting:

"When you have people who care about each other and care about these kids and just want to give love, how can you not welcome that?"

The actor also spoke about how much the end of his marriage to Lisa taught him. He revealed that as a white man, he had "unearned privileges" and a flawless journey through life until the divorce unsettled him and shifted his focus to important things like family.

Their once fairytale love story has morphed into a strangely understanding co-parenthood but is still that of a king. It was not perfect, but the happy ending exists somewhere beneath the layers of heartbreak. James went on to welcome his third child William Luca Costa-Marsden with now ex-girlfriend Rose Costa.

Co-parenting can be challenging, but there is no better option when it comes to family. Like James, superhero actress Scarlett Johansson is co-parenting with her ex-husband Romain Dauric. And Chris Pratt, the Star-Lord, if you will, has a child together with his ex Anna Faris.