Jean Smart has entered a new chapter in her personal life. The award-winning Hacks actress is in a relationship with fellow actor Joe Pacheco, marking her first publicly known romance since the death of her husband, Richard Gilliland, in 2021.
The couple have increasingly appeared together at major Hollywood events, giving fans glimpses of a relationship that has developed quietly but has become more visible in recent years.
For Smart, the romance comes after an intensely difficult period following Gilliland’s death and represents a return to happiness later in life.
Who Is Joe Pacheco?
Joe Pacheco is an American television actor whose career stretches across a range of popular scripted series.
He began his screen career with an appearance on The Sopranos and subsequently built a résumé through guest roles and recurring television work.
Among his credits are appearances on Grey’s Anatomy and Law & Order. He has also played Bart Daley on Apple’s The Morning Show.
Pacheco has accumulated more than 20 screen credits, although he has generally remained less recognizable to the public than Smart.
How They Met
Details about exactly when Smart and Pacheco began dating have remained relatively private.
Their relationship became more visible through public appearances rather than a formal announcement outlining when they first met or started seeing one another.
That gradual approach is consistent with Smart’s handling of her personal life following Gilliland’s death. She has spoken openly about grief, but she has not made her romantic life a constant subject of public discussion.
After Richard Gilliland
Smart’s relationship with Pacheco comes several years after the death of Richard Gilliland.
Smart and Gilliland were married for 33 years after meeting while working in television. Their marriage continued through decades of Smart’s successful acting career, including her Emmy-winning work and numerous major television roles.
Gilliland died in March 2021 from a heart condition.
His death was a profound loss for Smart and their family. She later spoke about the emotional difficulty of adjusting to life without the person who had been her husband for more than three decades.
A Difficult First Date
Smart has candidly discussed how complicated dating again could feel after Gilliland’s death.
She described an early first date as “depressing,” reflecting how difficult it was to step back into the dating world after such a long marriage and such a significant loss.
The experience did not define what came next.
Eventually, Smart found herself in a relationship with Pacheco, beginning a new personal chapter while carrying the memories of her previous marriage with her.
Their Red Carpet Debut
Smart and Pacheco have gradually become a familiar pair at entertainment events.
They appeared together at the 2024 Emmy Awards, one of the first major occasions when audiences could see them publicly as a couple.
Their appearances have continued since then, suggesting that the relationship has become an established part of Smart’s life rather than a fleeting romance.
The couple’s public outings have generally been affectionate without becoming overly performative.
The Golden Globes
Their relationship received another major spotlight at the 2026 Golden Globes.
Smart and Pacheco walked the red carpet together hand-in-hand, presenting a united appearance at one of Hollywood’s most prominent awards events.
The moment became even more meaningful later in the evening when Smart acknowledged Pacheco during her acceptance speech after winning Best Actress.
Her decision to thank him publicly offered viewers a rare glimpse into the importance of their relationship.
Supporting Hacks
Pacheco has also been alongside Smart during major moments connected with Hacks.
The pair attended the premiere celebration for the show’s final season in April 2026.
Smart’s work as Deborah Vance has become one of the defining performances of her later career, earning her major awards and widespread critical acclaim.
Having Pacheco beside her at an important milestone for the series further demonstrated how comfortably he has become part of her public life.
His Acting Career
While Smart is a household name among television audiences, Pacheco has built his career through numerous supporting and guest roles.
His credits include appearances in established television franchises, giving him experience across drama and comedy.
His role as Bart Daley on The Morning Show is among his more recognizable recent credits.
That shared understanding of the acting profession may also give the couple a natural connection. Both know the demands of filming, press events, awards seasons and the unpredictable schedules that come with television work.
A New Chapter
Smart’s relationship with Pacheco has particular significance because of what preceded it.
She spent more than three decades married to Gilliland, and his death changed her personal life dramatically. Entering another relationship was therefore not simply a matter of moving on; it came after a lengthy period of grief and adjustment.
Smart has been honest about that process without suggesting that a new relationship erases the importance of her marriage to Gilliland.
Instead, Pacheco appears to represent a different chapter in her life.
Keeping Some Privacy
Despite their increasing number of public appearances, Smart and Pacheco have not turned their relationship into a heavily documented celebrity romance.
They attend major events together and occasionally show affection in public, but much of their relationship remains outside the spotlight.
That balance allows Smart to continue discussing her professional achievements while keeping personal matters relatively contained.
Jean Smart’s Life Today
Jean Smart is now enjoying success on both professional and personal fronts.
Her acclaimed performance in Hacks has reinforced her status as one of television’s most respected performers, while her relationship with Joe Pacheco has introduced a new source of happiness following a painful loss.
Pacheco is not simply a red-carpet companion. He is a fellow actor who has become Smart’s first publicly known partner since Gilliland’s death.
Their appearances at the Emmys, Golden Globes and Hacks events show a relationship that has gradually moved into the public eye.
