Stockard Channing Isn't Looking for a Partner at 80 After Four Divorces: 'That Would Be Such a Pain in the Ass'

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo:Walter McBride/Getty

Walter McBride/Getty

Stockard Channinghas zero interest in finding a romantic relationship.TheGreaseactress is starring in a new West End production ofElektrawithBrie Larson in London, Channing’s home since 2019.In an interview with U.K. outletThe Times, Channing, who turns 81 in February, gave a rare update about her life now and why she isn’t seeking a partner.“No, I think that would be such a pain in the ass. I’m consolidating, thank you very much,” she said. “I’m very happy with the friends I have. No. Life is good. Life is very good.“About her new theater gig, Channing said it is “sort of great for me to be working with people so much younger than myself right now” and that she makes an effort to “consciously try to be in the moment.“Stockard Channing in 1980.CBS/Getty"We’re a very happy company, we all get along,” she said. “It’s not that it’s gonna be new best friends, I don’t mean that. I think it’s just incredibly important to update the file — fluff the pillows, change the sheets, you know. It’s a balancing act.“Channing has been married four times, to Walter Channing Jr., Paul Schmidt, David Debin and David Rawle. She toldThe Guardianin 2006, “What have I learned from my divorces? I know that nobody gets married to get divorced. I don’t think I’ll get married another time.“The star had a longtime relationship with partner Daniel Gillham, a cinematographer who died in 2014.Stockard Channing on Oct. 24, 2016.Mark Sagliocco/GettyNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Channing toldThe Timesthat she decided to move full-time to London after years spent living in Maine up until Gillham’s death.“I enjoyed living here [in London], the friendships I had, I kept. I was spending months at a time here. And then I was here during COVID, and that sort of cemented everything,” she said. “I realized that I was happier here. Also at my age people get sick and people die and people move away. And that started to happen. Now I live here, and I’m really grateful that I was able to pull it off.”

Stockard Channinghas zero interest in finding a romantic relationship.

TheGreaseactress is starring in a new West End production ofElektrawithBrie Larson in London, Channing’s home since 2019.

In an interview with U.K. outletThe Times, Channing, who turns 81 in February, gave a rare update about her life now and why she isn’t seeking a partner.

“No, I think that would be such a pain in the ass. I’m consolidating, thank you very much,” she said. “I’m very happy with the friends I have. No. Life is good. Life is very good.”

About her new theater gig, Channing said it is “sort of great for me to be working with people so much younger than myself right now” and that she makes an effort to “consciously try to be in the moment.”

Stockard Channing in 1980.CBS/Getty

“We’re a very happy company, we all get along,” she said. “It’s not that it’s gonna be new best friends, I don’t mean that. I think it’s just incredibly important to update the file — fluff the pillows, change the sheets, you know. It’s a balancing act.”

Channing has been married four times, to Walter Channing Jr., Paul Schmidt, David Debin and David Rawle. She toldThe Guardianin 2006, “What have I learned from my divorces? I know that nobody gets married to get divorced. I don’t think I’ll get married another time.”

The star had a longtime relationship with partner Daniel Gillham, a cinematographer who died in 2014.

Stockard Channing on Oct. 24, 2016.Mark Sagliocco/Getty

Mark Sagliocco/Getty

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Channing toldThe Timesthat she decided to move full-time to London after years spent living in Maine up until Gillham’s death.

“I enjoyed living here [in London], the friendships I had, I kept. I was spending months at a time here. And then I was here during COVID, and that sort of cemented everything,” she said. “I realized that I was happier here. Also at my age people get sick and people die and people move away. And that started to happen. Now I live here, and I’m really grateful that I was able to pull it off.”

source: people.com