John Mulaney and Anna Marie Tendler were a comedy power couple who seemed to have it all. They met in the late 2000s and got married in 2014. They shared a passion for art, animals, and humor, and often appeared together on red carpets and social media.
Mulaney frequently mentioned his wife and their dog Petunia in his hilarious stand-up specials, such as The Comeback Kid and Kid Gorgeous. He also praised their marriage and how it made him feel better about himself.
However, in April 2020, the couple announced they were separating after seven years of marriage. The news came as a shock to many fans, who wondered what went wrong between them.
A few months later, Mulaney filed for divorce from Tendler, and soon after, he confirmed that he was dating actress Olivia Munn and that they were expecting a baby together. So what led to the end of Mulaney and Tendler’s marriage? Here are some of the possible reasons behind their divorce.
How Did Mulaney’s Addiction and Rehab Affect Their Relationship?
One of the main factors that contributed to the breakdown of Mulaney and Tendler’s relationship was Mulaney’s struggle with addiction. The comedian has been open about his history of substance abuse, which started when he was a teenager. He said that he used alcohol and cocaine to cope with his anxiety and depression and quit both when he was 23.
However, during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, Mulaney relapsed into drug addiction, and his comedy friends staged an intervention in December 2020. In his comedy special Baby J, he recounted that comedians like Bill Hader, Nick Kroll, Seth Meyers, and Fred Armisen attended the intervention to advise him to go to rehab.
He then went to rehab soon, right after the intervention. “It was a relief to his wife and family that he checked in,” a source told Us Weekly. “It was John’s decision. Plain and simple, John had too much downtime. He had too much time in his own head.”
Tendler, an artist, and a makeup artist, supported her husband throughout his recovery. She even moved to Washington, DC, to work at the Smithsonian on a project while he was in rehab. However, according to another source, Mulaney had already decided to end their marriage before he went to rehab. “John mulled over this decision for a long time,” the insider said. “He ultimately decided to move on from Anna Marie.”
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When Did Mulaney Start Dating Olivia Munn?
Another reason why Mulaney and Tendler divorced was Mulaney’s new relationship with Olivia Munn. The comedian and the actress met at Meyers’ wedding to his wife, Alexi Ashe, in 2013. They reportedly stayed in touch over the years, and Munn even sent him a supportive message when he went to rehab.
“I met him for the first time in my life at Seth Meyers’ wedding, where I was so obsessed with him,” Munn said on HuffPost Live in 2015. “I thought he was so funny. And we became friends on social media.”
In May 2021, shortly after Mulaney and Tendler announced their separation, rumors started swirling that Mulaney and Munn were dating. They were spotted having lunch together in Los Angeles, and sources confirmed they were romantically involved.
“They met at church in Los Angeles,” one source told People. “They’ve been on a few dates. They have a lot in common.” In September 2021, Mulaney revealed on Late Night With Seth Meyers that he and Munn were expecting a baby together.
“I got into this relationship that’s been beautiful with someone incredible,” he said. “And we’re having a baby together.” Olivia Munn gave birth to their son Malcolm Hiệp Mulaney on November 24, 2021. She shared a photo of Mulaney holding and kissing their newborn on Instagram on January 11, 2022.
“The smooshiest smoosh (And yep, our Christmas tree is still up),” she captioned the photo:
How Did Tendler React to Their Divorce and Baby News?
While Mulaney seemed happy with his new life and family, Tendler was heartbroken by their divorce. She released a statement through her spokesperson when they announced their separation. “I am heartbroken that John has decided to end our marriage,” she said. “I wish him support and success as he continues his recovery.”
“I am heartbroken that John has decided to end our marriage,” a representative for Tendler said. “I wish him support and success as he continues his recovery.”
A rep for the comedian confirmed the news.
Mulaney also released a short statement: https://t.co/fJ2cDz81eB pic.twitter.com/bEMPwzrZTy
— LAT Entertainment (@latimesent) May 10, 2021
Tendler also expressed her sadness on her Instagram account, where she posted photos of her artwork and her dog Petunia. She also hinted at her feelings through captions, such as “I’m fine” or “Everything’s fine.” Some sources claimed that Mulaney had cheated on Tendler before he went to rehab and that he was messaging other women on Instagram for hookups.
However, these allegations have not been confirmed by either party. Tendler has not publicly commented on Mulaney and Munn’s baby news but posted a cryptic message on her Instagram story the day Mulaney announced it.
“Good morning to everyone except those who have contributed to the decline of Western civilization,” she wrote. She also shared a photo of herself wearing a T-shirt that read “Dump him” on January 12, 2022, which some fans interpreted as a subtle dig at Mulaney.
Conclusion
John Mulaney and Anna Marie Tendler divorced after seven years of marriage for various reasons, such as Mulaney’s struggle with addiction, his new relationship with Olivia Munn, and their different paths in life.
While Mulaney has moved on with Munn and their son, Tendler has been coping with her heartbreak and focusing on her art. The former couple has not spoken publicly about their divorce, but they have both wished each other well in their statements.