Emma Stone and Dave McCary: A Timeline of Hollywood's Most Private Romance

In an era when celebrity relationships often unfold across social media platforms, Academy Award-winning actress Emma Stone and former Saturday Night Live director Dave McCary have charted a notably different course. The couple has maintained remarkable discretion regarding their personal life, offering only occasional glimpses into their relationship since their initial meeting nearly a decade ago.

The Beginning: A Creative Collaboration

Stone and McCary's relationship originated in December 2016 during the actress's third appearance as host on Saturday Night Live. McCary, who had joined the NBC sketch comedy series in 2013 as a segment producer alongside colleagues Kyle Mooney and Beck Bennett, directed Stone in a digital short titled "Wells for Boys." The professional collaboration apparently sparked personal chemistry, though the pair maintained complete privacy about any developing relationship.

The relationship was not publicly confirmed until October 2017, four months after the couple was photographed departing the Hollywood premiere of "Brigsby Bear," a comedy-drama directed by McCary and produced by Andy Samberg's production company, The Lonely Island. This pattern of discretion would become characteristic of their relationship throughout subsequent years.

From Private Courtship to Marriage

Following their initial public appearance together, Stone and McCary continued to keep their relationship largely out of the spotlight. Their first official red carpet appearance as a couple occurred in January 2019 at the 25th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards, more than two years after their relationship began.

In December 2019, McCary announced their engagement through a simple Instagram post featuring a photograph of the couple. The announcement marked one of the few times either party publicly acknowledged their relationship on social media. The couple subsequently married in a private ceremony, with reports of their nuptials emerging only in September 2020 after observers noticed matching wedding bands on their left hands.

Expanding Their Family

The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter, in March 2021. Sources close to the couple indicated that McCary was exceptionally attentive throughout Stone's pregnancy, with one source noting that he "caters to her left and right and treats her like a true queen." The couple later revealed their daughter's name as Jean during a 2022 virtual panel discussion.

Professional Partnership Through Fruit Tree Productions

Beyond their personal relationship, Stone and McCary have established a professional partnership through their production company, Fruit Tree. The company's inaugural film, "When You Finish Saving the World," premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2022. Written and directed by Jesse Eisenberg, Stone's former "Zombieland" co-star, the project exemplified the couple's stated intention to collaborate with trusted creative partners.

During a virtual panel following the film's premiere, Stone articulated their production philosophy, stating, "As an actor, you usually just go with what comes to you and you're at the mercy of the process. We don't want to say we just want to make things — that sounds trite. Because we have these longstanding relationships, we thought it would be amazing to support these people in a more meaningful way than just being a cog."

McCary elaborated on their collaborative approach, explaining, "We're very close with him and want to be working with people that we love and trust." This statement reflects the couple's broader approach to both their professional and personal lives, prioritizing meaningful relationships over public visibility.

Rare Public Appearances

While maintaining their preference for privacy, Stone and McCary have occasionally been spotted at public events. The couple has attended sporting events together, including San Diego Padres games and NBA contests, often displaying subtle affection while maintaining their characteristic low profile. In October 2022, the pair drew attention at Citi Field in New York City when they appeared on the Jumbotron wearing Padres jackets during a playoff game against the Mets, responding to crowd disapproval with good humor.

Most recently, the couple appeared at SNL 50: The Anniversary Special in February 2025, marking a return to the venue where their relationship began. The appearance represented one of their rare coordinated public outings, demonstrating their continued connection to the show that brought them together.

A Model of Privacy in the Public Eye

Stone and McCary's relationship stands as a notable example of how public figures can maintain boundaries between their professional and personal lives. Despite Stone's status as an Academy Award-winning actress and McCary's prominent role in television comedy, the couple has successfully shielded much of their family life from public scrutiny. Their approach reflects a deliberate choice to prioritize their relationship and family over public engagement, a decision that appears to have served them well as they navigate both parenthood and their creative partnership.