Actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson, known for his roles in Marvel, and director Sam Taylor-Johnson, shared a passionate kiss in public on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, during the Wimbledon Tennis Championships. The gesture, captured by photographers, is seen as a reaffirmation of the couple’s union, which often faces criticism due to the 23-year age difference between them.
Public affection at the tennis tournament
The couple attended the ninth day of Wimbledon alongside their two teenage daughters, Wylda, 16, and Romy, 14. In a rare family outing, the four were spotted in the stands, and the moment of affection between Aaron and Sam generated smiles and enthusiastic reactions from their daughters. The scene quickly became highlighted on social media and in the press.
Aaron and Sam’s union amid criticism
Married since 2012, Aaron, aged 36, and Sam, aged 59, are often the target of comments about their age disparity. Showing affection at public events is a subtle way of responding to these provocations, showing the strength of your relationship over the years. As well as Wylda and Romy, Sam is mother to Angelica, 29, and Jessie, 19, from a previous relationship.
How the relationship began: a meeting on the set
The romance between Aaron and Sam began when they worked together on the film “The Boy from Liverpool” (2009). At the time, he, playing John Lennon, was just 18 years old, while she, as the director, was 42. Despite the intensity, both maintained professionalism during the recordings. “We were very professional throughout the movie… But everyone on set knew,” Sam revealed to Harper’s Bazaar in 2019. Aaron added to the story: “And a year later, exactly a year after we met, I got down on one knee and asked her to marry me.”
Public reactions and the search for privacy
Criticisms and provocations about the age difference persist, causing discomfort for the director. In 2024, Sam commented that she and Aaron prefer to “step back and stay pretty private”, focusing on their family life and routine with their children to deal with the exposure. Discretion is a strategy to protect the family’s well-being.
Successful career: from John Lennon to superhero
- Aaron Taylor-Johnson:Known for outstanding performances as John Lennon in “The Boy from Liverpool”, the hero in “Kick-Ass: Breaking Everything” (2010), “Nocturnal Animals” (2016) and, more recently, “Golpe Explosivo” (2025), in addition to his roles in the Marvel universe.
- Sam Taylor-Johnson:A successful director, she directed films such as “The Boy from Liverpool”, “50 Shades of Grey” (2015), “Alone” (2021) and “Back to Black” (2024). His artistic vision is widely recognized in the film industry.
