Guest Author - Amy Ralston Young

Brad and Angelina, Ben and Jennifer, Meg and Russell – we’ve all heard the stories of actors who take their on-screen affair home with them at night. It’s no surprise when they’re isolated, spending an enormous amount of time with one another, and separated from their own home life.

But movie stars aren’t the only ones who fall into this trap; plenty of television shows have had a little hanky panky on their sets too. Here are a few romances that took character acting one step farther.

“The Brady Bunch”
We all know that dating a brother or sister is a big no-no, but even worse is dating your mother. Squeaky-clean teen star Barry Williams crossed both of those lines during his stint as Greg Brady.

In Williams tell-all style memoir “Growing Up Brady,” he details his touchy-feely relationship with Maureen McCormick, who played sister Marcia. More shocking was his confessions about Florence Henderson, who played his character’s mom, Carol. Williams pursued the much older Henderson, and eventually landed a date with the matriarch.

“Happy Days”
When Arthur Fonzarelli’s cousin Chachi (Scott Baio) came to town, Joanie Cunnigham got a new love interest – her portrayer Erin Moran did too. Their on-screen chemistry caught the eyes of the writers, who offered the duo a spin-off aptly named, “Joanie Loves Chachi.” Unfortunately their off-screen romance turned sour, and the new show failed.

Scott Baio went on to star in “Charles in Charge,” but Moran just fizzled out.

“Family Ties”
When writers decided to show smart-aleck Alex P. Keaton’s sensitive side they wrote in a girlfriend. They narrowed it down to five finalists, and eventually chose Tracy Pollan for the part of Ellen Reed. Pollan, who at the time was dating Kevin Bacon, was originally signed up for only 2 episodes. Producer Gary David Goldberg liked what he saw and convinced her to come back for 11 more episodes.

Playing opposite Michael J. Fox changed Pollan’s life. Ellen and Alex broke up, but Fox and Pollan began dating and eventually married. They are now the proud parents of four children.

“Full House”
Sometimes the couples break up off-screen, but their characters are still hot and heavy. This was the case for Uncle Jesse and Aunt Becky – otherwise known as John Stamos and Lori Laughlin.

Laughlin was originally hired to appear in a few episodes, try to date Danny (Bob Saget), and then move on. The producers liked her, and her connection with Stamos, and the storyline soon changed. By the time Becky and Jesse hooked up, their real-life counterparts had already parted ways, but the characters married and raised a family together.

Growing Pains
Another happy ending came when teen heart-throb Kirk Cameron met Chelsea Noble. Noble was cast as Kate, Mike Seaver’s love interest. As viewers watched Mike and Kate grow closer, the actors were heating up too.

After “Growing Pains” ended, Cameron and Noble tied the knot. They have six children, four of whom are adopted, and devote their time to wholesome, Christian themed entertainment and camps for children.

The list continues…

When Brad Pitt hooked up with co-star Angelina Jolie on and off the set of “Mr.& Mrs. Smith,” it wasn’t a new trick. In 1986, Pitt started dating his co-star from the sitcom “Head of the Class,” Robin Givens. The former Mrs. Pitt, Jennifer Anniston, was no stranger to the game herself. While starring in the sitcom based on the popular movie “Ferris Bueller,” Anniston dated Charlie Schlatter.

When actors spend hour after hour each day hot and heavy with their co-stars, it is hard not to get caught up in the passion. Then of course, there are the many times when all that love on camera IS just acting.