Inside The Private Life Of Janet Leigh Holden: 5 Shocking Facts About Eric McCormack's Ex-Wife
Janet Leigh Holden has recently come back into the public spotlight following the finalization of her high-profile divorce from long-time husband, Will & Grace star Eric McCormack. As of late 2024 and early 2025, the primary focus of media attention surrounding Holden is the dissolution of her 26-year marriage, a union that began far away from the public eye in the world of Hollywood production.
The split, which was initiated by Holden with a divorce filing in late 2023, ended one of Hollywood’s most enduring, yet private, relationships. While Eric McCormack is a household name, Janet Leigh Holden has maintained a remarkably low profile, preferring a life out of the celebrity spotlight. This article delves into her background, career, and the details surrounding her recent separation, providing the most current information available.
Janet Leigh Holden: Complete Biography and Profile
Janet Leigh Holden is a former Hollywood assistant director and producer who gained significant public recognition through her marriage to Canadian-American actor Eric McCormack. Her career in the entertainment industry predates her marriage, but she largely stepped away from the high-profile aspects of the business to focus on her family.
- Full Name: Janet Leigh Holden McCormack (Maiden Name: Holden)
- Known For: Estranged Wife of Eric McCormack; Former Hollywood Assistant Director
- Spouse: Eric McCormack (Married: August 1997; Divorced: Finalized in 2024/2025)
- Child: Finnigan Holden McCormack (Son, born 2002)
- Career: Assistant Director, Filmmaker, Production Staff
- Notable Projects (Pre-Marriage): Worked on several films and TV shows in the early 1990s, including the set of Lonesome Dove, where she met Eric McCormack.
- Divorce Filing Date: Late 2023
- Estimated Net Worth: Reportedly over $500,000 (separate from divorce settlement, which remains private).
The Shocking End to a 26-Year Hollywood Marriage
The news of Janet Leigh Holden's divorce filing from Eric McCormack in 2023 sent a ripple of surprise through Hollywood, as the couple had been married for over 26 years. Their relationship was a testament to longevity in an industry known for fleeting romances, making the split a significant and unexpected event.
How Janet and Eric McCormack First Met
The couple's love story began in a distinctly Hollywood fashion: on a television set. Janet Leigh Holden, who was working as an assistant director, met Eric McCormack in 1994 while he was filming the CBS series Lonesome Dove. McCormack, who was relatively unknown at the time, was immediately smitten with Holden, who was a key figure behind the scenes.
They dated for three years before tying the knot in a private ceremony in August 1997. Their marriage pre-dated McCormack's massive breakthrough role as Will Truman on the hit sitcom Will & Grace, which premiered in 1998. This meant Janet was with Eric before he achieved global stardom, cementing their relationship's foundation away from the intense glare of A-list fame.
The Finalization and Private Settlement
The divorce proceedings, which were initiated by Janet, were finalized in 2024/2025. While the specifics of the divorce settlement remain confidential, it is common for long-term celebrity marriages to involve complex financial arrangements, including spousal support and division of communal assets acquired over two decades. McCormack has an estimated net worth of around $20 million, which would have been a factor in the division of assets.
Interestingly, despite the divorce filing, the couple made a joint public appearance at the Elton John AIDS Foundation Oscars Viewing Party in March 2024. This suggests that, regardless of the legal separation, the two may maintain an amicable co-parenting relationship for their son, Finnigan Holden McCormack.
Janet Leigh Holden's Career and Life Outside the Spotlight
Before becoming known as 'Eric McCormack's wife,' Janet Leigh Holden had a tangible and active career in the film and television industry. Her professional background is a key element of her identity, one that she has quietly returned to in recent years.
A Filmmaker and Assistant Director in the 1990s
Janet Leigh Holden was an active professional in Hollywood during the early 1990s. She worked on the production side of the industry, specifically as an assistant director and filmmaker. This role is a demanding one, requiring strong organizational skills, leadership, and an in-depth understanding of the filmmaking process. Her work as an assistant director placed her right in the middle of major productions, which is precisely how she encountered her future husband on the set of Lonesome Dove.
Many sources indicate that Holden chose to put her career on hold after her marriage and the birth of their son, Finnigan, in 2002, dedicating her time to raising their family. This decision is a common one for spouses of major celebrities, allowing one parent to provide stability away from the constant travel and demands of a star's schedule.
Recent Professional Endeavors
While details of her current profession are scarce, some reports suggest that Janet Leigh Holden has been involved in new professional endeavors since March 2019. This return to work, even in a private capacity, signals a re-establishment of her professional identity outside of her role as a celebrity spouse. Her background as a filmmaker and her experience on set would give her a strong foundation for any new creative or organizational roles in the industry or related fields.
The Family Life: Raising Finnigan Holden McCormack
The central focus of Janet Leigh Holden and Eric McCormack's life together was their son, Finnigan Holden McCormack. Born in 2002, Finnigan is their only child, and both parents have been fiercely protective of his privacy throughout his life.
The couple successfully navigated the challenges of raising a child while one parent was a major television star. They often shared glimpses of their family life on social media, showing a united front and dedication to their son's well-being. McCormack frequently spoke about the importance of his family and how Janet was his rock and anchor throughout his career. This strong family unit is why the divorce news was so surprising to fans and the media.
Despite the separation, the well-being of Finnigan, who is now an adult, remains the priority. The amicable nature of their post-divorce interactions, such as their joint appearance at the Oscars party, suggests a commitment to maintaining a healthy relationship for their son's sake.
Distinguishing Janet Leigh Holden from the Actress Janet Leigh
A common point of confusion for the public is the similarity between Janet Leigh Holden's name and the legendary actress Janet Leigh (star of Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho). It is important to note that Janet Leigh Holden is a completely separate individual.
- Janet Leigh (The Actress): Born Jeanette Helen Morrison (1927–2004). She was a famous American actress, author, and businesswoman. Her notable works include Psycho (1960), Touch of Evil (1958), and The Manchurian Candidate (1962).
- Janet Leigh Holden: The subject of this article, former assistant director and ex-wife of Eric McCormack. Her middle name is Leigh, which is a common name, leading to the frequent mix-up.
Janet Leigh Holden's own professional history as a behind-the-scenes filmmaker is distinct from the acting career of the Hollywood icon, reinforcing her identity as an accomplished individual in her own right, long before her marriage to a major celebrity.
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