Anna Kendrick And Ben Richardson: The Six-Year Private Romance And The Shocking Revelation That Followed
The highly private, six-year relationship between actress Anna Kendrick and acclaimed cinematographer Ben Richardson remains one of Hollywood’s most intriguing and least-documented romances. As of December 2025, while Kendrick has moved on to a new, more public chapter with comedian Alex Edelman, the deep-seated curiosity about her long-term connection with Richardson persists, particularly in light of the actress's candid and harrowing subsequent revelations about a past abusive relationship.
Their romance, which spanned from 2014 to 2020, was meticulously shielded from the public eye, a stark contrast to the high-profile nature of Kendrick’s film career. This deep dive explores how their professional collaboration on set blossomed into a long-term partnership, the projects they shared, and the unsettling speculation that followed its quiet end.
The Woman of the Hour: Anna Kendrick's Complete Profile
Anna Cooke Kendrick is an American actress and singer known for her versatile roles across film, television, and Broadway, often portraying endearing, quick-witted, and slightly awkward characters. Her career trajectory is marked by early success and critical acclaim, leading to her status as a major Hollywood star.
- Full Name: Anna Cooke Kendrick
- Born: August 9, 1985 (Age 40, as of 2025)
- Birthplace: Portland, Maine, U.S.
- First Major Role: Dinah in the 1998 Broadway musical revival of High Society, which earned her a Tony Award nomination at age 12.
- Breakthrough Film: Natalie Keener in Up in the Air (2009), which earned her nominations for a Golden Globe, a SAG Award, and an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
- Major Franchises/Films: Jessica Stanley in The Twilight Saga, Beca Mitchell in the Pitch Perfect film series (as the leader of the Barden Bellas), A Simple Favor, The Last Five Years, Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates, and her recent directorial debut, Woman of the Hour.
The Cinematographer's Lens: Ben Richardson's Career and Collaborations
Ben Richardson is a highly respected British cinematographer, director, and television producer. His work is known for its evocative and naturalistic visual style, earning him significant recognition within the industry, including a BAFTA nomination.
- Full Name: Benjamin T. Richardson, ASC, BSC
- Born: September 21, 1975
- Nationality: British
- Notable Works: Cinematographer for the critically acclaimed film Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012), which earned him the Excellence in Cinematography Award at the Sundance Film Festival.
- High-Profile Projects: Richardson’s filmography includes major projects like Wind River (2017), the HBO miniseries Mare of Easttown, and the popular Taylor Sheridan series Yellowstone, 1883, and 1923.
- Shared Projects with Anna Kendrick: The two famously collaborated on the 2013 Joe Swanberg film Drinking Buddies, where they first met. They also worked together on the 2017 ensemble comedy Table 19.
From Set to Secrecy: The Six-Year, Highly Private Romance
Anna Kendrick and Ben Richardson’s love story began in a distinctly Hollywood fashion: on a movie set. They first crossed paths while filming the indie comedy-drama Drinking Buddies in 2012, a project directed by Joe Swanberg. Richardson served as the Director of Photography, responsible for the film’s visual language, and Kendrick starred alongside Olivia Wilde and Jake Johnson.
While they met in 2012, the couple reportedly began dating in 2014, following Kendrick’s split from director Edgar Wright. Their relationship was characterized by an extreme level of privacy. Unlike many celebrity couples, they rarely attended public events together, avoided red carpet appearances, and were almost never photographed by the paparazzi.
This commitment to secrecy allowed them to cultivate a seemingly normal, long-term relationship away from the intense scrutiny of the media. Their six years together, lasting until 2020, stands as Kendrick's longest public relationship to date, showcasing a deep, albeit hidden, commitment.
The shared professional world of filmmaking provided a unique foundation for their bond. Richardson's work as a cinematographer, and Kendrick's as an actress, meant they understood the demands and pressures of the industry inherently. Their collaborations on films like Drinking Buddies and Table 19 are tangible proofs of their shared creative life.
The Shocking Aftermath: Anna Kendrick's Seven-Year Relationship Revelation
The quiet end of the Kendrick-Richardson romance around 2020 was initially met with little fanfare, consistent with their private nature. However, the breakup gained significant public attention and speculation years later when Anna Kendrick began to speak openly about a prior seven-year relationship that she described as emotionally and psychologically abusive.
In various interviews, most notably around the release of her film Woman of the Hour, Kendrick detailed how she was in an abusive relationship that lasted for nearly seven years. She described the experience of being "forced into a place of dishonesty" and how the breakup felt like a necessary escape from a manipulative and controlling partner.
While Anna Kendrick has never publicly named the ex-partner in question, the timeline of her longest public relationship—the one with Ben Richardson from 2014 to 2020 (approximately six years)—closely aligns with the "seven-year" period she referenced. This chronological proximity has led to widespread and intense speculation across fan communities and media outlets that the cinematographer is the individual she was describing.
This speculation is a powerful example of how a celebrity's private life can be re-examined through the lens of public confession. The actress's bravery in sharing her story, regardless of the identity of the abuser, has sparked a larger conversation about emotional abuse and control in relationships, adding a complex and unsettling layer to the history of her time with Ben Richardson.
Where Are They Now? Current Status and New Chapters (December 2025)
As of December 2025, both Anna Kendrick and Ben Richardson have firmly moved into new chapters of their lives, both personally and professionally. Ben Richardson continues his successful career as a director of photography, with his work on high-profile television series like Yellowstone and its prequels cementing his status as a leading talent in the industry. His visual mastery is consistently sought after for major projects.
Anna Kendrick, meanwhile, has taken on new roles both in front of and behind the camera, recently making her directorial debut with Woman of the Hour, a true-crime thriller where she also stars. Her personal life has also taken a new turn. After a brief romance with actor Bill Hader, Kendrick is now reportedly dating comedian Alex Edelman, a relationship that has become more visible in the media.
The legacy of the Anna Kendrick and Ben Richardson relationship is thus not one of a typical Hollywood split, but a story of a private six-year bond that became a touchstone for a much larger, more serious discussion about emotional health and abuse in the entertainment industry. It serves as a powerful reminder that even the most private lives can hold the most profound and challenging truths.
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