Judy Greer and Her Husband Did Not Fall in Love at First Sight – More about Dean E. Johnsen’s Life

Judy Greer’s marriage to Dean E. Johnsen has been going strong for over a decade, but the connection between the two was not as strong the first time they met. The bond between the actress and the producer has grown deeper through the years.

Greer first came to know her future husband through a mutual friend who set them up on a blind date. Despite the lack of love at first sight, the two started dating shortly afterward and married a year later. Some notable celebrities were part of their big day’s 200-or-so guest list.

Although they both don’t feature on people’s TV screens, Johnsen and Greer have a Hollywood connection. Whereas Greer is a well-known movie star who has primarily played supporting roles in many movies, her husband is a behind-the-scenes person, working as a producer in TV productions.

Judy Greer and Dean E. Johnsen at the NBC Rockefeller Center Studios on July 15, 2015 | Source: Getty Images

Dean E. Johnsen Is a Producer on HBO

Dean E. Johnsen was born on June 24, 1967. Although born in the United States, he has Norwegian, Germanic, and Danish roots. However, not much else is known about Johnsen as he keeps a low profile, to the extent that he doesn’t have any social media accounts.

After attending California State University, Chico, from 1986 to 1991, he worked as a writer and production coordinator on a late-night show called “Up All Night” between 1992 and 1994. In 1996, he worked as a production assistant on the war movie “Courage Under Fire” starring Denzel Washington and Meg Ryan.

He gained further experience at DreamWorks SKG, where he worked as a staff coordinator from 1996 to 1999. In 2003, he began his work at HBO as an executive producer, the post he still holds today. His work has been primarily on the “Real Time with Bill Maher,” for which he has been nominated for multiple Emmy Awards.

There Was No Love at First Sight between Judy Greer and Her Husband

Judy Greer was introduced to Dean Johnsen by their mutual friend, Matt Gunn, who was also Johnsen’s co-worker. Their relationship began with them talking on the phone, and she admitted that she did not know what he looked like until the first time they met in person.

Although she was excited by his physical looks, she didn’t fall for him at that point. However, once she got to see how nice a person he was, she was convinced that he was the man for her. Commenting on falling in love with Johnsen, Greer said:

“I feel like no one told me, Just date a guy who’s nice to you. We really need to tell each other that, cause nice goes a long way.”

Judy Greer and Dean Johnsen’s Wedding and Their First Seven Years of Marriage

After their first meeting in 2010, a year went by before Johnsen decided to make Greer his wife. They got engaged in June 2011 while on a trip to Napa, California. Johnsen said the ring had a uniqueness that reminded him of his wife’s eyes. Greer had also stated that she wanted a gold ring with no diamond.

Half a year later, the lovebirds were married in Los Angeles. Friends and family attended the wedding. Among the guests were Johnsen’s boss, Bill Maher, actor Jason Biggs and actresses Rashida Jones and Sarah Chalke. The wedding was fabulous, and “everyone looked like they were having a blast.”

After their big day, the couple continued to live separately for another seven years. While Johnsen resided in Thousand Oaks, California, close to his two children from a previous marriage, Greer stayed in Los Angeles. However, they would spend time together, going back and forth between the two houses.

Dean E. Johnsen Has 2 Kids

The main reason Johnsen could not move from his house in Thousand Oaks was his desire to stay close to his kids, who were still young at the time. Johnsen had two kids, Lucas and Emilee, from a previous marriage. They eventually moved in together when the kids were older. Lucas is now 22, and Emilee is 27.

Greer has warmed up well to being a stepmother, and it is something that she cherishes. However, she pointed out that it was challenging for her to get accustomed to it and make sure that everyone was comfortable. Speaking on her relationship with Johnsen’s children, she highlighted:

“It’s a big challenge to jump into the deep end of a family dynamic you don’t totally understand. You also forget that you have to establish a relationship with them, not just that they need to be taken care of.”

Judy Greer and Her Husband Adopted a Dog

Dean E. Johnsen and his wife adopted a rescue dog they named Mary Richards, after Mary Tyler Moore’s character in “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.” Although they initially acted as her foster parents, Johnsen eventually agreed to adopt Mary Richards after his wife grew attached during the foster care period.

Mary Richards and Judy Greer’s bond developed from the start, but there was a little problem between the new family member and Johnsen. Mary Richards behaved aggressively towards Johnsen. According to an expert dog trainer, Cesar Millan, she was born showing guarding behavior due to her closeness with Greer.

Johnsen and Greer have not had children of their own. Greer attributed this to a lack of trying and her desire to give her stepchildren all of her attention. Still, the two have had an extraordinary marriage that they both seem to appreciate.

Although Johnsen is an executive producer of a popular television show, he chooses to live outside the public’s eye. However, his wife lets people know of her love for him in interviews or on social media. They did not fall in love at first sight, but their relationship is flourishing.