Richard Harris’s Relationships: The Actor Was Married Twice and Had Romances with Many Famous Women

Richard Harris’s relationships with several famous women throughout his career were intriguing. The prolific actor who captivated audiences with his performances was married twice. However, his romantic affairs were a topic of great interest to the media and his fans alike.

Richard Harris was a legendary Irish actor who captivated audiences with his incredible range and commanding presence on the screen. He started acting in the late 1950s and quickly became known for his intense and often controversial performances. He had his breakthrough performance in 1963 but became famous in 1967 for portraying King Arthur in “Camelot.”

The actor was known for playing the beloved wizard Albus Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter movies. Fans also loved his work in films like “This Sporting Life,” “The Count of Monte Cristo,” “Man in the Wilderness,” “Gladiator,” “Gulliver’s Travels,” “Unforgiven,” and more.

Richard Harris at the Premiere Magazine Party on September 9, 2001, in Toronto, Canada | Source: Getty Images

Richard also made a name for himself on the stage, and his impressive acting career spanned decades and included a wide range of roles in both film and theater. Throughout his career, he remained influential and respected in the entertainment industry, earning numerous accolades.

Sadly, the actor passed away in 2002 at 72, leaving behind a legacy that inspires and influences actors and fans worldwide. In addition to his impressive acting career, the actor was known for his tumultuous personal life and numerous relationships with famous women.

From his marriages to actresses Elizabeth Rees-Williams and Ann Turkel to his romances with stars like Sophia Loren and Ava Gardner, Richard’s love life was often as dramatic and intense as his performances on the screen. These relationships offer a fascinating glimpse into the private life of one of Hollywood’s most legendary and talented actors.

Richard Harris at the Third Annual BAFTA/LA Britannia Awards on March 17, 1991, in West Hollywood | Source: Getty Images

Richard Harris Was Linked to Many Famous Women Early in His Career – From Ava Gardner to Sophia Loren

Richard was a legendary actor known for his good looks and charm, which attracted many famous women in the early years of his career. He was linked to several actresses, including Faye Dunaway, Merle Oberon, and Mia Farrow.

One of his early rumored relationships was with Danish singer Nina van Pallandt, with whom he had a brief affair. He was also rumored to have had a romantic relationship with the Empress Soraya of Iran, formerly married to the Shah of Iran.

In addition to his relationships with these famous women, the actor reportedly claimed to have had a brief affair with Princess Margaret, the only sibling and sister of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Photo of Richard Harris circa 1960 | Source: Getty Images

While some of these relationships may have been rumors, Richard’s charisma and reputation as a ladies’ man undoubtedly made him famous in Hollywood and beyond. According to his second wife, Ann, the actor didn’t have an affair with Ava. Ann said:

“I knew everything. Richard told me everything […] he didn’t have an affair with Ava, but he did have to fight off Sophia Loren. Oh, Sophia was mad for him.”

Ann revealed that Sophia made several advances at Richard while they were on set filming “The Cassandra Crossing.” Despite refusing her advances, she persisted, making him report her actions to the film producer, her husband.

Richard Harris on the set of the 1967 film, “Camelot” | Source: Getty Images

Richard Harris Was Married to Elizabeth Rees-Williams, but His Infidelities and Addiction Ruined Their Marriage

Richard was married for the first time in 1957 to Elizabeth Rees-Williams, an actress, socialite, and author. They had met in London, gradually fell in love, and she proposed to him. One year later, the couple welcomed their first child, but their marriage began to suffer shortly after.

The couple welcomed two more sons, but the actor’s love for assimilating and portraying the characters he had played in his real life became a problem as it affected his marriage.

Additionally, their marriage became tumultuous, marked by infidelity and the actor’s struggles with alcoholism. Elizabeth also accused him of domestic abuse, and their relationship deteriorated to the point where she filed for divorce in 1967.

Richard Harris and Elizabeth Rees-Williams on April 29, 1965, in the UK | Source: Getty Images

She wanted custody of their children, but the actor refused and fought for joint custody, which Elizabeth later conceded. Their divorce was finalized in 1969, and Richard later revealed that even though they were not together, they made a formidable family unit and stuck together like a fortress.

After their divorce, she married three more times and was last married to Jonathan Aitken, politician turned prison chaplain. She was a committed homemaker and died on April 15, 2022, at 85.

Photo of Richard Harris and Elizabeth Rees-Williams in March 1966 | Source: Getty Images

Richard Harris’ Second Marriage to Much-Younger Actress Ann Turkel Was Fiery and Didn’t Last Long

Richard’s second marriage was to actress Ann Turkel, 15 years younger than him. They had met in 1974 during the filming of “99 and 44/100% Dead,” and they married that same year.

Despite the age difference, the two had a fiery connection, and dramatic ups and downs marked their relationship. Violent outbursts plagued the couple’s relationship, and they knew being apart was the best decision they could make.

Richard Harris and Ann Turkel at the 35th Annual Golden Globe Awards on January 28, 1978, in Beverly Hills | Source: Getty Images

The actor wanted their divorce in the Bahamas rather than California so Ann would not be entitled to some of his assets. They divorced in 1982 and had no children together due to medical complications that caused them to terminate two pregnancies.

After their divorce, they remained close friends, and Richard never remarried, lived with, or got engaged to another woman. Until his death, especially in the last decade of his life, he chose to be alone, and Ann wondered if he was never over her because she felt he had a certain addiction to her.

Richard Harris and Ann Turkel in New York circa 1975 | Source: Getty Images

Richard Harris Had Three Sons from His First Marriage, and All of Them Followed in His Footsteps

Richard had welcomed three sons while he was married to Elizabeth. All three of his sons followed in his footsteps and pursued careers in the entertainment industry. His first son, Damian Harris, was born on August 2, 1958, and he has made a name for himself as a director, producer, and writer.

He is known for his work with “Gardens of the Night,” “The Rachel Papers,” “The Wilde Wedding,” “Bad Company,” “Strangers,” “Chillers,” “Greasy Lake,” and more. Damian was married to actress Annabel Brooks, and they welcomed a daughter, but very little information about their relationship exists.

Richard Harris, Elizabeth Rees-Williams, Damian Harris, Jared Harris, and Jamie Harris, on December 19, 1964, in their home in the UK | Source: Getty Images

Richard’s second son, Jared Francis Harris, studied drama and literature and is an actor and director. He is now seen as one of Britain’s most excellent stage and screen actors.

He has starred in movies and series such as “I Shot Andy Warhol,” “Lincoln,” “The Last of the Mohicans,” “Natural Born Killers,” “Shadow Magic,” “Resident Evil: Apocalypse,” “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” “The Other Boleyn Girl,” “Fringe,” “Mad Men,” “The Crown,” “Chernobyl,” and more.

He was married to actress and producer Emilia Fox from 2005 to 2010. He remarried actress, on-air personality, and producer Allegra Riggio three years later.

Jamie Harris, Jared Harris, Ella Harris, and Damian Harris at the British Independent Film Awards (BIFAs) on October 30, 2002, in London | Source: Getty Images

Richard and Elizabeth’s third son, Tudor St. John Harris, popularly known as Jamie Harris, is an actor like his father and brothers. He began his acting career in the early 1990s and has been cast in several movies and series.

He has acted in “Savage Hearts,” “Made Men,” “The Next Big Thing,” “A Series of Unfortunate Events,” “The Killing of John Lennon,” “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” “Magic City,” “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,” “Rise of the Planet of the Apes,” “The Prestige,” and more.

Jared Harris and Jamie Harris at the Los Angeles premiere of “Carnival Row” on August 21, 2019, in Hollywood | Source: Getty Images

Despite having three sons, Richard wanted more children, especially after he married for the second time. He reportedly wanted a daughter who would look like his ex-wife Ann.

He showed his desire for a daughter by taking Ann shopping and reportedly enjoyed himself as he watched her try on different outfits. Unfortunately, the two could not have any children.

Despite their father’s success in the industry, the Harris brothers all forged their paths and worked hard to establish themselves as respected professionals in their own right. They are like the Douglas brothers who followed their father, Kirk Douglas, into the entertainment industry.