David Caruso built a legendary television career playing intense characters like Horatio Caine on CSI: Miami and John Kelly on NYPD Blue. Away from studio cameras, his romantic journey has attracted decades of public fascination. tabloid headlines and internet rumors often track his romantic history, mixing facts about his three legal marriages, long-term partnerships, and family life. Sorting the public record reveals a clear picture of his marriages, high-profile relationships, and how he navigated family life out of the constant spotlight.
Early Marriages and First Steps in Hollywood
Long before earning global fame as a primetime television staple, Caruso married his first wife, Cheri Maugans, in 1979. The marriage occurred during the early years of his acting career, a time when he took on small film and television roles to establish a foothold in Los Angeles. The relationship didn't last, and the couple divorced in 1984.
Later that same year, Caruso married his second wife, actress Rachel Ticotin. The couple welcomed a daughter, Greta, born in June 1984. This marriage brought him deeper into the Hollywood community, but the relationship faced strains from demanding production schedules. Caruso and Ticotin separated, finalizing their divorce by the late 1980s. Despite the separation, they shared co-parenting responsibilities for Greta during her formative years.
The Long Union with Margaret Buckley
After moving through various romantic chapters in the late 1980s and early 1990s—including a relationship with Paris Papiro—Caruso settled into his longest legal marriage. In 1996, he married Margaret Buckley, a non-industry partner.
This marriage coincided with the height of his career momentum, spanning his transition from film projects like Kiss of Death to his massive television breakthrough on NYPD Blue. Unlike his earlier relationships, this marriage endured for over a decade on paper, though public appearances together remained rare. The couple separated in 2004, and their divorce was finalized in January 2007.
Partnership with Liza Marquez and Family Growth
Following his separation from Buckley, Caruso entered a relationship with Liza Marquez. During this multi-year chapter, the couple had two children together: a son named Marquez born in 2005, and a daughter named Paloma born in 2007.
This relationship concluded around 2007, leading to subsequent legal proceedings regarding child support and separation agreements. Court filings and tabloid reports heavily scrutinized this period, though Caruso largely maintained a private stance regarding the legal details. Friends and associates noted that raising his younger children remained a core focus for him during his transition away from daily network television production.
Rumors and Internet Misconceptions
Internet forums frequently link classic television stars to high-profile contemporary actors they never dated. For example, rumors occasionally surface online pairing Caruso with actress Rebecca Romijn, though zero professional or personal history supports any romantic connection between them. Romijn's high-profile marriages to John Stamos and Jerry O'Connell are well-documented, and her path never crossed with Caruso's in a romantic capacity.
Tabloid culture often conflates co-star chemistry with real-life romance. Because Caruso shared screen time with many notable leading actresses across his extensive filmography, gossip sites frequently invent relationships that never happened. Reality paints a much simpler picture: his actual romantic life consisted of specific, documented marriages and long-term partnerships rather than a sprawling rotation of Hollywood starlets.
Life After Hollywood
After stepping away from acting following the conclusion of CSI: Miami, Caruso shifted his professional focus toward the art world, opening an art gallery in Westlake Village, California. He maintains a quiet lifestyle far removed from the relentless scrutiny of Los Angeles paparazzi. His children are grown, and he enjoys a peaceful retirement centered on personal creative ventures rather than red-carpet events.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times has David Caruso been married?
Caruso has been legally married three times. His first marriage was to Cheri Maugans, his second to actress Rachel Ticotin, and his third to Margaret Buckley.
Who are David Caruso's children?
He has three children. He shares his eldest daughter, Greta, with Rachel Ticotin, and has two younger children, Marquez and Paloma, with Liza Marquez.
Did David Caruso ever date Rebecca Romijn?
No. Rumors linking Caruso and Rebecca Romijn lack any factual basis and stem entirely from speculative internet blogs.
What is David Caruso doing now?
He is retired from acting and spends his time operating an art gallery in Southern California, keeping a low profile away from the entertainment industry.
