Paget Brewster is best known for playing Special Agent Emily Prentiss on the long-running CBS procedural Criminal Minds, alongside standout comedic turns in shows like Community and Grandfathered. While her career on television spans decades, her personal life remains remarkably grounded. She married musician and composer Steve Damstra in 2014, and the couple has built a quiet life away from the relentless glare of Hollywood gossip columns.
Fans often search for specifics regarding Steve Damstra's age, their relationship timeline, and how they manage a lasting Hollywood marriage. Steve Damstra was born on September 21, 1981, making him roughly twelve years younger than Brewster, who was born on March 10, 1969. Despite the age gap, their shared creative backgrounds and mutual friends formed an instant bond that transitioned from a solid friendship into a lasting marriage.
Who Is Steve Damstra?
Steve Damstra is primarily known as a musician, composer, and songwriter rather than a traditional mainstream actor. He gained recognition as a member of the indie rock band Folded Light and later as part of Whirlwind Heat. Beyond his work in bands, Damstra has built a respected career composing film scores for independent features and thrillers, including Excision (2012) and The Aggression Scale (2012).
His creative work behind the camera and in recording studios matches Brewster's eclectic artistic sensibilities. Unlike couples where both partners chase red-carpet fame, Damstra maintains a low profile, which fits well with Brewster's own preference for privacy. They share a dry, often dark sense of humor that frequently surfaces on their social media accounts, where they post about rescued animals, vintage items, and everyday domestic life rather than manufactured celebrity drama.
The Relationship Timeline and Wedding
Brewster and Damstra crossed paths through mutual friends in the Los Angeles creative community. Their friendship quickly developed into a romance, leading to an engagement announced via social media in March 2013. True to their unconventional style, their engagement announcement featured a unique ring and characteristic humor.
The couple married on November 29, 2014, in a ceremony officiated by their close friend and fellow actor Matthew Gray Gubler, Brewster's longtime co-star from Criminal Minds. Gubler became an ordained minister specifically to perform the ceremony, adding an intimate and personal touch to the wedding. The celebration took place at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, surrounded by close friends, family, and select cast members.
How They Maintain a Balanced Hollywood Marriage
Sustaining a marriage in the entertainment industry is notoriously difficult due to erratic filming schedules, constant travel, and public scrutiny. Brewster and Damstra navigated these pressures by intentionally stepping away from high-stress urban centers when possible. For several years, they lived in Los Angeles before relocating to a historic home in the Midwest, seeking a slower pace of life that allowed them to focus on creative projects and personal well-being.
- Prioritizing Privacy: They rarely discuss private marital conflicts in interviews, choosing to handle personal matters out of the public eye.
- Shared Interests: Both share a deep appreciation for music, dark comedy, and animal rescue, giving them common ground outside of their professional lives.
- Mutual Support: They champion each other's creative pursuits, with Damstra focusing on his composition work while Brewster balances voice acting, recurring television roles, and directing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the age difference between Paget Brewster and Steve Damstra?
Steve Damstra was born in 1981 and Paget Brewster was born in 1969, making them roughly twelve years apart in age. The age gap has never been a focal point in their relationship, as both established successful creative careers independently before meeting.
Do Paget Brewster and Steve Damstra have children?
No, the couple does not have children. They share a household focused on their creative work, personal hobbies, and rescue animals. Brewster has occasionally spoken about being content with their lifestyle and their focus on pets and career goals.
Who officiated Paget Brewster's wedding?
Actor Matthew Gray Gubler, Brewster's close friend and former Criminal Minds co-star, officiated their wedding in 2014 after getting ordained specifically for the occasion.
Where do Paget Brewster and her husband live?
While both spent years working in Los Angeles, the couple has embraced a quieter lifestyle away from central Hollywood, dividing time between professional commitments and their private residence.
