When you look at Hollywood marriages that actually survive the heavy churn of fame, you usually find a steady anchor behind the scenes. For Emmy-winning actress Sela Ward, that anchor is her husband, Howard Sherman. While Ward spent decades leading hit television series like Sisters, Once and Again, and CSI: NY, Sherman built his own path as a venture capitalist and entrepreneur. Together, they represent one of the entertainment industry's most enduring partnerships, lasting well over three decades away from the constant flash of tabloid gossip.
Understanding how they maintain this balance requires looking past the red carpets. Sherman isn't just a quiet spouse standing politely out of frame; he is an active business partner, a fellow philanthropist, and a grounding force who helped Ward navigate the intense pressures of prime-time television stardom. Their story offers a rare glimpse into how a high-profile actress and a private-sector businessman built a stable family life without losing their individual identities.
Who Is Howard Sherman?
Before marrying Sela Ward in May 1992, Howard Sherman established himself in the business world. He works as a venture capitalist and entrepreneur, focusing on business growth and corporate development. Unlike spouses who try to break into the entertainment industry simply because of their partner's status, Sherman kept his professional footing firmly outside of Hollywood.
This professional separation has served their relationship well. Ward often speaks about the value of having a partner who cares little about the superficial metrics of show business. When she stepped away from heavy shooting schedules to focus on raising their children, Austin and Gina, Sherman provided a steady corporate and emotional foundation. His background in finance also heavily influenced their shared philanthropic ventures, ensuring their charitable goals were managed with practical business acumen. For another perspective on this development, refer to the latest update from Reuters.
Building a Life Away from the Spotlight
Many celebrity couples struggle because they allow their entire existence to become public property. Ward and Sherman made a conscious choice early on to raise their family outside of Los Angeles. They moved away from the epicenter of the entertainment industry, choosing environments that offered privacy and a normal upbringing for their kids.
This deliberate distance helped shield their marriage from the regular cycle of rumors that plagues long-term Hollywood couples. They focused instead on shared projects. One of their most significant joint efforts is Hope Village, a facility founded in Ward's hometown of Meridian, Mississippi. Hope Village serves abused, abandoned, and neglected foster children, giving them a secure environment and a real sense of home. Sherman rolled up his sleeves to help build and finance the project, turning a shared vision into a permanent community resource.
Navigating Public Life Together
While Sherman prefers the boardroom to the red carpet, he occasionally steps into the public eye alongside his wife or for his own endeavors. In 2018, Sherman made headlines when he entered the political arena, running for the United States Senate in Mississippi.
During the campaign, his connection to a famous actress naturally drew media attention. Rather than dodging his wife's celebrity status, Sherman leaned into it with humor and transparency, acknowledging that voters might initially recognize him as "Sela Ward's husband" before getting to know his own platform. The campaign highlighted the mutual respect within their marriage; Ward supported his political ambitions just as steadfastly as he supported her decades on screen.
Secrets to a 30-Year Hollywood Marriage
Surviving over thirty years of marriage in the public eye requires specific choices. Ward and Sherman managed it by adhering to a few core principles that everyday couples and public figures alike can appreciate.
- Prioritizing Privacy: Keeping their home life strictly private prevented outside opinions from dictating the terms of their relationship.
- Mutual Respect for Careers: Neither partner forced the other to abandon their professional ambitions; instead, they balanced their workloads so someone was always present for the family.
- Shared Purpose: Collaborating on large-scale charitable projects like Hope Village gave them a mission outside of their respective careers.
- Grounded Values: Both brought strong roots from their upbringing—Ward from Mississippi and Sherman from his own close-knit background—which kept them immune to Hollywood pretense.
You can learn more about Ward's early life and values in her published memoir, which details the small-town foundations that heavily influenced how she chose to build her adult life and marriage. Additional context on her career milestones is available on the Wikipedia Sela Ward page.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Sela Ward and Howard Sherman get married?
They married on May 23, 1992, in a private ceremony and have remained together ever since, making their marriage well over three decades old.
What does Howard Sherman do for a living?
Howard Sherman is a venture capitalist and entrepreneur who has spent his career working in business development and finance, separate from the entertainment industry.
Do Sela Ward and Howard Sherman have children?
Yes, they share two children, Austin and Gina, whom they raised primarily outside of the traditional Hollywood bubble to maintain their privacy.
What is Hope Village?
Hope Village is a residential facility founded by Ward and Sherman in Meridian, Mississippi, designed to shelter, care for, and support abused, abandoned, and neglected foster children.
