Love Stories: Kevin Kline's relatable fear when he met future wife Phoebe Cates

The first time Kevin Kline met his future wife was at a table read-through for a film that would make him a Hollywood star.

It was 1982 and Kline's name was on the rise. He had just starred opposite Meryl Streep in his feature film debut Sophie's Choice and was working on a new project, where the film's cast read like a who's who of up and coming A-listers. 

Among the names Glenn Close, Jeff Goldblum and William Hurt was Phoebe Cates, a young classically trained dancer turned actress.

Cates didn't get a part in The Big Chill, though a connection with Kline was fate. Today, they have been married for 35 years.

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Kline had a preconceived idea about Cates. It said something more about him than her.

Perhaps it was their 16-year age gap, or her 1980s teen idol status for her roles in Fast Times At Ridgemont High and Gremlins, but he couldn't fathom how someone so full of life would be interested in him.

They had met for a second time in 1964. They were both rehearsing for separate plays at New York's Public Theatre.

Cates had a role in a Russian play The Nest of the Wood Grouse and Kline was cast as the lead in Shakespeare's Henry V.

"When I first met Phoebe, I remember thinking, She's too happy to be with me," Kline told EW in 2002. 

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"She's too enthusiastic about life. What'll we talk about?"

The pair began dating a year later and were regulars on the red carpets for film and theatre premieres.

In 1989 they tied the knot in a private wedding in New York.

Kline made a special mention to Cates during his Oscar's speech that same year.

As the orchestra played for him to wrap up and leave the stage, the A Fish Called Wanda star said: "I'd like to thank my wife, Phoebe".

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The notoriously private couple welcomed their first child, Owen, in 1991. Three years later, their second child, Greta, arrived.

Cates worked on three film projects during the 1990s, including the now cult classic Drop Dead Fred opposite the late British comedy legend, Rik Mayall.

She then took time off from acting to raise their children.

Kline revealed in 1998 it was Cates' choice to spend more time as a full-time parent.

"We have agreed to alternate so that we're never working at the same time," he said.

"[But] whenever it's been her slot to work, Phoebe has chosen to stay with the children."

During the 1990s, Kline starred and appeared close to 20 film projects, including The Ice Storm opposite Sigourney Weaver and French Kiss opposite Meg Ryan.

Cates returned to the screen alongside Kline in 2001 for her friend, Jennifer Jason Leigh's film The Anniversary Party.

Cates then stepped back from the camera, and in 2005, opened the boutique, Blue Tree.

Her dream, according to a blurb on the store's website, was "to have it be like a general store but according to me."

"Known for its eclectic and inspired selection of women's clothing and jewelry, Blue Tree also carries unique and carefully chosen items in home, gift, fragrance, music, delicacies, etc. There are no rules," the blurb reads.

These days, Kline continues to act. One of his more recent projects is in the Cate Blanchett led mini series, Disclaimer.

He once shared what he believes to be the secret to his and Cates longevity.

"We're both sensible, and we don't separate for long periods of time," Kline said.

"We take care of the marriage."

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