Ageism has no place in love, and proof of this is the beautiful story of Juliet Mills (84), daughter of British theatrical aristocracy, and Maxwell Caulfield (66), nicknamed "the new John Travolta" after starring in the 80s movie Grease 2alongside Michelle Pfeiffer (68). She is 18 years older, and they have been together for XX years.
In 1980, they were both performing The Elephant Man on Broadway when their eyes met. He was 21 and she was 39. As they say, butterflies in the stomach began to flutter. "Was it love at first sight?" they have been asked thousands of times. "I suppose so. We became friends instantly, we were attracted to each other instantly. I believe in reincarnation, and I believe I met Maxwell in another life," Juliet replied to Daily Mail a few years ago.
Six months after meeting, they got married in an intimate ceremony atop one of the hills in Malibu. At that time, the couple attracted numerous tabloid headlines due to the significant age difference between them.
The actress had previously been married to composer Russell Alquist Jr (1961-1974), with whom she had her son Sean (62), and also to Michael Miklenda, a construction manager (1975-1980), from whom Melissa (47) was born. The Caulfield-Mills do not have biological children.
Their story was not well received at Caulfield's talent agency, considered one of the most handsome actors of the moment and someone who could have a successful career as a leading man. Even his agents advised him to leave Juliet because she was too old to support a successful career.
But Maxwell did not give in and chose love. Perhaps that was the reason why he was not chosen to become one of the heartthrobs of that decade, like those of the Brat Pack generation, which included Rob Lowe (62) and Andrew McCarthy (63).
"Everyone seems to be interested in the fact that I am married to someone much younger than me... There are no rules in love. Age really doesn't matter. If you meet someone you love, stay with that person," the actress commented on one occasion.
Throughout the decades, the question about the age difference has been inevitable. The daughter of Sir John Mills -Oscar winner for Ryan's Daughter (1971)- downplayed the issue. "Contrary to what people imagine, for us it wasn't like that, there are no rules in love, and simply when you meet someone you love, who you feel like you've known forever, you stay with that person," she confessed to the Daily Mail.
From the beginning, Maxwell fit perfectly into the Mills family. Hayley Mills (80), Juliet's sister, is another renowned actress who found success in her teens with Pollyanna (1960) -she won the Oscar for Best Juvenile Actress- and The Parent Trap (1961).
Those who interact regularly with Juliet and Maxwell assure that they still love each other madly and love how he is always so attentive to her. It is in the small details where their continued love is truly reflected, as can be seen in the interviews they do together. The way they look at each other and how he usually extends his arm around her shoulder or holds her hands show a deep connection.
For years, they have resided in a mansion in Ojai, California, where they live close to nature, uninterested in the noise of Hollywood and enjoying personally caring for the garden.
As their passion has been and continues to be theater, the couple continues to perform on both sides of the Atlantic. In 2010, they toured the UK with Bedroom Farce, in 2015 with Legends! Alongside Hayley Mills, in 2019 they returned to England with The Lady Vanishes and two years ago, they performed the classic Love Letters in Beverly Hills.
"They say that couples in show business don't work well together, that there are no sparks because they know each other too well. In the plays we have done together, people have said they really enjoy watching us and there is real chemistry. And, of course, I love acting alongside her," Maxwell commented.
Forty-six years after their wedding, Juliet and Maxwell continue to live on cloud nine.