The Nanny star Charles Shaughnessy first met his wife, Susan Fallender, at drama school when the pair were both students in the 70s. Little did they know then that they would both graduate to become household names and lifelong partners.
Moving to America to pursue a career in acting, the Days of Our Lives star married Susan in 1983 and welcomed two children with her, Jenny in 1990, and Maddy in 1995.
The happy couple built a life together in Los Angeles, and despite close on-screen relationships with other actors and actresses, managed to withstand the Hollywood pressures to maintain a long-lasting marriage.
After almost 43 years together, and as the actor turns 71, let's meet the woman who captured the soap actor's heart and kept it for more than four decades.
© InstagramWho is Susan Fallender?
Growing up in Los Angeles, Susan met her British husband while studying drama with him at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London. Following a proposal from Charles over the phone while they were entertaining a long-distance relationship, she said 'yes', and the pair tied the knot in the 80s.
The same year as her wedding to the son of Upstairs, Downstairs scriptwriter, Alfred Shaughnessy, Susan starred as Bunny in the film Trading Places with Eddie Murphy.
Following her appearance in the Oscar-nominated movie, Susan went on to act in Star Trek: The Next Generation in 1987, where she played a character named, Romulan.
As an actress, she also has credits in Space Rangers, Hypernauts and The Last Dance.
© InstagramA lifetime of love
While the actor and his wife keep their family life fairly private, the 71-year-old, who celebrates his birthday on 9 February, shares insights into his marriage with his social media following.
Alongside an adorable selfie of the pair, he penned a note that read: "I have loved my wife for 37 years. It has been the easiest thing I've ever done." He finished off the post with a string of love hearts and happy emojis.
© Ron Galella Collection via GettyIn 2023, the star also shared a throwback to his marriage to Susan with an image from their big day, kissing in front of their cake, next to a present-day shot in what appeared to be their kitchen.
Charles wrote: "40 years! Like yesterday," beside the post with pink love hearts. Fans in the comments rushed to congratulate them, saying things like: "Wow, that's incredible!", and: "That's so sweet… happy anniversary!"
