Actor, director, and author Andrew McCarthy is married to Irish stage director, playwright, and screenwriter Dolores Rice. The couple tied the knot in 2011 after several years together and share two children, Willow and Daniel. McCarthy was previously married to theatrical scholar Carol Schneider, with whom he has a son, actor Sam McCarthy.
Who Is Dolores Rice? Background and Professional Career
While Andrew McCarthy earned global fame in the 1980s as a key member of Hollywood’s "Brat Pack"—starring in iconic films such as Pretty in Pink, St. Elmo’s Fire, and Weekend at Bernie’s—his wife, Dolores Rice, has built an impressive, independent creative career behind the camera and on the stage.
Born and raised in Ireland, Rice is a multifaceted artist whose work spans theater directing, screenwriting, and performance. She completed her higher education in Dublin and London, earning degrees from University College Dublin (UCD) and Goldsmiths College, University of London. Her academic and artistic background provided a foundation in classic literature, performance art, and dramatic narrative structure.
Rice's creative portfolio includes:
- Playwriting and Stage Directing: She has written and directed acclaimed theatrical productions in Dublin, London, and New York. Her work frequently explores themes of identity, memory, human connections, and historical context.
- Screenwriting and Filmmaking: Rice has authored original screenplays and narrative features, establishing her presence in independent cinema. She directed the short film Keep Talking and contributed to multi-platform storytelling projects.
- Acting and Voice Work: In addition to her behind-the-scenes leadership, Rice has performed on stage and provided voice narration for artistic and documentary projects.
Unlike public figures who seek constant media coverage, Rice maintains a low-profile lifestyle focused on her craft, creative collaborations, and family obligations. Her artistic background complements McCarthy’s transition from full-time acting to directing television shows such as Orange Is the New Black and The Blacklist, as well as authoring bestselling memoirs.
How Andrew McCarthy and Dolores Rice Met: Relationship Timeline
The romantic trajectory of Andrew McCarthy and Dolores Rice is closely tied to McCarthy’s personal growth and evolution as a travel writer and author.
Meeting and Courtship
McCarthy and Rice met in the mid-2000s, shortly after McCarthy’s first marriage came to an end. At the time, McCarthy was shifting his professional focus. While still taking acting roles, he had begun writing travel literature for major publications, a second career that earned him recognition as Travel Journalist of the Year by the Society of American Travel Writers.
Their early relationship developed away from red-carpet events and tabloid scrutiny. Friends and colleagues noted that Rice’s grounded perspective and deep artistic roots provided stability during a period of professional and personal transition for McCarthy.
The Impact of The Longest Way Home
McCarthy’s bestselling 2012 memoir, The Longest Way Home: One Man's Journey Through the Courage of Commitment, offers an candid look into his inner life leading up to his wedding with Rice. In the book, McCarthy reflects on his deep-seated fears of intimacy, independence, and long-term commitment.
Despite loving Rice and being engaged to her, McCarthy felt a persistent urge to retreat to distant corners of the world—taking solitary travel assignments in South America, Africa, and Europe—to process his reluctance toward marriage. The narrative details how his physical journeys helped him overcome internal hesitations, ultimately realizing that true vulnerability required standing still with the person he loved.
The 2011 Wedding
After several years together and the birth of their daughter, McCarthy and Rice officially married in 2011. Their wedding was an intimate ceremony attended by close friends, family, and McCarthy’s eldest son, Sam. Rather than hosting an elaborate Hollywood affair, the couple opted for a personal celebration reflecting their shared preference for privacy and simplicity.
Andrew McCarthy's Previous Marriage: Carol Schneider
Before his marriage to Dolores Rice, Andrew McCarthy was married to Carol Schneider. Understanding his past relationship offers context regarding his family dynamics and parental responsibilities.
- Andrew McCarthy Family Tree
- Carol Schneider (m. 1999–2005)
- Sam McCarthy (b. 2002)
- Dolores Rice (m. 2011–present)
- Willow McCarthy (b. 2006)
- Daniel McCarthy (b. 2014)
- Carol Schneider (m. 1999–2005)
McCarthy and Schneider first met in 1992 when both were young theater actors in New York. They dated for several years before marrying in 1999. Schneider pursued an academic and theatrical career, later earning a doctorate and teaching drama and literature.
The couple welcomed their son, Sam McCarthy, in 2002. However, the marriage ended in divorce in 2005. In subsequent interviews, McCarthy acknowledged that his youth, struggles with sudden early-career fame, and personal anxieties contributed to the difficulties in his first marriage. Despite the divorce, McCarthy and Schneider maintained a cooperative co-parenting relationship to support their son.
The McCarthy Family and Children
Andrew McCarthy is a father of three children across his two marriages. The actor turned director has consistently prioritized his role as a parent, frequently discussing how fatherhood reshaped his perspectives on success, responsibility, and emotional maturity.
1. Sam McCarthy (Born 2002)
Sam is Andrew McCarthy's eldest child from his marriage to Carol Schneider. Following in his father’s footsteps, Sam pursued a professional career in acting. He gained widespread recognition for his role as Charlie Harding in the acclaimed Netflix dark comedy series Dead to Me, starring alongside Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini.
In 2023, father and son published a shared journey in Andrew’s memoir, Walking with Sam: A Father, a Son, and 500 Miles Along the Camino de Santiago. The book documents their 500-mile trek across Spain, exploring their evolving father-son relationship, shared history, and Sam's transition into adulthood.
2. Willow McCarthy (Born 2006)
Willow is the first child born to Andrew McCarthy and Dolores Rice. Born prior to the couple's official wedding, Willow has largely been raised out of the public eye. While her parents have maintained strict privacy standards regarding her personal life, McCarthy has occasionally mentioned her in essays regarding fatherhood and raising a daughter in a modern world.
3. Daniel McCarthy (Born 2014)
Daniel is the youngest child of McCarthy and Rice. Born several years after their marriage, Daniel completed their family unit. Like his older sister, Daniel's upbringing has been deliberately kept away from media scrutiny, allowing him to grow up in a private, supportive environment.
Comparative Overview: Andrew McCarthy’s Personal Relationships
To summarize the key details of Andrew McCarthy’s relationships and family structure, the following table breaks down important dates, backgrounds, and children.
| Feature / Detail | First Marriage: Carol Schneider | Current Marriage: Dolores Rice |
|---|---|---|
| Relationship Status | Divorced (1999–2005) | Married (2011–Present) |
| Partner Profession | Theater Scholar, Educator, Actress | Playwright, Stage Director, Screenwriter |
| Partner Nationality | American | Irish |
| Children Together | 1 (Sam McCarthy, b. 2002) | 2 (Willow McCarthy, b. 2006; Daniel McCarthy, b. 2014) |
| Public Profile | Private / Academic focus | Private / Theater & Literary focus |
| Key Literary Mentions | Referenced in past interviews | Central figure in The Longest Way Home (2012) |
Creative Support and Public Life
A striking aspect of Andrew McCarthy and Dolores Rice’s marriage is how their individual artistic backgrounds strengthen their shared life. Rather than competing within the standard Hollywood spotlight, both partners focus on written and stage-directed mediums that value narrative depth over celebrity culture.
Supporting McCarthy’s Literary Transition
McCarthy's evolution from 1980s heartthrob to acclaimed author was a significant shift. Writing requires isolation, vulnerability, and sustained intellectual effort. Throughout his transition into print journalism and memoir writing—including his book Brat: An '80s Story and his 2024 Hulu documentary Brats—Rice provided creative feedback and stable support.
In interviews discussing his literary process, McCarthy has credited his home environment—rooted in quiet daily routines, shared reading, and constructive critique—with giving him the focus required to produce long-form nonfiction.
Maintaining Privacy Away from Hollywood
Unlike many celebrity couples residing in Los Angeles, McCarthy and Rice have spent significant portions of their family life on the East Coast and traveling abroad. By choosing to live outside the primary media hubs, they have shielded their children from intrusive celebrity culture.
Their shared preference for quiet, family-centered living has allowed their marriage to remain durable over decades, free from the public speculation that often affects high-profile entertainment industry partnerships.
Common Misconceptions About Andrew McCarthy's Marriage
Because Andrew McCarthy emerged during the height of the 1980s teen film boom, fan interest in his personal life remains high. However, several common misconceptions circulate regarding his marital history and family life:
- Misconception: Andrew McCarthy married a Hollywood co-star.
- Fact: Neither of McCarthy's wives were Hollywood film stars. Carol Schneider is a scholar and theater professional, while Dolores Rice is an Irish playwright and director who works primarily in theater and independent film.
- Misconception: Andrew McCarthy and Dolores Rice were married in the 1980s.
- Fact: McCarthy did not marry during his peak Brat Pack era in the 1980s. He first married Carol Schneider in 1999 and later married Dolores Rice in 2011.
- Misconception: All of Andrew McCarthy's children are professional actors.
- Fact: Only his eldest son, Sam McCarthy, works as a professional actor. His younger children, Willow and Daniel, are not public figures and remain away from the entertainment industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Andrew McCarthy's current wife?
Andrew McCarthy’s current wife is Dolores Rice, an Irish playwright, stage director, and screenwriter. The couple has been married since 2011.
How many times has Andrew McCarthy been married?
Andrew McCarthy has been married twice. His first marriage was to Carol Schneider (1999–2005), and his second marriage is to Dolores Rice (2011–present).
How many children does Andrew McCarthy have?
Andrew McCarthy has three children: Sam McCarthy (born 2002 from his first marriage), Willow McCarthy (born 2006 with Dolores Rice), and Daniel McCarthy (born 2014 with Dolores Rice).
Is Sam McCarthy related to Andrew McCarthy?
Yes, actor Sam McCarthy (Dead to Me) is Andrew McCarthy's eldest son from his first marriage to Carol Schneider.
What is Dolores Rice's background?
Dolores Rice is an Irish creative professional with degrees from University College Dublin and Goldsmiths College in London. She works primarily as a theater director, playwright, and screenwriter.
Which book did Andrew McCarthy write about his journey toward marrying Dolores Rice?
Andrew McCarthy wrote The Longest Way Home: One Man's Journey Through the Courage of Commitment (published in 2012), which detail his internal struggles with commitment and travel experiences prior to his wedding with Dolores Rice.
Practical Takeaway for Readers and Fans
For readers interested in learning more about Andrew McCarthy's personal reflections on relationships, fatherhood, and his marriage to Dolores Rice, his published works offer the most authentic insights.
To explore his story directly:
- Read The Longest Way Home (2012) for a deep dive into how he overcame his fears of commitment prior to marrying Dolores Rice.
- Read Walking with Sam (2023) to understand his parenting philosophy and his relationship with his eldest son during a journey across Spain.
- Watch Brats (2024) for historical context on how early fame impacted his personal life, relationships, and eventual retreat from public Hollywood culture.
