Kurt Russell has revealed the secret to his 43-year relationship with Goldie Hawn in a characteristically humble five-word tribute. Speaking exclusively to the Express at the 2026 Festival de Télévision de Monte-Carlo, where he received the Crystal Nymph Award for lifetime achievement, the 75-year-old actor said he hopes Hawn continues to wake up and think: 'He's not much to look at, but I like him. He's a good guy.'
Six Decades in Hollywood
Russell's career spans more than 60 years, beginning with an uncredited role opposite Elvis Presley in 1963's It Happened at the World's Fair. After becoming a child star for Disney, he transitioned into adult roles and has amassed over 100 film and TV credits, including iconic action films like Escape From New York, The Thing, Big Trouble in Little China, and Tombstone.
Reflecting on his longevity, Russell said: 'You're just in there working and when you're in the trees, you don't actually see the trees.' He credited his father's advice: 'Let your bat do your talking for you, so I've just let my career do my talking for me.'
The Secret to a Lasting Relationship
Russell and Hawn have never married, a decision he once explained to People magazine by saying 'the marriage certificate wasn't going to create anything that otherwise we wouldn't have.' When asked about the secret to their long relationship, Russell admitted: 'I honestly don't have an answer to that question, but it's worked out really well for us and I believe that it will continue to do so. She's a great human being. She's an irresistible person.'
He added: 'I hope she continues to want to wake up in the morning, look over and go, "He's not much to look at, but I like him. He's a good guy."'
Returning to Television
After a long absence from the small screen since his 1979 TV movie Elvis, Russell has returned in streaming series Monarch: Legacy of Monsters (Apple TV+) and The Madison (Paramount+). In Monarch, he shares scenes with his son Wyatt Russell, who plays a younger version of his character. 'We're very close,' he said. 'Like Goldie and Kate [Hudson], we have a similar relationship.'
The Madison reunites him with Michelle Pfeiffer, 38 years after they starred together in Tequila Sunrise. Russell praised Pfeiffer's performance as a grieving widow: 'She's so good in it. You have to be a grinder for a role like that and Michelle's a grinder.'
Lessons from a Legend
Russell's father, actor Bing Russell, died of cancer at age 76. Kurt recalled their final conversation: 'When he was dying, I was just looking at him one time and he said, "What are you thinking?" I said, "I'm just glad it's not me [who's dying]" and he told me, "Keep thinking that way and you're gonna have a great life." If I could pass that on to my kids, if I'm dying and they can look me in the eye and say, "I'm just glad it's not me" then I'll feel like I've done my job.'
He added: 'Some people might think that sounds terribly unloving, but for me it's the opposite.'
Russell has no plans to retire and no interest in directing. 'When you're a director, you're on the job 24/7 for as much as two or three years. That isn't going to work for my life,' he said.
