Grant Shaffer, Alan Cumming’s Husband: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

Let’s get to know star Alan Cumming’s husband Grant Shaffer and get a better look at what a long-standing relationship in Hollywood looks like. Read on for the details on the loving couple.


1. Cumming Married Shaffer in 2007

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I am married to a pencil devil @granteepants

A post shared by Alan Cumming (@alancummingsnaps) on Mar 3, 2015 at 10:47pm PST

Shaffer and Cumming dated for two years before entering into a civil partnership at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, London, on January 7, 2007.


2. Shaffer Is a Graphic Artist

Grant Shaffer is a graphic artist who lives with husband Cumming in New York City with their two dogs, Honey and Leon. Shaffer’s career bio reads:

Grant Shaffer was born in San Francisco in 1965. He has lived and worked in Manhattan as an artist and illustrator for the past 18 years. He illustrates for magazines and newspapers such as The New Yorker, The New York Times and Interview Magazine, and his work was recently featured in the book All The Art That’s Fit To Print: Inside The New York Times Op-Ed Page. His comic series, 30 Kinds Of Passion was included in the Best American Comics Guide, 2008 Edition. He has also worked as a storyboard artist on such films as Angles in America, Closer, Zoolander, Little Children, Charlie Wilson’s War and Wall Street 2, as well as music videos for Madonna, Michael Jackson and Beyoncé.

Currently, Shaffer is teaching illustration at the School of Visual Arts and has a job as a general art teacher at Harvey Milk High School. You can view some of Shaffer’s work on his website.


3. The Couple Remarried For Their Fifth Wedding Anniversary

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Having a dander in the forests of Auckland

A post shared by Alan Cumming (@alancummingsnaps) on May 12, 2015 at 7:14pm PDT

Cumming and Shaffer remarried in New York on January 7, 2012. After Cumming’s civil partnership with Shaffer, Cumming said he doesn’t really believe in being monogamous. He stated:

I don’t believe that monogamy is feasible.

Cumming tweeted the news of his vow renewal via Twitter. The couple held their second wedding at the Soho Grand Hotel in New York City. Cumming tweeted:

On the 5th anniversary of our wedding in London Grant and I tied the knot again in NYC!!! #eatmericksantorum

According to Daily Mail, Cumming’s hashtag ‘Eat me Rick Santorum’ refers to the candidate Republican nomination for President, who opposes gay marriage.


4. Cumming Would Like to Have Children With Shaffer

In 2006, Cumming stated that he “would dearly like to adopt a child,” but that his life was “too hectic” for children. Currently, Cumming is starring on The Good Wife as well as in the award-winning Broadway musical “Cabaret.”


5. Cumming Was Previously Married to a Woman

When Cumming graduated from school, he married fellow student Hilary Lyon and the two were married for eight years before divorcing. Hilary Lyon is now an actress, who is known for movies including Butter, Love or Money, and Breakout. She has been married to Matt Ponting since 2001 and the couple has two children.

Cumming was once described as “a frolicky pansexual sex symbol for the new millennium. However, Cumming has stated that he considers himself bisexual. He had previously stated that his inner circle always knew he was bisexual, but he felt it was important to officially come out, “although the pendulum has obviously swung.” Previous relationships for Cumming, aside from Hilary Lyon, include a two-year relationship with actress Saffron Burrows (pictured above), and a six-year relationship with theater director Nick Philippou. Cumming came out as a bisexual in 1998.