Schwimmer and Buckman at the Emmy Awards in 2016. (Getty)
Friends star David Schwimmer announced on April 5 that he’s separating from his wife of seven years. Schwimmer, 50, married photographer and artist Zoe Buckman, 31, in June 2010. The couple has been together since 2007 and had a daughter, Cleo, in May 2011. In a statement to E!, Schwimmer said, “It is with great love, respect and friendship that we have decided to take some time apart while we determine the future of our relationship. Our priority is, of course, our daughter’s happiness and well-being during this challenging time, and so we ask for your support and respect for our privacy as we continue to raise her together and navigate this new chapter for our family.”
The pair met while Schwimmer was in London directing the 2007 movie Run Fatboy Run.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Buckman Said in February 2017 That She Has ‘Never Known America to Be This Alive With Political Thought’
Protesters march in New York during the Women’s March on January 21, 2017.
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In a February 2017 op-ed in Vogue, Buckman wrote, “I have never known America to be this alive with political thought, debate, action, enthusiasm and solidarity before. It is a horribly important time to be an American.” Buckman went on to describe watching Donald Trump’s election as “traumatic.”
While in response to the political climate, Buckman designed the exhibition, Mostly It’s Just Uncomfortable. Buckman had described the work as being a response to attacks on women’s healthcare and on Planned Parenthood. Two of the pieces from the exhibition were shown at the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. Critic Brianna Cohen described the piece as a “must see.”
Buckman posted this photo of Schwimmer to Instagram two days before their separation was announced.
On her official website, Buckman describes her work as “exploring themes of Feminism, mortality, and equality.” Buckman has previously referred to herself as Jewish. In an interview with Nasty Gal, Buckman said, “I find the work ethic, integrity, and loyalty of my husband incredibly inspiring.”
2. In 2016, Buckman Designed a Range of Lingerie Emblazoned With 2Pac & Biggie Smalls’ Lyrics
In 2016, Buckman presented Every Curve, a series of lingerie with the lyrics of rappers 2Pac and the Notorious B.I.G. printed on the front of the pieces. Critic Hannah-Rosanne Poulton said the work “illustrates the oppositional perceptions of woman as sexual object, woman as love, and woman as creator; perceptions which, with recourse to history, remain unchanged.”
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When asked by Nasty Gal about reconciling feminism with some of hip-hop’s racier lyrics, Buckman said, “We shouldn’t be shunning or unfairly blaming a small group of people for the sexual inequalities in our society, or for expressing a viewpoint that the world has told them they possess. But we also can’t just keep ignoring what is being put out in the world for the next generation of young women. And so dance to the music, rap along to it, use your voice and make it your own, but above all, talk about it and make a noise.”
Buckman described her use of lingerie to the Aesthete saying, “I wanted to marry the very male text with something that feels very typically feminine. Not feminist, but feminine. Aesthetically, I like to make art that looks sumptuous and sensual as well as having a message behind it.”
3. Buckman Once Used Her Placenta in Her Artwork
Buckman pictured on March 2015. (Getty)
Buckman has also designed an exhibition titled Present Life. One of the centerpieces was Buckman’s placenta from the birth of her daughter, Cleo, in 2011. Buckman says that the placenta had deteriorated and could have caused her daughter premature death. The placenta was plastinated, a common practice for artists to preserve body parts. During the exhibition, the placenta was encased in marble.
When asked about the use of the placenta by Art Net, Buckman said, “I wanted to try and freeze that moment when something living begins to die. This was all part of having the baby and then starting to think about death, and how my child is going to die, and I am going to die. That’s really f***ed up.”
4. Buckman’s 5-Year-Old Daughter ‘Loves’ Beer
During a May 2016 appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers, David Schwimmer announced that his daughter “loves beer.” The actor had been talking with Meyers about wine tasting. Schwimmer said, “Listen, I don’t know how the other parents are out there, but my thought when I pour myself a glass of wine that my wife and I have over dinner and my daughter says, ‘Can I try that?’ I thought, ‘Well, if you start saying no then they’re just going to want it more.’ So, I thought ‘Yeah, all right. Go ahead, sweetie. Have a sip.’ And luckily she was like, ‘Blah! No!'”
He continued, “It worked until I let her try beer and she loves it. I’ll find her in the middle of the night just [guzzling it]. I’m serious!” he said. “If I have a beer out, I have to watch it, because if I turn my back, she’ll be chugging it.” Meyers responded by saying, “You’ve got a long life ahead of you.”
5. Buckman Is Related to Legendary Star Wars Actor Alec Guinness
Alec Guinness pictured in 1960. (Getty)
Buckman comes from a famous family, her mother is a playwright and TV writer named Jennie Buckman. Jennie Buckman also served as the head of acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. While her brother is a writer named Peter Buckman. In her extended family, you’ll find the legendary Star Wars actor Alec Guinness and celebrated actress Geraldine James, according to Buckman’s official website.
When asked by the Aesthete about the differences between London and New York, Buckman said, ” London is definitely more chill, but I like that New York is constantly awake, always moving. I love that you guys have Chelsea—that doesn’t exist anywhere else, even in Berlin, you have to move around. It’s great to have that unique community packed in with galleries.”