Longtime Curb Your Enthusiasm star Cheryl Hines recently shared that she and her former on-screen husband, Larry David, have grown apart since the show’s finale, a distance she openly links to the political landscape surrounding her marriage to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his role within the Donald Trump administration.
For over two decades, Cheryl Hines and Larry David captivated audiences as the hilariously dysfunctional married couple, Cheryl and Larry David, on HBO’s critically acclaimed comedy Curb Your Enthusiasm. The show, which ran from 2000 to 2024, built a legacy around David’s unvarnished takes on social etiquette and the comedic friction it created, often with Hines as his exasperated but loving counterpart. Now, with the series concluded, a real-life unscripted dynamic appears to be unfolding between the former costars, echoing the show’s knack for awkward, truth-telling revelations.
A Post-Finale Silence: Hines Confirms Distance with David
During a revealing appearance on Billy Bush’s Hot Mics podcast on October 27, 2025, Hines confirmed that she and David “probably” haven’t spoken since the wrap-up event for Curb Your Enthusiasm’s 12th and final season in April 2024. When Bush inquired if their relationship had “changed a little” after the show ended, Hines admitted, “I haven’t talked to him in a while.” The candid admission suggests a notable shift from their long-standing professional and personal connection.
Despite the current silence, Hines was quick to affirm her enduring affection for her former costar. “I love Larry, and I think Larry loves me,” she stated during the interview. However, she then added a telling qualification: “I think it’s just politics, it makes conversations…” This poignant remark highlights the underlying tension that appears to have driven a wedge between the two, despite their deep history and mutual respect.
The Political Divide: RFK Jr.’s Influence
The core of this growing distance, as Hines suggested, lies in the stark political differences between David and her husband, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Larry David has been a vociferous critic of former president Donald Trump and the conservative political movement, frequently using his platform and even satirical essays, like “My Dinner with Adolf” for the New York Times, to express his strong liberal viewpoints. His political leanings are well-documented, making his opposition to Trump a public stance.
In contrast, Cheryl Hines is married to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who, after an independent presidential bid, ended his 2024 campaign to endorse Trump and subsequently joined his administration as the Secretary of Health and Human Services. This political alignment places Hines firmly within the camp that David has openly critiqued. The irony is particularly striking given that it was David himself who introduced Hines to Kennedy in 2004, forging a connection that has now inadvertently led to a strain in their own friendship.
Larry David has previously addressed his complex relationship with Kennedy’s political aspirations. When asked by the New York Times about his support for RFK Jr., David clarified his position, stating, “Yes love and support, but I’m not ‘supporting’ him” politically, emphasizing the personal over the political connection with his friend and the husband of his former costar. This distinction underscores the personal cost of political polarization, even among those who share deep bonds.
More Than Just Larry: Hines’ Broader Social Impact
The impact of her husband’s political career extends beyond her relationship with Larry David. Hines is currently on a press tour for her new book, Unscripted, and has found herself navigating challenging political questions rather than discussing her literary work. She expressed frustration with her October 14 appearance on The View, noting that the panel “just wanted to grill me about Bobby” and his association with Trump, rather than focusing on her book.
Hines has publicly embraced her husband’s controversial views, including those on COVID vaccination and Tylenol, which she parroted during her interview on The View. This has led to tension and even the loss of other friendships. Comedian and former podcast co-host Tig Notaro, for instance, described stepping away from her relationship with Hines when Kennedy announced his presidential run, stating she felt Hines was “okaying a particular ride for this country to go on.” Hines, in turn, attributes much of the criticism she and her husband face to a general “disdain of anything MAGA.”
The actress also revealed that she received warnings from colleagues that Kennedy’s political dealings could impact her Hollywood career. While she remains open to projects that don’t hinge on politics, she acknowledges that her marriage to Bobby might deter some in the industry from working with her, a significant shift from her established career.
A Fan Community Perspective: When Art Imitates Life (and Politics)
For fans of Curb Your Enthusiasm, this real-life estrangement carries a bittersweet resonance. The show itself often explored the awkward intersections of personal relationships and societal expectations, with David’s character frequently alienating friends and associates through his uncompromising views. The dynamic between Cheryl and Larry David on screen was a masterclass in navigating such frictions, albeit in a fictional context.
Now, to see a similar dynamic play out between the actors off-screen, driven by the highly charged world of national politics, offers a poignant reflection on how deeply public life can intertwine with personal bonds. Fans, who once relished the faux arguments and reconciliations of their TV counterparts, are now faced with the more complex reality of a friendship strained by genuine ideological differences. It’s a powerful reminder that sometimes, life imitates art in ways even the most cynical showrunner couldn’t script.
