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Inside Andrew McCarthy and Wife Dolores Rice’s Relationship and Children

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1 day ago

April 22, 2026

Inside Andrew McCarthy and Wife Dolores Rice’s Relationship and Children

Andrew McCarthy rose to fame as a member of Hollywood’s iconic “Brat Pack” in the 1980s, starring in beloved films like Pretty in Pink, St. Elmo’s Fire, and Weekend at Bernie’s.

But while his career has evolved from teen heartthrob to acclaimed director and award‑winning travel writer, his personal life has been anchored by a steady, long‑term partnership. McCarthy has been married to his second wife, Dolores Rice, since 2011.

Despite McCarthy’s decades in the spotlight, the couple has managed to keep their relationship remarkably private, rarely sharing details about their marriage or family life. This has only deepened curiosity about the woman who stole the Brat Pack star’s heart.

Here is everything we know about Dolores Rice, their enduring marriage, their children, and her own impressive accomplishments.

Who is Dolores Rice? Andrew McCarthy’s Wife

Dolores Rice is an Irish‑American writer, director, actress, and educator. She is best known to the public as the wife of Andrew McCarthy, but her professional achievements stand firmly on their own.

Rice was born in Dublin, Ireland, in the late 1970s (her exact age has not been publicly disclosed). She moved to the United States with her family at a young age and holds American citizenship while also maintaining strong ties to her Irish heritage. Her ethnicity is Irish.

Andrew McCarthy and his wife, Dolores Rice, at an event in 2008 (Photo: Broadway World)

She has an impressive academic background. Rice studied at the Ecole Florent School in Paris, earning a diploma in acting in 1994. She also attended the Sorbonne University in Paris from 1993 to 1994.

She earned a BA in Philosophy and French from University College Dublin in 1995, and later pursued a Master’s degree in Philosophy, Theatre, and Performance from Goldsmiths College in 1997. She also earned a master’s degree in Theatre Directing from The Lir National Academy of Dramatic Art in Dublin.

The Love Story: How Andrew McCarthy Met Dolores Rice

The couple’s origin story is charming. Dolores first saw Andrew on screen when she was just nine years old, watching the film Catholic Boys with a friend. She became determined to move to the US and pursue acting.

After relocating to New York, she attended a screening of McCarthy’s film News for the Church and met him in the lobby. However, she soon returned to Dublin, and it was Andrew who reached out via email to ask her on a date. The rest is history.

After several years of dating, the couple married on August 28, 2011, at the Midtown Loft in New York City. They have been together ever since, with McCarthy describing their relationship as a transformative journey that even inspired his global adventures and writing.

A Private Partnership: The Couple’s Discreet Life

Throughout their relationship, Andrew McCarthy and Dolores Rice have remained fiercely protective of their private lives. Rice avoids social media, letting her work portfolio speak for itself, and the couple rarely discusses their marriage in interviews.

Andrew McCarthy and his wife, Dolores Rice, at an event in 2010 (Photo: Broadway World)

While McCarthy’s celebrity status thrust him into the public eye decades ago, he and Rice have chosen to keep their family life out of the spotlight. Likewise, Rice is not active on Instagram or other platforms, and she rarely appears on McCarthy’s social media accounts.

Their children, too, have largely been shielded from public scrutiny, with McCarthy sharing occasional glimpses. The couple’s preference for privacy has only deepened curiosity about their relationship, but they have consistently prioritized discretion over public exposure.

Andrew McCarthy and Dolores Rice’s Children

Andrew McCarthy has three children. He shares his eldest son, Sam McCarthy (born March 15, 2002), with his first wife, Carol Schneider. Sam has followed in his father’s footsteps and is an actor, known for his roles in Dead to Me, Goosebumps, and Condor.

Andrew and Dolores have two children together: a daughter named Willow, born in 2006, and a son named Rowan, born around 2014. Willow has performed on Broadway in the title role of Matilda, and Rowan is the youngest of the three.

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A post shared by Andrew McCarthy (@andrewtmccarthy)

In a 2013 blog post, McCarthy wrote about how much he loves his kids. “Like most parents, I believe my children to be more dynamic, more charming, funnier, smarter, more perceptive and sensitive, more athletic, and more beautiful than other people’s children,” he penned.

“I love my children. At this moment they still adore us. It’s a lovely time of life.” McCarthy initially kept his celebrity status from his children. When he finally told Sam, who was 9 at the time, about his career, his elder son proceeded to tell McCarthy how proud he was.

“I realized in that instant I did everything wrong as a parent by keeping such a big part of my life separate from my kids,” he said. In 2023, McCarthy and Sam embarked on an epic trek, walking the 500 miles of the Spanish trail, Camino de Santiago.

During the 32‑day hike, Sam’s relationship with his dad grew stronger as the pair spoke about all kinds of topics, including drugs, alcohol, sex, love, and heartbreak. “There’s a great deal of trust on my end towards him because I spent a lot of the time the first few weeks just talking about absolute nonsense that was bothering me,” Sam told PEOPLE.

“He had the patience and the grace and the love to just listen to it,” he added. McCarthy published Walking with Sam: A Father, a Son, and Five Hundred Miles Across Spain, a memoir that details the trek.

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A post shared by Andrew McCarthy (@andrewtmccarthy)

In a joking Instagram post, McCarthy shared a photo of Rowan reading his book, Walking with Sam. “My youngest, Rowan, picked up my new book and read a few pages. He closed it and concluded, ‘It would have been better if it was about me,’” he captioned the post.

A Look at Dolores Rice’s Career and Achievements

Dolores Rice has an impressive and varied career. As a writer, she has had three feature‑length screenplays optioned by Element Films, Hell’s Kitchen Films, and the Irish Film Board.

She wrote the screenplay Faithful, a biopic about singer Marianne Faithfull, and Empty Sky, which was commissioned by the Irish Film Board. She also served as a writer‑in‑residence at The Tribeca Performing Arts Center for two consecutive years, where she wrote and directed her play The Apology.

Rice has worked as a director on off‑Broadway productions and has directed at least three films that have played on the festival circuit. She has also worked as an actress, with credits including a role in the 2018 film All Square.

She has also shared her expertise as a teacher at University College Dublin and the Sorbonne, and she has assisted directors at The Abbey Theatre in Dublin. Currently, Rice divides her time between New York and Dublin, balancing her creative projects with her family life.

Andrew McCarthy’s Career Highlights and Net Worth

Andrew McCarthy’s career has had several successful acts. He first rose to fame in the 1980s as a member of the Brat Pack, starring in Class (1983), St. Elmo’s Fire (1985), Pretty in Pink (1986), Mannequin (1987), Less Than Zero (1987), and Weekend at Bernie’s (1989).

In the 2000s, he transitioned to directing, helming episodes of hit shows like Orange Is the New Black, The Blacklist, Gossip Girl, and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. He won an Emmy for his work on Netflix’s Orange Is the New Black.

He also became an award‑winning travel writer, serving as an editor‑at‑large for National Geographic Traveler and winning Travel Journalist of the Year in 2010. He has authored several books, including the New York Times bestseller Just Fly Away and the memoir Brat: An ’80s Story.

According to multiple sources, including Celebrity Net Worth, Andrew McCarthy’s net worth is estimated to be $12 million. This wealth comes from his extensive work as an actor, director, author, and travel writer.

Fun Facts About Andrew McCarthy and Dolores Rice

A Father‑Son Journey

In 2023, McCarthy and his son Sam walked the 500‑mile Camino de Santiago trail. The experience strengthened their relationship and inspired McCarthy’s memoir Walking with Sam.

From Brat Pack to Broadway

McCarthy made his Broadway debut in The Boys of Winter and later starred in Side Man, which won the 1999 Tony Award for Best Play.

A Chance Meeting That Changed Everything

Dolores Rice first saw Andrew on screen when she was nine years old. Years later, after moving to New York, she attended a screening of his film News for the Church and met him in the lobby. He later emailed her to ask for a date.

Conclusion

Andrew McCarthy has been happily married to Dolores Rice since 2011. Rice is an accomplished writer, director, and educator. Together, they have two children, Willow and Rowan. McCarthy also has an adult son, Sam, from his previous marriage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Andrew McCarthy married to?

Andrew McCarthy is married to Dolores Rice, an Irish‑American writer and director. They wed on August 28, 2011.

Are Andrew McCarthy and Dolores Rice still together?

Yes. Andrew McCarthy and Dolores Rice are still together.

What is Dolores Rice’s ethnicity?

Dolores Rice is of Irish ethnicity. She was born in Dublin, Ireland, and is an American citizen.

How many children does Andrew McCarthy have?

He has three children: a son, Sam, from his first marriage to Carol Schneider; a daughter, Willow, and a son, Rowan, with his second wife, Dolores Rice.

What is Andrew McCarthy’s net worth?

Andrew McCarthy’s net worth is estimated to be $12 million.

What is Dolores Rice known for?

Dolores Rice is a writer, director, and actress. She has written multiple screenplays, directed off‑Broadway plays, and worked as a writer‑in‑residence at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center.

How did Andrew McCarthy meet Dolores Rice?

Dolores saw Andrew in a film as a child and later met him after a screening of his movie News for the Church. He later emailed her to ask for a date.