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Over the last several years, it has become increasingly obvious that there is one thing that the studios want out of their movie stars above all else. After all, these days it seems like the only actors that become movie stars are the ones that anchor film franchises.Now that it seems like virtually every movie star headlines at least one film franchise, if not more, it can sometimes feel like starring in a movie series isn't impressive any longer. After all, if often feels like there are reports claiming every mainstream star is in talks to star in an MCU movie.Related: The Biggest Movie Franchises From The 80s To 2020, Ranked By Money MadeEven in a movie landscape where it feels like franchises are a dime a dozen, there is still something special about Pierce Brosnan. After all, Brosnan played James Bond in four films and there still is something special about that character.Since Pierce Brosnan is best known for playing 007, a character that is a renowned womanizer, it may surprise some that he has been married to the same woman for more than twenty years. With that in mind, it begs two questions, how did Brosnan meet his wife and how are they still together?

Who Pierce Brosnan Dated Before He Met His Wife Keely Shaye Smith

During the early-2000s, Pierce Brosnan rose to fame thanks to his role in the popular series Remington Steele. Based on his performance in that show alone, many people at that time became convinced that Brosnan was destined to bring James Bond to life. However, it would be many years before he landed that role.

Related: Pierce Brosnan Will Never Regret James Bond

Obviously, an extremely handsome man and famous as well, Pierce Brosnan became one of Hollywood's biggest hunks during the '80s. With that in mind, it shouldn't surprise anyone that Brosnan never seemed to have a problem finding a romantic partner.

After dating a few women following his ascent to fame, Pierce Brosnan met and fell for an Australian actor and former Bond girl named Cassandra Harris. Ultimately, Brosnan and Harris tied the knot in 1980 and at the time it seemed like they would live happily ever after.

Early on in Pierce Brosnan and Cassandra Harris' relationship, the couple had a son named Sean. On top of that, Brosnan took Harris' daughter Cassandra and her son Chris from a previous relationship as his own by legally adopting them both.

Even though everything seemed idyllic, tragedy struck when Harris was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1987. After valiantly fighting cancer for several years, Harris passed away in 1991. Many years later in 2013, tragedy struck once again when Brosnan's adopted daughter Charlotte also lost her life to ovarian cancer.

Unsurprisingly, Pierce Brosnan has been very open about how much he struggled to cope with his first wife's passing. Despite that, Brosnan did manage to briefly get involved with a few women in the two years that followed. Then, Brosnan's life changed forever in 1994.

Inside Pierce Brosnan's Relationship With His Wife

Even though Keely Shaye Smith certainly isn't as famous as her superstar husband, she has led a life that is more fascinating than a lot of major stars. A jack of all trades, Shaye Smith has made her living as a journalist, author, television host, actress, producer, and director.

Related: Everything We Know About Pierce Brosnan's Kids

In 1994, Keely Shaye Smith was in Cabo San Lucas on assignment with the famous Cheers actor Ted Danson. By sheer coincidence, Pierce Brosnan was in the resort city at the same time and he wound up attending the same beach party that Shaye Smith happened to be at which allowed them to meet.

Based on what Pierce Brosnan has said about his wife over the years, it seems pretty clear that it was love at first sight for him. The same year Brosnan and Shaye Smith got married, Pierce spoke to People about how much he adores his wife.

"Wherever I went in the world I missed her, and I’d send her tickets to come so we could be together. We just seemed to fit," Later in the same interview, Brosnan elaborated on how wonderful his wife is as a person. "I found a great woman in Keely Shaye. Not if I searched a million times over would I find one as good.”

In the years since Pierce Brosnan and Keely Shaye Smith walked down the aisle, he has continued to prove that he is a one-woman man, On top of that, Brosnan seems as smitten with Shaye Smith as ever based on what he said in recent years about marrying Shaye Smith after losing his first wife.

“I had a great marriage which sadly had its own ending, and I was lucky enough to find love again. We were meant to find each other. I thank God for her every day. When Keely looks at me, I go weak. I love her vitality, her passion. She has this strength that I wouldn’t be able to live without.”