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Zooey Deschanel's choice to mix business with pleasure in 2014 led to her second marriage to Jacob Pechenik. The New Girl actress has had a long, successful career in Hollywood. Zooey began acting even before she landed a role in the popular show. Since 2003 when the actress dated Jason Schwartzman for two years, Zooey has been romantically involved with a few other stars including her first husband, singer Ben Gibbard, and her second husband, producer Jacob Pechenik.
Two marriages and divorces later, Zooey is a mother to two children from her second marriage to Pechenik. Pechenik's divorce from the actress was filed in 2019 after a few months of estrangement, and concluded in 2020.
Before meeting the producer, Deschanel had been in a two-year relationship with Screenwriter James Linden before splitting up in August of 2015. Later that year, the romance between her and Pechenik began on the set of the comedy film, 'Rock the Kasbah'.
It’s not news anymore that 41-year-old actress, Zooey Deschanel called it quits with her now ex-husband, Jacob Pechenik.
The couple officially finalized their divorce back in 2020 after almost four years of marriage and two children. Before the official divorce announcement, Zooey and Jacob were already separated for some months.
In 2019, Jacob formally filed for divorce from Zooey, due to "irreconcilable differences. In a statement given to E! News, they announced the end of their four-year-long marriage.
"After much discussion and a long period of contemplation we have decided we are better off as friends, business partners, and co-parents rather than life partners. We remain committed to our business, our values, and most of all, our children. Thank you for respecting our privacy at this time."
Jacob and Zooey are parents to six-year-old Elsie Otter and Charlie Wolfe who is now four years old.
The Romance
The couple met on set in 2014 while working together on the American comedy film, 'Rock the Kasbah'. Pictures appeared on the internet from the movie set of Zooey kissing an unknown man, piquing the public's curiosity and interest as the actress had maintained a quiet romantic life since her split from her first husband, Ben Gibbard.
In January of 2015, A pregnant Zooey finally disclosed to the public that she was engaged to be married to Pechenik, and six months after her announcement, the pair got married in a quiet ceremony. Zooey took her husband's last name and began to go by Pechenik. Shortly after the wedding, in Austin, Texas, in July of 2015, the newlyweds welcomed a beautiful baby girl, Elsie Otter.
Jacob and Zooey volunteered some juicy details on their bundle of joy on "Today" six years ago in 2015, and revealed their baby girl's name to the world, citing their love for otters as the reason for their daughter's middle name.
"We just really liked the name Elsie and then we both love otters -- they're very sweet and they're also smart. They use tools ... they hold hands while they sleep, there's so many amazing things about otters. They're wonderful animals," Zooey revealed.
In 2017, they welcomed another addition to their beautiful family. Zooey gave birth to a boy in May that year, and the couple named him Charlie Wolf.
Before meeting Pechenik, Zooey had been married to Death Cab for cutie lead singer and guitarist, Ben Gibbard from 2009 up until 2012. The singer and actress officially called it quits and finalized their divorce in 2012. There were no children from her first marriage.
Deschanel And Pechenik's Divorce Case
Court documents detailing the terms of the divorce acquired by People read that the couple became recognized by the law as unmarried on the 1st of June, 2020. The document also declared that "All retirement‚ pension or deferred compensation assets in either party's name shall be and are confirmed to each as their sole and separate property, and the other party shall have no right, title or interest to them‚ and each shall indemnify and hold the other harmless with respect thereto," implying that properties and funds were not split between the two during the divorce proceedings.
Who Got Custody Of Elsie and Charlie?
Zooey and Jacob made it crystal clear that the divorce was amicable and that they would maintain shared custody of Elsie Otter and Charlie Wolfe. To aid their arrangement, changes were made to the children's names to accommodate Zooey's last name, adding Deschanel as their middle name.
Zooey Has Since Moved On With New Flame
Right after news of their divorce became public knowledge, Deschanel had some interesting news of her own to share. The actress and singer-songwriter made her relationship with Property Brothers' Jonathan Scott, public on Instagram. Deschanel met Scott while filming an episode of a segment of 'The Late Late Show with James Corden', called Carpool Karaoke.
Since going public on Instagram, Zooey has continued to show off her love life with Jonathan on the platform with numerous loved-up pictures. Last month, she shared a selfie celebrating the second anniversary of her relationship with Jonathan.
If Instagram posts are anything to go by, Jacob Pechenik has been spending quality time with Elsie Otter and Charlie Wolf, expressing that being able to be a father is what makes him the happiest.