Rupert Everett: Partner, Madonna Friendship, Colin Firth Feud

When Rupert Everett first stepped onto a London stage in 1981, few could have predicted the decades of drama that would follow—both on screen and off. From a groundbreaking role in Another Country to a bitter feud with Colin Firth and a rollercoaster friendship with Madonna, his life has been as compelling as any script.

Born: 29 May 1959 ·
First public attention: 1981 ·
Openly gay: 1989 ·
Notable film: My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997) ·
Current age (2025): 66

Five key biographical details, one pattern: Everett’s career milestones are well documented, while his personal relationships remain largely private.

Does Rupert Everett have a partner?

Everett came out as gay in 1989 and has spoken about past relationships in interviews, but as of 2025 his current relationship status is not publicly confirmed (YouTube interview).

Has Rupert Everett ever been in a public relationship?

He has referenced being in long-term relationships in the past, but has never publicly named a partner since the 1990s. In his memoir Red Carpets and Other Banana Skins, he writes about romantic involvements, but avoids identifying current partners.

Who is Rupert Everett’s partner?

No official confirmation exists. Everett has stated he values privacy regarding his personal life (Alain Elkann Interviews).

The implication: Everett’s deliberate privacy means any speculation about a current partner remains unsupported by evidence.

Is Madonna still friends with Rupert Everett?

Everett and Madonna were very close in the 1990s. He worked with her on The Next Best Thing (2000). In a televised interview, Everett said he “adored” her and they were “very, very close” for a long time (Piers Morgan’s Life Stories).

What caused the strain in their friendship?

After Madonna married Guy Ritchie, Ritchie reportedly made crude remarks about sleeping with her. Everett condemned the remarks publicly, leading to tension (YouTube interview clip).

Have they reconciled?

A 2020 interview clip captured Everett saying they “are friends again” and that Madonna is “an amazing woman” (same clip). No more recent statement exists, so the current status is uncertain.

“I adored her then and I adore her now.”

Rupert Everett on his friendship with Madonna, Piers Morgan’s Life Stories

The pattern: Everett’s loyalty came at a professional price, and the friendship’s full restoration remains unconfirmed.

What sparked the feud between Rupert Everett and Colin Firth?

The tension traces back to the set of Another Country in 1984, where the two actors did not get along (Daily Express). Everett later admitted he became “despotic and power-crazed” and alienated Firth (The Mirror).

Did Rupert Everett have a crush on Colin Firth?

Everett said he “became obsessed with Colin Firth after first finding him attractive for a short time” (The Mirror). He also admitted to being “power-crazed” on set.

How long did the feud last?

The feud simmered for decades. The pair only reconnected after working together again on The Importance of Being Earnest (2002). By 2024, Firth stated, “We love each other now” (The Mirror quoting The Irish Times).

What this means: The feud reveals how personal vulnerability can drive public conflict, and how time can rebuild bridges.

What was Rupert Everett’s big break?

Everett’s big break came in 1981 when he was cast as the lead in Julian Mitchell’s play Another Country, opposite Kenneth Branagh (YouTube interview). The film version followed in 1984 and earned him his first BAFTA nomination.

How did his stage career launch?

After training at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Everett auditioned for Another Country at the last minute and got the part. He has described the experience as “life-changing” (same YouTube interview).

The implication: One play not only launched his career but also set the stage for his later feuds, since it was on that same set that the friction with Colin Firth began.

What did Guy Ritchie say about sleeping with Madonna?

Guy Ritchie reportedly made crude remarks about his sexual relationship with Madonna, which Everett heard and condemned (YouTube interview clip). The exact words have not been publicly repeated, but Everett described them as “vulgar” and “disrespectful.”

How did Guy Ritchie’s comments affect Rupert Everett’s friendship with Madonna?

Everett’s public criticism of Ritchie put him at odds with his friend’s husband, and Madonna distanced herself from Everett. The friendship cooled significantly after the incident.

Did Rupert Everett respond to Guy Ritchie’s remarks?

Yes, he called them out in interviews, which he later said was “probably not the smartest move” professionally (YouTube interview clip).

The pattern: Everett’s outspokenness cost him a high-profile friendship, but he has not expressed regret for defending Madonna.

The trajectory: From a single play to a decades-long arc of feuds and reconciliations, Everett’s timeline mirrors the highs and lows of a complicated public life.

The division: Everett’s professional milestones are well-documented, but the inner workings of his personal relationships remain largely private.

The takeaway: These quotes reveal how Everett’s self-awareness and Firth’s humor have allowed a damaged relationship to heal.

For Rupert Everett, the trade-off between a fierce loyalty to friends and a famously sharp tongue has shaped both his friendships and his feuds. With Madonna the price was a cooled friendship; with Colin Firth it took decades to rebuild the bridge. For a public figure who has always insisted on living and speaking honestly, the consequence is clear: his relationships—just like his career—are defined by the risks he takes, not the safety he preserves.

For more details on Rupert Everett, including his partner and feuds, read details on Rupert Everett.

Frequently asked questions

The bottom line: These FAQs address the most common gaps in public knowledge, reflecting the boundaries Everett has set around his personal life.