Maria Bello: Coming Out, Relationship, and Cosmetic Procedures

There’s something about Maria Bello that feels remarkably authentic. Whether she’s playing a conflicted doctor on ER or stepping onto the red carpet, she has always seemed willing to let the world see the real person behind the roles. That openness took a defining turn in 2013 when she published a Modern Love essay about coming out to her son, and it continues to evolve today — most recently in 2024, when she married chef Dominique Crenn and opened up about using Ozempic, Botox, and fillers to navigate menopause-related changes.

Born: April 18, 1967 ·
Birthplace: Norristown, Pennsylvania ·
Occupation: Actress, producer ·
Instagram Followers: 239K ·
Notable Film Debut: Permanent Midnight (1998)

Six quick facts sum up the basics of Maria Bello’s life and career.

When did Maria Bello come out?

Maria Bello publicly came out as LGBTQ in a December 2013 Modern Love essay for The New York Times. Titled “Coming Out as a Modern Family,” the piece detailed how she talked to her then-12-year-old son Jack about her relationship with a woman. The essay was later adapted for WBUR’s Modern Love podcast, where Bello read the story aloud (WBUR (public radio station)).

The timing was significant: Bello had been living openly within her circle for years but chose a national platform to make her private life public. “It was important for my son to hear it from me in my own words,” she later told The New York Times (leading newspaper).

Is Maria Bello in a relationship?

Yes. Maria Bello is in a committed relationship with Michelin-starred chef Dominique Crenn. The couple has been together since at least 2014, as documented by a 2015 live talk where Bello discussed coming out to her son (Live Talks Los Angeles via YouTube (video interview)). They were engaged by 2020, according to an Access Hollywood interview (Access Hollywood via YouTube (entertainment news)).

Who is Maria Bello’s partner?

Dominique Crenn is a French chef and restaurateur, the only female chef in the United States to hold three Michelin stars at her restaurant Atelier Crenn in San Francisco. Bello and Crenn married in a “bohemian, chic” ceremony in Los Cabos, Mexico, on May 12, 2024 (People (celebrity news outlet)). Both were 57 and 59 respectively at the time of the wedding.

The implication: Bello’s love story challenges rigid labels — she has refused to define her sexuality in narrow terms, preferring to focus on the relationship itself.

What did Maria Bello have done to her face?

Maria Bello has been transparent about cosmetic procedures. In a December 2023 interview with Vanity Fair, she said she “tried everything” — including Botox, dermal fillers, and Ozempic — as she navigated menopause and changes in her appearance (Vanity Fair (lifestyle magazine)). She returned to Instagram after a two-year hiatus and posted a candid video tying her break to menopause (Instagram (social media platform)).

Did Maria Bello use Ozempic?

Yes. Bello confirmed trying Ozempic, the diabetes drug widely used off-label for weight loss. She framed it as part of a larger experiment with beauty interventions. “I tried Ozempic, Botox, fillers — everything,” she told Vanity Fair (lifestyle magazine). “But in the end, what I really needed was to accept myself.”

Did Maria Bello get Botox or fillers?

Yes. She spoke openly about using Botox and dermal fillers, again linking them to menopause and aging. The Vanity Fair piece grouped these together with Ozempic as part of a “bundle” of interventions she tried before concluding that self-acceptance was the real key.

Does Maria Bello have any children?

Yes. Maria Bello has one son, Jack, born in 2001. Jack’s father is her former partner Dan McDermott, an actor and writer. Bello has spoken movingly about raising Jack and the moment she told him about her relationship with a woman, a key scene in her 2013 essay (WBUR (public radio station)). Jack is now in his twenties and reportedly supports his mother’s openness.

Bello’s role as a mother has been a consistent theme. She once said in a 2015 talk, “Becoming a mother made me want to live more truthfully” (Live Talks Los Angeles via YouTube (video interview)).

What happened to actress Maria Bello?

Maria Bello has not disappeared — she has simply shifted focus. After a string of major roles in the 1990s and 2000s — including ER, The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, and Grown Ups — she has continued working steadily in independent films and television guest spots. Recent credits include a recurring role on NCIS and the film Chu and Blossom.

What is Maria Bello doing now?

Bello remains active as an actress, producer, and occasional writer. She has also become an advocate for menopause awareness, using her platform to discuss aging in Hollywood. Her 2024 marriage to Dominique Crenn generated widespread coverage (People (celebrity news outlet)), but she has not announced any major upcoming film. Social media posts suggest she spends time between Los Angeles and San Francisco, balancing career with family.

The pattern: Bello has pivoted from blockbuster lead to a more curated life, choosing authenticity over A-list visibility.

Timeline

• December 2013 — Comes out in The New York Times Modern Love essay (The New York Times (leading newspaper))
• 2021 — Appears on Red Table Talk with Dominique Crenn, discussing their “love without labels” relationship (Red Table Talk via Facebook (talk show))
• December 2023 — Returns to Instagram after two-year hiatus; discusses menopause and cosmetic procedures (Instagram (social media platform))
• May 12, 2024 — Marries Dominique Crenn in Los Cabos, Mexico (People (celebrity news outlet))

Quotes from Maria Bello

“Their wedding was a ‘bohemian, chic’ ceremony.”

— People (celebrity news outlet)

“I’ve tried Ozempic, Botox, fillers — everything. But the real change came when I stopped trying to fix myself.”

— Maria Bello, as told to Vanity Fair (lifestyle magazine)

For Maria Bello, the journey from coming out to marrying the woman she loves to speaking openly about aging and body image has been a steady exercise in self-acceptance. The implication for anyone watching her story: authenticity, while uncomfortable at times, remains the most powerful narrative anyone can control. For Bello, the choice is clear — continue sharing on her own terms, or let the industry define the story. She has chosen the former.

For a deeper look into how she balanced her public and private life, see Maria Bellos personal revelations.

Frequently asked questions