Paul Giamatti currently basks in fame as he lies on the verge of winning his first-ever Academy Award with his Best Actor nomination for 2023’s The Holdovers, his second Oscar nod after 2005’s Cinderella Man. In his career, the actor has acted in many well-received productions such as Private Parts, Planet of the Apes, and Billions. He has also won his fair share of recognition in major award ceremonies such as the Golden Globes, the BAFTAs, and the Primetime Emmys. However, in his personal life, at this moment, he has his heart with Clara Wong.

First married to Elizabeth Cohen in 1997, he separated from her at some point along the way. As he gears up for the Oscars red carpet, here is the tale of his current lovesong with Wong.

Paul Giamatti and Clara Wong – A tale of love and support

The American actress, Wong, has appeared in various films, television shows, and theater productions and remains best known for her role as Mason in the Netflix sci-fi series The I-Land. She has also starred as Kaori in the FX comedy series What We Do in the Shadows, Lila in Dear Edward, and Troy in Billions, opposite Paul Giamatti. In many of her roles, she has tried to portray a character with complex and conflicted struggles with identity and relationships, showcasing her acting prowess.

Paul Giamatti and Clara Wong first met in 2016 while filming Billions, where his role as Chuck Roades stood almost opposite to her role as Troy. A year later, they started dating and have stayed together ever since, often attending industry events and award ceremonies together. Meanwhile, in many of his acceptance speeches, such as those for The Holdovers, he has evoked Wong and thanked her for her love and encouragement, fondly referring to her as his “inspiration”.

The course of the relationship and an open letter to love

Paul Giamatti and Clara Wong have kept their dating profile mostly low-key and private, especially in the earlier parts of it. However, they have opened up of late and while Wong has shared occasional photos and highlights of themselves such as wishing Giamatti on his birthday with a portrait, the actor on his part has vastly credited her role in his successes in many award ceremonies and functions while also marking joint public appearances at press events and red carpets.

The Saving Private Ryan actor has also spoken often about the contributions to his life by his late father, Bart Giamatti, who died of a heart attack in 1989, often throwing up charity events in tribute. In October 2019, at the Paul Giamatti Fundraiser for the American Lung Association in honor of his father, Wong attended to show her support, marking one of the earliest acts of love and support. Additionally, the actress has also shared memories of their joint dinners and visits, often including Giamatti as the sole highlight.

On Jue 6, 2023, she dedicated an Instagram post to her boyfriend with the caption “Happy birthday to this sweet soul!” A photo of the actor smiling with glee accompanied the post and garnered quick wishes and appreciation from fellow artists as well as fans. In January 2024, Clara Wong and Paul Giamatti made their red carpet debut as a couple at the Palm Springs International Film Festival Film Awards. At the event, the Sideways actor received the Desert Palm Achievement Award for The Holdovers, while the actress cheered on for him.

Paul Giamatti dedicating his heart out to Clara Wong during The Holdovers speeches

At the Critics’ Choice Award and the 81st Golden Globe Awards, Paul Giamatti won the Best Actor award for his painstaking steps to ensure a spot-on act for The Holdovers and that moment opened up on tributes to many including his girlfriend, Clara Wong. In his acceptance speech for the former, he started by thanking his son Samuel, whom he shares with his ex-wife Elizabeth Cohen. Thereafter, he thanked Wong before moving over to “think” about his late father, who “never saw me act professionally,” and who also happened to be a “literary critic”.

In his Golden Globes acceptance speech, however, a visibly emotional Paul Giamatti spoke his heart out with “I want to say I love my beautiful girlfriend Clara Wong. Why you bother with me, I don’t know”. The moment brought on a round of applause from the audience even as the duo then smiled and laughed along with fellow companions at the Golden Globes after-party. Finally, as the date shifts close to March 10, the two actors in love may well land at the 96th Academy Awards red carpet, where a new chapter of their love may play out.