Who Is Danielle Brooks’s Husband, Dennis Gelin? Plus More Details on the 'Color Purple' Star's Relationship

From stunning wedding footage to romantic photoshoots, Danielle Brooks's husband, Dennis Gelin, has been making several appearances on his wife's Instagram feed.

The happy couple made headlines after they tied the knot in 2022. And to mark their two-year anniversary last month, The Color Purple star, 34, wrote in an IG tribute, "Two years in, a lifetime to go! Thank you for showing up the way you do for me. For all your encouragement and support. Love you babe. Happy Anniversary."

The actress had plenty to celebrate during that month, because just two weeks later, it was announced that Brooks received her first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress for The Color Purple. In response, she shared a reaction video and wrote, "I don’t think I’ll ever be able to express but MY GOD!! Look What God Has Done! Thank you @theacademy members for seeing me and acknowledging my dedication, work, and love for the craft. Forever grateful."

We look forward to seeing her biggest fan (aka Dennis Gelin) by her side on the Oscars red carpet. But for now, we're curious to learn more about their relationship, their children and how they met. Keep reading for details on Danielle Brooks's husband.

1. Who Is Danielle Brooks’s Husband, Dennis Gelin?

Dennis Gelin is a real estate agent who, per the New York Real Estate Journal, worked as a Senior Sales Associate at Azad Property Group. When the interview was published in 2014, Gelin had worked in real estate for seven years, which means that, to date, he's been in the field for at least 16 years.

Gelin revealed that he was primarily involved in rentals, and he opened up about how the NYREJ has helped his career. He said, "My first 15 minutes of fame from NYREJ would be the sale of the Fulton St. development site in Brooklyn. Since it was well publicized, I enjoyed greater exposure and received more calls from prospective investors looking to branch out in Brooklyn seeking my expertise in the region."

2. How Did Danielle Brooks Meet Her Husband?

While speaking with Vogue in January 2022, Brooks shared the sweet story of how they met at a game night that she co-hosted with a friend. She told the magazine, “What was supposed to be just another game night turned into a night I will remember forever.”

She continued, “He rolled in mad late, like two to three hours late. When all of us heard the door ring, the group decided to play a trick and grill the next person who walked in the door. I opened the door and everyone gave him the death stare. As the host, it felt a bit harsh for someone I didn’t know to get playfully grilled, so I decided to quickly greet him with a smile and asked to take his coat. He smiled back.”

The actress went on to explain that he made a lasting impression when he offered to help with the trash. She continued, “I was so taken aback because there had been at least ten guys in the room, and no one had thought enough to ask such a thoughtful question. I perked up and said ‘Why yes, thank you.’ And then we proceeded to talk. He kept complimenting me on my dimples and how beautiful I was. I was drawn in by his smile and beautiful rich skin. I remember asking him, ‘Do you have kids, are you married, do you have a job?’”

After learning that he was single, she said, “It was like music to my ears. A brother with a clean slate, has his own and is thoughtful. Jackpot. I quickly slid him my phone to exchange numbers.” Mere hours later, Gelin wound up butt-dialing her by accident, which he called a "divine intervention." He told Vogue, "We talked for hours and an instant bond between us formed."

3. Do Brooks & Gelin Have Children?

They do! On November 16, 2019, Brooks gave birth to their daughter, Freeya. Following her birth, Brooks shared the exciting news by posting a since-deleted pic of her newborn on IG, writing, "She’s perfect."

On Father's Day in 2023, the actress shared a tribute to her husband with a sweet daddy-daughter pic and said, "I always said I wasn’t going to have kids unless I found the right person to have them with, and then you came along. Best two decisions I could’ve ever made right here in this picture. #happyfathersday."

4. When Did They Get Married?

According to Vogue, Gelin proposed two and a half years after they started dating. Then, in January 2022, the couple tied the knot at the Historic Alfred I. DuPont Building in Miami. The wedding was officiated by Brooks's hometown pastor. Their daughter Freeya, who was two years old at the time, served as the flower girl.

Broadway performers Jeremy Pope and Amber Iman also performed “A Thousand Years” and “We Will Never Break” as the bride and groom walked down the aisle. Brooks said, “There wasn’t a dry eye in the building...We cried the ugly cry, and laughed hard. Dennis and I did our personal handshake and jumped the broom in honor of our ancestors. It was definitely a night to remember.”

5. Is Dennis Gelin Active on Social Media?

Gelin leads a private life outside his relationship, which explains why he doesn't currently have public accounts on social media. Still, fans can expect to see glimpses of the real estate agent on his wife's Instagram feed.

6. Have They Ever Walked the Red Carpet Together?

Leon Bennett/Getty Images

The pair have attended multiple red-carpet events together. For instance, Brooks brought Gelin as her date when she attended the Fourth Annual Celebration of Black Cinema & Television in Los Angeles in 2021. Plus, the actress and her husband were spotted together at the 81st Annual Golden Globe Awards.

Since Brooks is in the running for an Oscar this year, Gelin will likely join his wife for the ceremony, which will take place at the Dolby Theatre on March 10.

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