Amy Poehler Enjoys Low-Key Romance with Joel Lovell Amidst Co-Parenting Success
Emmy-winning actress and comedian Amy Poehler, 54, was recently spotted enjoying a casual dinner date with her boyfriend Joel Lovell at Sushi Park, a trendy West Hollywood restaurant. The couple, who have been dating since October 2024, typically maintain a private relationship away from the public eye. For their evening out, Poehler dressed comfortably in a denim shirt paired with vibrant red pants, while Lovell complemented her laid-back style with a blue button-down and black pants. Though they generally avoid the spotlight as a couple, they did make their official red carpet debut earlier this year at the 2025 Oscars, where Poehler stunned in an elegant black gown while podcast editor Lovell looked dapper in a classic black tuxedo with bowtie.
This relationship marks Poehler’s first public romance since her relationship with comedian Nick Kroll, which ended in 2015 after approximately two years together. Before Kroll, Poehler was married to actor and comedian Will Arnett for nine years, with the couple separating in 2014 and finalizing their divorce in 2016. Throughout their marriage and following their split, Poehler and Arnett became parents to two sons—Archie, now 17, and Abel, 14—who remain the center of their cooperative co-parenting arrangement. Despite the initial pain of their separation, both Poehler and Arnett have worked diligently to maintain a healthy relationship focused on the wellbeing of their children, demonstrating how former partners can evolve into supportive co-parents.
The journey to their current amicable relationship wasn’t without challenges. Arnett has been candid about the emotional toll of their separation, describing it as “excruciating” and “brutal” in a 2022 interview with The Guardian. He recalled a particularly difficult moment during the filming of “Arrested Development” when he pulled over to the side of the road and “cried for an hour,” illustrating the deep personal struggle that accompanied the end of their marriage. Similarly, Poehler addressed their split in her 2014 memoir “Yes Please,” where she acknowledged feeling “incredibly alone” after the relationship ended. Yet despite this pain, she expressed pride in how she and Arnett managed their co-parenting responsibilities, writing poignantly, “I don’t think a 10-year marriage constitutes failure.”
Over the years, both Poehler and Arnett have moved forward with their lives while maintaining their commitment to co-parenting. Arnett was briefly linked to interior designer Elizabeth Law in late 2016 before beginning a relationship with Alessandra Brawn in 2019. The couple welcomed their son, Alexander, the following year, expanding Arnett’s role as a father. Poehler, meanwhile, focused on her career and personal growth before beginning her current relationship with Lovell. Their respective journeys illustrate how individuals can heal, evolve, and find new connections while honoring their past and their ongoing responsibilities as parents.
The strength of Poehler and Arnett’s co-parenting relationship was highlighted by Arnett in his 2022 interview, where he expressed gratitude for their continued connection. “It’s been almost 10 years and my kids are so lucky that Amy is their mother,” he told The Guardian, adding, “And I’m so lucky that we’re such a huge part of each other’s lives, even more so than we were five years ago.” This statement reflects the growth and maturation of their relationship over time, demonstrating how former couples can transcend the pain of separation to forge meaningful connections centered around their shared love for their children. Their relationship serves as an inspiring example of how divorce doesn’t necessarily mean the end of family, but rather a transformation of its structure.
The warmth and camaraderie between Poehler and Arnett was further evidenced in April when Poehler made a surprise appearance on Arnett’s popular “Smartless” podcast, which he co-hosts with Jason Bateman and Sean Hayes. Poehler shared a touching anecdote about their younger son discovering her scheduled appearance on the show and asking if his father knew about it, to which she instructed him to keep it a secret. Arnett’s genuine surprise at her appearance, noting that they had been texting the previous night about something entirely different without her mentioning the podcast, showcases the playful and comfortable dynamic they’ve cultivated. This moment, along with their ongoing commitment to co-parenting their sons, illustrates how Poehler and Arnett have successfully navigated the challenging waters of post-divorce relationships to create a supportive environment for their children while each finding new happiness in their personal lives—Arnett with Brawn and their son, and Poehler in her budding relationship with Lovell.
