Who Is Morris Chestnut’s Wife? All About Pam Byse (and Why theWatsonActor Calls Her the 'Star' of the Family!)

Mar. 15, 2025

Pam Byse and Morris Chestnut during the 82nd Annual Golden Globes on January 05, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California.Photo:John Nacion/GG2025/Penske Media via Getty

John Nacion/GG2025/Penske Media via Getty

Morris Chestnutmay be a Hollywood heartthrob, but he only has eyes for his wife of 30 years, Pam Byse.

The couple married in 1995 and soon after welcomed their first child, Grant Chestnut. Pam later gave birth to their daughter, Paige Chestnut, in 1998. Even though the notoriously private couple have kept most of their relationship and family life out of the spotlight, theWatsonstar doesn’t miss a chance to brag about his long-term marriage.

“We have an ultimate respect for each other,” Morris toldCBS Morningsin January 2025. “You’re with someone for a long time, you kind of take them for granted. You can get very angry and get very nasty during fights. It happens, right?”

He continued, “But … we just don’t hit below the belt. We never say anything that we can’t take back. And we’ve just been very blessed to grow together.”

So, who is Morris Chestnut’s wife? Here’s everything to know about Pam Byse and her relationship with the actor.

They’ve been married for 30 years

Morris Chestnut and Pam Byse during The Best Man Premiere at Cineplex Odeon Century Plaza Cinema in Century City, California.Ron Galella Collection via Gett

Ron Galella Collection via Gett

Morris and Pam tied the knot in 1995. Though they haven’t shared many details about how and when they met,The Residentactor said there was one thing he noticed about his future wife that really stood out.

“When I met my wife, there were a lot of qualities I was paying attention to,” he toldEssencein 2020. “I knew that she would be a great mother just for how she cared for her nephew and her family. She respected her mother and she respected her family and those were some of the initial qualities that I saw that I thought would make her a great partner.”

They share two kids

Grant Chestnut, Pam Byse and Paige Chestnut support father and husband Morris Chestnut as he is honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on March 23, 2022 in Los Angeles.Dan Steinberg/Variety/Penske Media via Getty

Dan Steinberg/Variety/Penske Media via Getty

The couple have two children, who they raised in Calabasas, Calif. Their son, Grant, graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in strategic communications. He’s been working as an account executive for NuVet Labs in California since 2023, per hisLinkedIn.

Paige followed in her dad’s footsteps in the entertainment industry and has been working as a model since 2017. She’s walked the runway for Michael Ngo and Marisa P. Clark and is currently signed to Wünder Management, per herInstagram.

Morris said Pam is his source of inspiration

Morris Chestnut and wife Pam Byse attend the 47th NAACP Image Awards on February 5, 2016 in Pasadena, California.Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

Throughout his career, Morris has played his fair share of romantic interests. He toldBaller Alertin 2022 that his real-life love inspires all of his fictional relationships.

“She’s the source that I draw that from,”The Best Manactor said. “Whenever I’m doing a scene with a wife or someone like that, I draw the inspiration from her for sure.”

He threw her a surprise party for her 50th birthday

Morris Chestnut and wife Pam Byse attend the premiere of “The Perfect Guy” at the WGA Theater on September 2, 2015 in Beverly Hills, California.David Livingston/Getty

David Livingston/Getty

Even though they’ve been together for a long time, Morris still finds ways to keep his wife on her toes. During a 2019 appearance onLIVE with Kelly and Ryan, he divulged how he surprised her with a party to celebrate her 50th birthday after she returned from a weekend trip with friends.

“She really didn’t expect it,” he said. “She said she wanted to spend her birthday with me … She wanted just a quiet dinner. So she had no clue.”

In addition to the party, Morris also bought Pam a car as a present.

Morris said Pam is the “star” of the family

Morris Chestnut and wife Pam Byse during “Half Past Dead” Premiere at Loews Century Plaza Cinema in Century City, California.Gregg DeGuire/WireImage

Gregg DeGuire/WireImage

Outside of the occasional red carpet appearance —theyposed for the Glambotat the 2025 Golden Globes in January — Pam isn’t involved in the entertainment industry. But her husband has assured fans that his reputation as a Hollywood heartthrob doesn’t intimidate her at all.

“Pam is the star of our family,” Morris toldSherri Shepherdduring a 2024 appearance onSHERRI. “She’s very comfortable, very confident and she knows I’m not going anywhere.”

They keep their relationship private

Morris Chestnut and Pam Byse attend the 45th NAACP Image Awards on February 22, 2014 in Pasadena, California.John Sciulli/Getty

John Sciulli/Getty

Throughout their 30-year marriage, Morris and Pam have kept their relationship out of the public eye. TheReasonable Doubtactor told Shepherd that he’s always been a private person, so it was “natural” to protect his marriage in that way as well.

source: people.com