Love has a way of finding us in the most unexpected places, even at the glitzy premiere of Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse in sunny Los Angeles, California.
Among the sea of Hollywood stars, the spotlight shone on Patton Oswalt, a multi-talented entertainer known for his brilliant stand-up comedy and unforgettable voice performances, including the lovable Remy in Disney’s Ratatouille.
While Oswalt’s talent and wit have endeared him to audiences worldwide, it was at this star-studded event that he found himself captivated by the radiant presence of Meredith Salenger, his second wife and a remarkable actress in her own right.
Patton Oswalt and Meredith Salenger making an appearance at the premiere of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse in Los Angeles, California on May 30, 2023 (Credit: Faye’s Vision / Cover Images)
Let’s delve into how Meredith Salenger, with her irresistible charm and impressive accomplishments, captured the heart of the Emmy-winning comedian.
Discover their love story, revealing the intricate tapestry of two extraordinary souls brought together by fate and laughter.
Who Is Meredith Salenger?
Meredith Salenger, born on March 14, 1970, and stands at 5ft 3 inches (160 cm), has captivated audiences with her undeniable talent and graced the screens of Disney classics since her teenage years. With her charismatic performances, Salenger has enchanted viewers, leaving an indelible mark on the silver screen.
However, her journey extends far beyond acting, as the 53-year-old actress demonstrates her intellectual prowess as a mediator in the vibrant city of Los Angeles, armed with a prestigious psychology degree from none other than Harvard University.
Meredith Salenger looking lovely at the world premiere of Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets held at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles, California on July 17, 2017 (Credit: Sara De Boer / Startraksphoto)
One of Salenger’s most notable achievements is her breakout role in the 1985 Disney classic, The Journey of Natty Gann.
At the young age of 15, she portrayed a teenage tomboy who embarked on a daring cross-country adventure during the Depression era alongside her loyal wolf and a teenage John Cusack. This performance showcased Salenger’s exceptional talent and marked her as a rising star in the industry.
In addition to her remarkable debut, she has amassed an impressive list of film and television credits throughout her career. Her diverse roles include appearances in Village of the Damned, Lake Placid, Hollywood Heights, and The Kiss.
Meredith Salenger in an episode of the hit medical drama television series Grey’s Anatomy (Credit: ABC)
Salenger has also graced the small screen, making memorable guest appearances on popular shows such as Anger Management, Grey’s Anatomy, and Dawson’s Creek.
Her versatility extends beyond live-action projects, as she has lent her voice to multiple episodes of the acclaimed Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Most frequently known for her portrayal of the Jedi Padawan Barriss Offee, her contributions have added depth and intrigue to the Star Wars universe.
Furthermore, she appeared in an episode of Star Wars: Rebels and even made an uncredited voice cameo role as a technician for the Resistance in The Force Awakens.
How Patton Oswalt Met Meredith Salenger
Patton Oswalt, an acclaimed American stand-up comedian and actor, was born on January 27, 1969. Standing at a height of 5 feet 3 ½ inches (161.3 cm), he has established himself as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.
During a captivating appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in November 2017, Patton Oswalt shared the heartwarming tale of how he crossed paths with his wife, Meredith Salenger. Their unique journey began in the realm of the digital world.
Oswalt confessed, “[Meredith and I] met online. We met because we have a mutual friend, the actress Martha Plimpton. She threw a dinner party, and she invited both of us, but we never met. At the last minute, I couldn’t go because of some travel.”
However, their missed encounter was merely a catalyst for destiny to take a digital turn. Oswalt reminisced, “We have all of these mutual friends on Facebook, and Meredith messaged me the next day and says, ‘You missed some amazing lasagna last night, dude.’ That was on February 28. We started talking. We didn’t meet face to face until May 20.”
Their exchange of messages on Facebook commenced a whirlwind courtship reminiscent of a bygone era. Oswalt described their early interactions as “very Victorian-like,” akin to the enchantment of “exchanging letters kind of romance.”
Patton Oswalt and Meredith Salenger attending the screening of 80 for Brady in Los Angeles, California on January 31, 2023 (Credit: Faye’s Vision / Cover Images)
He explained, “Like every night, we would write about life, politics, books. We did all of the deep stuff you do after the date, so by the time we met on our first date, I was so head over heels.”
Their love story, which bloomed through the ethereal world of the internet, soon materialized into the physical realm. The couple made their first public appearance together at the grand Los Angeles premiere of the film Baby Driver.
From that moment forward, their affection for one another radiated through the digital landscape of social media.
When Patton Oswalt Proposed to Meredith Salenger
Breaking the news of their engagement to the world, Patton Oswalt and Meredith Salenger took to Instagram in July 2017, sharing their excitement with their adoring fans.
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In a delightful twist, Salenger playfully captioned a snapshot of herself and Oswalt with a photoshopped picture of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson on her ring finger, cheekily exclaiming, “I don’t wanna brag… but check out the size of The Rock on my finger!”
Shortly, Salenger again melted hearts by sharing a collage of heartfelt images from the proposal, including a sweet snuggle between her and Oswalt’s daughter Alice, symbolizing the merging of two families.
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Overflowing with happiness, Salenger declared, “It’s official. I’m the luckiest happiest girl in the universe!!!!💖 I love you @pattonoswalt I love you Alice Oswalt! #YesYesYes.”
Their engagement, a joyous celebration of love, came 15 months after Oswalt’s heartbreaking loss of his first wife, Michelle McNamara. Overcoming their respective challenges, Oswalt and Salenger found solace and happiness in each other’s arms.
For Oswalt, popping the question to Salenger was an easy decision rooted in their deep connection. He confessed exclusively to Us Weekly in February 2018, “Because we talked every single night on Facebook for three months and really got to know each other.”
Oswalt added, “I got to know what an extraordinary human being she was. So it was just a no-brainer for me to know that this is the person that I want to be with. It took talking to her nonstop every night for three months and then it took knowing her for a month and then it was like, yea, this is the person I’m going to spend my life with.”
Meredith Salenger and Patton Oswalt sharing a kiss at the premiere of Jojo Rabbit in Los Angeles, California on October 15, 2019 (Credit: Media Punch / INSTARimages)
In an intimate interview with Playboy’s September-October 2017 issue, Oswalt reflected on the serendipitous nature of their relationship.
He mused, “It was as if I had known this person since we were teenagers and we both had unrequited crushes since we were 14 and now it was finally crashing together. Even though I’m at this level of joy I didn’t think I would ever feel again, I still wouldn’t recommend those extremes to anybody. I’d like people to have this joy without that despair.”
Patton Oswalt and Meredith Salenger’s Wedding
Months of anticipation and heartfelt preparation led to an unforgettable day in Los Angeles on November 4, 2017, as Patton Oswalt and Meredith Salenger exchanged vows in the presence of their loved ones and their dear friend, Martha Plimpton, who officiated the ceremony, at Jim Henson Studios.
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Following the heartfelt union, Salenger, moved by the profound moment, posted a photo on her Instagram account, capturing Oswalt embracing his beloved daughter. The accompanying caption, “My family,” encapsulated the heartfelt emotions of the day.
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Expressing her admiration and gratitude, Salenger shared another Instagram post honoring Martha Plimpton’s pivotal role in their special day, writing, “I have admired, loved, and respected this magical human since I was 15 years old. Last night she masterfully officiated my wedding making everyone who wasn’t already a huge fan of hers fawn all over her genius and decide she is their new favorite person.”
Meanwhile, Oswalt humorously recounted his experience as the groom amidst the celebratory atmosphere, relishing that he was free from the burdens of wedding planning.
With a touch of amusement, he shared in the interview with Jimmy Kimmel, “Being the groom is the best. You are a prop that eats appetizers. That’s all you are. You’re just there, and they tell you where to go.”
Meredith Salenger, Alice Rigney Oswalt, and Patton Oswalt making a family night out of the premiere of Spider-Man: No Way Home in Los Angeles, California on December 13, 2021 (Credit: Collin Xavier / Image Press Agency / ABACA / INSTARimages)
Oswalt commended his wife and their wedding planner: “It was like watching two people plan a bank heist. They had every angle mapped out. It was incredible.”
In the same interview with Us Weekly, Oswalt recalled, “My favorite moment was when I was standing up at the altar and my daughter came down the aisle — she was a flower girl. And she just spontaneously gave me this huge hug. It was like, we’re safe now. Things are OK. I almost started crying. I was so happy the way that she held me. Like, things are OK now. It felt amazing. That moment.”
Comedian Patton Oswalt married actress Meredith Salenger, a year and a half after the death of his first wife, Michelle McNamara. The couple exchanged vows in front of close friends and family with Oswalt’s daughter Alice serving as the flower girl.
Oswalt and Salenger met… https://t.co/UktuCWbTgp
— Your Next Shoes (@yournextshoes) June 15, 2023
Alice Oswalt, whom his father affectionately hailed as the “World Champion Flower Girl,” played a notable role in the wedding. Oswalt proudly shared an adorable photo on Twitter, capturing her radiant smile and infectious happiness.
The path that led Patton Oswalt and Meredith Salenger to this blissful day was not without its trials. Oswalt had experienced the heartbreaking loss of his first wife, Michelle McNamara, who passed away unexpectedly at 46 in April 2016.
Unveiling the details about her untimely passing, Oswalt revealed that McNamara suffered from an undiagnosed medical condition, resulting in blockages in her arteries. Combined with prescription medications, including Adderall, Xanax, and fentanyl, her passing left a deep void in Oswalt’s life.
Despite the immense pain of loss, he found solace in the love he shared with McNamara during their 13 years together.
Patton Oswalt found love and laughter in Meredith Salenger after a tragedy struck his family (Credit: Sara De Boer / Startraksphoto)