The well-known Texan, renowned for his roles in films like ‘The Fugitive,’ ‘JFK,’ and ‘Lincoln,’ first met his future wife in 1995 while they were both working on the same film project.
Three years later, in March 1998, Jones and Laurel-Jones made their first public appearance as a couple on the red carpet.
The couple has been dedicated supporters of The Climate Reality Project, an organization founded by Jones’ close friend Al Gore. In 2012, they embarked on an expedition to Antarctica with the group and participated in an auction in London where Laurel-Jones sold some of her photographs from the expedition.
Credit / Christopher Polk / Getty.
“She took some beautiful pictures there. Of course, the ice is melting, and these pictures dramatized that somewhat. They’re very beautiful pictures. She sold 17, and that brought in a little over $401,000 to support this organization that we actually are a part of,” the actor told The Independent.
So who is Dawn Laurel-Jones?
In 1995, the now-husband-and-wife first crossed paths on the set of ‘The Good Old Boys.’ Aside from starring in the movie, it was Jones’ TV directorial debut. Laurel-Jones worked as an assistant camera operator.
At the time, Jones was still married to his second wife, Kimberlea Cloughley, whom he ended up divorcing in 1996.
Eventually, the couple tied the knot in a private ceremony in March, 2001, in Alamo Heights, Texas. Laurel-Jones’ sister, Deborah, who is an architect, even designed the groom’s quarters on the couple’s property, according to The New Yorker.
Jones already had two children from his previous marriage to Cloughley, Austin and Victoria, which meant that Laurel-Jones became their stepmother.
Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, and Josh Brolin at a photo call for “Men In Black 3”. Credit / Kevin Winter / Getty.
The couple has an unusual past time
Interestingly enough, and not unlike the royal family, Jones and his wife are keen polo players. In fact, in 2006 funded two teams that included himself and his wife, six professional polo players, and over 50 horses!
For six months the teams spent time as Jones’ farm and stables in Florida, with Jones telling The Texas Monthly: “We are at the top of our game. We can beat anybody, anytime, anywhere.”
As for Laurel-Jones, playing polo was new to her when she began her relationship with Jones. And despite never having played before meeting him, Jones said his wife was “one of the best women polo players in the country” even though “she didn’t even know how to ride a horse 10 years ago.”
Credit / Chris Weeks / Getty.
Where does the couple live?
The couple now lives together on a historic cattle ranch in Texas, which has a more than 150-year history. However, they like to maintain their privacy. Jones once told the Texas Monthly in 2006: “The gates are locked. We keep it shut down. Just friends and family, no outsiders. Just how I like it.”
He added, “In the summers, we’ll work cattle, and then at about seven o’clock at night, we’ll start playing polo. We’ll play until about nine, and then when we’re done, we put the meat on the fire and watch the dark come. It’s a good life. Everyone is happy.”
Additionally, Laurel-Jones and her husband split their time between their Texas ranch and a 74-acre polo estate in Buenos Aires, Argentina. What luxury!
Credit / Alberto E. Rodriguez / WireImage / Getty.
During the production of ‘The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada,’ a film directed by and starring Jones, his wife played a significant role as the on-set still photographer.
In fact, it ended up being a family effort, as their then-14-year-old daughter Victoria made an appearance in the movie. Though, Jones revealed that she overslept during filming, which led to him firing her. However, production staff secretly woke her and rushed her to the set, ensuring she appeared in time for her role, unbeknownst to Jones at the time.
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