Like many big names before him, Allen Leech has done an impeccable job at keeping his personal life as private as he wants.
The Downton Abbey star, 44, has been happily married to his wife, Jessica Blair Herman, 38, for five years, and they share two daughters.
As the couple near the 10-year anniversary of their first meeting, here’s everything we know about Allen’s life off-screen with his beloved family:
Who is Allen Leech’s famous wife, Jessica Blair Herman?
Allen Leech and Jessica Blair Herman attend the 25th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at The Shrine Auditorium. Pic: Getty Images
Allen isn’t the only famous face in his family. He’s married to actress and producer Jessica Blair Herman.
Jessica is best known for her role as Kim Goldman in American Crime Story, but has also appeared in some of our favourite shows, including How I Met Your Mother, Modern Family, New Girl, and 9-1-1.
How they met
Allen Leech and Jessica Blair Herman attend the US-Ireland Alliance 14th Annual Oscar Wilde Awards at Bad Robot. Pic: Getty Images
Allen and Jessica met at an Entertainment Weekly SAG Awards afterparty in 2016.
Speaking to PEOPLE in 2019, the Downton Abbey actor recalled: ‘I approached Jessica, who at the time, I think you were dancing with the girls from Orange Is the New Black, and I saw you dancing.’
‘A friend of mine, Tom, we were about to leave the party, and, being Irish and having two rubber arms, he said, “Do you want one more drink?,”‘ he continued. ‘And I said, “Yeah, okay,” went in, ordered, turned around, saw this vision in a velvet dress, and said, “Tommy, I’m going to dance with that girl.”‘
Engagement
Pic: Allen Leech/Instagram
Allen broke the news that he had popped the question to Jessica on Valentine’s Day in 2018.
At the time, he shared a selfie of himself and his bride-to-be, who was showing off her sparkler proudly. He wrote: ‘Happy Valentine’s Day @jessicablairherman. First one as a fiancé! Thank you for saying yes and for making me the happiest.’
Tying the knot
Allen and Jessica tied the knot on January 5, 2019, at Alisal Ranch and Resort in California’s Santa Ynez Valley.
It was a star-studded affair, with some of Allen’s Downton Abbey castmates, including Michelle Dockery and Dan Stevens, in attendance, as well as his Bohemian Rhapsody co-star Rami Malek.
Glee stars Darren Criss and Lea Michele were also at the wedding, and performed a duet for the couple after weather disruption meant the string quartet couldn’t play.
The Irishman told Hello! magazine: ‘That moment of seeing Jessica [walk down the aisle], oh my God, it was magical. It will stay with me forever.’
For the ceremony, Jessica wore a classic white wedding dress by Monique Lhuillier with a flowing gown and lace detail. Meanwhile, Allen looked incredibly smart in an Armani suit, white shirt, and burgundy bow tie.
Their family
Jessica Blair Herman and Allen Leech attend the “Downton Abbey” World Premiere at Cineworld Leicester Square. Pic: WireImage
It was in 2019 that Allen and Jessica first announced they were expecting a baby, with Jessica sporting her growing baby bump on the red carpet at the Downton Abbey film premiere.
The actress was glowing as she cradled her bump in a golden gúna.
At the time, Allen gushed to MailOnline: ‘It’s very exciting. I’m not getting any younger, Jess is, but we just decided let’s give it a shot.’
Jessica Blair Herman and Allen Leech attend the World Premiere of “Downton Abbey: A New Era” at Cineworld Leicester Square.
Pic: WireImage
The couple followed suit with baby number two, announcing they were expecting at the premiere of Downton Abbey: A New Era in April 2022.
Jessica and Allen share two daughters, whom they keep out of the limelight.
The Leech family live in LA
Allen Leech and Jessica Blair Herman attend the “Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale” world premiere at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square.
Pic: Getty Images
In February 2017, MailOnline reported that Allen had splashed out $1.75million on a 1,200 sq ft home, which was built in 1956, in LA’s Studio City.
In April 2022, Allen and Jessica brought their eldest daughter to Ireland for the very first time. He told EVOKE: ‘When we landed, she screamed, “I’m in Ireland, I came on an aeroplane!” She’s pretty happy, and then she grabbed onto an Irish flag, so I couldn’t be prouder!’