The Truth About Scott Bakula's Marriage

Television and movie star Scott Bakula first burst onto the entertainment scene in 1986 playing the role of John on the television comedy series, "On Our Own," per IMDb. Fortunately, that was just the tip of the iceberg in a very long and illustrious career for the talented thespian, which included snagging roles in "Matlock," "Designing Women," "Star Trek," "Desperate Housewives," "NCIS" and perhaps his biggest claim to fame: "Quantum Leap." 

"I went to New York to be an actor and hope that I could do stage work and be on Broadway and do musicals," Bakula told CBS correspondent Lee Cowan in 2016 about his start in the industry. "I just had to go to New York and see if I could make it." Despite his original dreams, he eventually reversed course and made the jaunt to Tinseltown. "Nobody in L.A. goes to see the theater, but if they hear that you're good, then that's enough," he openly explained.

Still, it hasn't been all work and no play for Bakula. As it turns out, the actor has been married not once, but twice, and has four children. But what's the real story behind Bakula's second marriage? Keep reading after the jump to find out.

Actor and director Scott Bakula is a deeply private person and it's no secret. "People magazine wanted to do interviews with me at my home," he explained to CBS in 2016. "And I said, 'I can't, I can't.' Where do you stop?" With that being said, what we're going to say next will probably really shock the masses. Drum roll please ... Bakula is married in real life to his "NCIS" character's on-screen wife!

As reported by Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Bakula first met his now-wife, Chelsea Field, in 1993 when the two actors were filming the movie "Passion to Kill," and the rest is simply history. In 1995, the couple welcomed their first child together, a son named Wil, before eventually expanding their family yet again with another son they named Owen. It wasn't until 1999, however, that the couple made it official and got hitched. Then in 2017, Field joined the cast of "NCIS: New Orleans" and during the series finale, both Bakula's and Field's characters, Dwayne Pride and Rita Devereaux, followed suit and tied the knot as well. "Getting married again was a blast!" Bakula exclaimed to TV Insider about the unique experience.

When asked about working with his wife during an appearance on the "Rachael Ray Show," Bakula gushed, "I love working with her. ... She makes me a better actor because she works more intensely and more deeply than I tend to work." 

As reported by Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Scott Bakula has been married twice. Bakula first tied the knot to Krista Neumann in 1981 and the couple went on to have two children: Chelsy and Cody.

During a candid interview with People in 2015, Bakula accepted some of the blame for the demise of his first marriage, admitting that he was "hardly ever home for four and a half seasons" due to his demanding role on "Quantum Leap." He recalled, "It took me a long time to work out my feelings about our relationship," and revealed that his biggest regret was missing out on time with his eldest daughter, Chelsy.

According to Bakula, the reason his second marriage with Chelsea Field has been successful is mostly due to him making time for his family. "It takes energy and focus," he explained. "We work hard to stay present in the relationship. Chelsea is amazingly present and has taught me a lot about relationships and spirituality. I feel incredibly lucky to have the career and family I do," he continued. How sweet!