Cheryl Hines Opens Up About Moving to D.C.

Cheryl Hines is sharing her thoughts on a significant change in her life: leaving Hollywood behind and stepping into the political arena in Washington, D.C.

The “Curb Your Enthusiasm” actress and author of “Unscripted” spoke candidly about her transition to the East Coast with her husband, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. She described the journey as quite a challenge.

“Moving from Hollywood to D.C. was, well, scary at first because it felt like starting over at 35,” Hines laughed. “I’m not even 35 yet, so it’s been a little tough, but once I got to Washington, D.C., I found myself among fascinating, smart, and interesting people. I’m learning a lot.”

“It just kind of energized my life. You get excited when you learn new things for the first time,” she added.

Hines, who is best known for her role as Larry David’s wife, mentioned that Hollywood’s response to Kennedy’s presidential campaign was mixed.

“Moving from Hollywood to D.C. was scary at first.” — Cheryl Hines

“Yes, when my husband started running, there were quite a few reactions,” she said. “Many in Hollywood and the entertainment industry didn’t support it.”

Nonetheless, the experience helped clarify her true friendships, strengthening those bonds.

“My close friends reassured me, telling me, ‘It’s okay, you’ll get through this no matter what,’ which really brought us closer together,” Hines noted.

Despite the political noise surrounding Kennedy’s campaign, she was pleasantly surprised by the support they received across party lines.

“What really stood out to me was how many Democrats, independents, and Republicans reached out for Bobby,” she observed. “That was surprising because candidates usually attract supporters from one side only. I appreciated that and thought it made a lot of sense.”

Although the transition to D.C. felt daunting initially, Hines said she has grown to embrace it.

“Change is always good, but it’s often hard… Sometimes it’s scary, but then you realize, ‘Oh, this is why we needed this change.’ I’m going to lean into it and see where it leads.”

“Change is always good, but it’s almost always difficult…and sometimes it can be scary…” — Cheryl Hines

Hines has remained steadfastly by Kennedy’s side through the ups and downs of his campaign. She recently discussed the heightened attention and safety concerns his presidential bid brings.

At one point, she revealed, Kennedy humorously suggested that they claim to be separated to avoid public scrutiny.

“I talk about this in my book, Unscripted, because things became dramatic during this campaign,” she explained. “Some people got quite upset about my marriage to Bobby, even shouting and attacking me. Bobby suggested, ‘You don’t have to be so passionate about this. Why not just say we’re separated?'”

Hines admitted she didn’t think this would provide any relief.

Having married Kennedy in 2014, Hines was previously married to producer Paul Young, with whom she has a daughter, Katherine, born in 2004.

“For a couple to consider saying they’re not together anymore to make things easier… it signifies how extreme things have gotten,” she reflected. “That’s part of why I wanted to share my story in this book—it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

In her memoir, “Unscripted,” Hines recounts her journey from bartender in Los Angeles to earning a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

When asked about any advice from her co-star Larry David regarding her new role alongside Kennedy, she chuckled.

“Oh, Larry! To be honest, he doesn’t give much advice,” she admitted. “But he did once say that he didn’t get upset about me, which I found to be really kind. It made me think, ‘Wow, that’s an interesting perspective on me.’ It reassured me that I could manage whatever came my way.”

Speaking on what readers can anticipate from “Unscripted,” she added, “Life isn’t perfect. Events unfold unexpectedly. I lost my nephew during Bobby’s campaign, which has made this a dramatic period. As you read, you’ll see that everyone faces challenges. They come when they come, but you can still push through. It’s difficult, but that’s okay.”

“Unscripted” is set to be released on November 11th.