Who Is Timothy Olyphant's Wife? All About Alexis Knief

Timothy Olyphant is known for his acting, but he also has an important role off-screen — as a supportive husband to his wife of more than 30 years, Alexis Knief.

The couple’s relationship blossomed during their college days at the University of Southern California and they have been inseparable ever since, dating throughout college and tying the knot in 1991.

More than three decades later, Olyphant and Knief continue to grow their relationship as well as their family, raising three children together – Grace, Henry and Vivian – in Los Angeles.

The actor openly nurtures his relationship with his wife, often sharing snippets from their lives in his interviews. Reflecting on her long marriage to her college sweetheart in a 2011 interview Women’s healthshared, “You have to be with the right person and you both have to be willing to put in the work, day in and day out, to make it happen,” a mantra that seems to be the cornerstone of their lasting relationship.

So who is Timothy Olyphant’s wife? Here’s everything you need to know about Alexis Knief and her relationship with the actor.

They met at university and have been married since 1991

Timothy Olyphant and Alexis Knief at the premiere of ‘The Broken Heart Club’ in Los Angeles.

Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection/Getty

Olyphant and Knief’s romance began in the halls of the University of Southern California, where they were both students. Olyphant was recruited to join the swim team, and told Conan O’Brien during a 2014 interview that he was an “artistic athlete” while in college. When a photo of the actor in college was shown on screen, Olyphant teased, “my wife married that guy!”

Their relationship blossomed in college and by 1991, the college sweethearts had decided to walk down the aisle, marking the beginning of their life’s journey together.

She shares three children with Olyphant

Timothy Olyphant and Alexis Knief during HBO’s annual private reception before the Golden Globe Awards.

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

As Deadwood acting career was on the rise, he and Knief were also growing their family. They had their first child, Grace, in June 1999. Two years later, their son Henry was born, and in 2003 they added another daughter, Vivian, to the family.

Olyphant spoke openly about the challenges and joys of parenthood. In an interview on The Ellen Show In 2012, he joked about adjusting to life with three kids: “They’re good kids, and I think I’m used to them,” he teased, adding, “I mean, it’s pretty clear to me at this point that we’re babysitting them.”

He also shared a candid look at fatherhood Women’s healthdescribing it as exhausting: “It freaks you out! It changes you so much! Imagine if I call you at midnight, hang up without saying anything, call you two hours later and hang up again. This goes on. Oh, and by the way, between my calls, you wonder if I’m dead.”

Knief is a stay-at-home mom

Timothy Olyphant and Alexis Knief at the 74th Annual Golden Globe Awards on January 8, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California.

Jonathan Leibson/Getty

Knief has embraced her role as a stay-at-home mom, as she and Olyphant raise their family mostly away from the spotlight.

In a light moment during the 2019 interview Conan O’Brien needs a friendOlyphant shared some insight into his wife’s perspective on Hollywood events: “I have this fantasy that I’m nominated for an Oscar, and then as the awards are coming up … I say, ‘Well, the Oscars are on Sunday,’ and she goes, ‘That’s your business,'” he joked.

She supports his career

Timothy Olyphant and Alexis Knief at HBO’s Official 2019 Emmy After Party on September 22, 2019.

FilmMagic/FilmMagic

While Knief generally prefers to keep a low profile, rarely stepping into the limelight aside from the occasional red carpet appearance with his wife, Olyphant frequently mentions her in interviews, revealing that she is a fundamental force in his life and possesses a particularly sharp sense of humor.

He reflected on his potential Emmy speech to Conan in 2012: “My opening line — it was actually my wife’s idea — I was going to look at the trophy … and then look at my wife of 20 years and say, ‘Well, honey , that’s it. I’m finally leaving you’, capturing his wife’s playful support of their marriage.

They raise several pets together

The duo also had countless pets together, including two Shiloh shepherds, aptly named “Ah ah” and “No,” Olyphant joked Ellen In 2012, a rabbit, a guinea pig, a fish and a stray house cat that seems to stay outside.

The actor said at the time that his animals brought plenty of character to the household, especially since one of the dogs was even on Prozac to control his energy levels. Referring to his daily walks with the dogs, Olyphant joked, “I like to go for walks. I don’t like to be threatened to go for walks.”

He also shared details of how the family came to own the cat. Olyphant described his rather resourceful approach to getting his family a feline friend after his children came across a bunch of stray cats hanging around their hotel while on holiday.

“We’re going to put some cat food on the sidewalk tonight. Tomorrow night, we’ll move it a little closer, and we’ll keep moving it all the way to the front door. Give me some time, I’ll get you a cat by Thursday,” he joked.

Their daughter Vivian is following in Olyphant’s footsteps

Timothy Olyphant and Vivian Olyphant at the Season 12 ATX TV Festival on June 1, 2023 in Austin, Texas.

Rick Kern/WireImage

The couple’s younger daughter Vivian started her acting career inspired by her father. She studied acting at the William Esper Studio and studied songwriting at the Berklee College of Music. Her first performance was in Justified: A primordial city where she played Willa Givens, the daughter of her father’s character, Raylan Givens, in four episodes.

Vivian shared her excitement about working with her father in an interview with /Movie 2023. “I was very excited to work with my dad. Just preparing for the audition was a pleasure. Even if I didn’t get the part, I would be happy,” she said.

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