Met their matches. Zach Braff and Florence Pugh were forced to defend their relationship more than once, but their connection was undeniable.
The Scrubs alum and the Oscar nominee first sparked dating rumors in April 2019 when they were spotted holding hands in New York City. The PDA followed their collaboration on his 2019 short film, In the Time It Takes to Get There. The couple left hints about their status on social media in the months that followed, but they did not confirm it until December 2019.
Pugh clapped back at a troll who called out the age difference between her and Braff — she is 21 years his junior — at the time. She later revealed how the negative perception surrounding the relationship affected her.
“I have the right to hang out and be with and go out with anyone I want to,” she explained in her June 2020 Elle UK cover story. “I’ve always found this part of what people do really bizarre. I’m an actor because I like acting and I don’t mind people watching my stuff, but people have no right to educate me on my private life.”
Pugh noted that she and Braff largely keep their personal lives out of the public eye — even going so far as to attend events, such as the December 2019 premiere of her film Little Women, separately. “I know that part of being in the spotlight is that people might invade your privacy and have opinions on it, but it’s bizarre that normal folk are allowed to display such hate and opinions on a part of my life that I’m not putting out there,” she said.
She added: “It’s a strange side of fame that you’re allowed to be torn apart by thousands of people even though you didn’t put that piece of you out there. My point to all this is that isn’t it odd that a stranger can totally tear apart someone’s relationship and it’s allowed?”
Braff, for his part, admitted in a November 2020 interview with MR PORTER that he “chose not to” respond to the trolls because he could not come up with anything as “intelligent and articulate” as the actress’ remarks.
Despite some people being against them, the pair continued to support each other and occasionally gave fans small glimpses into their life together.
In August 2022, however, Pugh confirmed that the pair had recently called it quits. “We’ve been trying to do this separation without the world knowing, because it’s been a relationship that everybody has an opinion on,” she told Harper’s Bazaar. “We just felt something like this would really do us the benefit of not having millions of people telling us how happy they are that we’re not together. So we’ve done that. I automatically get a lumpy throat when I talk about it.”
Scroll through the gallery below to revisit Braff and Pugh’s relationship.
Credit: Shutterstock (2)
Zach Braff and Florence Pugh: A Timeline of Their Relationship
Met their matches. Zach Braff and Florence Pugh were forced to defend their relationship more than once, but their connection was undeniable.
The Scrubs alum and the Oscar nominee first sparked dating rumors in April 2019 when they were spotted holding hands in New York City. The PDA followed their collaboration on his 2019 short film, In the Time It Takes to Get There. The couple left hints about their status on social media in the months that followed, but they did not confirm it until December 2019.
Pugh clapped back at a troll who called out the age difference between her and Braff — she is 21 years his junior — at the time. She later revealed how the negative perception surrounding the relationship affected her.
“I have the right to hang out and be with and go out with anyone I want to,” she explained in her June 2020 Elle UK cover story. “I’ve always found this part of what people do really bizarre. I’m an actor because I like acting and I don’t mind people watching my stuff, but people have no right to educate me on my private life.”
[jwplayer Zy7XPFRh-l3ahXupL]
Pugh noted that she and Braff largely keep their personal lives out of the public eye — even going so far as to attend events, such as the December 2019 premiere of her film Little Women, separately. “I know that part of being in the spotlight is that people might invade your privacy and have opinions on it, but it’s bizarre that normal folk are allowed to display such hate and opinions on a part of my life that I’m not putting out there,” she said.
She added: “It’s a strange side of fame that you’re allowed to be torn apart by thousands of people even though you didn’t put that piece of you out there. My point to all this is that isn’t it odd that a stranger can totally tear apart someone’s relationship and it’s allowed?”
Braff, for his part, admitted in a November 2020 interview with MR PORTER that he “chose not to” respond to the trolls because he could not come up with anything as “intelligent and articulate” as the actress’ remarks.
Despite some people being against them, the pair continued to support each other and occasionally gave fans small glimpses into their life together.
In August 2022, however, Pugh confirmed that the pair had recently called it quits. “We’ve been trying to do this separation without the world knowing, because it’s been a relationship that everybody has an opinion on,” she told Harper’s Bazaar. “We just felt something like this would really do us the benefit of not having millions of people telling us how happy they are that we’re not together. So we’ve done that. I automatically get a lumpy throat when I talk about it.”
Scroll through the gallery below to revisit Braff and Pugh’s relationship.
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Credit: David Fisher/BAFTA/Shutterstock; Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
August 2018
The actor shared his admiration for the Little Women star via Twitter. “I watched an incredible film last night that I cannot stop thinking about: ‘Lady Macbeth’ starring @Florence_Pugh,” he wrote. “Beautifully directed, shot, acted etc. It’s very upsetting, so be forewarned. Florence is a movie star.” (He also began “liking” her Instagram posts around the same time.)
Credit: Courtesy of Zach Braff/Instagram
January 2019
Braff visited Pugh’s hometown in England. “Spent the day in Oxford and now I am smart,” he captioned an Instagram photo of himself across the pond. She posted a pic with her dad later that month, leading fans to assume the twosome traveled together to see her family.
Credit: YouTube
April 2019
The short film Braff directed Pugh in, In the Time It Takes to Get There, was released in April 2019.
Credit: Shutterstock (2)
April 2019
The Garden State star and the Fighting With My Family actress were spotted holding hands while out for a walk in New York City.
Credit: Courtesy of Zach Braff/Instagram
October 2019
Braff hinted at his romance with Pugh on Instagram, captioning a photo of her and his friends, “People I love.”
Credit: Courtesy of Zach Braff/Instagram
November 2019
The duo made their Instagram debut amid an outing with their pals. “Epic day at @disneyland #Disneyland #HappiestPlace,” he wrote of the group pic.
Credit: Courtesy of Florence Pugh/Instagram
December 2019
Pugh finally confirmed her relationship with Braff after he left a princess emoji in the comments section of one of her Instagram posts. “You’re 44 years old,” one user replied, to which the Black Widow star retorted, “And yet he got it.”
Credit: Courtesy of Florence Pugh/Instagram
April 2020
Pugh paid tribute to Braff for his 45th birthday. “Today we shall smile wider than the clouds are grey. April 6th and we’re celebrating hard!” she raved via Instagram. “Happy Birthday wishes, boogies and cheers for this special person. Raise those bubbles and jiggle!”
Days later, she fired back at naysayers in an Instagram video, calling out the “abuse” and “bullying” over their age difference in the comments of her original post. “I’m 24 years old. I have been working since I was 17, I’ve been earning money since I was 17. I became an adult when I was 18. … I am 24 years old,” she said. “I do not need you to tell me who I should and should not love. And I would never in my life, ever, tell anyone who they can and cannot love.”
She continued: “It is not your place and really it has nothing to do with you. If those rules are something you do not like, please unfollow me. The abuse you throw at him is the abuse you throw at me, and I do not want those followers.”
Credit: Courtesy of Zach Braff/Instagram
April 2020
The couple adopted a dog named Billie. “Officially adopted, Billie. Thanks to the @thelabellefoundation,” he announced. “We tried to foster, but then we fell in love. #fosterfail #adoptdontshop.”
Credit: Shutterstock (2)
May 2020
Pugh shared some insight into how she and Braff were spending their time in quarantine amid the coronavirus pandemic. “I allow one takeaway a week. So that’s our special date night,” she noted on the “Table Manners” podcast. She also revealed they were “growing lovely leaves and lovely elephant garlics” in their garden to cook with.
Credit: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Shutterstock; Matt Baron/Shutterstock
November 2020
The Wish I Was Here star made a rare statement about his relationship, commenting on the Brit’s prior defense of him. “She literally sat down, hit record on her phone and said that,” he recalled to MR PORTER of her April 2020 Instagram video. “I thought: how could I possibly follow anything as intelligent and articulate as that? So, I chose not to.”
Credit: Courtesy of Zach Braff/Instagram
January 2021
Braff applauded Pugh on her 25th birthday. “Happy Birthday to the most fun person I’ve ever met,” he gushed via Instagram. “I would have felt blessed to have smiled with your [sic] for one night. I can’t believe I get to giggle with you everyday. What a pleasure it is to know you. What a gift to the world it was that you were born.”
Credit: Shutterstock (2)
March 2021
The two sparked rumors in January 2021 that they had secretly wed after a friend referred to the Midsommar star as “FPB.” However, the pal later deleted the extra letter from his Instagram post and clarified that the “B” referred to a nickname, not Braff. “They are not married,” he claimed.
Speculation ramped up again in March 2021 when Braff was spotted wearing a ring on his left hand.
Credit: Courtesy of Florence Pugh/Instagram
April 2021
“It’s this magical persons [sic] birthday. A year ago we got Billie three days before Zach’s day and she’s flopped on her back for tummy tickles from him like this ever since. A special day for a special fella requires special foot wear and fluffy trackies.. obvi,” Pugh wrote via Instagram on Braff’s 46th birthday. “His need to make people laugh and smile is never ending, his constant generosity and love for others is infectious, his creativity and ability to put real and honest words onto the page inspires many and all who’s around him, but above all.. his appreciation for life and excitement for LIVING is something I always take note of. Happy Birthday chicken, odd shoes is a good look.”
Credit: Shutterstock (2)
July 2021
Pugh defended her relationship in an interview with the U.K.’s Sunday Times, noting that social media users have come after her in the past after she’s posted about Braff.
“I think it bugs people that it’s not who they expected,” she said. “But it’s my life and I’m not doing anything to please people or to make it a better headline or story. I want to also be a person!”
She continued, “I am 24 years old. I do not need you to tell me who I should and should not love, and I would never in my life ever, ever tell anyone who they can and cannot love. It is not your place, and really it has nothing to do with you.”
Credit: Jay Maidment/Marvel
July 2021
The Garden State actor celebrated Pugh’s role in Black Widow by giving her a special painting of her character, Yelena Belova, from the “legendary painter” and comic book artist Phil Noto. “Go see ‘Black Widow’ this weekend and watch @florencepugh save the world!” Braff wrote via Instagram, showing fans the cool picture, which included “Widow” written in Russian on the side.
Credit: Courtesy Florence Pugh/Instagram
July 2021
Pugh celebrated her boyfriend’s Emmy nomination for directing an episode of the Apple TV+ series Ted Lasso. “YEAHHHHHHHGG!!!!!” she wrote via her Instagram Story. “F–k YES!!!! Well done Well done Well done!!!” She also reposted a photo of Braff at work on the show, adding the captions, “They got nominated!!” and “JAMMY JAMMY TARTS!!! Well done done done.”
Credit: Courtesy Zach Braff/Instagram
January 2022
“Happy birthday to this beautiful human being. I am so lucky to know you. And the world is so lucky they get to witness your incredible talent,” the director wrote via his Instagram Story as Pugh turned 26, sharing a photo of her lounging on the edge of a pool.
Credit: Shutterstock (2)
March 2022
“Florence Pugh’s performance in the movie, I know I’m biased, but it’s the most miraculous thing you will ever see. I’m not overselling it,” Braff gushed during a Collider interview, teasing Pugh’s role in A Good Person, which he directed. “I know that anything Florence does is incredible. People say she’s maybe the best actress of her generation. I think she’s one of the best actresses working. This performance she gives is unbelievable.”
Credit: Courtesy Florence Pugh/Instagram
April 2022
“Happy birthday Zachary!” the Don’t Worry Darling star wrote across three separate Instagram Stories celebrating her beau.
Credit: Shutterstock (2)
May 2022
After a trip to Ibiza, Spain with Will Poulter and their mutual friends, Pugh took to social media to deny rumors that she was dating her former costar.
“Ooookay. Man. This is getting a little silly now. No, Will Poulter and I are not dating. We went to the beach with our friends, who are always about half a metre [sic] away from us in every picture, but have been cleverly cut out/framed out so that it looks otherwise,” Pugh clarified via Instagram after being photographed with the Midsommar actor.
The Don’t Worry Darling star also called out her followers for their negative comments about Braff amid the dating speculation. “Regardless of your opinion on who I should or shouldn’t be with, at the end of the day if you’re complimenting someone by trolling another person .. you’re just bullying,” she added. “There’s literally no need to be horrible online — no need. Think about what you write. Think about who it affects.”
Credit: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Shutterstock; Jason Merritt/Radarpics/Shutterstock
August 2022
After months of speculation, Pugh revealed in a Harper’s Bazaar cover interview that she and Braff recently called it quits. “We’ve been trying to do this separation without the world knowing, because it’s been a relationship that everybody has an opinion on,” she explained. “We just felt something like this would really do us the benefit of not having millions of people telling us how happy they are that we’re not together. So we’ve done that. I automatically get a lumpy throat when I talk about it.”
Credit: Shutterstock (2)
October 2022
Two months after they called it quits, Pugh spoke positively about her ex, explaining that he helped her deal with the scrutiny that comes with fame. “Going from no one talking about you and then suddenly everyone talking about you [is jarring],” the Oscar nominee said during an appearance on BBC’s “This Cultural Life” podcast. “It would be mad for me to say that stuff doesn’t [affect me]. … Of course it does.”
Pugh continued: “It’s so much easier said than done, but you can’t read that stuff. I remember my ex-partner Zach Braff [saying that during] the first pop of my career. I was reading comments, reading comments — ’cause you just do. As it’s happening, you want to make sure everything’s [positive]. Negative comments would come in — or negative things about our relationship,” she recalled. “He would say: ‘Well, how did you come across this?’ I said: ‘I found it.’ And he goes: ‘But how did you find it?’ … [He’d say], ‘You can’t look for that stuff because you’re going to find something that’s horrible.'”
Pugh continued, “If you’re doing that — if you’re looking for it — then inevitably you’re going to find something that hurts you. So, sadly, it’s the hardest thing to do,** but you can’t engage. You can’t look.”
Credit: Courtesy of Zach Braff/Instagram
January 2023
“Happy birthday legend,” the actor captioned an Instagram Story photo of Pugh in honor of her birthday.
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