I had no idea that Elizabeth Banks was even married, probably because she goes to a lot of events single and gives off a single vibe, but Star Magazine is reporting that she is married (which is easy to verify) and that she’s expecting a baby via surrogate. According to Star, Elizabeth, 37, has tried fertility treatments and after many unsuccessful attempts she made the decision to have a baby through a surrogate, which is due any day now. Elizabeth’s friend Sarah Jessica Parker, who has twin girls via surrogate, is said to have suggested it:
After years of failing to conceive, 30 Rock’s Elizabeth Banks and her spouse, author Max Handelman, are expecting a child via a surrogate in Shreveport, LA, at any moment, Star can reveal. “They tried everything, including fertility treatments, but nothing worked,” her friend explains. “She was devastated.” The two, both 37, considered adoption. But they turned to surrogacy after Elizabeth’s pal Sarah Jessica Parker, whose infant twins were born to a surrogate, suggested it. And Elizabeth plans to take a few months off to focus on her little one. Adds the friend: “She’ll be an amazing mom!”
[From Star Magazine, print edition, March 14, 2011]
I don’t know much about the surrogacy process, but I read an article in the NY Times Sunday Magazine a couple of years ago by a woman who went through it. It really helped me understand that it’s not a simple or quick solution. High profile people like Camille Grammer give surrogacy a bad name.
This story is in Star Magazine, which makes it suspect. Elizabeth Banks isn’t a big star and I doubt Star would fabricate a random minor story like this, though. If it’s true, congratulations to Elizabeth and Max! It sounds like it’s been a long a difficult process for them, and they must be overjoyed.
These are the only photos I can find of Elizabeth and Max, and they’re from 9/24/09. Maybe he just doesn’t like to go to events. Credit: WENN
Here’s Elizabeth on 2/24 and 2/27/11. She doesn’t wear a wedding ring, which could mean nothing because she wasn’t wearing one with her husband there either.
Talk about a dl marriage! Well, congrats to them!
I didn’t realize she was in her late 30’s. I thought she was maybe all of 30.
She is very, very pretty. Congrats to them.
Good on them!
CB – ITA. Camille DONATACCI totally gives surrogacy a bad sheen.
So is surrogacy the new black, congrants to ms banks
shes 37, and reportedly has been trying YEARS?
i better go freeze my eggs NOW :S
I agree, I had no idea she was 37. I hope to look half as good at 37!
Fertility dramatically decreases by age 35 in women! If you are over age 35 and haven’t conceived in 6 months, you should see a specialist. (Not your GYN).
Why does Camille give surrogacy a bad name? I thought she spoke about her problems with being unable to conceive. Am I wrong? Was I imagining that?
Congrats to them! I thought she was late 20s/early 30s and single too.
Congrats to them. They have been married for several years, because I remember looking at pics of her wedding in a magazine when I was planning my own. (BTW, her wedding was beautiful).
Yes, fertility drops after 35, but the worst thing you can do is panic. It took us 9 months and a miscarriage, but I am pregnant at 36. Some people aren’t so lucky, so I don’t mean to give false hope, but I found all the dire warnings just added more stress. A stressed out body does not reproduce well!
This is how I would’ve thought Avery Jessop would’ve done it. Congratulations to them.
I’ve noticed that the last few years adoption was the way celebrities went…now it’s surrogacy. Doesn’t anybody have babies the old fashioned way anymore?
@Dorothy – not when they can’t. Give the girl a break.
And girlfriend looks AMAZING. Totally thought she was early
30s at the oldest.
Wow, congrats to the family! I LOVE Elizabeth Banks 🙂
Seeing as how the article directly mentions fertility treatments I suspect that they tried the old fashioned way 1st
Ah, she is lovely, and her husband is dorky-cute. Congrats!
thanks Jenny and TQB, but im not married… will wait for next cute guy aka Paul Bettany/Javi/Jeffrey Dean Morgan lookalike to come along so i can drag him off the street and into my bed 😀
Good for her for keeping her private life private without making a big deal about how she likes to keep her private life private!
Take notes, celebs. This is how it is done.
I love her character and the oomph she brings to it on 30 Rock. But I do sometimes mix her up with Julie Bowen. They could be twins:
http://cheezburger.com/weezkidaj/lolz/View/4042545920
Also, random thought, Banks’ husband looks a lot like Tina Fey’s:
http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2005-09-12-fey-baby_x.htm
she looks much better as a brunette, IMO. in any case, congrats to them.
@Devilgirl: Camille Grammar claims she used a surrogate because she has IBS. But IBS doesn’t prevent a woman from getting pregnant or carrying a child full-term. So it’s pretty much known that she just didn’t want to be bothered by pregnancy and strech marks.
I like EB as an actress and from what I have seen in interviews. She is funny, and can be a bit self deprecating. What I don’t understand is why she not a bigger star, she is constantly working but not on a higher level in Hollywood. And why has she not been invited to host SNL, she would be fantastic. Maybe she likes it that way. Congrats if its true, that kids going to be adorable.
Agree, original Kate. I like the brown hair. It’s warmer and more adorable on her. heheh Can’t describe why very clearly, but I do often tend to prefer dark hair.
Dorothy – Your comment is ignorant considering 1 in 6 couples experience fertility issues.
Huh, funny Camille. I have IBS, and my symptoms actually IMPROVED while pregnant. What a liar. Just say you can’t deal with the weight gain and stretch marks, don’t make $hit up.
Awwww. I love Elizabeth and I knew that she and her hubby had been married for years and I started to wonder about a (maybe) baby for them…If this story is true then it’s wonderful and I’m happy so for them!
On a side note, I do have to mention the so called “source” who threw in the whole “they were ‘considering adoption’ BUT…” line. This type of thing really bugs me. Adopted children should never be considered a last resort, nor should this attitude of “oh well, they would have adopted but then they realized they could just choose surrogacy instead” be casually thrown around. In almost EVERY story you read now about celebs (or folks in real life) who choose surrogacy something along those lines is always said.
I don’t know if it’s becasue they feel like they have to say it to justify their decision to use a surrogate or what (they don’t), but why drop the adoption line in there at all? To me it is just seems like a disingenuine attempt to save face or something. I believe that however a family decides to grow is their own private business, but adotion and surrogacy are not interchangable choices nor should they be treated as such.