The Truth About Pauley Perrette's Dating History

On March 27, 1969, Pauley Perrette was born in New Orleans, Lousiana. Long before she came into her most iconic role as Abby Sciutto on "NCIS," she grew up moving around the country, spending time during her childhood in North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia (via The Famous People). Eventually, she attended college in Georgia before moving to New York City to study criminal justice at the John Jay College Of Criminal Justice. While she was pursuing a master's degree and working as a bartender, a coworker introduced her to a director who kickstarted Perrette's acting career, according to Cheat Sheet. While she never completed her master's degree or pursued a career in law enforcement, she has made a name for herself as a civil rights activist while portraying a law enforcement officer on "NCIS." She has also appeared in other well-known favorites such as "Almost Famous," "Dawson's Creek," and "The Ring," (via IMDb).

Perrette has amassed a well-rounded list of television and movie credits, and has found love with those she's met along the way. With her fame rising exponentially throughout her long career on screens both big and small, it should come as no surprise that the "NCIS" star has a star-studded dating history.

In 1998, years before Pauley Perrette secured her iconic role as Abby Sciuto on "NCIS," she met the man who would become her first husband (via Who Dated Who). Coyote Shivers was a Canadian actor and musician best known for his work in movies like "Empire Records" and "Johnny Mnemonic" (via IMDb). After two years of dating, the young couple wed. The marriage quickly became tumultuous, and Perrette suffered years of abuse at the hands of Shivers. After less than four years as husband and wife, Perrette filed for divorce in 2004. By 2006, the marriage had been annulled (via The Blast.) Perrette cited the reason for the dissolution of their union as both physical and mental abuse relentlessly imparted upon her throughout their relationship.

Following the split, Shivers' behavior became even more erratic. After breaking into and vandalizing Perrette's home, Shivers was served with a restraining order filed by his former wife. Given the gravity of the situation, the restraining order became permanent. Despite the permanence of the restraining order, Shivers continued to harass his ex-wife and was eventually sent to jail in 2012. It was later found out that Perrette was just one of many victims who suffered abuse by Shivers, behavior that he had kept under wraps by using false names when entering new relationships. Thankfully, Perrette was able to move on and live a happy life, and became an advocate for stricter laws to prevent stalking.

After Pauley Perrette's harrowing marriage ended in 2004, the "Dawson's Creek" alum wasn't quite ready to give up on finding love. In 2005, shortly after her divorce was finalized, Perrette began a romance with cameraman Michael Bosman (via Cheat Sheet). The pair dated for several years before Bosman asked Perrette for her hand in marriage in 2008. Perrette enthusiastically accepted, saying at the time, "We're calling the wedding a celebration of love, of how much we love each other and how much we appreciate those who have shown us so much support and love in our journey together" (via Ace Show Biz).

While it seemed like the two were heading down the aisle to enjoy wedded bliss, Perrette and Bosman split in 2009 before getting married. While the reason for their split is not known, it appears as though it was an amicable departure, with neither party harboring any bitterness surrounding the split. After loving and losing for the second time, however, Perrette was ready to dive back into the dating pool and find love once and for all.

While Michael Bosman may have been a rebound for Pauley Perrette following a disastrous marriage, it seems that she was ready to fall in love in 2010. It was that year that the actress began dating fellow actor Thomas Arklie (via Who Dated Who). Arklie, who starred in the beloved classic television series "Melrose Place" (via IMDb), has also worked as a model and is a former British Royal Marine (via Daily Entertainment News). Arklie proposed to Perrette after one year of dating, making him the actress's third fiance. At the time of their engagement, same-sex marriage was not yet legal everywhere in the United States and the pair announced that they would not wed until marriage was legal for everyone.

While same-sex marriage has since been legalized, the pair remains engaged with no wedding plans on the horizon. Regardless of the lack of paperwork, Perrette appears happier than ever to be living life with the man of her dreams.