Oh, you thought we were done? Surprise! Before Renee, Ross was married to a woman named Lisa Dore. They wed in 1995 and divorced in 2001, and almost no one talks about it. It’s like the forgotten chapter of the Ross Kemp saga. Lisa was a TV producer too—so Ross has a type, and that type is women who can handle TV schedules and a man who grunts a lot. The marriage fizzled, and Ross emerged into the arms of a Scottish beauty queen. It’s a classic tale: Find a good woman, lose a good woman, then find a better one who can tolerate your glass eye and your danger addiction.
Ross Kemp shares incredibly rare personal photo with fans | HELLO!
Renee, however, is the permanent fixture. She’s the one who gets called “Mrs. Kemp” and has to deal with people asking, “Does Ross really have a glass eye?” in the supermarket. She handles it with grace, which is more than I could do. I’d just start throwing organic avocados at people.
So, What’s the Verdict?
Ross Kemp is married to Renee O’Brien, a former beauty queen turned TV producer who apparently has the patience of a saint and the survival instincts of a SAS operative. Their marriage has lasted over two decades, which is longer than most celebrity marriages, longer than some wars, and certainly longer than your average EastEnders storyline. That is commitment.
Next time you see Ross Kemp wrestling a crocodile on TV or interviewing a warlord, just remember: somewhere, Renee is probably watching, thinking, “Well, at least he’s not at the pub.” And she’s the real hero of this story. Now go forth and impress your friends with this random, slightly weird knowledge. You’re welcome.
