‘Law & Order’ Star Chris Noth Raises 2 Biracial Sons with His Wife He Didn’t Marry for Over 10 Years

Over the years, the actor’s interracial relationship with his longtime partner has drawn hateful remarks, yet he has remained private about their marriage. Even so, paparazzi have managed to capture rare glimpses of their intimate wedding.

Chris Noth is married to Canadian native Tara Wilson, and together they have two sons. Their 12-year marriage has endured significant challenges, including allegations of sexual assault and a cheating scandal.

Noth and Wilson’s story began in 2001 when she was working as a bartender at his New York City bar, the Cutting Room. Despite a 24-year age gap, they formed a strong connection early on and kept their romance away from public attention.

Years later, their relationship took a new turn when they became parents. In January 2008, Wilson gave birth to their son, Orion Christopher Noth, in Los Angeles. A representative for the actor confirmed the news at the time, “Chris and Tara are thrilled, and all are doing well.”

Becoming a father shifted Noth’s priorities. As he balanced work between New York and Los Angeles, Wilson stayed on the West Coast with their newborn son.

The demands of filming “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” often kept Noth away from his family for weeks at a time. Speaking about Orion, he affectionately called him “the baby warrior” and admitted, “He’s my career now.”

The growing media attention also influenced the veteran actor’s decisions. When he first moved to Los Angeles, he chose to live in West Hollywood, hoping to replicate the energy of his New York lifestyle.

“I could walk down to Sunset,” he said in a 2008 interview, but as the paparazzi presence grew, he decided to relocate. “I can’t do that anymore, because it’s flocked with paparazzi, so I’ve moved to suburbia.”

He explained that his new home in the valleys provided a sense of normalcy, adding, “Now that I have a kid, I don’t want him exposed to any of that.”

The following year, Noth and Wilson got engaged, marking another milestone in their journey together. Three years later, in 2012, they made their commitment official with an intimate wedding in Maui.

They went to great lengths to keep the ceremony private, choosing a secluded location and informing only those closest to them.

“We kept that marriage really tight. It was in a remote spot, we didn’t tell anybody,” Noth divulged in a July 2013 interview. “It’s just private. I don’t get anything out of having anything about my family on the cover of a magazine.”

For Noth, keeping such a personal moment away from the public eye was intentional. When asked why he and Wilson didn’t share news of their wedding, he was blunt. “Forgive me, but it’s an anathema when I see celebrities put their weddings on magazines and on shows.”

He described the practice as “gross,” emphasizing that his family life was something he wanted to keep private. However, that didn’t stop the media from trying to intrude on their big day.

According to Noth, a photographer from The National Enquirer went to extreme lengths to get a glimpse of the ceremony — climbing a tree and capturing a shot from two miles away. But even after making their union official, criticism followed. In 2013, Noth revealed that he had received hateful letters condemning their interracial marriage.

While performing on Broadway, he recalled messages — often from places like Alabama — warning him, “Don’t come down here with your wife.” Still, he remained optimistic about societal change, “We’re all getting together. We’re all mixing it up.”

Despite the scrutiny surrounding their relationship, Wilson built a career of her own while supporting Noth. She pursued acting in New York City, attending the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, where she honed her craft.

Years later, in 2019, she channeled her passion for storytelling into playwriting, penning “B.R.O.K.E.N Code B.I.R.D Switching.” Her on-screen career began in 2001 with a role in “Piñero,” followed by a guest appearance on “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” in 2004.

Coincidentally, this was just a year before Noth returned to the “Law & Order” franchise as Mike Logan. Her final acting role came in 2009 when she starred alongside Noth in “Frame of Mind.” However, Wilson’s accomplishments go beyond the entertainment industry. Before stepping into acting, she won the title of Miss West Virginia in 2000.

In addition to her artistic pursuits, she ventured into business. In 2009, she and Noth opened a tearoom called Once Upon a Teacup in Windsor, Ontario. A second location later opened in London, Ontario, though it eventually closed.

Throughout the years, the couple has continued to build a life together, keeping their private world protected while navigating careers in the public eye.

Although Noth and Wilson have kept much of their personal life private, he has occasionally shared moments with fans. Over the years, he posted glimpses of their travels and family time with their eldest son. In September 2019, he announced that they were expecting another child.

By February 2020, Noth and Wilson welcomed their second son, Keats Noth. In an online announcement, he described the birth as a joyful moment and quoted poet John Keats, referring to his son as “a thing of beauty.”

Less than two years later, their marriage faced public scrutiny. In December 2021, Noth was accused of assault by two women. One of them claimed that the “And Just Like That” star had been unfaithful to Wilson during the alleged encounter.

According to her, Noth dismissed commitment, “He said marriage is a sham. Monogamy is not real.” As the allegations surfaced, Noth responded by denying the accusations. In a statement, he called the claims “categorically false” and maintained that he would never harm a woman.

Noth maintained that the encounters were consensual, emphasizing that he had never crossed any lines. He questioned the timing of the allegations, stating that he did not know why they had surfaced but firmly denied any wrongdoing.

Amid the growing controversy, questions about Noth and Wilson’s marriage began to surface. Around the same time, Wilson was seen in Los Angeles without her wedding ring, sparking speculation about their relationship status.

The sighting came shortly after a third woman accused Noth of sexual misconduct, adding to the mounting allegations against him.

By 2023, Noth finally spoke out about the scandal, addressing the impact on his marriage and career. In his only interview since the allegations surfaced, he admitted to being unfaithful to Wilson but denied any criminal wrongdoing.

Acknowledging the harm done, he admitted that his actions had deeply affected his wife and painted an unpleasant picture. However, he emphasized that what he had done was not a crime. While hoping to move forward and rebuild his career, he recognized that the accusations continued to follow him.

The accusations had a significant impact on Noth, damaging both his career and public image. He lost a $12 million deal for his tequila brand, was dismissed from “The Equalizer,” dropped from a Peloton ad, and removed from the season finale of “And Just Like That.” Once a prominent figure in Hollywood, he became increasingly isolated from the industry.

At 68, he shifted his focus to a new project, becoming the face of Samuelsohn, a bespoke suit company promoting men’s mental health awareness. Unlike traditional endorsements, his compensation came in clothing rather than money.

As part of the campaign, Samuelsohn pledged donations to men’s mental health causes, addressing an issue affecting more than six million men in the U.S., according to Mental Health America.

Despite the backlash, Noth continued to deny any wrongdoing beyond infidelity. He maintained that all sexual encounters were consensual and acknowledged his past behavior, stating that many men justify affairs as harmless fun, believing no one would find out.

He admitted that the attention he received made it tempting, viewing it as an opportunity that might not come again. No criminal charges have been filed against Noth, though statistics from the National Sexual Violence Resource Center indicate that 63 percent of rapes go unreported.

While the allegations have not led to legal prosecution, Noth acknowledged that civil lawsuits could still be pursued, referring to them as “a money train for a lot of people.”

Although he initially refrained from speaking beyond his original statement, he later addressed the scandal and its impact. The accusations, dating back to 2004, involved women in Los Angeles and New York.

He stated that once public perception had been shaped, there was little he could do to change it, explaining that defending himself would come across as defensive. Noth also pointed out that without a criminal trial, there was no legal platform for him to present his case or call witnesses. Some of the claims, he argued, were entirely unfounded.

Concerned about media coverage, he expressed reluctance to discuss the issue further, stating that selective reporting could misrepresent his words, something he did not want his children to see.

Despite the scandals and professional setbacks, Chris Noth has attempted to move forward, though the accusations continue to follow him. While his career and reputation remain in question, he has shifted focus to new ventures, leaving the future of his public image uncertain.