Linda Hunt, the iconic actress best known for her role as the no-nonsense Operations Manager Hetty Lange on NCIS: Los Angeles, has been a staple of the show since it first premiered in 2009. For over a decade, fans have come to admire Hetty’s sharp mind, strong leadership, and protective nature toward her team. However, while she plays a maternal and almost grandmotherly figure to the NCIS team, Hunt’s personal life tells a different story, one that is more private and much less conventional in terms of family dynamics.
In real life, Linda Hunt has been in a committed relationship with Karen Kline, a woman she married in 2008. The couple, who had been together for several years before their marriage, has not had children together, and they have not spoken publicly about any plans to do so. Neither of them were married before their relationship, so they do not have children from previous unions. Their focus has instead been on building a life together, and they have chosen to nurture their relationship in different ways. Hunt and Kline have found joy in adopting and caring for three dogs, whom they welcomed into their home from the Best Friends Animal Society in 2008. This decision to adopt pets rather than have children is part of their deeply personal approach to family life.
Though the couple enjoys a private existence, they have shared glimpses of their home life in rare interviews. In one such instance, Hunt and Kline allowed the Los Angeles Times to step into their home for an article published in 2014, where Hunt described their home as a place of whimsy and elegance. She spoke fondly of a guesthouse on their property where she often retreats to practice her lines for NCIS: Los Angeles, reflecting on the beauty of the sunroom’s view while preparing for her role. The couple lives in a charming bungalow in Hollywood, a peaceful space they share with their pets, which has become a sanctuary for them both.
Despite the long-lasting nature of their relationship, Hunt and Kline remain relatively private, with only a few rare mentions of each other in public. Hunt rarely discusses her personal life in interviews, and the couple has mostly avoided the spotlight. However, Kline did share a humorous anecdote during an appearance on CBS Sunday Morning, where she mentioned that she was initially drawn to Hunt because of her “corduroy” pants. The two also enjoy playful teasing, with Kline joking about their age difference—Kline is six years younger than Hunt, and she often quips that she “forgives” her daily for it.
Rather than focusing on raising children, the couple has created a fulfilling life together with their dogs, whom they treat as family members. Their home, a reflection of both their personalities, is an oasis of comfort and love, where they enjoy quiet moments together, away from the hustle of the entertainment industry. Although Hunt’s character on NCIS: Los Angeles is often seen as a maternal figure to her colleagues, in her personal life, she has found her own unique and fulfilling version of family with Karen Kline and their beloved pets. This alternative approach to family is a testament to the couple’s bond, showing that love and companionship can take many forms, all of which are equally meaningful.
