If you spent years watching NCIS: Los Angeles, you probably spent a good chunk of that time shipping Eric Beale and Nell Jones. Their "will-they-won’t-they" energy was the tech-savvy heartbeat of the show. Naturally, when two actors have that much chemistry on screen for over a decade, the internet starts doing what it does best: wondering if they’re actually a couple in the real world.
So, let's get right to the point. Barrett Foa is not married. Despite the endless rumors and the photos of him looking cozy with his co-star, Renée Felice Smith, Foa has never walked down the aisle. Honestly, the confusion is understandable. In the world of procedural TV, we’re used to seeing our favorite duos get together, and since Eric and Nell literally drove off into the sunset together in the Season 12 finale, fans desperately wanted that happy ending to be real. But it's just good acting, folks.
The Renée Felice Smith Connection
People constantly ask "Who is Barrett Foa married to?" because they see him and Renée together at red carpets or in social media posts and assume the "partner" label applies to their personal lives. It doesn't.
They are incredibly close friends. Like, "soulmate-level" friends, but not in a romantic way. Renée has actually been in a very long-term relationship with filmmaker Christopher Gabriel for years. Barrett, on the other hand, keeps his romantic life tucked away behind a pretty thick curtain of privacy.
In 2019, Barrett publicly came out as gay. This was a significant moment for him, though he had been living authentically for a long time before making a public statement on social media. Since then, he hasn't introduced a husband or a "significant other" to the public eye. He seems way more focused on his theater roots and traveling than on providing fodder for the tabloids.
Why the Marriage Rumors Won't Die
Basically, it's the Lamborghini's fault.
When Eric Beale and Nell Jones left NCIS: LA to head to Tokyo, it felt so definitive. It was a "happily ever after" for the characters. Because the show lasted so long—twelve seasons for Barrett—the line between the actor and the character blurred for the audience.
- Longevity: 12 years is a long time to play a couple.
- Off-screen Chemistry: Their real-life friendship is genuinely sweet.
- Privacy: Because Barrett doesn't post about his dating life, people fill in the blanks themselves.
It's kinda funny how we do that. We see a void of information and we just stuff it with our own headcanons. But the reality is much more low-key. Barrett is a New York-born theater kid who loves Broadway and seems to prioritize his family—like his brother Justin, who runs the family insurance brokerage—over the Hollywood "power couple" lifestyle.
Life After the Suit and Tie
Since leaving the show in 2021, Barrett hasn't been chasing the next big TV marriage or even the next big procedural role. He went back to his first love: the stage. He’s performed in Buyer & Cellar and continues to be an active part of the Broadway community.
You’ve probably noticed he isn't in the news for messy breakups or secret weddings. That’s intentional. He’s one of those actors who views his work as a job and his life as, well, his life.
If you're looking for a name to put in the "Spouse" column of his biography, you're going to be looking for a while. As of 2026, he remains single (publicly, at least) and definitely not married.
What to Keep in Mind
When you're digging into celebrity relationship statuses, remember that "partner" often refers to a "scene partner" in industry talk. When a director says "Barrett and his partner," they almost always mean Renée Felice Smith in the context of the show.
If you want to keep up with what he’s actually doing, stop looking at marriage registries and start looking at theater playbills.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check out his recent theater credits like Buyer & Cellar to see his range outside of the tech room.
- Follow his travel updates on social media, which is where he actually shares his life (minus the romance).
- Stop worrying about the wedding bells—he’s clearly living his best life without them.