A Look Back at Zooey Deschanel and Jacob Pechenik's Ultra-Private Relationship

01of 10First SpottedNational Photo GroupZooey Deschanel and producer Jacob Pechenik — who met on the set of their projectRock the Kasbah— made their debut as a couple in Venice Beach, California, on Aug. 10, 2014, just about five months before PEOPLEconfirmed their engagement.

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First Spotted

National Photo Group

Zooey Deschanel and producer Jacob Pechenik — who met on the set of their projectRock the Kasbah— made their debut as a couple in Venice Beach, California, on Aug. 10, 2014, just about five months before PEOPLEconfirmed their engagement.

02of 10Plus-One with a Side of PDAJason LaVeris/FilmmagicTwo weeks later, 42-year-old Pechenik escorted his new love, then 34, to theEmmy Awardsin L.A., where the two walked the carpet hand-in-hand and even shared a few kisses for the cameras.

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Plus-One with a Side of PDA

Jason LaVeris/Filmmagic

Two weeks later, 42-year-old Pechenik escorted his new love, then 34, to theEmmy Awardsin L.A., where the two walked the carpet hand-in-hand and even shared a few kisses for the cameras.

03of 10Kiss OffSam Sharma/Pacific Coast NewsThings were clearly heating up when the pair was snapped smooching after grabbing brunch and going for a hike in L.A. over Emmys weekend.

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Kiss Off

Sam Sharma/Pacific Coast News

Things were clearly heating up when the pair was snapped smooching after grabbing brunch and going for a hike in L.A. over Emmys weekend.

04of 10Camera-Ready CoupleKevin Winter/GettyAnother month, another red carpet event for the duo, this one the Sept. 10 L.A. premiere ofThe Skeleton Twins, which Pechenik produced.

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Camera-Ready Couple

Kevin Winter/Getty

Another month, another red carpet event for the duo, this one the Sept. 10 L.A. premiere ofThe Skeleton Twins, which Pechenik produced.

05of 10Getting DomesticFameFlynetOne month before revealing their pregnancy news, Deschanel and Pechenik kept it casual (and coordinated) on a grocery run in Studio City, California. “Jacob and I are over the moon,” theNew Girlstar told PEOPLE of expecting their first child. “We are so excited to meet our little one.” In the summer of 2015,daughter Elsie Otterentered the world.

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Getting Domestic

FameFlynet

One month before revealing their pregnancy news, Deschanel and Pechenik kept it casual (and coordinated) on a grocery run in Studio City, California. “Jacob and I are over the moon,” theNew Girlstar told PEOPLE of expecting their first child. “We are so excited to meet our little one.” In the summer of 2015,daughter Elsie Otterentered the world.

06of 10Food for ThoughtGettyAfter welcoming Elsie, the health-conscious couple teamed up to launch the new initiativeThe Farm ProjectandATTN:,and rolled out a video series on healthy eating and sustainable ingredients, “Your Food’s Roots with Zooey Deschanel.”

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Food for Thought

Getty

After welcoming Elsie, the health-conscious couple teamed up to launch the new initiativeThe Farm ProjectandATTN:,and rolled out a video series on healthy eating and sustainable ingredients, “Your Food’s Roots with Zooey Deschanel.”

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Proud Partner

Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

08of 10Growing FamilyBarry King/GettyThe notoriously private pair rarely spoke about their relationship, but in 2017, did confirm more happy news:the arrival of their second child, son Charlie Wolf.

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Growing Family

Barry King/Getty

The notoriously private pair rarely spoke about their relationship, but in 2017, did confirm more happy news:the arrival of their second child, son Charlie Wolf.

09of 10Taking a BreakJason LaVeris/FilmMagicAfter the 2018 end ofNew Girl, Deschanel chose to step back from the spotlight to focus on her family.“I do want to get back out there, but not until I find the right situation. I’m just having such agreat time being with my kids becausethey’re really little and every day is different and exciting and fun,“she told PEOPLE.

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Taking a Break

After the 2018 end ofNew Girl, Deschanel chose to step back from the spotlight to focus on her family.

“I do want to get back out there, but not until I find the right situation. I’m just having such agreat time being with my kids becausethey’re really little and every day is different and exciting and fun,“she told PEOPLE.

10of 10Parting WaysBen TrivettMost recently, the pair stepped out at the James Beard Awards in Chicago in May 2019. But in September, they confirmed their split in a statement to PEOPLE.“After much discussion and a long period of contemplation we have decided we are better off as friends, business partners and co-parents rather than life partners,” a rep for the coupletold PEOPLE in a joint statement. “We remain committed to our business, our values and most of all our children. Thank you for respecting our privacy at this time.”

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Parting Ways

Ben Trivett

Most recently, the pair stepped out at the James Beard Awards in Chicago in May 2019. But in September, they confirmed their split in a statement to PEOPLE.

“After much discussion and a long period of contemplation we have decided we are better off as friends, business partners and co-parents rather than life partners,” a rep for the coupletold PEOPLE in a joint statement. “We remain committed to our business, our values and most of all our children. Thank you for respecting our privacy at this time.”

source: people.com