Who Is Jimmy Smits Dating? Inside His 40-Year Partnership, Early Life, Net Worth, and Career

Jimmy Smits is one of the most distinguished and versatile actors in American television and film history. With an award-winning career spanning over four decades, Smits has captivated audiences as the charismatic attorney Victor Sifuentes on L.A. Law, Detective Bobby Simone on NYPD Blue, President Matt Santos on The West Wing, Congressman Neron “Nero” Padilla on Sons of Anarchy, and Senator Bail Organa in the iconic Star Wars franchise.

Despite his towering presence on screen, Smits has always maintained a remarkably low-profile personal life. However, fans often wonder about his romantic status and frequently ask: Who is Jimmy Smits dating?

While many Hollywood stars navigate a revolving door of public high-profile romances, Jimmy Smits stands out for having one of the longest, most steady, and enduring partnerships in the entertainment industry. Here is the full story behind Jimmy Smits’ current relationship, early upbringing, relationship timeline, net worth, personal assets, and upcoming projects.

Who Is Jimmy Smits Dating? Meet His Longtime Partner Wanda De Jesus

Jimmy Smits is in a relationship with acclaimed actress Wanda De Jesus. The couple has been together since 1986—a staggering 40-year romance that ranks among Hollywood’s quietest and most successful love stories.

Wanda De Jesus is an accomplished Afro-Latina actress known for her compelling work across film, television, and theater. Her notable screen credits include roles in CSI: Miami, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Sons of Anarchy, Young and the Restless, and John Carpenter’s sci-fi film Ghosts of Mars.

Why Haven’t Jimmy Smits and Wanda De Jesus Married?

Despite being together for four decades, Smits and De Jesus have never officially tied the knot. In various interviews over the years, the couple has explained that a marriage license was never necessary to validate their bond. They view their deep mutual commitment, shared values, and decades of living together in Los Angeles as far more meaningful than a legal ceremony.

Before his long-term partnership with De Jesus, Smits was previously married once to his high school sweetheart, Barbara Smits, from 1981 until their divorce in 1987. The former couple had two children together: Taina (born 1973) and Joaquin (born 1983). Barbara passed away in 2010.

Just as entertainment fans frequently inquire whether stars like Danny DeVito is married or search for updates on whether Sandra Bullock is dating anyone, audiences continue to admire Jimmy Smits and Wanda De Jesus as a beacon of stability in an industry notorious for short-lived romances.

Early Life and Family Background

Jimmy L. Smits was born on July 9, 1955, in Brooklyn, New York. Raised in a working-class, culturally rich household, Smits’ upbringing strongly shaped his worldview, work ethic, and dedication to Latino representation in the arts.

• Parents: His mother, Emelina Smits, was a Puerto Rican nurse’s aide, while his father, Cornelis Smits, was a Surinamese plant manager of Dutch descent.
• Bilingual Upbringing: Growing up in a strict, devoutly Catholic family in Brooklyn, Smits spent portions of his childhood in Puerto Rico, becoming fluently bilingual in English and Spanish.
• Education: Smits attended Thomas Jefferson High School in Brooklyn, where he excelled in both athletics and drama. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brooklyn College in 1980, followed by a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Acting from Cornell University in 1982—making him one of the few classically trained MFA actors of his generation to transition directly into primetime television stardom.
• Theater Beginnings: Before landing his breakthrough role on television, Smits refined his craft performing in Shakespeare in the Park productions and off-Broadway plays across New York City.

Structured Relationship Timeline & Dating History

Jimmy Smits’ dating history is remarkably brief, reflecting his preference for long-term stability over casual dating.

Jimmy Smits Relationship Timeline

Year / Period	Milestone / Event	Details
July 9, 1955	Born in Brooklyn, NY	Raised in Brooklyn and Puerto Rico by Emelina and Cornelis Smits.
1973	Birth of First Child	Welcomed daughter Taina with high school girlfriend Barbara.
1981	First Marriage	Married high school sweetheart Barbara Smits.
1983	Birth of Second Child	Welcomed son Joaquin with Barbara Smits.
1986	Met Wanda De Jesus	Met actress Wanda De Jesus while pursuing theater and television roles.
1987	Marriage Ends	Finalized divorce from Barbara Smits after six years of marriage.
1986–Present	Partnered with Wanda	Began living together in Los Angeles; remaining together for 40 years.

Complete Dating History Table

Partner Name	Relationship Type	Duration	Key Notes
Wanda De Jesus	Domestic Partner	1986–Present	Actress; 40-year partnership; co-founders of community theater efforts.
Barbara Smits	Married	1981–1987	High school sweetheart; shared two children (Taina and Joaquin).

Net Worth Updates and Personal Assets

As of 2026, Jimmy Smits’ estimated net worth stands at $25 million.

Smits built his substantial wealth through four decades of consecutive lead roles on major network television dramas, lucrative syndication deals, blockbuster film franchises, and smart real estate holdings.

Primary Revenue Streams & Financial Assets

• Television Paydays: Smits commanded top-tier salaries during the peak runs of L.A. Law, NYPD Blue (earning up to $150,000 per episode in the late 1990s), The West Wing, Dexter, and Sons of Anarchy.
• Syndication Royalties: Continuous global syndication of NYPD Blue, L.A. Law, and The West Wing provides steady recurring residual income.
• Blockbuster Film Franchise: His recurring portrayal of Senator Bail Organa across the Star Wars prequel trilogy (Attack of the Clones, Revenge of the Sith), Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, and the Disney+ series Obi-Wan Kenobi has yielded significant international compensation.
• Real Estate Portfolio: Smits and Wanda De Jesus own residential real estate in Southern California, including a main property in the Studio City / San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles.
• Philanthropic Investments: In 1997, Smits co-founded the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts (NHFA) alongside actors Sonia Braga, Esai Morales, and Merel Julia. The non-profit organization promotes Latino talent in media and provides scholarships to aspiring university entertainment students.

While his wealth may not match top Hollywood movie executives or massive film moguls like those featured when examining Denzel Washington’s net worth or reviewing Morgan Freeman’s net worth, Smits represents one of the most financially successful television actors in history.

Future Goals and Upcoming Projects

Jimmy Smits continues to maintain an active schedule across television, film, voice work, and charitable endeavors:

• Dramatic Television & Streaming: Following his lead role as Chief John Suarez on CBS’s police drama East New York, Smits continues to review dramatic pilot scripts and guest-starring roles for major streaming networks.
• Star Wars Universe Voice & Cameo Work: Smits remains a beloved fixture in the Lucasfilm family, making convention appearances and lending his voice to various animated, video game, and retrospective projects celebrating Senator Bail Organa.
• Stage & Cultural Advocacy: Smits actively supports local Los Angeles and New York theater troupes while continuing his work expanding university scholarship endowments through the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts.

Conclusion

So, who is Jimmy Smits dating? The iconic actor has been happily partnered with actress Wanda De Jesus since 1986. Choosing a deep, lifelong bond over traditional marriage, Smits and De Jesus have quietly built one of Hollywood’s most resilient and respected relationships. Supported by a solid $25 million net worth, an extraordinary body of acting work, and an unwavering commitment to advocacy, Jimmy Smits remains a true legend of screen and stage.