Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker met on the set of their hit Showtime series Soul Food. He played her onscreen love interest and real life wound up imitating art. From then on, they were inseparable.
Nicole gave birth to their first child, a baby girl named Sophie Tei-Naaki Lee Kodjoe, on March 5, 2005. Sophie has spina bifida, which was diagnosed at birth. Together they founded Sophie’s Voice Foundation, which was created to establish a clinic for children with spina bifida, like their daughter Sophie has, in Ghana, Africa.
Boris and Nicole were married on May 21, 2005 in Gundelfingen, Germany.
Soul Food fans fell for Boris and Nicole’s off-screen pairing too. They were instantly regarded as a picture perfect couple — one whose love story would soon become an inspiration, and a rare example of lasting love in Hollywood.
Nicole, Boris and their daughter Sophie hang out in Hollywood.
Expecting baby number two, the Kodjoes attend a 2006 restaurant opening together. The pregnancy glow sure looked good on Nicole.
The happy couple shines on the red carpet at a 2007 pre-Oscars party.
Boris and Nicole welcomed the birth of their second child, a son named Nicolas Neruda Kodjoe, on October 31, 2006.
“When the wife walks in, it should be an event,” says Boris. "You have to look up, you have to close the computer, and you have to say, hey baby, wow!” Nicole couldn’t agree more. She tells us, when he act’s right, that’s when she most wants to please her man. “When he does it, I feel like a million bucks,” she says. “Then I’m nice all day. That’s when the food comes. I’m roasting chicken with rosemary and lavender, and everything.”
Mr. and Mrs. Kodjoe attend the 2009 R Baby Foundation Mother’s Day Run/Walk in Central Park in New York City to raise money for better pediatric care for babies.
When it comes to fashion, Nicole and her hot hubby Boris never miss a step.
Nicole, who also goes by Nikki Kodjoe, and hubby Boris wear matching smiles to the red carpet while attending an awards event in New York City in 2009.
Former models Nicole and Boris get cozy in the front row of a fashion show during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in the fall of 2009.
The happily married pair arrive at the 2009 premiere of Boris’ film Surrogates.
Here they are again — this time showing off their his and hers sense of style at a 2010 Emmys after party.
Clearly fresh from a family vacation, Boris and Nicole were seen tanned and loving it at a Hollywood event in 2010.
One of our favorite things about Nicole and Boris’ marriage is they have zero problems showing off their love when they’re out and about together. Let’s hear it for Black love.
Both models-turned-actors, it’s no surprise that Nicole and Boris always look flawless when they’re spotted by cameras — even on a casual date night.
Boris and Nicole make a splash during the red carpet arrivals at the 4th Annual BET Honors ceremony in 2011.
The lovebirds keep things casual while on date during All Star Weekend 2011.
Both Boris and Nicole use Twitter to keep in touch with fans, send love to each other and share romantic twit pics like this one. #blacklove
Boris accompanied Nicole to the 4th Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon in 2011. Did anyone else catch that these two always coordinate their red carpet looks? We love it!
The gorgeous couple, who never disappoint on the red carpet, arrive at a 2011 BET Awards celebration looking their best.
On Valentine’s Day 2012, Boris and Nicole stopped by the ESSENCE.com offices to share their secrets on keeping the passion in your marriage. These two radiated so much love, our entire office felt the glow.
