By SAMANTHA ETTUS
15-FEB-06

While there are no available statistics on Hollywood nuptials, an uncommonly high number seem to fizzle fast.  That has never been truer than today, when it feels like the celebrity breakups never stop.  While the final ending of the Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards marriage was inevitable, even couples that appeared to be on solid ground have been splitting of late; Chad Lowe and Hillary Swank, Heather Locklear and Richie Sambora, and Sheryl Crow and Lance Armstrong are among the latest casualties.  In the wake of Valentine's Day, let's take a look at some Hollywood couples that continue to defy the odds. 

Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne
Married for 23 years, this wacky couple has survived a tumultuous marriage…but at what cost? Though the Osbournes have met with much success in recent years, their history has been anything but rosy. During Ozzy's worst days he physically abused Sharon, and her lackluster self-esteem was likely a major factor in her decision to stick around. Two of their three kids, Jack and Kelly, have followed their father's lead, suffering from addictions to drugs and alcohol. It's no doubt true that in the last five years Sharon and Ozzy's marriage seems to have become stronger, buoyed by Sharon's savvy business decisions, burgeoning power, and renewed confidence.  She was responsible for propelling the entire family into reality stardom with MTV;s The Osbournes, an unexpected hit even in households that had not followed Ozzy's heavy metal career, and a vehicle which launched Kelly's fledgling music career. But though the show served as the platform from which Sharon launched her next move, it highlighted the continuing family problems; as host of a syndicated daily talk show that lasted only one year, her on-set behavior solidified her reputation as an emotionally unstable time bomb. Kelly's and Jack's bizarre public personas and multiple transformations only serve as further evidence of the family's dysfunction. With so many struggles in their history, it is hard not to wonder if Sharon and Ozzy would have been healthier apart.

Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne's Celebrity A$ets

Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell
After 22 years together without tying the knot, Russell and Hawn have defied all odds. The two have been vocal about their decision to remain unwed since they met while co-starring in the film Swing Shift, and boast about what they call an “open marriage,” permitting them to become romantically involved with others (though it is reported that neither of them have acted on such an impulse).  Russell and Hawn have one son together, Wyatt, and Russell has been like a father to Hawn's children from a prior marriage, Oliver and Kate Hudson.  A source of their stability has likely been the solidity of their individual careers.  While Russell has maintained an enduring presence in Hollywood by securing a steady spot on the B List, Hawn has demonstrated her staying power in a more impressive fashion, leaping on and off the big screen while raising a family.  In fact, just when it seemed like Hawn was done with Hollywood, she pulled off another successful reappearing act and starred in the box office hit The First Wives Club. Hawn and Russell are very vocal about their mutual support and attention to their union, and with their unconventional triumphs both personally and professionally, they have managed to reinvent the definition of family.

Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell's Celebrity A$$$ets

Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber
Together for eight years, supermodel Crawford and restaurateur/club owner Gerber have the marriage that most people dream of. They are equals in every sense, each preserving their star status and boasting a string of successes in their respective fields, and strike a healthy balance between Hollywood and family life by maintaining a focus on raising son Presley and daughter Kaia at their Malibu beach house.  The pair has expertly managed their public exposure, catching the attention of the paparazzi with just the right frequency – neither too often like some overexposed stars, nor too sparingly like others.  And by pursuing careers in two different fields, they have been able to support one another to the fullest without the prospect of competition or jealousy.  Recently the two were photographed picnicking on a park bench alone near their home, and doing everyday activities together has kept their spark alive. Their magic formula is certainly one to emulate, and young Hollywood couples would be wise to look to Crawford and Gerber as a shining example.

Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber's Celebrity A$$$$ets

Remember: the most dependable road to the top is to treat your brand as your greatest asset.

(Samantha Ettus’ new book, "The Experts' Guide to Life at Home" (Random House) is now in bookstores. Contact her at Samantha@celebrityassets.com.)