’30 Rock’ Couples: Who Did Liz, Jenna & More End Up With?
It’s been 20 years since 30 Rock first graced our screens. We know, we’re getting old, too. Back then, streaming wasn’t the norm, and we actually had to tune in when episodes aired. Imagine that! Across seven seasons, 30 Rock gave us some of the sharpest comedy on television, along with plenty of workplace chaos and memorable characters.
Set behind the scenes of a fictional live sketch comedy show on NBC, the series was clearly inspired by Saturday Night Live, where creator Tina Fey spent years working as a writer and cast member.
The show boasted an incredible ensemble of comedic talent, including Alec Baldwin, Tracy Morgan, Jane Krakowski, Jack McBrayer, Scott Adsit, Judah Friedlander, Katrina Bowden, Keith Powell, John Lutz, Grizz Chapman, Maulik Pancholy, Lonny Ross, and Kevin Brown.
But amid the absurdist humor, workplace feuds, and endless one-liners, there was also plenty of romance, heartbreak, babies, and betrayal. From unexpected hookups to relationships that stood the test of time, here’s your breakdown of the 30 Rock couples who made it to the end — and the ones who didn’t.
Liz Lemon & Floyd DeBarber
Status: Not Together
Let’s start with our head writer and showrunner, Liz Lemon (Fey), who has some truly terrible luck in the dating department. Honestly, she makes our own romantic histories look downright delightful. But one exception (kind of) is Floyd DeBarber (Jason Sudeikis).
Floyd is an attorney working at 30 Rock, and when he and Liz first meet, he’s married. Yikes! Thankfully, that relationship falls apart, and Liz and Floyd eventually become a couple, and a pretty good one at that. Floyd is sweet, patient, and seems to genuinely understand Liz. He even makes an effort with Jack, which is no small feat!
Unfortunately, even these two can’t overcome the challenges of a long-distance relationship. Floyd later returns in Season 4, when he is about to get married to someone else, and Liz delivers a speech at his wedding.
Oh, the what-ifs! These two had real potential, and we’ll always wonder what might have happened if the timing had been just a little kinder. Would’ve, could’ve, should’ve, Liz and Floyd.
Liz Lemon & Criss Chros
Status: Still Together
After kissing so many frogs, Liz finally finds her prince… or at least her hot dog vendor. Yep, Criss (James Marsden) is the perfect man for her. Part of Criss’ charm is that his life seems to be just as much of a mess as Liz’s, but he doesn’t let it get to him. Through their relationship, we get to see Liz become more comfortable with romance and learn to open up to another person.
When Liz tells Criss she loves him — a first for her — he responds by quoting Han Solo’s iconic reply to Princess Leia: “I know.” And just like that, he proves himself worthy of the Star Wars-obsessed Liz Lemon.
In Season 7, the couple ties the knot and adopts a pair of elementary-school-aged twins, Janet and Terry. Criss briefly works as a dental receptionist but soon discovers that he much prefers being a stay-at-home dad. Honestly, a happy ending worthy of the galaxy far, far away!
Jack Donaghy & Avery Jessup
Status: Not Together
Jack Donaghy (Baldwin) has an on-again, off-again relationship with conservative network star Avery Jessup (Elizabeth Banks). The two first meet when Avery interviews Jack on her show alongside Walter Stein, and they hit it off immediately. Romance soon follows, but Jack reunites with his old flame Nancy Donovan (Julianne Moore) and spends half of Season 4 juggling both women. However, when Avery becomes pregnant with Jack’s child, Nancy decides to bow out.
Jack proposes to Avery, and the couple marries a year later. They welcome a daughter, Elizabeth “Liddy” Donaghy. Liddy is born in Canada after Avery goes into early labor during their vacation.
At the end of Season 5, Avery travels to North Korea as part of NBC News’ Hot Blondes in Weird Places initiative, and she’s kidnapped by North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il. Jack attempts to rescue her, but Avery remains stranded in North Korea and is ultimately forced to marry Kim Jong-un. Jack doesn’t have the easiest time dealing with her absence— nor his developing feelings for her mother, Diana (Mary Steenburgen). Yes, her mom. It’s just as messy as it sounds.
Avery finally returns at the end of Season 6, but the reunion isn’t meant to last. Jack’s involvement with Diana, along with Avery’s own relationship with a fellow detained reporter, ultimately leads to their divorce. So much for happily ever after!
Jack Donaghy & Nancy Donovan
Status: Not Together
Jack is a big talker, to say the least. A man of class and style, he’ll seize any opportunity to remind everyone of his enormous wealth. But Nancy Donovan brings out a different side of him. She’s his high school crush, and with her, Jack allows himself to embrace his humble beginnings rather than hide them behind his usual polished persona. More rags than riches.
The pair rekindles their romance when Nancy’s marriage hits a rocky patch. Unfortunately, her complicated marital situation puts their relationship on hold. And when they finally have a chance to be together, Jack is already dating Avery. When Nancy discovers Avery is pregnant, she then encourages Jack to stay with Avery instead.
In the end, it all comes down to bad timing. But we’ll always wonder what might have been, and honestly, Jack should, too.
Jenna Maroney & Paul L'Astname
Status: Still Together
Jenna Maroney (Krakowski) is an acquired taste, to say the least. We love her, obviously, but she’s more mint chocolate chip than plain old chocolate. So, whoever managed to go the distance with her had to be a pretty remarkable person. Enter Paul (Will Forte).
The fact that Paul is a drag performer who impersonates Jenna probably explains a lot about their relationship. After all, it allows Jenna to fulfill her lifelong dream of dating herself. The pair first meets when Paul wins first place in a Jenna Maroney impersonator contest, while Jenna herself comes in fourth. Ouch!
It shouldn’t work, but somehow, it really, really does. They’re so in sync that they even share clothes, and Paul eventually becomes Mr. Jenna Maroney. But right before their wedding, the two panic and embark on a “sexual walkabout” to make sure they’re truly ready to settle down. Jenna is hurt to see Paul with another woman, but it helps them both decide they’re ready for the next step.
They ultimately tie the knot in a surprise ceremony at the funeral of Jack’s mother. Umm… okay. Only on 30 Rock!
Tracy Jordan & Angie Jordan
Status: Still Together
Honestly, Tracy (Morgan) and Angie (Sherri Shepherd) are one of the best couples on 30 Rock! They have a stable, loudly affectionate, and deeply loving marriage. Tracy needs Angie to keep him in check, given his free-spirited hijinks, oblivious nature, and general unpredictability.
Sometimes, Angie ends up acting more like Tracy’s manager than his wife, but it all comes from a place of deep love for one another. And despite Tracy’s larger-than-life persona and chaotic antics, he remains committed and faithful to Angie. Honestly, these two prove that even the wildest personalities can make a marriage work!
