Josh Gad's wife, Ida Darvish, is an American actress, writer, and producer. The couple met in 2004 during a local theatre production, where they played a married couple on stage. They tied the knot in 2008 and today share a strong Hollywood partnership both on and off-screen.
Profile and Early Life
Ida Darvish was born on 14 October 1975 in Irving, Texas. She holds American nationality and comes from a multicultural family. Her father is Iranian and Muslim, and Ida herself practices Catholicism. She attended the University of California, Berkeley, where she studied English before launching her career in acting, writing, and producing.
Professionally, Darvish is an actress, producer, and voice artist. She played Marta Alvarez in the 2016 thriller Inferno alongside Tom Hanks. The actress also appeared in She Wants Me (2012). Her television credits include The Mandalorian, Californication, and Gigi: Almost American. As a voice artist, she performed in the Assassin's Creed video game series.
Relationship Timeline
Josh Gad and Ida Darvish first met in 2004 in Los Angeles. They were cast in David Ives' comedy play All in the Timing at the Blank Theatre. The script required them to play a married couple, and their on-stage chemistry quickly translated into a real relationship after production wrapped. Reflecting on their meeting on The Kelly Clarkson Show, Gad joked that playing spouses was great preparation for real life. He told The i Paper: "I fell head-over-heels for her. At the time, she was 29, and I was 23, and we were both shocked when we learned the other person's age."
After four years of dating, Josh Gad and Ida Darvish married on 10 May 2008 in a private ceremony. Gad often calls Darvish his best friend and steadfast anchor throughout his rising career. That same year, the couple launched their production company, Angry Child Productions.
Family Life and Children
In January 2011, the couple became parents with the birth of their daughter, Ava Tanya Gad. Fatherhood marked a turning point for Gad, who noted how parenthood reshaped his priorities and project choices. Discussing fatherhood with Parents in 2024, Gad said: "Being a dad is the greatest role I've ever had."
In February 2014, their second daughter, Isabella Eve, was born. Following her birth, Gad posted on social media: "Well, it's official. I am a daddy again. And my wife deserves an award for her incredible strength and amazing demeanour." Today, Ida Darvish's kids remain central to their lives, and the actor shares humorous parenting stories while protecting their privacy online.
Career and Creative Collaboration
Josh Gad's career soared in 2013 when he voiced Olaf in Disney's Frozen. The film became a global hit and made him internationally famous. Despite sudden fame, Gad credits Ida for keeping their family grounded, explaining that his family's reactions matter far more to him than box-office sales.
Beyond acting, Darvish is an accomplished film producer. Alongside her husband, she co-founded Angry Child Productions, producing the political sitcom 1600 Penn and the animated musical Central Park. She also serves on the board of The Creative Coalition, an organisation that advocates for national arts education.
Recent Developments and Marriage Milestones
During the pandemic, Gad praised Ida as the real hero at home for handling their daughters' virtual schooling. He told People: "The real hero of the moment is my wife, Ida. For somebody who never signed up to be a teacher or a principal, she's done an incredible job at being both." While Ida focused on education, Gad admitted to being the easygoing parent during breaks. He also created the popular web series Reunited Apart during this period.
Following the release of his memoir, In Gad We Trust, Gad spoke candidly about anxiety and the pressures of the entertainment industry. He called Ida his strongest support system: "Ida and our beautiful girls ... without them, I would not have the inspiration and the drive to be the dreamer I am and the doer I hope to continuously be." On 11 May 2026, Josh Gad celebrated 17 years of marriage, posting a heartfelt message on Instagram: "17 years and counting. Every day, I pinch myself that you said yes to this bundle of idiocy and insanity. Thank you for joining me on this ride called life and for giving us two beautiful and amazing girls. Love you, babe."
The couple has remained firm partners in business and family life. Whether walking red carpets or producing animated series together, their shared passion for storytelling and mutual respect remain central to their marriage. They regularly travel with their daughters, especially to Lake Como, Italy. Gad told Condé Nast Traveler: "It's our most frequented [destination], and we always start in Lake Como."
