Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers, iconic stars of Hart to Hart, recently reunited to mark Wagner’s 96th birthday. The actors shared a warm embrace in a rare photo captured during the celebration on Wednesday.
In the image, Wagner wears a blue zip-up sweater while Powers sports a white collared shirt adorned with black polka dots. Both smile broadly for the camera. Wagner captioned the photo: “When Jonathan and Jennifer reunite, it’s always something special. Thank you, Stefanie, for the beautiful birthday visit.”
Fans Celebrate the Moment
Admirers flooded the comments with heartfelt messages. One fan wrote, “For all the joy you have brought to us as Jonathan and Jennifer Hart, we thank you! Awesome picture!” Another added, “Timeless elegance and eternal friendship! Thank you for all the joy you bring us!” A third noted, “You know it’s special when two people can come back together after many years, and they still have that same ‘zing’. Great show, Great stars,” while yet another said, “Love this! You both look wonderful.”
Powers also extended her birthday wishes on Facebook, posting: “Celebrating another birthday for RJ, may there be many more.”
The Legacy of Hart to Hart
Wagner and Powers portrayed self-made millionaire Jonathan Hart and freelance writer Jennifer Hart, a childless wealthy couple who tackled crimes in their spare time. The series aired from 1979 to 1984 across five seasons and spawned eight successful TV movies, with the final one released in 1996.
Enduring Friendship and Shared Memories
Powers reflected on their shared history, stating, “There are so many wonderful memories.” She added, “I saw [Robert] two days ago. And every time we see each other, we talk about, ‘Do you remember when?’ It crops up all these little memories… Hart to Hart was a gift because it played on both of our sensibilities.”
Their bond strengthened during challenging times on the show. Powers’ husband, William Holden from Sabrina, passed away after a fall at home in November 1981. Just two weeks later, Wagner’s wife, Natalie Wood, drowned during a boat trip off California’s coast.
“We leaned on each other for support,” Powers shared. “And we also understood that we had committed to doing a television series. It had to go on. The show had to go on, and no one would’ve understood that more than the partners we both lost.”
She continued, “It was a very difficult time. We were held up by a lot of wonderful people and friends, some mutual friends and some on each side of the coin. And [Robert] had daughters. He also had children to keep supporting…emotionally. So it was a complicated and difficult time.”
Life After the Show
Powers later married French aristocrat Patrick Houitte de La Chesnais in 1993, but they divorced six years later. She then partnered with auditor Tom Carroll from 2000 until his death in 2014.
Nine years after Wood’s passing, Wagner wed longtime friend Jill St. John, and the couple remains happily together decades later.
