Fran Drescher, the beloved star of the iconic sitcom "The Nanny," has revealed she maintains a "little rotation" of friends with benefits, enjoying casual relationships rather than seeking something serious. The 67-year-old actress shared her thoughts during an interview with Page Six at the Cinema Society screening of "The Friend" on March 29, 2025. When asked about her dating life, she laughed and said, "I’m Fran Drescher. What do you think?!"
Drescher explained that her close bond with her gay ex-husband, Peter Jacobson, limits her ability to pursue more traditional romantic relationships. The couple first met when she was just 15 and married in 1978. They separated in 1996 and finalized their divorce in 1999, after which Jacobson came out as gay. Despite their divorce, Drescher and Jacobson have remained incredibly close. "We are divorced, but still single because it is hard to compete with what we shared," she told DailyMail.com. "We’ve been together since we were 15 and we've been through so much." Jacobson echoed her sentiments, stating, "When you are lucky in life and you meet your soulmate, there is nothing that can tear you apart. We vacation together. We do everything together… It is a deep, deep love."
In 2020, Drescher had previously mentioned having a singular friend with benefits, whom she saw about twice a month due to her busy schedule. Now, she enjoys a wider circle of casual partners, indicating a shift in her approach to relationships over the past five years.
While her personal life seems to be thriving, Drescher has faced significant challenges recently. She revealed that her Broadway musical adaptation of "The Nanny" has been put on hold due to various circumstances, including the actors' strike, the death of her father in 2024, and the impact of the Palisades fires on her home. "We’re going to resurrect it but between the [actors'] strike, my dad passing away and now the Palisades fires, which impacted my house… there’s only so much I can do," she explained. "You have to be in the right frame of mind. I don’t try to hide it. I’m very gentle with myself. I share what I’m going through and I keep it very small with people that I feel very safe with and over time it gets better."
Drescher's Los Angeles home is reportedly "still standing, but it’s not livable," prompting her to divide her time between Beverly Hills and New York City. "I have a place here in New York, too. I’m very happy because this is my home, too," she said.
As she navigates these ups and downs, Drescher remains a prominent figure in pop culture. Recently, she celebrated singer Sabrina Carpenter, who channeled Drescher's character from "The Nanny" for an appearance on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert." Drescher expressed her admiration, saying, "I’m very honored and flattered. I think it’s great for the brand. It says a lot about her. I think she’s totally cool." Carpenter also drew inspiration from Drescher for her outfit at the 2025 Grammys, further solidifying the ongoing influence of Drescher's iconic style.
Despite the challenges she faces, including the loss of her father and the ongoing fallout from the California wildfires, Drescher's spirit remains unbroken. She continues to embrace life and her unique approach to relationships, proving that happiness can be found in various forms.
