There’s a moment when a long-running TV show ends and the actor who carried it disappears from the spotlight — for Simon Baker, that moment came in 2015. The actor best known as Patrick Jane on The Mentalist stepped back from Hollywood, returned to Australia, and quietly reshaped his life, and this article tracks his career moves, his personal separation from Rebecca Rigg in 2020, and what public records reveal about his current relationship status and recent legal matter.
Born: 30 July 1969, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia ·
Known for: Lead role in ‘The Mentalist’ (2008–2015) ·
Net worth (estimate): Several million USD (exact undisclosed) ·
Awards: Logie Award for Most Popular New Talent (1992)
Quick snapshot
- Simon Baker and Rebecca Rigg separated in 2020 after 29 years of marriage (People magazine)
- The couple share three children: Stella, Claude, and Harry (People magazine)
- He directed and starred in the 2022 Australian film High Ground (Wikipedia)
- In September 2024, he pleaded guilty to drink-driving in New South Wales (NBC News)
- Whether Baker has a confirmed current partner — reports of a romance with photographer Brigette Clark remain unconfirmed by either party (WHO magazine)
- Exact net worth — estimates vary widely with no official disclosure (WHO magazine)
- Specific details on his daily drinking habits beyond moderate social use (WHO magazine)
Simon Baker’s post-Mentalist decade is a study in intentional retreat. He traded weekly network TV for Australian independent films, family time, and a low-profile personal life — until a 2024 drink-driving charge and 2025 relationship rumors pulled him back into public view. For fans wondering where he went, the short answer is: he chose a quieter life, but it hasn’t stayed quiet.
What has happened to actor Simon Baker?
Career after The Mentalist
When The Mentalist wrapped its seventh season in 2015, Simon Baker didn’t sprint to the next Hollywood lead. He returned to Australia and shifted focus toward directing and smaller, independent projects. In 2022, he directed and starred in High Ground, a period drama set in 1920s Northern Australia (Wikipedia).
By 2025, Baker’s career showed clear signs of a measured re-emergence. He signed with the talent agency Gersh for representation and shot the Amazon series Scarpetta (IMDb News, the entertainment industry trade platform). He is also attached to The Narrow Road to the Deep North, a Prime Video miniseries where he plays Keith Mulvaney opposite Jacob Elordi (IMDb).
Baker’s project selection since 2020 tilts toward prestige limited series and Australian productions — not franchise blockbusters. The implication: he’s prioritizing meaningful roles over Hollywood scale, a choice that suits both his temperament and his family circumstances.
Recent projects and personal life
Beyond Scarpetta and The Narrow Road to the Deep North, Baker’s filmography includes Klara and the Sun, listed as completed, and a role in Ten Pound Poms as Sidney Skinner (IMDb).
On the personal side, the biggest shift came in 2020. People magazine, the celebrity and human-interest news outlet reported that Baker and his wife of 22 years, Rebecca Rigg, had separated quietly the previous April. The split was described as amicable, with no third party involved. They share three adult children: Stella, Claude, and Harry.
Baker’s post-Mentalist life was never a career pause — it was a repositioning. He’s still working, but on his own terms, from Australia.
Who is Simon Baker’s current partner?
Relationship status as of 2025
Simon Baker has not publicly confirmed a new partner since his separation from Rebecca Rigg. However, tabloid reports in 2025 linked him romantically with photographer Brigette Clark.
WHO magazine, the Australian celebrity and lifestyle news brand reported that Baker and Clark were spotted together in February 2025 during a walk in New York City. Daily Mail Australia, the tabloid news site described the pairing as an age-gap relationship. Neither Baker nor Clark has commented publicly on the reports.
What this means: Without confirmation from Baker or his representatives, his relationship status remains unconfirmed. The reports point toward a new chapter, but the evidence is circumstantial.
Past relationship with Rebecca Rigg
Baker married Rebecca Rigg in 1998. She is an Australian actress known for the series The Saddle Club and Prisoner. The couple separated in 2020 after 29 years together. People magazine reported that they “remain close friends” and continue to co-parent their three children.
The central unknown in Simon Baker’s personal story isn’t if he’s dating — it’s whether he wants that information public. His low social media footprint and refusal to comment suggest a man who values privacy over tabloid narrative.
Is Simon Baker a drinker?
Public statements on alcohol
Simon Baker has spoken about wine and social drinking in interviews over the years, but never as a problem. His approach to alcohol was framed as moderate and social.
That changed in September 2024. NBC News, the global news outlet reported that Baker appeared in a New South Wales court, aged 55, and pleaded guilty to operating a vehicle with a blood-alcohol level above the legal threshold of 0.05%. The court did not record a conviction and instead imposed a nine-month good behavior bond.
Media reports and habits
Prior to the 2024 incident, no public records or credible media reports suggested alcohol misuse in Baker’s career. Colleagues and co-stars have not raised concerns. The incident appears isolated rather than part of a pattern. NBC News (U.S. broadcast and digital news network) noted that Baker accepted responsibility in court and showed remorse.
The trade-off: One mistake doesn’t define a person’s relationship with alcohol, but it does change public perception. Baker’s drink-driving case is now part of his public record — and for someone who built a career on charm and likability, that’s a blemish that doesn’t wash off easily.
What happened to Simon Baker and his wife?
Separation from Rebecca Rigg
In 2020, Simon Baker and Rebecca Rigg announced their separation after 27 years of marriage. People magazine broke the news, stating that the couple had “quietly split” the previous April. The statement emphasized that there was no third party and that the separation was amicable.
Rigg did not give interviews about the split, and Baker has kept details private. The couple’s three children — Stella, Claude, and Harry — were all teenagers or adults at the time.
Timeline of their relationship
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1998 | Simon Baker marries actress Rebecca Rigg |
| 2008–2015 | Baker stars in The Mentalist; family based in Los Angeles |
| Circa 2019 | Couple quietly separate |
| 2020 | Separation reported by People magazine |
| 2025 | Baker linked to photographer Brigette Clark; no comment from his camp |
Why this matters: The Baker-Rigg split stands out in Hollywood for its privacy. No public feud, no messy court filings, no tell-all interviews. For a star of The Mentalist‘s scale, that level of discretion is rare — and it tracks with Baker’s broader approach to life off-screen.
Why did The Mentalist end so abruptly?
Series run and decision to end
The Mentalist aired on CBS from 2008 to 2015, spanning seven seasons and 151 episodes. The series followed Patrick Jane, a former psychic medium turned consultant for the California Bureau of Investigation. It was Baker’s defining role.
The show didn’t get canceled — it ended by design. Showrunner Bruno Heller decided to wrap up the story after Season 7, a choice supported by CBS. Wikipedia notes that the series finale, “White Orchids,” aired on February 18, 2015, achieving a total viewership of 10.1 million.
Simon Baker’s role in the ending
Baker was closely involved in the decision to end the series. In interviews at the time, he said he wanted to spend more time with his family in Australia and pursue other creative projects. That’s exactly what happened — he left Los Angeles, directed High Ground, and stepped away from the celebrity machinery.
The catch: Baker’s departure from The Mentalist wasn’t an abrupt cancellation — it was a planned exit by a star who had made up his mind. The show could have continued without him, but CBS chose to end it with him. That’s a level of control most TV actors don’t have.
Is Simon Baker nice in real life?
Co-star testimonials
Colleagues who worked with Baker describe him as professional, grounded, and approachable. IMDb (the entertainment credits database) aggregates cast interviews in which co-star Robin Tunney, who played Teresa Lisbon on The Mentalist, praised Baker’s leadership on set and sense of humor. No negative anecdotes from cast or crew have surfaced in public record.
Public reputation
Baker maintains a notably low social media profile — he does not have public Instagram or X accounts verified under his name. He rarely gives interviews and doesn’t court attention. This has contributed to a reputation of being reserved, even elusive. But those who have met him, including Australian media figures, describe him as warm and down-to-earth.
The implication: In an industry full of manufactured friendliness, Baker’s reputation for being “nice” rests on an absence of bad stories rather than a presence of good PR. That absence is itself evidence — it suggests a professional who doesn’t create friction.
Simon Baker’s likability is both his strongest brand asset and the source of his most uncomfortable headlines. The same guy who made Patrick Jane charming is now the guy who admitted to drink-driving. The audience’s ability to hold both truths at once will determine how his story continues to be told.
Timeline
- 30 July 1969: Born in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia (Wikipedia)
- 1992: Won Logie Award for Most Popular New Talent (Wikipedia)
- 1998: Married actress Rebecca Rigg (People magazine)
- 2008–2015: Starred as Patrick Jane in The Mentalist (Wikipedia)
- 2020: Announced separation from Rebecca Rigg (People magazine)
- 2022: Directed and starred in Australian film High Ground (Wikipedia)
- September 2024: Pleaded guilty to drink-driving; 9-month good behavior bond (NBC News)
- February 2025: Photographed with Brigette Clark in NYC (WHO magazine)
- June 2025: Vacationing in Sardinia; reported relationship coverage continues (IMDb News)
Clarity section
Confirmed facts
- Simon Baker and Rebecca Rigg separated in 2020 after 29 years together (People magazine)
- He pleaded guilty to drink-driving in NSW in September 2024 (NBC News)
- He directed and starred in High Ground (2022) (Wikipedia)
- Signed with Gersh agency for representation in 2025 (IMDb News)
- Attached to The Narrow Road to the Deep North and Scarpetta (IMDb)
What remains unclear
- Whether Baker has a confirmed partner after Brigette Clark reports
- Exact net worth — no official figure
- Specific habits beyond moderate drinking (no pattern of abuse in public record)
- Why exactly the marriage ended (both parties have kept details private)
Upsides and downsides of public perception
Upsides
- Strong reputation among peers — no negative co-star stories
- Respected for prioritizing family over Hollywood career
- Successful transition into directing (High Ground critically received)
- Return to high-profile projects in 2025 signals continued demand
Downsides
- Drink-driving charge in 2024 is a public record stain
- Speculation about relationship with younger woman (Brigette Clark)
- Low media visibility makes him vulnerable to rumor-driven coverage
- No social media presence to counter tabloid narratives
The trade-off: For an actor who deliberately stepped out of the spotlight, the 2024–2025 headlines represent the cost of having been famous. Baker can’t control the narrative because he’s not participating in it — and that leaves a vacuum the tabloids are happy to fill.
hellomagazine.com, lepointo.fr, en.mediamass.net, es.wikipedia.org, fr.wikipedia.org
Frequently asked questions
What is Simon Baker doing now?
As of 2025, Baker is filming the Amazon series Scarpetta and has upcoming roles in The Narrow Road to the Deep North and Ten Pound Poms. He signed with the Gersh agency for representation (IMDb News).
Did Simon Baker retire from acting?
No. Baker stepped back from Hollywood after The Mentalist ended in 2015, but he continued working in Australia. He directed and starred in High Ground (2022) and is active in new projects in 2025 (Wikipedia).
How many children does Simon Baker have?
Three children with Rebecca Rigg: Stella, Claude, and Harry (People magazine).
What is Simon Baker’s most famous role?
Patrick Jane on The Mentalist (2008–2015), the CBS crime drama that ran for seven seasons (Wikipedia).
Has Simon Baker won any awards?
Yes. He won a Logie Award for Most Popular New Talent in 1992 for his work on Australian television (Wikipedia).
Is Simon Baker active on social media?
No verified public social media accounts are associated with Simon Baker. He maintains a low online profile.
What was Simon Baker’s drink-driving case?
In September 2024, Baker pleaded guilty to operating a vehicle with a blood-alcohol level above the legal limit in New South Wales. The court imposed a nine-month good behavior bond without recording a conviction (NBC News).
Who is Simon Baker dating in 2025?
Reports link Baker to photographer Brigette Clark, but neither party has confirmed a relationship. WHO magazine reported they were seen together in New York City in February 2025 (WHO magazine).
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For the Australian audience following Simon Baker’s trajectory, the picture is mixed. A beloved TV star who chose family over fame, then made a legal mistake that won’t be forgotten. The choice ahead isn’t whether to return to Hollywood — it’s whether to rebuild public trust, one careful project at a time.
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Jonathan Ellery is Editor-in-Chief and Responsible Publisher at Press Hive, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and the corrections process.