Jeremy Rainbird: Sharon Horgan’s Ex-Husband and TV Producer

Jeremy Rainbird is a London-based producer and businessman who’s best recognized as the former husband of Irish actress and writer Sharon Horgan. While Horgan has become one of the most acclaimed comedy creators in British and Irish television — known for shows like Catastrophe and Bad Sisters — Rainbird has built his own career behind the scenes in production and business. The couple married in 2005 and divorced in 2019 after 14 years together, during which they had two daughters. Since the split, Rainbird has kept a notably low profile, staying out of the public eye while his ex-wife’s fame has continued to grow. Here’s what we know about Jeremy Rainbird, his career, and his life before and after his marriage to one of TV’s sharpest comedy minds.

Early Life

Jeremy Rainbird was born and raised in Hackney, in East London. Not much has been publicly shared about his parents or family background, as he’s maintained a private disposition throughout his life. He reportedly spent part of his childhood in Kent and attended Eastbourne College in East Sussex for his secondary education. He also studied at an art college, though the specific institution hasn’t been disclosed.

His time in East London and his creative education shaped his interests in media and business from an early age. Those who’ve worked with Rainbird have noted his entrepreneurial instincts, which showed up well before his involvement in television production. By the time he was a teenager, he was already thinking about building companies rather than working for them.

Career

Rainbird’s business career started remarkably early. At just 15 years old, he founded an advertising agency called Addiction Worldwide. He served as CEO of the company, which eventually grew to a reported £15 million turnover before he sold it in 2013. That kind of early success gave him the capital and the credibility to move into entertainment.

In 2015, Rainbird co-founded Merman, a production company he launched alongside Sharon Horgan. Merman quickly became a respected name in British television, producing comedies and dramas for major networks and streamers. The company also spawned Mermade, a digital content arm that worked with partners including Amazon and HBO.

Beyond Merman, Rainbird has been involved in fashion and creative ventures. He’s been linked to the London-based fashion brand AQ/AQ and has held a role as a global managing partner within The Studio Group, the UK’s largest studio network. His career has consistently crossed between entertainment, advertising, and business — a combination that’s made him a versatile operator in London’s creative industries.

Marriage to Sharon Horgan

Jeremy Rainbird and Sharon Horgan first met around 2004 and married in 2005. Their relationship was largely kept out of the tabloids, which suited both of them. Together, they had two daughters — Shane and Sadhbh — and built a life that balanced family with their shared work in television.

During their marriage, the couple co-founded Merman, and Rainbird served as a key figure on the business side of Horgan’s creative output. Their professional and personal lives were deeply intertwined, which made their eventual split all the more significant. In 2019, the couple announced their divorce after 14 years of marriage. Neither party has spoken extensively about the reasons behind the breakup, and both have handled the separation with discretion.

Friends and colleagues have suggested the pressures of Horgan’s rising international career — particularly the extended time she spent in New York working on the HBO series Divorce — contributed to strain in the relationship. Horgan herself has spoken publicly about the anxiety and OCD she developed during that period away from her family.

Sharon Horgan’s Career

To understand Jeremy Rainbird’s public profile, it’s necessary to understand Sharon Horgan’s extraordinary career. Born in London to Irish parents and raised partly in Ireland, Horgan broke through as a comedy writer and performer with BBC Three’s Pulling in 2006. She then co-created and starred in Catastrophe with Rob Delaney for Channel 4, which ran from 2015 to 2019 and earned widespread critical praise on both sides of the Atlantic.

Horgan went on to create, write, and star in Bad Sisters for Apple TV+, which premiered in 2022 and became one of the platform’s biggest hits. She’s won BAFTA and British Comedy Awards, and has appeared in major films including the Sex and the City franchise. Through Merman — the company she co-founded with Rainbird — Horgan also produced shows like Motherland and There She Goes.

Her success has made her one of the most powerful women in British and Irish television, and it’s largely through this lens that the public knows anything about Jeremy Rainbird at all.

Life After Divorce

Since his divorce from Horgan in 2019, Jeremy Rainbird has stayed firmly out of the spotlight. He hasn’t been publicly linked to any new romantic relationships, and he doesn’t appear to maintain a significant social media presence. His focus seems to have shifted toward his business interests and, by all accounts, co-parenting his two daughters.

Horgan, meanwhile, has spoken about the challenges of navigating life as a single mother while managing an international career. Both she and Rainbird appear committed to keeping their children’s lives as private as possible, and there’s been no public animosity between them. It’s the kind of quiet, mature separation that rarely makes headlines — which seems to be exactly how Rainbird wants it.

Net Worth

Jeremy Rainbird’s net worth is estimated at around $1 million. That figure accounts for his earnings from Addiction Worldwide, his involvement with Merman and Mermade, and his various business ventures in fashion and media. Given that he sold his advertising agency after it reached a £15 million turnover, it’s possible his actual wealth is higher, but he doesn’t flaunt it.

By comparison, Sharon Horgan’s net worth has been estimated significantly higher, reflecting her high-profile acting and writing career. Rainbird’s financial standing, while comfortable, is more reflective of a behind-the-scenes operator than a public-facing celebrity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Jeremy Rainbird?

Jeremy Rainbird is a British producer and businessman from Hackney, London. He’s best known as the former husband of actress and writer Sharon Horgan. He co-founded the production company Merman and previously ran the advertising agency Addiction Worldwide.

How long were Jeremy Rainbird and Sharon Horgan married?

They were married for 14 years, from 2005 to 2019. The couple has two daughters together and has handled their separation privately.

What does Jeremy Rainbird do for a living?

Rainbird has worked across advertising, television production, and business. He founded Addiction Worldwide at age 15, co-founded Merman with Sharon Horgan in 2015, and has held roles with The Studio Group and the fashion brand AQ/AQ.

What is Jeremy Rainbird’s net worth?

His net worth is estimated at approximately $1 million, drawn from his advertising, production, and business ventures over the past two decades.