On June 27, 2020, the two said “I do” in Neptune Beach, Florida — the bride’s hometown. The date wasn’t random; it was the wedding anniversary of both Woodruff Carr’s parents and grandparents, tying their union to a legacy of lasting love.

Their wedding, like so many in 2020, was shaped by the pandemic. Guest lists were trimmed, venues shifted, and even a Saharan dust plume and a thunderstorm threatened the day. But for Spencer, it was all worth it.

 

 

“What a silver lining to 2020,” he later reflected. “She’s pretty, smart, and way ahead of her years. She is my port in every storm.”

The Brilliant Dr. Woodruff Carr
While Spencer’s career has unfolded on sets in Hollywood and Chicago, Woodruff Carr has carved out her own impressive path in science. A Florida native, she graduated from the University of Florida with dual bachelor’s degrees in psychology and music performance before going on to earn a master’s and Ph.D. in communication sciences and disorders from Northwestern.

Today, she works as a research scientist at Boston Children’s Hospital, where her focus includes how children use rhythm to process speech, how infants learn sounds, and how listening experiences shape our understanding of the world.

“My research interests are about how listening and learning shape perception,” she wrote on her professional profile. In short: while Spencer plays a doctor on TV, his wife is making groundbreaking discoveries in real life.

Adventures Together
Travel has been a cornerstone of their relationship. From hot air balloon rides over Kenya to wandering the colorful cliffside villages of Cinque Terre, Italy, the pair have collected memories across the globe. They even attended the prestigious Kentucky Derby in 2018, with Woodruff Carr donning a custom-made hat that Spencer proudly showcased online.

Parenthood and Priorities
The couple welcomed their first child in April 2022, a new milestone that forever changed their priorities. Just months before, Spencer had shocked Chicago Fire fans by stepping away from his role as Captain Casey after 200 episodes. His decision? Family.