Gary Owen Fires Back at Ex-Wife’s Demands and Opens Up About Their Tumultuous Divorce

Comedian Gary Owen has never shied away from sharing personal stories on stage, but his recent comments about his divorce from ex-wife Kenya Duke have reignited public interest in their dramatic split.

At 50, Owen is confronting what he calls “shocking” alimony demands and the ongoing fallout from their 2021 separation.

During a stand-up set at the Philadelphia Helium Comedy Club, Owen joked about Duke’s request for $44,000 a month in alimony. “That’s a lot,” he told the crowd, who responded with gasps.

Owen explained that while he filed for divorce in Ohio, Duke later filed in Los Angeles, accusing him of adultery and requesting the hefty monthly support for herself and their children. Owen insisted he’d never make such demands if the roles were reversed, poking fun at the situation and interacting with audience members who challenged his perspective.

The couple’s legal battle has been anything but private. Duke has repeatedly called Owen out on social media, accusing him of being a “deadbeat” and abandoning their children both emotionally and financially.

She has also alluded to his infidelity, which Owen has admitted to, acknowledging that his actions have strained his relationships with their adult children, Kennedy and Austin, as well as Duke’s older son, whom Owen adopted.

Despite the bitterness, Owen tries to keep things light in public. When asked recently if he and Duke get along, Owen said, “We’re friendly, but I wouldn’t say we’re best friends.”

He even joked that what his ex-wife needs is a new man in her life, suggesting that would ease tensions between them. While the audience laughed, reactions online were mixed—some criticized Owen for making light of the situation and not taking responsibility for his actions, especially given the impact on his children.

Duke, meanwhile, has spoken candidly about the toll the divorce took on her. She revealed that she left a promising career to support Owen and their family, only to find herself in financial hardship after the split.

In court documents and interviews, she’s expressed regret over letting Owen control their finances, saying her struggles after the divorce were more about money than heartbreak. Still, Duke has managed to rebuild, selling a house to stay afloat and launching her own podcast, “Truly Kenya.”

The couple’s relationship began in the late 1990s and spanned nearly 25 years, including 18 years of marriage. They welcomed two children before tying the knot and seemed solid until their very public breakup.

Duke’s social media posts have accused Owen of cheating and lavish spending, while Owen has generally kept quiet, only recently addressing the rumors and clarifying that he initiated the divorce after years of unhappiness.

Ultimately, Gary Owen and Kenya Duke’s story is a cautionary tale about the complexities of marriage, money, and public scrutiny. While both have moved on—Owen now has twin boys with fiancée Brianna Johnson—their divorce continues to spark debate about accountability, co-parenting, and life after love in the spotlight.

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