Dennis Quaid Dating University of Texas PhD Student Laura Savoie, Sources Confirm

Dennis Quaidhas a new lady in his life! The actor, 65, is dating 26-year-old University of Texas student Laura Savoie, multiple sources confirm to PEOPLE. Savoie, who is originally from St. Louis, Missouri, attended undergrad at Pepperdine University, where she was her class’ valedictorian. During her time at the Malibu college, Savoie dated actorJeremy Piven, a source tells PEOPLE. She then went on to receive her master’s at the University of Notre Dame.

Dennis Quaid Defends Age Gap Between Him and Fiancée: 'You Have No Control Over' Who You Love

“That was really a laugh,” he told the outlet about gaining so much attention over their relationship, admitting, “I thought it was wonderful, actually.” Terry Wyatt/Getty “No, it really doesn’t bother us,” he said. “Everyone comes from the perspective of their own life and so I can’t comment on the way they feel; I can’t even get angry.” The Parent Trapactor — who coincidentally plays a 44-year-old who gets engaged to a 26-year-old woman in the film — explained that it wasn’t his intention to find someone Savoie’s age.

Dennis Quaid Is 'Doing Nothing but Chilling' with His Girlfriend and Kids for the Holidays

After spending six months working on his new albumOut of the Box,Dennis Quaidis looking forward to taking some time off.When asked about his holiday plans at his album release party with his band The Sharks on Tuesday night, the 64 year-old actor and singer opened up about looking forward to his upcoming vacation with his girlfriend Santa Auzina, 31.“Chilling out in Hawaii with my girlfriend and my kids and her kids and doing nothing but watching the kids and chilling,” the star told PEOPLE exclusively when asked how he plans on spending the next month.

Dennis Quaid Is Engaged to Laura Savoie! 'It Was Very Much a Surprise,' He Says of His Proposal

Dennis Quaidis newly engaged! TheParent Trapactor, 65, proposed to girlfriend Laura Savoie, 26, after several months of dating, theactor confirmed toExtrain Hawaii, where the actor was promoting his new filmMidway, over the weekend. “I had the ring in my pocket. It has been kind of a month-and-a-half plan — I wanted it to be private,” Dennis said of the “sunset” proposal. “She was actually taking a selfie of us, and I put the ring in front and said, ‘Will you marry me?

Dennis Quaid Plays a Real Man Who Suddenly Becomes an Emergency Pilot in 'On a Wing and a Prayer' : Trailer

Dennis QuaidandHeather Grahamare survivingOn a Wing and a Prayer. Doug was forced to take over the controls of their private plane as he and his wife and two daughters traveled home from Florida to Louisiana in 2009 after their pilot, Joe Cabuk, had a fatal heart attack. Metcalfe, 44, tells PEOPLE that the film is “a really uplifting story of survival,” and that he was drawn to the film in part because his character, the real-lifeKari Sorenson, is from Connecticut, just like him.