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Ben Stiller and wife Christine Taylor split after 17 years of marriage

Ben Stiller and wife Christine Taylor - REUTERS
Ben Stiller and wife Christine Taylor - REUTERS

Ben Stiller, the Hollywood actor, and his actress wife have announced they are separating after a 17-year marriage.

Christine Taylor, 45, and Mr Stiller, 51, released a joint statement on Friday, announcing the break-up and requesting privacy.

The couple, who have often starred alongside each other in films, had been together for 18 years. They married in Hawaii in May 2000.

They have two children together - a 15-year-old daughter, Ella, and an 11-year-old son, Quinlin - who both made cameo appearances in Megamind, a 2010 animated film.  

“With tremendous love and respect for each other, and the 18 years we spent together as a couple, we have made the decision to separate,” their statement read.

“Our priority will continue to be raising our children as devoted parents and the closest of friends.”

Mr Stiller and his wife Christine have two children together, Ella and Quinlin.  - Credit: Getty Images
Mr Stiller and his wife Christine have two children together, Ella and Quinlin. Credit: Getty Images

Ms Taylor appeared with her husband in Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, Tropic Thunder, and both Zoolander films.

Mr Stiller has previously opened up about his relationship with Ms Taylor.

“I proposed to Christine when I was rehearsing Meet The Parents,” he told Parade magazine. “I asked her father for permission before I did it… It was like Meet the Parents in real life.”

Speaking about their relationship, he said: “We just started hanging out with each other and it developed into, ‘Wow, this feels great. I really like this person. I think I love this person. I really do – I love this person.’ It hit me out of the blue.”

Mr Stiller and wife Christine Taylor had starred in films together, including 2004 hit Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story.  - Credit: Alamy
Mr Stiller and wife Christine Taylor had starred in films together, including 2004 hit Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story. Credit: Alamy

Mr Stiller revealed in October last year that he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer in 2014.

He underwent surgery and is now cancer-free, but encouraged other men to be tested for the disease.

At the time, he said: "It's a whole new world, so you need to educate yourself. For me, it was learning what the options were.

"If it was up to me I'd say every guy should go and get tested after the age of 40, 45 - especially if you have a family history."

His mother, fellow comedian Anne Meara, died shortly after his diagnosis.

Zoolander 2: Penelope Cruz and Ben Stiller blue steel at theLondon premiere
Zoolander 2: Penelope Cruz and Ben Stiller blue steel at theLondon premiere