Reese and Ryan split

Film

13:30 31 October 2006

Reese Witherspoon has separated from husband Ryan Phillippe after seven years of marriage.

Reese's publicist, Nanci Ryder, confirmed yesterday (30.10.06): "We are saddened to announce that Reese and Ryan have decided to formally separate.

"They remain committed to their family, and we ask that you please respect their privacy and the safety of their children at this time."

Divorce papers have not yet been filed but the 30-year-old actress is reported to have contacted celebrity divorce lawyer Robert Kaufman, who has represented Jennifer Aniston, Roseanne Barr and Lisa Marie Presley.

The couple recently sparked rumours of a rift after they were seen attending public engagements separately.

Reese met Ryan at her 21st birthday party and have two children together, seven-year-old daughter Ava and three-year-old son Deacon.

The couple starred as lovers in cult teen movie 'Cruel Intentions'. Reese achieved box office success in the 'Legally Blonde' films before winning an Oscar this year for her performance in the Johnny Cash biopic 'Walk The Line'.

Last year, Reese appeared on Oprah Winfrey's chat show to defend the couple's decision to visit a marriage counsellor.

She said at the time: "We've done that in the past, and it's always struck me as odd that people grabbed on to that story and made it sound so negative. Nobody's perfect. We all have our own set of problems."

Ryan, 32, is currently starring in Clint Eastwood's World War II drama 'Flags of Our Fathers'.

(C) BANG Media International