Celebrities Ben Stiller and wife Christine Taylor have announced that they are splitting up after 17 years of marriage -- which, in Hollywood, is considered a lifetime.

Longtime Hollywood couple call it quits

The couple announced their breakup news via a joint statement to People that read: "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."

Ben Stiller and Adam Sandler to star in movie with Dustin Hoffman

Stiller and Taylor first met back in 1999 when they were working together on a film titled "Heat Vision and Jack." They were married a year later in 2000 in a beautiful ceremony in Kauai, Hawaii.

Over the years, Ben Stiller, 51, and Christine Taylor, 45, have made a habit of working together on several films, including "Dodgeball" and "Zoolander."

The former couple also share two children together, 11-year-old son Quinlin and 15-year-old daughter Ella. They made it very clear in their statement that their number one priority will be to raise their children together and remain the "closest of friends." They have also asked that the media respect their privacy at this time.

At this time neither Ben Stiller nor Christine Taylor have filed for divorce officially. Also, the reason for their split has not been revealed at this time.

Ben Stiller is the son of comedians and actors Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara.

He began his career on "The Ben Stiller Show" which he also produced. He has starred in, directed, and/or produced more than 50 films, including "The Cable Guy, "There's Something About Mary," "Duplex," and the "Meet the Parents" film trilogy, among others.

Stiller is also known as the notorious leader of the Frat Pack, which is a group of major actors that have starred together in multiple films.

The group includes funnymen Jack Black, Will Ferrel, Vince Vaughn, Owen Wilson, and Luke Wilson, with Stiller starring with Owen Wilson in twelve comedy films. Stiller's most recent film project -- which will be released later this year -- is titled "The Meyerowitz Stories" which also stars former "Saturday Night Live" star Adam Sandler, as well as Emma Thompson, Dustin Hoffman, and Candace Bergen.

Ben's soon-to-be ex-wife Christine Taylor is best known for her roles in "Hey Dude," her role as Marcia Brady in "The Brady Bunch Movie," and her role as Holly Sullivan in "The Wedding Singer."