Bem Stiller, 51, and wife actress Christine Taylor, 45, have confirmed their Separation in public and have asked fans for their privacy. Both of them just released a joint statement on Friday while announcing their break up after being married for 17 years. To recall, the couple have starred with each other in an number of films. They were married in Hawaii in May 2000 and this sad news has just saddened the online world.

Stiller shares about their relationship

In one of his interviews, the "Zoolander 2" actor revealed how his relationship with Taylor went.

He revealed that they went into gradual closeness over about seven to eight months. Both of them first met in 1999 on the set of "Heat Vision and Jack."

In addition, Stiller also opened up about his relationship with Taylor in Parade Magazine in 2013. He further revealed that they just started hanging out for a couple of months and eventually it developed into something wonderful. It was definitely a wonderful feeling for Stiller as he considered it. He even revealed how his proposal went and added that he asked permission to her parent's first before he did it.

So, hearing split news between the couple is simply horrible. Neither of them have yet confirmed the reason behind their separation but still, they asked the media to keep some things private at this time.

Couple will devote their priority to their children

After almost eighteen years of being married, Stiller and Taylor were blessed with two children. Ella, who is 15-years-old and son Quinlin who is 11-years-old are said to be their main priority during their separation. In their joint statement, the couple emphasized that they will be devoted to their raising their children despite the ill-fate that has become their marriage.

In addition, both also added that they will remain closest friends and good parents to their children. On a good note, the two aim to have respect for each other. Their separation has been a mutual decision.

Some reports revealed that the split news came as a surprise. To recall, in February 2016, Stiller talked about dealing with couple's long-lasting marriage.

He even added that people only need to have a sense of humor in order to get through such uncertainties. ET reported he said “We all have to deal with what life throws at us, so you got to have a sense of humor about it. If you can share that, at the end, it makes a huge difference.”

It is sad to know that such problems are currently happening to their marriage despite what he said.