Reese and Ryan, what happened?

By Stone Martindale Oct 30, 2006, 22:51 GMT

Actress Reese Witherspoon and actor Ryan Phillippe have separated.

The couple's publicist released a statement to TMZ.com that says "We are saddened to announce that Reese & 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."

TMZ reports that Witherspoon has contacted celebrity divorce lawyer Robert Kaufman, who TMZ reports repped Jennifer Aniston, Roseanne and Lisa Marie Presley.

Seemingly unexpected, rumors of their marital strife have plagued the twosome for years.

At a special New York screening of Phillippe's newest film, Flags of Our Fathers, where they were all smiles. But some gossip Websites reported the two had a public fight that caused an early exit from the event.

In 2002, Witherspoon admitted that she and Phillippe dealt with problems in the marriage by attending couple's therapy, an admission that sparked various rumors of infidelity and career issues.

On The Oprah Winfrey Show last year, Witherspoon, 30, again defended her marriage and their decision to work their problems out with a counselor.

"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," she said. "Nobody's perfect...we all have our own set of problems."

Phillippe, 32, went on record in the new issue of Interview magazine.

Phillipe admitted to actively distancing himself from family while filming on location.

"Sometimes I think it's cleaner to, at least in this stage of our lives, keep that stuff separate," he told the magazine. "I just feel like there's something to be said for the individuality and mystery of doing things on your own."