Why Did Ben Stiller, Christine Taylor Split After 17 Years?

Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor have decided to call it quits after 17 years of marriage.

The estranged couple, who both starred in “Zoolander” and “Dodgeball” together, released a joint statement to People on Friday, May 26. “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. Our priority will continue to be raising our children as devoted parents and the closest of friends. We kindly ask that the media respect our privacy at this time,” they wrote.

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According to Entertainment Weekly, Stiller and Taylor tied the knot in 2000 in Kauai, Hawaii. The actor popped the big question during one of his rehearsals for “Meet the Parents” in November 1997. They have been blessed with two children, Ella, 15, and Quinlin, 11. Stiller was previously engaged to Jeanne Tripplehorn, while Taylor was linked to director Jason Bloom.

In 2013, Stiller opened up to Parade about his relationship with Taylor and how things started for the two of them. “Our relationship was a gradual thing that happened over a quick period of time, maybe seven or eight months. 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,” he said.

As of late, Stiller and Taylor have not yet revealed the real cause of their split. But their decision was reportedly caused by their irreconcilable differences. In the beginning of their relationship, Stiller also struggled with getting Taylor’s dad’s approval. After all, the man owned a security company. Years later, Stiller managed to get into Taylor’s dad’s inner circle so the latter agreed when the actor said he wanted to ask Taylor to marry him.

“It was like ‘Meet the Parents’ in real life, because Christine’s father is an intimidating guy who owns a security company; we’re good friends now, at the time I was in the basement rec room saying, ‘I would really like to marry your daughter.’ He’s a man of few words but he was very welcoming. I was more nervous asking him than asking her,” he joked during his 2013 interview.