Chris Rock is getting divorced

Another long time celeb couple is following the Tim Burton/Helena Bonham Carter model and quietly announcing a split over the holidays: Chris Rock and wifeMalaak Compton-Rock are getting divorced after being married for 19 years. People confirmed the info with a statement from both Compton-Rock and Chris Rock’s lawyer. Both Rock’s lawyer and Compton-Rock requested privacy for the family, and Compton-Rock pointed to her work with charity styleWorks as an example of keeping focused on what’s important:

“Being fortunate enough to lead a life of service by working with those most vulnerable makes me well aware of life’s blessings, even when faced with difficulties.

“While recognizing that this is a significant change, my children remain at the center of my life and their well-being is my top priority.”

Not that there’s any good time to announce a celebrity divorce, but it is unfortunate that the family is going through this at a time when Rock is more in the public eye than he has been recently because of the success of “Top Five.” Here’s hoping this one stays amicable — People points out that the couple has weathered divorce speculation before, denying marital trouble as far back as 2007 and then again in 2010 when there was a brief but incorrect rumor that Rock had fathered a child out of wedlock.