Actors Brandon Routh and Courtney Ford are speaking out after they ended their decades-long marriage.
“To everyone who has loved and supported us, we have some personal news to share. After 21 years together and 17 years of marriage, we have decided to begin a new journey and enter this next chapter as friends and coparents,” Routh, 45, and Ford, 46, wrote in a Thursday, January 9, Instagram statement.
They added, “We are now and forever rooting for each other as we move through this wild adventure called life. Our son is, and will always be, our highest priority and we appreciate your understanding of this transition.”
Routh and Ford got married in 2007 before welcoming 12-year-old son Leo. Us Weekly confirmed earlier this week that the former Dexter actress filed for divorce after two decades together. In her petition, Ford requested joint legal and physical custody of Leo as well as spousal support from Routh.
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Routh and Ford initially felt “ridiculous” publicly sharing their divorce news amid the ongoing wildfires devastating Los Angeles.
“We were focused on grabbing our go-bags and evacuating yesterday. It feels ridiculous to post this statement with fires still raging,” the estranged couple captioned their Instagram post. “We are safe, but in shock and grief for our friends who have lost their homes and businesses.”
They concluded, “Our hearts break for our community devastated by the ongoing fires. We love you Los Angeles
.”
Since Tuesday, January 7, L.A. has been ravaged by a string of wildfires in the Pacific Palisades that impacted many celebrity residences. Other stars have also sought shelter outside the city limits in accordance with evacuation protocols.
Neither Ford nor Routh have further shared an update on their family during the fires.
The Superman Returns star and Ford met at Hollywood’s Lucky Strike bowling alley when he worked as a bartender. After three years of dating, Routh proposed in 2006. They wed the next year.
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Both Ford and Routh routinely shared updates on their life with Leo via social media.
“The man, the myth, the Legend,” Ford gushed in June 2021, sharing a pic of Routh and Leo. “#HappyFathersDay from Spider-Man and me. Thank you for our family @brandonjrouth .”
Two years later, Routh returned to the favor on Mother’s Day.
“She’s a ride-or-die friend and a mom who’s all in,” he wrote via Instagram in May 2023. “I’m so grateful that Leo has @courtneyfordhere, who jumps feet first into living, giving him permission and unconditional love to be fully himself.”
Check the LAFD website for local wildfire alerts and click here for resources on how to help those affected.
