Announcing the separation through his representative, the 'Bad Boys' star says that he and Shamicka 'will continue to remain friends' out of love and respect for one another.
- April 25, 2012
AceShowbiz -
Another Hollywood marriage has crumbled down. Martin Lawrence and his wife, Shamicka, have decided to call it quits after 17 years together. A representative for the "Death at a Funeral" actor confirmed the news, telling PEOPLE, "Martin and Shamicka Lawrence have decided to divorce. The couple has made the joint decision to part ways."
The now-estranged couple had been together for 15 years before getting married in 2010 at their home in Beverly Hills, California. Among the 120 wedding guests invited to the intimate ceremony were fellow actors Eddie Murphy and Denzel Washington. They have two daughters together, Amara and Iyana.
Despite the separation, Martin and Shamicka are likely to keep things civil between them. In a joint statement released through the "Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son" star's rep, the twosome declared, "Out of love and respect for one another we will continue to remain friends and raise our two beautiful daughters together."
This will be Martin's second divorce. The "Bad Boys" actor, who recently shot a sitcom pilot for CBS and wrapped a national stand-up tour, married former Miss Virginia Patricia Southall in 1995, but divorced in 1997. From the relationship, he had another daughter named Jasmine Page.
