How long does happily ever after truly last? In Hollywood, it seems, a decade is about the limit.

Russell Crowe and his wife, Danielle Spencer, have announced that after nine years of marriage they have decide to separate. The duo first met twenty-two years ago, on the set of a little-seen Crowe flick “The Crossing,” and he later proposed in December 2002.

Crowe and Spencer were married back in 2003 and have two children together, sons Charles and Tennyson. It has been said the couple plan to keep the separation civil and peaceful in order to make the transition as simple as possible for their two sons as the children are their main concern.

According to Perez Hilton, trouble may have begun due to previous sightings of Danielle Spencer with Damian Whitewood, her partner from the Australian “Dancing with the Stars.”

Crowe has been keeping himself busy, working on various films in the U.S. With nearly six movies coming out soon, it seems like he has been keeping his focus on his work rather than whatever may have been going on back at home.

Crowe will continue to work on his upcoming biblical blockbuster “Noah,” while Spencer remains in Sydney with their sons.

The Sydney Telegraph reports that friends of the couple said while Crowe was back in Sydney, he would reside in his Woolloomooloo Wharf penthouse apartment while Spencer and their two sons have been living in the $10 million Rose Bay property they bought a year ago.

Regardless of what may have brought upon the separation, the situation remains a difficult one. When couples decide that for whatever reason they may be happier apart, it takes some time to adjust. Sometimes even the strongest relationships come to an end. And when there are kids involved, the situation instantly becomes even more fragile. We wish them both the best, as yet another Hollywood marriage fails to find a happy ending.