Blair Underwood separates from wife Desiree DaCosta after 27 years

Blair Underwood and Desiree DaCosta have announced their split after ‘a tremendous amount of thought, prayer and work’ and 27 years of marriage.

The 56-year-old actor and his wife, who tied the knot in 1994, have called time on their romantic relationship and intend to embark on the next chapter as ‘the best of friends and co-parents’ to daughter Brielle, 22, and sons Paris, 24, and Blake, 19.

In a joint statement posted on Instagram the couple said: ‘After a tremendous amount of thought, prayer & work on ourselves individually & collectively, we have come to the conclusion to end our marriage that began 27 years ago.’

The pair referenced the ‘beautiful journey’ of their relationship, as well as their ‘proudest achievements’ – their three children together.

The statement continued: ‘We continue to be awed & humbled by the blessings of parenting. We have always put their best interests first & will continue to do so.

‘We will continue to be the best of friends and co-parents and have the utmost respect for one another as we embark upon this new chapter of our lives, separately.’

The Quantico and In Treatment star and Desiree, also 56, requested privacy during this period.

They added: ‘We thank you all for all your support throughout the years & we humbly ask for privacy & understanding during this new season of change.’

Blair found stardom in the late 80s and early 90s as lawyer Jonathan Rollins on the hit TV series LA Law, a part which garnered him a Golden Globe nomination.

Since then he’s also appeared on shows including Sex and the City, Dirty Sexy Money and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., scooping up another Golden Globe nomination for In Treatment and a daytime Emmy for the TV show Give – as well as a Grammy for his narration of Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth – along the way.

He’s received acclaim as a stage actor too and is currently working on the early stages of an LA Law sequel with ABC, in which he will star.

The Underwood family recently celebrated daughter Brielle’s graduation from the University of Southern California, with Blair saying he ‘could not be more proud’.

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