Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck leave the Governors Ball following the 85th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California in a February 24, 2013 file photo. [Photo/Agencies]

"After much thought and careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to divorce. We go forward with love and friendship for one another and a commitment to co-parenting our children, whose privacy we ask to be respected during this difficult time," the couple said in a joint statement.

Oscar-winning Affleck, 42, and Garner, 43, starred together in the 2003 superhero film "Daredevil" and were married in 2005 and have three children, all under the age of 10.

They have been separated for over six months, a source with knowledge of the situation told Reuters.