Celebrity News December 29, 2014
Chris Rock Divorce: Were There Signs of Trouble Before the Split?
Comedian Chris Rock, who announced on Sunday that his 19-year marriage to Malaak Compton-Rock was at an end, has been pretty open about his thoughts on the institution of marriage over the years… he didn't really love it.
For example, Rock spoke with NBC's Stone Phillips in 2004, and said, “Marriage is beautiful. But if you think you're going to hold on to your individual self, you're an idiot. Take yourself to the door and wave, 'Hey, see you later.' You don't walk around the house like you're Stone Phillips. You're 'her husband.' That's it.”
Rock also slammed marriage quite a bit in his standup routines… like this one below [NSFW Warning: Strong language]:
A source close to the couple told People.com, "This was a long time coming. Chris has known it wasn't salvageable for a while. He was the one to file because he knew it was time to just move forward already."
Another insider told E! News that Chris and Malaak had been “living separate lives” for some time.
Rock's attorney confirmed to “Extra” in a statement, "Chris Rock has filed for divorce from his wife, Malaak. This is a personal matter and Chris requests privacy as he and Malaak work through this process and focus on their family.”
In 2007, the couple defended their “happy” marriage when tabloids said they were nearing a divorce, and in 2010, the two had to deal with reports saying that Rock fathered a child out of wedlock. It was later proved he was not the father.
The “Top Five” star and his philanthropist wife married in 1996. They have two daughters, Lola Simone, 12, and Zahra Savannah, 10.