Martin Lawrence splits from wife

Los Angeles - Martin Lawrence has split from his wife.

The Big Momma's House star and his spouse Shamicka have decided to make "the joint decision to part ways" and divorce their representative has confirmed.

A joint statement released by the pair said: "Martin and Shamicka Lawrence have decided to divorce. The couple has made the joint decision to part ways.

"Out of love and respect for one another we will continue to remain friends and raise our two beautiful daughters together."

15 years

Martin and Shamicka - whose daughters are Amara and Iyana - were together for 15 years before they tied the knot at their Beverly Hills Home in 2010 in front of family and friends who included Eddie Murphy and Denzel Washington.

The Bad Boys star - who recently completed a stand-up comedy tour of America - has been married once before to former Miss Virginia USA winner Patricia Southall, with whom he has a 16-year-old daughter Jasmine Page.