Chris Rock & Wife Malaak Compton-Rock Split

Chris Rock and his wife are divorcing after nearly 20 years together.

"After much contemplation and 19 years of marriage, Chris and I have decided to go our separate ways," Malaak Compton-Rock, a philanthropist and founder of the nonprofit styleWorks, said in a statement Sunday. "Being fortunate enough to lead a life of service by working with those most vulnerable makes me well aware of life's blessings, even when faced with difficulties.

"While recognizing that this is a significant change, my children remain at the center of my life and their well-being is my top priority. It is in this spirit that I sincerely ask that their privacy and the privacy of our family be respected during this transition in our lives."

Rock's attorney, Robert S. Cohen, confirmed the couple has split.

"Chris Rock has filed for divorce from his wife, Malaak," Cohen said in a statement. "This is a personal matter and Chris requests privacy as he and Malaak work through this process and focus on their family.”

The Top Five star, 49, wed Compton-Rock, 45, in 1996. They live in Alpine, New Jersey, with their two daughters together, Lola Simone, 12, and Zahra Savannah, 10.

In 2010, they shot down claims that Rock had fathered another child out of wedlock. Three years earlier, the stars defended their "happy" relationship amid divorce speculation.

"The best part is just having a partner," Rock said in 2007 of being married. "There is no real worst part. I'm not going to say there's a worst part. I mean, I'm a comedian – comedians like to work alone. So maybe I'm not the ideal guy to be married to, in that sense."

But more recently, Rock has spoken about how his family inspires his work.

"In my normal life, I'm just with my kids most of the time," he told PEOPLE in December. "I'm a writer at heart. Writing is a nerd job. There's nothing cool about writing. Hemingway, I don't care who it is."

And of his 2012 flop What to Expect When You're Expecting, he told PEOPLE, "It wasn't the best movie, but I saw the book on my wife's nightstand for 10 years! I just thought, 'Maybe this could be a hit. Somebody's going to like this movie.' "

Elton John Ties the Knot, Lance Bass Says 'I Do' & More News

Love is in the air this holiday season, and the weekend was no exception. From one actor courting his girlfriend at a basketball game (pun intended) to another star introducing her baby boy and two long-awaited celebrity weddings, here's the news you might have missed: 

5. The Start of Something New

Zac Efron is so not in high school anymore. With his girlfriend Sami Miró by his side (in a color-coordinated outfit, may we add), the actor debuted a mature mustache at a Lakers game. If he's trying to distract us from his abs ... nice try. See his still-sexy look. 

4. They're Flawless

Beyoncé's "Halo" is shining extra bright this Christmas. The superstar gave Orange Is the New Black's Laverne Cox holiday gifts, and the actress freaked out – as any true member of the Bey Hive would. Read all about her heartwarming reaction. 

3. Long May He Reign

Lord Disick's got himself another heir – with a royally appropriate moniker. Kourtney Kardashian announced her newborn son's name, Reign Aston, in a sweet snapshot Sunday. Check out her Instagram. 

2. This I Promise You

Lance Bass said "Bye Bye Bye" to being a bachelor, marrying Elton John Ties the Knot, Lance Bass Says 'I Do' & More Weekend News

Turchin Saturday. The wedding will air on E! in February, making history as the first same-sex ceremony on American TV. Get all the details. 

1. Can You Feel the Love Tonight

The Rocket Man is officially a married man: Elton John wed longtime love David Furnish on Sunday, with their sons joining in as ring-bearers and their fans keeping tabs via Instagram. More on their magical day.

Will Reeve on Robin Williams: He Loved My Father 'Fiercely'

Christopher Reeve and Robin Williams started off as roommates at Juilliard, but they ended as family. To Reeve, "Robin wasn't just a friend, he was truly a brother," Reeve's son Will tells PEOPLE in this week's cover story. After the Superman star's death in 2004 at age 52, Williams continued supporting the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. In rare comments, Will, 22, also shared a cherished memory of Williams, who died at age 63 in August. Shortly after the 1992 horseback riding accident that left his father paralyzed, "he tried to lighten the load by offering to put me in bed for my afternoon nap," Will recalls of the late comedian. "I, 4 years old, was unmoved and refused. He kept pitching himself, first as Mork, then as Peter Pan, then as Genie, but always, unfailingly, as Robin, the sweet, gentle man who loved my father and his family so fiercely that he would do anything to make them happy." • 

Jessica Simpson Shows Off Her Toned Legs on Instagram (PHOTOS)

Jessica Simpson can get back into those Daisy Dukes any day now. The 34-year-old took to Instagram on Saturday to flaunt her ridiculously toned legs during a holiday photo shoot. In two different sexy photos, Simpson posed on her knees, then stood with her arms up in the air showing off a little black dress with fringed sleeves – but, again, all we can look at are those gams! Earlier this year, Simpson opened up about her recent weight loss, which she attributed to a Weight Watchers diet plan and sessions with celebrity fitness trainer Harley Pasternak. And if you're wondering how to replicate those killer legs? "We usually alternate between doing quads one day and hamstrings and glutes or butt the next, and then inner thighs," Teri Ann Krefting, one of Pasternak's trainers, told PEOPLE about working with Simpson 4-5 times per week for about 45 minutes per day. 

Horror in Brooklyn: Families Mourn Police Officers Killed by Gunman Seeking Revenge

Those closest to the police officers fatally shotSaturday in what authorities are calling a revenge killing are expressing their sorrow and loss. Officers Wenjian Liu, 32, and Rafael Ramos, 40, were killed Saturday afternoon by gunman Ismaiiyl Brinsley, 28, who committed suicide in a subway station soon after the attack, according to authorities. He had stated online that he planned to kill officers because of the recent deaths of Eric Garner in Staten Island and Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. Both died in police custody. Ralph Castillo, a teaching pastor with the Christ Tabernacle Church in Queens, where Ramos attended for 14 years and served as usher, says the congregation was in mourning. "His smile was completely infectious and disarming," Castillo tells PEOPLE. "Our motto is 'no place like home,' and Ralph was one of the faithful ushers who made sure people felt at home when they walked into the building." He and Ramos often bonded over family, he says. "Our boys played baseball together for one year," Castillo says. "He was highly relational. He would talk to the boys and ask them questions about their favorite teams. He was a family man. A really nice man. He loved his wife and boys tremendously." Ramos had two sons, Jaden, 13, and an 18-year-old. "Today I had to say bye to my father," Jaden posted on his Facebook page hours after his father's death. "He was [there] for me everyday of my life, he was the best father I could ask for. It's horrible that someone gets shot dead just for being a police officer. Everyone says they hate cops but they are the people that they call for help. I will always love you and I will never forget you. RIP Dad." Ramos's brother Peter also posted on his Facebook page thanking the public for their support. "I want to take the time out to thank everybody for the prayers and the support for our family in this time of need," he wrote. "My brother was a great man, he was taken from us too early wonderful husband and great father. I love you so much bro my you RIP i will never let you go you will be in my heart forever love your lil brother Peter Ramos." Ramos, a Brooklyn resident who joined NYPD in January 2012, previously worked as a school safety officer in Staten Island, according to official NYPD records. Lui, also from Brooklyn, joined NYPD in July 2008 and had recently married. On Sunday morning, Rev. Al Sharpton held a press conference in Harlem at the National Action Network headquarters along with Eric Garner's mother, Gwen Carr, and widow, Esaw, to denounce the killings, silive.com reports. "I know what they're going through to lose a loved one right before the holidays and everything. It's so sad," Garner's widow said. "I would ask that everyone that is protesting with us to please protest in a non-violent way. My husband was not a violent man, so we don't want any violence connected to his name." Carr told the gathered crowd she stood "in sorrow," according to silive.com. "These two police officers lost their lives senselessly," she said. "Our condolence to the families, and we stand with the families." Sharpton, who said he has received multiple threatening calls since the shootings and turned them over to the FBI, led a prayer service for Liu and Ramos at St. Luke Baptist Church in Harlem. Attorney General Eric Holder released a statementSaturday following the attack condemning what he called a "senseless shooting." "This was an unspeakable act of barbarism, and I was deeply saddened to hear of the loss of these two brave officers in the line of duty," the statement reads. "Our nation must always honor the valor – and the sacrifices – of all law enforcement officers with a steadfast commitment to keeping them safe. This means forging closer bonds between officers and the communities they serve, so that public safety is not a cause that is served by a courageous few, but a promise that's fulfilled by police officials and citizens working side by side."