After announcing their separation in March 2016, model-actress Summer Phoenix has filed for divorce from her husband of almost ten years, Casey Affleck.
“Casey and Summer have amicably separated. They remain very close friends,” his rep told in a statement at the time.
Affleck and Phoenix were introduced by Summer’s older brother, Joaquin Phoenix, in 2000. They wed in 2006 in Savannah, Georgia, and are the parents of two children, Indiana, 13, and Atticus, 9.
Phoenix cited “irreconcilable differences” as grounds for the divorce, and is requesting spousal support and joint physical and legal custody of her and Affleck’s two kids.
The actor gave his estranged wife a shout-out during his acceptance speech at the Golden Globes on January 8.
“Despite how I might think that I’m in charge at my house, it’s my kids that give me permission to do this because they have got the strength of character to keep at bay all the noise that surrounds people that live publicly to let me travel for months at a time. I love you, Indiana and Atticus. Thank you very much,” he told the audience before adding, “And to their mom that gave me just about every good acting idea I ever had. Thank you very much, I love you.”
The news comes after a turbulent year for Affleck, who won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Manchester by the Sea after he was plagued by sexual harassment allegations stemming from lawsuits filed by two women in 2010 who worked with him on the movie I’m Still Here.
Producer Amanda White and cinematographer Magdalena Gorka worked for Affleck on the set of his brother-in-law Joaquin Phoenix’s mockumentary and filed separate civil suits accusing Affleck of verbal and physical harassment. Affleck denied the accusations but settled with both women for undisclosed amounts.
Back in February, Affleck spoke out about the criticism, telling the Boston Globe, “I believe that any kind of mistreatment of anyone for any reason is unacceptable and abhorrent, and everyone deserves to be treated with respect in the workplace and anywhere else.”