Naomi Watts, Liev Schreiber Split After 11 Years
Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber have ended their relationship after 11 years of dating, the couple confirmed in a statement to E! News on Sept. 26, 2016.
"Over the past few months we've come to the conclusion that the best way forward for us as a family is to separate as a couple. It is with great love, respect, and friendship in our hearts that we look forward to raising our children together and exploring this new phase of our relationship," the statement said. "While we appreciate your curiosity and support, we ask the press to be mindful of our children and respect their right to privacy."
The couple began dating in 2005 but never married. They have two sons together—Alexander "Sasha", 9, and Samuel, 7.
Specific reasons behind the split remain murky, but sources for both E! News and People magazine claim the relationship has been in trouble for awhile. "It's been a long time coming," a source for E! News said. "They'll still be good friends and co-parents." An insider from Schreiber's hit TV show, Ray Donovan, told People, "They have been on the rocks for quite a while."
Watts, 47, was noticeably absent from the Emmy Awards in September 2016; Schreiber, 48, who was nominated for Ray Donovan, attended the ceremony with son Sasha. Watts and Schreiber did appear together at the Venice Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival in September 2016 to promote their new movie, The Bleeder.
Watts was photographed smiling on the set of her new Netflix series, Gypsy, on Sept. 26, 2016. Schreiber will be busy starring in the Broadway revival of Les Liaisons Dangereuses in 2016.