Chris Rock Divorce Update: Was 'A Long Time Coming' For 'Top Five' Comedian Star & Wife Of 19 Years Malaak Compton-Rock

Chris Rock and wife Malaak Compton-Rock are divorcing after being married for 19 years. Rock's new movie Top Five is out now, and gossip sites are also reporting that Rock is now dating his Top Five co-star Rosario Dawson. The superstar comedian has been doing seemingly endless rounds of press to support the movie — which he wrote, directed and stars in – but never brought up any troubles his marriage might have been going through. The couple — who married in 1996 — have two daughters, Lola, 12, and Zahra, 10. 

People Magazine report a mysterious 'source close to the couple' as telling them that "This was a long time coming. Chris," the 'source' said/speculated, "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."

Chris Rock is divorcing his wife after 19 years of marriage https://t.co/TQxXE5Lrmu pic.twitter.com/VCoKWWYcoS

— Page Six (@PageSix) December 29, 2014

According to The New York Post's Page Six, Rock has employed high-powered "power divorce attorney Robert S. Cohen," who released a statement saying that, "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."

As Page Six point out, on Sunday Malaak Compton-Rock released a statement saying "After much contemplation and 19 years of marriage, Chris and I have decided to go our separate ways."

The a philanthropist and founder of the nonprofit styleWorks and the AngelRock Project added: "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."

Meanwhile, gossip site Media Takeout allege that Rock and Top Five co-star Rosario Dawson are now dating, as Mstars News reported. Make of that what you will. As little as possible is probably best.  

Either way, Rock has long used his marriage in his stand up routines, but here's hoping that the split is amicable.