Eddie Murphy and wife to divorce

Couple has been married for 12 years

	Actor-comedian Eddie Murphy's wife, Nicole, filed for divorce Friday,Aug. 5, 2005, citing irreconcilable differences, his publicist confirmed.
Patrick Gardin / AP file

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Access Hollywood

updated 6:24 p.m. ET Aug. 8, 2005

Access Hollywood has learned that comedian-actor Eddie Murphy and his wife, Nicole, are divorcing.

Nicole filed the papers on Friday, citing "irreconcilable differences."

The couple has been married for 12 years, after tying the knot on March 18, 1993.

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Nicole and Eddie have five children -- Bella Zahra, Bria, Shayne Audra, Zola Ivy and Miles Mitchell. Eddie also has another son, Christian, from a previous relationship.

According to a statement released to Access Hollywood, Eddie said: "The welfare of our children is our main concern and their best interests are our first priority."

Murphy has starred in more than two dozen films since making his big screen debut in 1982's "48 Hours" alongside Nick Nolte. The comedian first gained national attention as a regular on "Saturday Night Live" in the early 1980s.