Brad Pitt and his wife Jennifer Aniston. (chinadaily.com.cn/file)

Superstar Hollywood couple Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston have separated after 4 1/2 years of marriage, but they remain "committed and caring friends," they say.

The announcement of their split followed months of tabloid stories about spousal ups and downs , including reports that Pitt, 41, wanted to become a father but Aniston, 35, was reluctant to start a family.

Aniston had been photographed recently without her wedding ring, but just two days ago the New York Post splashed a picture of the couple on its front page with a circle around Aniston's hand and the headline: "The Ring's Back On!"

Pitt, one of Hollywood's most sought-after leading men, and Aniston, who became a household name on the long-running NBC television comedy "Friends", met on a dinner date in 1998.

They were married in a lavish, celebrity-studded wedding in the seaside California resort of Malibu on July 29, 2000.

News of their breakup came in an understated announcement released late on Friday afternoon through People magazine.

"We would like to announce that after seven years together we have decided to formally separate," they said. "For those who follow these sorts of things, we would like to explain that our separation is not the result of any of the speculation reported by the tabloid media.

"This decision is a result of much thoughtful consideration. We happily remain committed and caring friends with great love and admiration for one another. We ask in advance for your kindness and sensitivity in the coming months."

Aniston's spokesman said the pair spent the New Year's holiday weekend vacationing together in the Caribbean with her former "Friends" co-star Courteney Cox and her husband, David Arquette.

Pitt, currently starring in the crime caper "Ocean's Twelve", and Aniston, best known for her TV role as Rachel Green in "Friends", also are partners in film production company, Plan B, whose first movie, "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", is due out later this year from Warner Bros.

(Agencies)

tabloid : a producer of motion pictures（导演）

ups and downs : widely known and esteemed（盛衰，沉浮）