Hilary Swank and Chad Lowe to divorce

Hilary Swank and Chad Lowe in 2000.

LOS ANGELES - Oscar-winning actress Hilary Swank and her husband of eight years Chad Lowe have decided to divorce, a spokeswoman for Swank said today.

She was confirming a report on People.com that the couple, who separated last January, had decided to end their marriage.

People quoted the couple's lawyer Jeffrey Bernstein as saying, "Hilary Swank and Chad Lowe have jointly decided to divorce. They continue to be friends and have the utmost respect for one another."

Swank, 31, who won best actress Oscars for her performances in "Million Dollar Baby" and "Boys Don't Cry," wed Lowe, 38, in 1997. The brother of actor Rob Lowe, he won an Emmy in 1993 for portraying an AIDS sufferer on the TV series "Life Goes On."

After separating, the couple tried to reconcile but failed, People said.

- REUTERS