filed for divorce Tuesday from actor-husband Hank Azaria, citing irreconcilable differences in their 17-month-old marriage. Hunt's spokesman confirmed in August that the couple had been living apart for several months, but the official date of their separation remains to be determined, according to papers filed in Los Angeles Superior Court.
Her publicist, Stephen Huvane, did not return telephone calls Tuesday.
Back in August, Huvane said the two performers were "still very good friends" and that the situation between them was "amicable."
Hunt, 37, and Azaria, 36, dated for nearly five years before tying the knot in a small, private ceremony at their Los Angeles-area home in July, 1999.
Hunt gained fame and several Emmys starring opposite Paul Reiser on the popular NBC sitcom, "Mad About You," which wrapped its seventh and final season last May.
For several seasons, Azaria played a recurring role on the show as Nat Ostertag, the affable but addled dog walker who took care of the couple's pooch, Murray.
Hunt won a best actress Oscar for her role as a waitress who falls for Jack Nicholson in the 1997 romantic comedy, "As Good As It Gets." This year, she has appeared in a clutch of films, including "Pay It Forward" with Kevin Spacey and "What Women Want" with Mel Gibson. Earlier this year, Azaria received an Emmy nomination for his role opposite Jack Lemmon in "Oprah Winfrey Presents: Tuesdays with Morrie" TV movie on ABC.
He also is known as the voice of several characters on the animated Fox hit "The Simpsons," including Apu the convenience store clerk, Moe the bartender and Police Chief Wiggum.
Azaria's film credits also include the 1998 remake of "Godzilla," "Cradle Will Rock," "The Birdcage" and "Quiz Show." Reuters/Variety
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