Guy Pearce, Wife Split After 18 Years And It’s The Sweetest Divorce In History

Guy Pearce isn’t the kind of actor whose face is usually splashed across the tabloids. His marriage to fellow Aussie Kate Mestitz has been very private, and their divorce has been, too.

Pearce, who starred in Memento, Iron Man 3, The Hurt Locker, L.A. Confidential, and other films, announced that he and Kate have been separated since January, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

And their divorce has been remarkably friendly, Guy’s announcement laced with kind words and praise for a woman he’s known for 35 years and called his wife for 18.

“Kate and I will always love and support one another and be the best of friends. No-one knows me like Kate does, and we’ll forever be appreciative of our mutual respect. We’ve both grown enormously through our relationship, but sadly, the time has come to part ways.”

Compared to other celebrity splits, Pearce’s is quite humdrum, and he seemed to recognize that fact, noting to his fans on Twitter, “Sorry 2 be boring but we couldn’t be closer. We’ll love each other 4 ever xx,” E! Online added.

Guy and Kate met in 1980. The pair attended Geelong College in Victoria together and tied the knot 17 years later in 1997. Their relationship was kept out of the spotlight as Guy’s career as an actor skyrocketed and Mestitz worked as a psychologist; both continued to live in their native Australia. Pearce also recently launched a music career, People added.

No concrete reason was given for the split. There are apparently no hot nannies, no accusations of cheating, no rumors of out-of-control gambling, drugs, or physical abuse. In other words, the divorce is very un-Hollywood indeed.

Pearce said they are on good terms and ended their union with no harsh feelings and even in separation “couldn’t be closer.” In fact, Guy took to Twitter following the announcement to praise his ex-wife and the significant and positive role she’s played in his life over the years.

The best 20+ years of my life – with this beautiful lady….. pic.twitter.com/EQc3dl1FpR

— Guy Pearce (@TheGuyPearce) October 12, 2015

Guy said in a 2012 interview that Kate has been vitally important to him as he’s made he’s way through Hollywood, the Huffington Post added.

“Having a partner who has nothing to do with Hollywood helps keep things in perspective. Our life is not in any way centered around celebrity, partly because we live in Melbourne and partly because of my reluctance to be involved in it.”

Fortunately, the divorce won’t detrimentally effect any children either; the couple consciously and cooperatively decided not to have kids, and Guy talked about the decision a couple years ago.

“I’m not consistent enough to be a parent — I blow too hot and cold. Kate jokes that we’d end up on the news for throwing a child out of the window,” Pearce said. “I don’t even need them. There are enough babies in the world. Besides, I don’t think I would be good for babies. I’d be on and off. I think they need more consistent affection than I would be able to give.”

Mr. and Mrs. Pearce definitely seem to be the kind of people who have their life in order. The same thing can’t be said for many divorcing celebrities, who’ve found every detail of their marriages and splits aired out in public — by choice or otherwise.

In fact, 2015 seems rife with celebrity divorces and splits, and few of them as amicable as Guy Pearce’s parting from his main squeeze. Of course, there’s the saga of Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner; the sudden ending of the Ryan Sweeting-Kaley Cuoco love story; the collapse of Megan Fox’s marriage to Brian Austin Green; Chad Kroeger and Avril Lavigne; Jon Hamm and Jennifer Westfeldt; the swiftly bitter split between Gavin Rossdale and Gwen Stefani; and the highly publicized breakup of Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert.

And now, sadly, add Guy Pearce and Kate Mestitz to the list.

[Photo Courtesy Frazer Harrison / Getty Images]