Actor Eddie Murphy is getting divorced from his wife Nicole Mitchell after 12 years of marriage, it was revealed last night. Murphy and Mitchell got married in 1993 and have five children together. Eddie, 44, also has a son from a previous marriage.

The news about the couple getting divorced was announced by the syndicated TV show "Access Hollywood."

Murphy, 44, issued a statement saying, "The welfare of our children is our main concern, and their best interests are our first priority."

The couple cited "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for the split, according to the Murphy's publicist, Paul Bloch.

On May 2, 1997, Los Angeles police stopped Murphy and found a transvestite prostitute, Shalomar (Atisone Kenneth Seiuli), in the passenger's seat.

Murphy claimed that he had just been driving through and the prostitute asked him for a ride home. This incident was later lampooned on Saturday Night Live.

The actor has previously dated celebrities like Halle Berry, Whitney Houston and Robin Givens.