Ghostbusters star, Dan Aykroyd and his wife Donna Dixon announced Friday that they were separating after 39 years of marriage.
The 69-year-old Ghostbusters star and his 64-year-old wife are now on ‘separate life paths,’ they said in a statement to People.
Despite going their separate ways, Aykroyd and Dixon remain legally married for the time being, and they insist that they still have a ‘loving friendship.’
‘After 39 years as a couple, we are now on separate life paths. We remain legally married, co-parents, co-workers and business partners,’ the former couple shared in their statement.
‘This is our choice in loving friendship.’
The couple were introduced on the set of the cult comedy Doctor Detroit, which Dan led and Donna played a supporting role in.
The film was shot in 1982, and they married in 1983, the year of its release.
The couple would continue to costar in subsequent films, including the omnibus horror film Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983) — though they weren’t featured in any scenes together — and the comedies Spies Like Us (1985), The Couch Trip (1988) and Exit To Eden (1994).
Dan and Donna went on to have three daughters: 32-year-old Danielle Aykroyd, who performs as a singer-songwriter under the name Vera Sola, along with Belle, 28, and Stella, 24.
Before starting his long-term relationship with Donna, Dan was briefly engaged to the late Carrie Fisher, whom he popped the question to while filming 1980s The Blues Brothers, though she later called it off after reuniting with her ex Paul Simon.
In a 2014 interview with the Tampa Bay Times, Aykroyd explained what it was about his wife that fascinated him.
‘You gotta find the right person — look them in the eye, have them look back, and know their soul,’ he said. ‘She’s a Southern woman who is understanding and doesn’t mind dealing with the boys from time to time. I call her the White Goddess. And I’m the Green Demon.’
Aykroyd, who was born in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, is best known for his early stint on Saturday Night Live before he transitioned into a successful film career that included the Ghost Busters franchise, in which he co-starred in with Bill Murray, Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson.
His biggest commercial successes were in the 1980s, but he has continued to work steadily in recent decades.
In 2007, he branched out into liquor sales by founding Crystal Head Vodka, a high-end vodka bottled in a glass skull.
Donna was born in Alexandria, Virginia, and got her start as a model and pageant queen.
After competing in Miss USA 1976 and Miss USA World 1977, she branched out into acting, with an early role being her major part in the Tom Hanks and Peter Scolari–starring comedy Bosom Buddies.Â
