Los Angeles, Oct 14 (IANS): "Iron Man 3" actor Guy Pearce, who married his childhood sweetheart Kate Mestitz in 1997, has confirmed their split after 18 years of marriage.

Pearce took to Twitter to confirm the split and said that the couple "parted ways back in January", reports aceshowbiz.com.

"Rumours are true I'm afraid - Kate and I parted ways back in January. Sorry to be boring but we couldn't be closer. We'll love each other for ever," he wrote.

In a statement, Pearce said that the former couple would remain 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," he said.

The duo have no children together.

After the separation was made public, he paid tribute to his former wife by posting her photograph with a message: "The best 20 years of my life - with this beautiful lady..."