Oscar-winning actress Hilary Swank has separated from her Emmy-winning husband, Chad Lowe, her publicist announced Monday.

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"Hilary and Chad have decided to separate but they are hopeful they'll be able to get through this tough time," publicist Troy Nankin's statement to People magazine said.

Swank, 31, and Lowe, 37, were married Sept. 28, 1997, five years after they met at a Hollywood Athletic Club party. It was a first marriage for both and they have no children.

Swank has two best actress Ocscars on her mantle, for the 1991 "Boys Don't Cry" and 2004's "Million Dollar Baby."

Rob Lowe's brother, Chad, won his Emmy for his portrayal of AIDS-stricken Jesse McKenna in 1989 for TV's "Life Goes On."

The couple have their own New York-based production company, Accomplice Films.