Courteney Cox, David Arquette are separated [updated]

Courteney Cox and David Arquette, who met on the set of "Scream" in 1996 and married in 1999, have separated, the actors confirmed Monday in a statement.

The two struck a deal for a trial separation, which People reports has been the situation for a while now, to "better understand ourselves and the qualities we need in a partner and for our marriage."

Sources connected with the couple told TMZ, which first reported the split, that the months-old separation finally went public Monday because photos had allegedly surfaced of Arquette with another woman. He was photographed in September minus his wedding ring.

That said, those people also said it isn't a given that Cox, 46, and Arquette, 39, will divorce. They have one daughter, Coco, who's 6.

"We are comfortable with the boundaries that we have established for each other during this separation and we hope that our friends, family, fans and the media also show us respect, dignity, understanding and love at this time as well," the couple said in their statement.

Arquette seemed in good spirits Saturday, attending Seth MacFarlane's party without Cox and hanging with pal Jeff Beacher. He and Beacher are collaborating on an alternative variety show going up at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, with Arquette as emcee.

And no matter their marital status, Cox and Arquette still have a date this spring to promote their movie "Scream 4."

[For the record, 9 a.m. Oct. 12: An earlier version of this article said the couple met in 1994 on the set of "Scream." They met in 1996 while working on that film.]

-- Christie D'Zurilla and Matt Donnelly

Photo: Courteney Cox and David Arquette in the rain on the red carpet at the Golden Globe Awards on Jan. 17, 2010. Credit: Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times