Actors Confirm Their Divorce While Evacuating L.A. Home: ‘Rooting for Each Other’

In the midst of frantically evacuating their home during the wildfires that have decimated entire communities across Los Angeles, actors Brandon Routh and Courtney Ford were also forced to confirm that they have decided to divorce after 17 years of marriage. Routh, a Hallmark Channel alum who rose to fame playing the Man of Steel on “Superman Returns,” and “Dexter” alum Ford issued a joint statement on January 9, 2025.

“We were focused on grabbing our go-bags and evacuating yesterday,” Ford captioned a screenshot of their statement on Instagram. “It feels ridiculous to post this statement with fires still raging, but an online publication announced our news before we could.”

After Ford filed divorce papers in Los Angeles on January 8, People was the first to report the news. The couple married in November 2007, per Entertainment Weekly, and have one son, Leo, who’s 12.

Brandon Routh & Courtney Ford Say Their Son is Their Priority as Co-Parents

The statement from Routh, 45, and Ford, 46 — written in orange type on a white background — began, “To everyone who has loved and supported us, we have some personal news to share.”

“After 21 years together and 17 years of marriage, we have decided to begin a new journey,” the statement continued, “and enter this next chapter of life as friends and co-parents. We are now and forever rooting for each other as we move through this wild adventure called life.”

“Our son is, and will always be, our highest priority,” Routh and Ford’s statement said, “and we appreciate your understanding as we navigate this transition. With love & gratitude, B&C”

According to People, court documents show that Ford requested that she and Routh share joint legal and physical custody of Leo, and that she requested spousal support.

As fires raged nearby, the couple noted in their post’s caption, “We are safe, but in shock and grief for our friends who have lost their homes and businesses. Our hearts break for our community devastated by the ongoing fires. We love you Los Angeles❤️ Adding links to resources to bio.”

The condition of the couple’s home was not clear at the time of publication.

Brandon Routh Played a Fireman in Hallmark Movies With Kimberley Sustad

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Routh most recently starred opposite Mena Suvari in the September 2024 horror/sci-fi film “Ick.” In addition to playing Superman, he has appeared in many action-packed projects, per IMDb, from starring in “DC Legends of Tomorrow” and appearing in shows like “Quantum Leap,” “The Flash,” and the animated Netflix series “Scott Pilgrim Takes Off” alongside a star-studded cast.

Routh’s first joined Hallmark Channel in 2014, starring opposite Kimberley Sustad — as a firefighter, interestingly — in the holiday movie ‘The Nine Lives of Christmas.” Fans loved it so much, that eight years later, Sustad and Routh reunited for “The Nine Kittens of Christmas” in 2021.

Before the sequel premiered, Sustad told TV Insider that she and Routh had been friends since the first movie and adored working together as their characters, Marilee and Zach.”

As for whether they could return with a third movie, Sustad said, “Are Marilee and Zach done? I don’t know. But it was kind of sad to hang up the hat, thinking that we were … He’s fabulous. He’s the nicest person in the world, and he’s so kind and generous, and he’s a great actor. I couldn’t ask for a better scene partner, really.”