DeGeneres, Heche Split

By Stephen M. Silverman

08/07/1998 at 12:00 AM EDT

It's curtains for Hollywood's most famous lesbian couple. Comedian Ellen DeGeneres, 42, and actress Anne Heche, 31, sought to quash rumors about them by releasing a statement to New York's Daily News. "Unfortunately, we have decided to end our relationship. It is an amicable parting, and we greatly value the 3 1/2 years we have spent together." No further explanation has been given for the split. In April, Heche directed DeGeneres in HBO's "If These Walls Could Talk 2." She also filmed documentary footage of DeGeneres's recent comedy tour for HBO, leading observers to believe that their relationship was stronger than ever. DeGeneres made TV history in 1997 when her character in her self-titled TV show came out of the closet (shortly after the comic actress did the same).