Ben Vereen Divorce: Splits from Wife Nancy Bruner Vereen After 36 Years of Marriage

Ben Vereen - the popular American singer, dancer, and Tony Award-winning actor - has filed for a divorce from his wife of 36 years, Nancy Bruner Vereen. Court documents were filed by Vereen in L.A. on Thursday, citing "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for the couple's split.

65-year-old Vereen claims that he and Nancy have been separated since March. The couple married in July of 1976 after meeting on the set of a play, and they have several adult-aged children together. Daughter Naja was killed in a car accident in New Jersey at the age of 16 in 1987.

Vereen has appeared in a number of Broadway theatre performances, including the rock-opera "Jesus Christ Superstar" and the hit musical "Pippin" (which he won a Tony for in 1973). He has also appeared in numerous movies and television shows, including the films "All that Jazz" and "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" and the sitcoms "Roots" and "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" (as Will Smith's "real" father).

Vereen is asking the L.A. court to deny his estranged wife's request to collect spousal support.