"Office" actress Fischer, husband separate

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Jenna Fischer, who plays mousy receptionist Pam on the cult NBC hit television comedy "The Office" has separated from her husband, the couple said on their MySpace Web pages on Wednesday.

Fischer, 33, has been married to filmmaker James Gunn for six years.

"We need to announce that we have chosen to separate. We are sorry for any pain this causes family and friends," they said in a joint statement posted on their respective sites (www.myspace.com/slithermovie, www.myspace.com/pambeesley).

"The enthusiasm we have expressed for each other's lives, spirits, and careers is real -- we have been each other's cheerleader and friend during the past six years and continue to be so now and in the future."

They warned fans against posting negative messages, noting that "we still have the utmost respect for one another."

Fischer received an Emmy nomination for her supporting role as the lovelorn receptionist at the Dunder Mifflin paper company. Emmy winners will be announced on September 16. Fischer's feature credits include "Blades of Glory" and the upcoming comedy "The Brothers Solomon."

Gunn directed the comedy-horror film "Slither" and wrote the "Scooby-Doo" movies. His publicist said he was 37. People magazine, which broke the news of the separation, said he was 41.