Oscar hopeful Terrence Howard has split from Marc Anthony's ex-wife Dayanara Torres because their children were more important than their love for each other.

The couple were an item over Christmas (05), but have decided to give up on romance because they found it difficult to find time for each other.

The HUSTLE + FLOW star says, "Our lives are so different. I live in Philadelphia with my children and she lives (in Los Angeles) with her children. You can't make that work."

Former Miss Universe Torres is mother to Anthony's two sons, Cristian, five, and RYAN, two, while Howard is dad to three children.