Justin Theroux was pictured surrounded by female friends shortly before announcing his split from Jennifer Aniston.
Hands in pockets, The Leftovers star strolled along a New York street, beside his two companions on Monday.
Sunglasses firmly in place, the brooding actor wore dark clothing, with a messenger bag slung behind him.
Brooding: Justin Theroux seen out with female friends in New York on Monday, shortly before news broke of Jennifer Aniston split
The outing came amid mounting speculation about the state of the couple’s two-and-a-half year marriage after they spent Jennifer’s birthday apart.
After spending the big day with friends, Jennifer was reportedly in attendance at Amy Schumer’s surprise wedding to chef Chris Fischer in Malibu on Tuesday.
After fans wondered what was keeping the two – a couple for nearly ten years – apart, they issued a statement revealing their split on Thursday.
The couple said in a statement released through her publicist that the decision to end their marriage ‘was mutual and lovingly made at the end of last year.’
Companions: The outing came amid speculation as to why The Leftovers star was not at Aniston’s side for her birthday
It’s over: The shock split will come as a surprise to many as Justin had previously described Jennifer as his ‘ally’
The shock split will come as a surprise to many as Justin had previously described Jennifer as his ‘ally’.
He shared with United Airlines’ Rhapsody magazine back in April 2017: ‘Marriage makes the small things much smaller and the big things small. You have an ally. It’s good to have someone have your back.’
And in March’s edition of Architectural Digest, Jennifer, 48, talked lovingly about her happy life with Justin.
As they were: Jen and Justin are seen in August 2017; two years prior the couple tied the knot, inviting friends to a birthday party as a ruse to keep the celebration secret
She said: ‘There was a time when I thought there was something romantic about picking up and trotting off somewhere different every three months.
‘Now I’m becoming more particular about the projects I take. I look around at my husband and my dogs and our home, and there’s nowhere else I want to be.’
The couple tied the knot in August 2015, inviting friends to a birthday party as a ruse to keep the celebration secret.