Penn withdraws separation petition

NEW YORK, May 21 (UPI) -- Oscar-winning actor Sean Penn has withdrawn his motion for legal separation from his wife, actress Robin Wright Penn, California court records show.

The couple, who have been married for 13 years and are the parents of two children, split up in December 2007, but reconciled shortly afterward.

Penn reportedly filed for separation a second time in Marin County Superior Court a few weeks ago, but has since withdrawn the petition.

"It was an arrogant mistake," Penn told the New York Daily News.

"They love each other like crazy but they fight like crazy," one friend explained. "They may have gotten into a fight where she said she wanted a divorce and he filed just to beat her to the punch, even though he doesn't want a divorce. That doesn't mean they're suddenly happy and in love. It's anyone's guess where this is going."

The Daily News said Wright Penn's representative declined to comment on its story.