Despite a recent story in the New York Daily News that their marriage was in trouble, Chris Rock and wife Malaak are fine, they tell PEOPLE in an exclusive statement.

"Though we have tried in the past to take the high road and not comment on the tabloid media, we find it necessary to express on record how unfortunate it is that the Daily News, specifically, and other tabloid outlets have chosen to print untrue rumors and lies about our family and marriage," the comic, 42, and his wife, 37, said in a statement.

"It is extremely hurtful to us, our children, and our extended family. We remain, as always, very happy and committed to our marriage and the beautiful family that we have built."

In November, TMZ.com reported that Rock had begun divorce proceedings. And on Thursday, the Daily News claimed that some sources were saying Rock's upcoming movie, I Think I Love My Wife, hit close to home: In it, Rock plays a married man tempted by a beautiful woman (Ray star Kerry Washington).

Rock's rep told the paper, "Everything is fine at home for the Rocks."

Rock and the former Malaak Compton wed on Nov. 23, 1996. They have two daughters: Lola Simone, 4, and Zahra Savannah, 2. The family appeared on Wednesday's episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show, and Rock told Winfrey: "Now that I have children, I realize taking care of my children is more fun than anything in the whole world."

The couple met in 1994 when Rock and two friends crashed a New York City awards show. "She's changed me," Rock told Ebony in 1997. "She's really calmed me down and centered my life."

Malaak Rock is founder and executive director of styleWORKS, a non-profit organization that provides grooming services and image consulting for women moving from welfare to work. She was previously manager of special events and celebrity relations for UNICEF.