Mel Gibson and Rosalind Ross separate after nine years, confirming co-parenting plans

Mel Gibson and Rosalind Ross confirmed they separated last year and continue to co-parent their 8-year-old son

Mel Gibson and Rosalind Ross have ended their relationship after nine years together, it has been confirmed. The actor and director, 69, and the screenwriter, 35, separated quietly around a year ago and will continue to co-parent their eight-year-old son, Lars.

In a joint statement shared exclusively with PEOPLE, Gibson and Ross said, “Although it’s sad to end this chapter in our lives, we are blessed with a beautiful son and will continue to be the best parents possible.” The pair welcomed Lars in 2017, shortly before Gibson received an Academy Award nomination for Best Director for Hacksaw Ridge.

Gibson and Ross met through mutual friends in 2014 and maintained a relatively private relationship. At the time of their son’s birth, Gibson spoke publicly about balancing fatherhood with professional milestones, describing the experience of holding his newborn while listening to the Oscar nominations.

In addition to Lars, Gibson has eight older children from previous relationships. He shares daughter Hannah and six sons, Christian, Edward, William, Louis, Milo and Thomas, with his former wife Robyn Moore, and has a 16-year-old daughter, Lucia, with musician Oksana Grigorieva.

Despite their separation, Gibson and Ross have continued to appear in family settings. In September 2024, Gibson attended the Los Angeles premiere of his film Monster Summer with his youngest children, Lucia and Lars.

Earlier in 2025, Gibson confirmed that his Malibu home was destroyed in the Los Angeles wildfires, though his family and animals were safely evacuated. He later said, “The good news is that those in my family and those I love are all well, and we're all happy and healthy and out of harm's way.”

Professionally, Gibson is currently working on The Resurrection of the Christ, a follow-up to his 2004 film The Passion of the Christ. The project is set for release in two parts, with the first scheduled to arrive in cinemas on Good Friday, March 26 2027.