Mel Gibson is preparing to be a father for the ninth time.
People magazine was the first to report Friday that the girlfriend of actor and director, writer Rosalind Ross, is pregnant. Gibson’s publicist, Alan Nierob confirmed the report.
No further details about pregnancy were immediately available.
Gibson, who won an Oscar for directing “Braveheart,” has seven children from his marriage to his ex-wife, Robyn Moore. Her youngest son has 17. He also had a daughter 6 years old, with ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva.
Gibson’s latest effort as a director, the drama of World War II “Hacksaw Ridge,” debuted earlier this year at the Venice Film Festival and will be released on November 4.
“Mel and Rose are so excited about the baby,” says a friend close to the couple.
“Mel loves being a dad and he and Rose can’t wait to be parents together. The last two years have been some of his happiest years he’s ever had.”
This will be a first child for Ross, 26, a writer and former champion equestrian vaulter.
“She has her own life, but also seems to enjoy Mel’s … They are very much on the same page.”
Gibson has been enjoying more good news. His latest directorial effort, the World War II drama Hacksaw Ridge, out on Nov. 4, has already garnered Oscar buzz and received a 10-minute standing ovation at its debut at the Venice Film Festival on Sept. 4.
Gibson will soon head to Europe to shoot the film The Professor and the Madman, opposite Sean Penn.
