To say that Mel Gibson is on cloud nine this week is an understatement as he has two important milestones to celebrate. The "Hacksaw Ridge" director welcomed his new baby with partner Rosalind Ross on Friday, Jan. 20, and this was followed by his nomination for Best Director at the Oscars.
According to Daily Mirror, Gibson, 61, named his new son Lars Gerald Gibson, his first child with Ross, 26. He already has eight children who are in the ages of 7 to 36 with ex-wife Robyn Moore and ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva: Thomas, Milo, Louis, William, twins Christian and Edward, Hannah and Lucia.
The blessings for the proud dad didn't stop with the arrival of the new baby, however, as the Oscar released its nominations Tuesday for the upcoming Academy Awards. Gibson earned a spot under the Best Director category and the movie also took five other nominations including Best Picture and Best Actor (Andrew Garfield), according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Gibson was carrying his newborn son in his arms when he learned of the nominations. "This is a truly wonderful honor," the actor said, according to People.
The last time Gibson celebrated the Oscars was 21 years ago when his film "Braveheart" earned the Best Picture and Best Director awards. It's no secret that following this success, Gibson had bouts with alcoholism and controversies that forced him to lie low from Hollywood.
The actor admitted that he had to work on himself for 10 years to earn his good reputation back. "I've made my apologies, I've done my bit. Moved along," he said, according to USA Today. "I'm a different person than I was back then."
It looks like Hollywood has forgiven the actor with these recent honors. Meanwhile, Gibson and his ever-growing family are relishing the blessings. "Their family is all around them and Mel is over the moon," a source told the press.
