Mel Gibson and longtime associate Rosalind Ross have formally gone their separate methods after almost a decade collectively. Gibson and Ross first met via mutual mates in 2014 and started relationship shortly thereafter. On the time, Ross was rising as a screenwriter, whereas Gibson was navigating a quieter interval in his public life following years of controversy. Regardless of their 34-year age hole, the 2 shortly fashioned a robust connection and started relationship, selecting to maintain a lot of their relationship out of the highlight. Ross later collaborated with Gibson professionally, writing the screenplay for “Father Stu,” which Gibson starred in and produced, additional strengthening each their private and artistic partnership.

The actor and director and his longtime associate quietly break up a few yr in the past, PEOPLE confirmed. In a uncommon joint assertion shared with the outlet, the previous couple acknowledged the top of their relationship whereas emphasizing their continued dedication to their household.

“Though it is unhappy to finish this chapter in our lives, we’re blessed with a wonderful son and can proceed to be the perfect mother and father potential,” Gibson and Ross mentioned.

Regardless of the breakup, the pair will proceed to co-parent their 8-year-old son, Lars, whom they welcomed in 2017, simply days earlier than Gibson was nominated for a Finest Director Academy Award for “Hacksaw Ridge.”

On the time, Gibson mirrored on the overlapping milestones, calling the second unforgettable. “What could possibly be extra thrilling than listening to the nominations being introduced whereas holding my new child son,” he mentioned in a press release.

Lars is Gibson’s youngest baby. The actor can be the daddy of eight older kids from earlier relationships. He shares daughter Hannah and 6 sons along with his ex-wife, Robyn Moore, whom he divorced in 2011 after almost three many years of marriage.

Gibson additionally has a 16-year-old daughter, Lucia, with songwriter and pianist Oksana Grigorieva. The 2 break up in 2010 following a extremely publicized and contentious breakup.

Talking in regards to the loss throughout a January 9 look on NewsNation’s “Elizabeth Vargas Experiences,” Gibson addressed the tragedy, telling listeners, “Clearly, it is type of devastating. It is emotional. You reside there for a very long time, and also you had all of your stuff. I had my stuff there, and it is all like, I have been relieved from the burden of my stuff, as a result of it is all in cinders.”

He later pressured that materials harm took a backseat to what really mattered. “The excellent news is that these in my household and people I really like are all nicely, and we’re all pleased and wholesome and out of hurt’s method,” he mentioned. “That is all I can care about, actually.”

Gibson additionally admitted he felt uneasy being out of city whereas the fires continued to unfold. “I used to be type of unwell comfortable,” Gibson mentioned, explaining that he knew his neighborhood was at risk. “I knew my neighborhood was on hearth, so I assumed, ‘I ponder if my place remains to be there.'”

When he ultimately returned, the truth was unavoidable. “However once I received house, positive sufficient, it wasn’t there,” Gibson shared. Regardless of the loss, Gibson managed to inject a little bit of darkish humor into the scenario. “I went house, and I mentioned to myself, ‘Effectively, not less than I have not received any of these pesky plumbing issues anymore,'” he joked.