Mel Gibson supportive of son Milo's acting ambitions

18 Oct 2016 |

Mel Gibson has never encouraged his children to act but is supportive of son Milo's decision to join the business.In fact, the father of eight, who recently announced he is expecting his ninth child with 26-year-old dancer Rosalind Ross, has cast his son in his new film Hacksaw Ridge.However, despite having an Oscar-winning father as a role model, Milo, the sixth child of the actor/director, grew up in Malibu, California, and trained and worked as an electrician for a number of years before studying drama in Santa Monica.

Mel explained in an interview at the Sydney premiere of the highly-anticipated movie he has never expected his children to follow in his acting footsteps. "I don't encourage (my kids) to get into acting or anything," Mel told Australia's Channel 9 News website on Sunday (16Oct16). "But you know, if that's what he wants to do, I'm behind it. It's good."Although his father helmed the movie, Milo didn't appear to get any special treatment as he only has a blink and you'll miss him part as an extra named Lucky Ford.

The biographical war film is based on the true story of American army medic Desmond Doss, who was the first conscientious objector to be awarded the Medal of Honour. The World War II drama also stars former Spider-Man Andrew Garfield, Teresa Palmer and Vince Vaughn.After working with his father Milo has landed a supporting role opposite Maika Monroe and Jennifer Garner in The Tribes of Palos Verdes, a coming-of-age drama directed by Emmett and Brendan Malloy. It's Mel's first directing gig since 2006's Apocalypto and the Australian movie veteran is more than pleased with the response it has received from the industry and his peers. "It feels good," he smiled. "If people like what it is that you do and you don't make films for an elite, it's very gratifying."Hacksaw Ridge hits theatres from November (16).