Mel Gibson's wife files for divorce

The wife of Hollywood heavyweight Mel Gibson has filed for divorce from the actor and Oscar-winning filmmaker.

Robyn Gibson, who has been married to the Mad Max, Lethal Weapon and Braveheart star for 28 years, cites irreconcilable differences, according to documents filed Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court.

The couple has seven children, but only one under the age of 18.

Robyn Gibson has requested joint custody of their youngest son, Thomas, as well as jewelry, earnings and assets accrued after the couple separated.

She is also seeking a share of the 53-year-old actor, director and producer's earnings during the couple's nearly three-decade-long marriage as well as spousal support and legal fees.

"Throughout our marriage and separation we have always strived to maintain the privacy and integrity of our family and will continue to do so," the couple said in a joint statement released Monday.

Since gaining international fame in Mad Max in 1979, Gibson has become one of Hollywood's biggest stars, winning two Oscars for his 1995 historical epic Braveheart. As a director, he has also courted controversy with films such as The Passion of the Christ and Apocalypto, including for the languages of the subtitled works (Aramaic, Latin and Hebrew for the former and Yucatec Maya for the latter).

In 2006, Gibson made headlines after a leaked police report revealed he had uttered anti-Semitic comments while being arrested for drunk driving. He pleaded no contest to the impaired driving charge and was sentenced to alcohol abuse counselling, fined and placed on probation for three years.