CALIFORNIA BRIEFING / LOS ANGELES

Mel Gibson’s wife, Robyn Gibson, filed for divorce Monday after nearly 29 years of marriage. She and the actor-director, whose credits include “The Passion of the Christ” and “Braveheart,” have seven children, one of whom turns 10 today.

Representatives for the Gibsons did not immediately return requests for comment but issued a joint statement from the couple saying they wanted to keep the matter private.

“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 Gibsons said in the statement.

Mel Gibson has had legal and public relations troubles in recent years, including his July 2006 arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, when he made anti-Semitic remarks. He pleaded no contest to one misdemeanor count and agreed to attend AA meetings.

-- Victoria Kim