Actor Mel Gibson is now at the centre of speculation that he could be the biological father of Jodie Foster’s sons.

The rumors began when Jodie Foster, who has never revealed her boys’ paternity, thanked Mel Gibson, 57, for his support during her emotional speech at the Golden Globe awards last week.

And now the reports have been fuelled after the New York Post credited an “amateur genealogist” for saying Charles, 14, and Kit, 12, bear more than a passing resemblance to Mel Gibson.

According to the New York Post, the genealogist said: “The kids look like Gibson but blonder.”

Jodie Foster and Mel Gibson first became friends when they starred together in 1994 movie Maverick, before working together again on the more recent The Beaver in 2011.

They have formed such a strong friendship that Jodie Foster even name-checked Mel Gibson during her Globes speech, saying: “Mel Gibson – you know you saved me too.”

The camera flashed to Mel Gibson during her speech, and showed the actor wolf-whistling and applauding his friend.

Jodie Foster’s speech wasn’t the first time she has waxed lyrical about Mel Gibson.

In 2011, the actress told the Hollywood Reporter about Mel Gibson: “He’s so incredibly loving and sensitive, he really is.

“He is the most loved actor I have ever worked with on a movie. And he’s not saintly, and he’s got a big mouth, and he’ll do gross things your nephew would do.

“But I knew the minute I met him that I would love him the rest of my life.”

Mel Gibson is now at the centre of speculation that he could be the biological father of Jodie Foster’s sons

Jodie Foster added in a later interview that she would jump at the chance to work with Mel Gibson on another project in the future.

She said: “I think he is one of the greatest filmmakers in America that we have.

“That would be a shame, to never see that voice as a director.

“I look forward to anything that he makes whether he’s the boom operator, the actor or, especially, the director.”

Mel Gibson is already the father of eight children – seven by his ex wife Robyn – with one daughter Lucia, by former girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva from whom he split in April 2011.

Jodie Foster has previously insisted she won’t reveal the identity of her sons’ biological father until they turn 21.

However, there has previously been speculation that Jodie Foster’s late director friend Randy Stone, who was openly gay, could be the father.

Randy Stone died in 2007 following a battle with heart disease.

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