The 56-year-old actor was seen cosying up to stuntwoman Ashley Cusate during an intimate dinner date at sushi restaurant Nobu in Malibu on 14.10.12.

Ashley has performed dangerous stunts as a body double for the likes of Jennifer Aniston, Penelope Cruz and Anne Hathaway and has also dabbled in acting.

The brunette beauty has been dating the `Lethal Weapon` star for over a month and has already been introduced to his family, according to gossip website TMZ.

A source added: "They love her and are convinced she`s gonna be around for a long, long time."

The pair only had eyes for each other as they giggled and chatted over the weekend, and Mel had his arm draped around the 38-year-old actress, who is also a brown belt in karate.

Ashley`s acting credits include `Baywatch`, `Cop Land` and `Alias`.

Mel is thought to have ended a brief romance with Italian singer Nadia Lanfranconi in favour of Ashley. The pair had been seen on several dates together in recent weeks.

The actor - who split from Oksana Grigorieva in 2010 in the midst allegations of domestic violence - has just sold his Malibu mansion for $9.3 million.
sections: Celebrities