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'{{about|the actor|the basketball player|Mel Gibson (basketball)}} {{Infobox actor | name = Mel Gibson | image = Mel Gibson 1990.jpg | caption = Gibson at the 1990 ''Air America'' premiere | birthdate = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1956|1|3}} | birthplace = {{city-state|Peekskill|New York}}, U.S. | birthname = {{nowrap|Mel Colm-Cille Gerard Gibson}} | deathdate = | deathplace = | occupation = actor, film director, film producer, screenwriter | yearsactive = 1976 &ndash; present | spouse = Robyn Moore (1980 &ndash; present)<!--Do not put an end date here, they aren't divorced yet.--> | website = }} '''Mel Colm-Cille Gerard Gibson''', [[Officer of the Order of Australia|AO]] (born January 3, 1956)<!-- PLEASE READ BEFORE YOU EDIT THIS DATE: Please *do not* add linking to date articles that are not relevant to this article. Date-pages are for significant "world events," and if the object of the date to which you're about to add link tags is not mentioned on those date-pages, please do not add the tags, because they will be deleted. Also see: WP:OVERLINK. Thanks! --> is an [[actor]], [[film director]], [[film producer|producer]] and [[screenwriter]]. Born in [[New York]], Gibson moved with his parents to [[Sydney, Australia|Sydney]] when he was 12 years old and later studied acting at the [[National Institute of Dramatic Art]]. After appearing in the ''[[Mad Max]]'' and ''[[Lethal Weapon]]'' series, Gibson went on to direct and star in the [[Academy Award]]-winning ''[[Braveheart]]''. Gibson's direction of ''Braveheart'' made him the sixth actor-turned-filmmaker to receive an [[Academy Award for Directing|Academy Award for Best Director]].<ref>[http://www.filmsite.org/aa95.html 1995 Academy Awards]</ref> In 2004, he directed and produced ''[[The Passion of the Christ]]'', a controversial<ref>[http://money.cnn.com/2004/06/17/news/newsmakers/forbes_stars/index.htm Jesus helps Mel hit No. 1: Controversial film gives Gibson the most weight on Forbes power list; Britney off the chart again] June 18, 2004</ref> but successful<ref>[http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=passionofthechrist.htm Box Office Mojo.com] Domestic Total Gross:$370,782,930 60.6% + Foreign: $241,116,490 39.4%</ref> film that portrayed the last hours of the life of [[Jesus Christ]]. The movies he has acted in have grossed more than two billion dollars in the US alone.<ref>http://boxofficemojo.com/people/chart/?view=Actor&id=melgibson.htm</ref> ==Early life== Gibson was born in [[Peekskill, New York]], the sixth of eleven children, and the second son of [[Hutton Gibson]] and Irish-born Anne Reilly. His paternal grandmother was the Australian [[opera]] [[soprano]], [[Eva Mylott]] (1875&ndash;1920).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wargs.com/other/gibson.html |title=Ancestry of Mel Gibson |publisher=Wargs.com |date= |accessdate=2008-10-22}}</ref> One of Gibson's younger brothers, [[Donal Gibson|Donal]], is also an actor. Gibson's first name comes from [[Saint Mel]], fifth-century Irish [[saint]], and founder of Gibson's mother's native [[diocese]], [[bishop of Ardagh|Ardagh]], while his second name, [[Columba|Colm-Cille]],<ref name="filed"/> is shared by an Irish saint<ref>Michael Dwyer, ''[[The Irish Times]]'' film critic, interviewed on [[RTÉ]] Radio 1's ''This week'' programme, August 6, 2006.</ref> and is name of the parish in [[County Longford]] where Anne Reilly was born and raised. Because of his mother, Gibson holds dual [[Republic of Ireland|Irish]] and American citizenship.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20178694,00.html| title=Jonathan Rhys Meyers Crowned Best Actor in Ireland| author=Stephen M. Silverman | publisher=[[People Magazine]]| accessdate=2008-03-02}}</ref> Soon after being awarded $145,000 in a work-related-injury lawsuit against [[New York Central Railroad]] on February 14, 1968, Hutton Gibson relocated his family to Sydney, Australia.<ref>Mel Gibson: Living Dangerously, Wensley Clarkson, Thunder's Mouth Press, New York, 1993, page 30.</ref> Gibson was 12 years old at the time. The move to Hutton's mother's native Australia was for economic reasons, and because Hutton thought the Australian military would reject his oldest son for the [[Conscription in Australia#Vietnam War|Vietnam War draft]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.dallasobserver.com/2003-07-31/news/is-the-pope-catholic/| title=Is the Pope Catholic?| author=Wendy Grossman | publisher=Dallas Observer | accessdate=2007-09-20}}</ref> Gibson was educated by members of the [[Congregation of Christian Brothers]] at [[St. Leo's Catholic College]] in [[Wahroonga]], [[New South Wales]], during his high-school years. ==Career== Gibson gained very favorable notices from film critics when he first entered the cinematic scene as well as comparisons to several classic movie stars. In 1982, [[Vincent Canby]] wrote that “Mr. Gibson recalls the young [[Steve McQueen (actor)|Steve McQueen]]… I can't define "star quality," but whatever it is, Mr. Gibson has it.”<ref>{{cite news | title = New Faces Brighten a Mixed Batch of Movies | author = Vincent Canby | publisher = New York Times | date = 1982-08-29}}</ref> Gibson has also been likened to “a combination [[Clark Gable]] and [[Humphrey Bogart]].”<ref name="autogenerated2">{{cite news | title = Mel Gibson: Australia's new hunk | author = Vernon Scott | publisher = [[U.P.I.]] | date = 1983-02-24}}</ref> Gibson's physical appearance made him a natural for leading male roles in action projects such as the "Mad Max" series of films, [[Peter Weir]]'s ''[[Gallipoli (1981 film)|Gallipoli]]'', and the "Lethal Weapon" series of films. Later, Gibson expanded into a variety of acting projects including human dramas such as [[Hamlet]], and comedic roles such as those in [[Maverick (film)|''Maverick'']] and ''[[What Women Want]]''. His most artistic and financial success came with films where he expanded beyond acting into directing and producing, such as 1993's ''[[The Man Without a Face]]'', 1995's ''[[Braveheart]]'', 2000's ''[[The Patriot (2000 film)|The Patriot]]'' (acted only) , 2004's ''[[The Passion of the Christ]]'' and 2006's ''[[Apocalypto]]''. Gibson was considered for roles in ''[[Batman (1989 film)|Batman]]'', ''[[GoldenEye]]'', ''[[Amadeus (film)|Amadeus]]'', ''[[Gladiator (2000 film)|Gladiator]]'', ''[[The Golden Child]]'', ''[[X-Men (film)|X-Men]]'', ''[[Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves]]'', ''[[Runaway Bride (1999 film)|Runaway Bride]]'' and ''[[Primary Colors (film)|Primary Colors]]''.<ref>[http://www.notstarring.com/actors/gibson-mel Roles turned down by Mel Gibson]</ref> Actor [[Sean Connery]] once suggested Gibson should play the next [[James Bond]] to Connery's [[M (James Bond)|''M'']]. Gibson turned down the role, reportedly because he feared being [[Typecasting (acting)|typecast]].<ref>Clarkson, Wensley. ''Mel Gibson: Living Dangerously''. pages 170-171.</ref> ===Stage=== Gibson studied at the [[National Institute of Dramatic Art]] (NIDA) in Sydney. The students at NIDA were [[History of theater#Western Theatre History|classically]] trained in the British-theater tradition rather than in preparation for [[film|screen]] acting.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23746638-16947,00.html | title = Youth with stars in their eyes | author = Graeme Blundell | publisher = [[The Australian]] | date = 2008-05-24}}</ref> As students, Gibson and actress [[Judy Davis]] played the [[leading actor|leads]] in ''[[Romeo and Juliet]]'', and Gibson played the role of [[Titania (Fairy Queen)|Queen Titania]] in an [[experimental theater|experimental]] production of ''[[A Midsummer Night's Dream]].''<ref>"A Night on Mount Edna," December 15, 1990</ref> After graduation in 1977, Gibson immediately began work on the filming of ''[[Mad Max]]'', but continued to work as a [[Stage (theatre)|stage]] actor, and joined the [[State Theatre Company of South Australia]] in [[Adelaide]]. Gibson’s theatrical credits include the character [[Estragon]] (opposite [[Geoffrey Rush]]) in ''[[Waiting for Godot]]'', and the role of [[Biff Loman]] in a 1982 production of ''[[Death of a Salesman]]'' in Sydney. Gibson’s most recent theatrical performance, opposite [[Sissy Spacek]], was the 1993 production of ''[[Love Letters (play)|Love Letters]]'' by [[A. R. Gurney]], in [[Telluride, Colorado]].<ref>{{cite news | title = Welcome to Telluride - Now Go Away | author = Robert Weller | publisher = Associated Press | date = 1993-07-17}}</ref> ===Australian television and cinema=== While a student at [[National Institute of Dramatic Art|NIDA]], Gibson made his film debut in the 1977 film ''[[Summer City]]'', for which he was paid $250. Gibson also played a mentally-slow youth in ''[[Tim (film)|Tim]]'', which earned him the [[Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role]]. The release of ''[[Mad Max]]'' in 1979 brought Gibson to mainstream attention. During this period Gibson also appeared in Australian television series guest roles on programs ''[[The Sullivans]]'', ''[[Cop Shop]]'' (in 1980), and in the pilot episode of ''[[Punishment (TV series)|Punishment]]'' (produced in 1980, screened 1981). Gibson joined the cast of the [[World War II]] action film ''[[Attack Force Z]]'', which was not released until 1982 when Gibson had become a bigger star. Director [[Peter Weir]] cast Gibson as one of the leads in the critically-acclaimed [[World War I]] drama ''[[Gallipoli (1981 film)|Gallipoli]]'', which earned Gibson another Best Actor Award from the [[Australian Film Institute]]. The film ''[[Gallipoli (1981 film)|Gallipoli]]'' also helped to earn Gibson the reputation of a serious, versatile actor and gained him the Hollywood agent Ed Limato. The sequel ''[[Mad Max 2]]'' was his first hit in America (released as ''The Road Warrior''). In 1982 Gibson again attracted critical acclaim in [[Peter Weir]]’s romantic thriller ''[[The Year of Living Dangerously]]''. Following a year hiatus from film acting after the birth of his twin sons, Gibson took on the role of [[Fletcher Christian]] in ''[[The Bounty]]'' in 1984. Playing [[Max Rockatansky]] for the third time in ''[[Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome]]'' in 1985 earned Gibson his first million dollar salary.{{Fact|date=November 2008}} ===Hollywood=== ====Early Hollywood years==== Mel Gibson's first American film was [[Mark Rydell]]’s 1984 drama ''[[The River (1984 film)|The River]]'', in which he and [[Sissy Spacek]] played struggling [[Tennessee]] farmers. Gibson then starred in the gothic romance ''[[Mrs. Soffel]]'' for Australian director [[Gillian Armstrong]]. He and [[Matthew Modine]] played condemned convict brothers opposite [[Diane Keaton]] as the warden's wife who visits them to read the [[Bible]]. In 1985, after working on four films in a row, Gibson took almost two years off at his Australian cattle ranch. He returned to play the role of [[Martin Riggs]] in ''[[Lethal Weapon]]'', a film which helped to cement his status as a Hollywood star. Gibson's next film was [[Robert Towne]]’s ''[[Tequila Sunrise (film)|Tequila Sunrise]]'', followed by ''[[Lethal Weapon 2]]'' in 1989. After starring in three films back-to-back, ''[[Bird on a Wire (film)|Bird on a Wire]]'', ''[[Air America (film)|Air America]]'', and ''[[Hamlet (1990 film)|Hamlet]]'', Gibson took another hiatus from Hollywood.{{Fact|date=November 2008}} ====1990s==== During the 1990s, Gibson used his boxoffice power to alternate between commercial and personal projects. His films in the first half of the decade were ''[[Forever Young (film)|Forever Young]]'', ''[[Lethal Weapon 3]]'', ''[[Maverick (film)|Maverick]]'', and ''[[Braveheart]]''. He then starred in ''[[Ransom (1996 film)|Ransom]]'', ''[[Conspiracy Theory (film)|Conspiracy Theory]]'', ''[[Lethal Weapon 4]]'', and ''[[Payback (film)|Payback]]''. Gibson also served as the speaking and singing voice of [[John Smith of Jamestown|John Smith]] in [[The Walt Disney Company|Disney]]’s ''[[Pocahontas (1995 film)|Pocahontas]]''. ====After 2000==== In 2000, Gibson acted in three films that each grossed over $100 million: ''[[The Patriot (2000 film)|The Patriot]]'', ''[[Chicken Run]]'', and ''[[What Women Want]]''. In 2002, Gibson appeared in the [[Vietnam War]] drama ''[[We Were Soldiers]]'' and [[M. Night Shyamalan]]’s ''[[Signs (film)|Signs]]'', which became the highest-grossing film of Gibson’s acting career.{{Fact|date=October 2008}} While promoting ''[[Signs (film)|Signs]]'', Gibson said that he no longer wanted to be a movie star and would only act in film again if the script were truly extraordinary. Gibson is currently filming ''[[Edge of Darkness (2010 film)|Edge of Darkness]]'', which marks his first starring role since 2002.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117984773.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 |first=Michael |last=Fleming |title=Mel Gibson returns for 'Darkness' |work=Variety |date=2008-04-28 |accessdate=2009-03-29}}</ref> ===Producer=== After his success in Hollywood with the ''[[Lethal Weapon]]'' series, Gibson began to move into producing and directing. With partner [[Bruce Davey]], Gibson formed [[Icon Productions]] in 1989 in order to make ''[[Hamlet (1990 film)|Hamlet]]''. In addition to producing or co-producing many of Gibson's own star vehicles, Icon has turned out many other small films, ranging from ''[[Immortal Beloved (film)|Immortal Beloved]]'' to ''[[An Ideal Husband (film)|An Ideal Husband]]''. Gibson has taken supporting roles in some of these films, such as ''[[The Million Dollar Hotel]]'' and ''[[The Singing Detective (film)|The Singing Detective]]'' to improve their commercial prospects. Gibson has also produced a number of projects for television, including a biopic on [[The Three Stooges]] and the 2008 [[PBS]] documentary ''[[Carrier (documentary)|Carrier]]''. Icon has grown beyond just a production company to an international distribution company and a film exhibitor in Australia and New Zealand. {{Fact|date=November 2008}} ===Director=== Mel Gibson has credited his directors, particularly [[George Miller (producer)|George Miller]], [[Peter Weir]], and [[Richard Donner]], with teaching him the craft of filmmaking and influencing him as a director. According to [[Robert Downey, Jr.]], studio executives encouraged Gibson in 1989 to try directing, an idea he rebuffed at the time.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23622562-5003420,00.html | title = Robert Downey Jr. has irons in the fire | author = Erin McWhirter| publisher = [[The Courier Mail]] | date = 2008-05-01}}</ref> Gibson made his directorial debut in 1993 with ''[[The Man Without a Face]]'', followed two years later by ''[[Braveheart]]'', which earned Gibson the [[Academy Award for Best Director]]. Gibson had long planned to direct a remake of ''[[Fahrenheit 451 (1966 film)|Fahrenheit 451]]'', but in 1999 the project was indefinitely postponed because of scheduling conflicts.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117490809.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 | title = Gibson in talks for 'Patriot' | author = Dan Cox and Michael Fleming| publisher = [[Daily Variety]] | date = 1999-02-01}}</ref> Gibson was scheduled to direct [[Robert Downey, Jr.]] in a Los Angeles stage production of ''[[Hamlet]]'' in January 2001, but Downey's drug relapse ended the project.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/935383.stm| title = Gibson Downey Jr becomes Hamlet | publisher = BBC | date = 2000-09-21}}</ref> In 2002, while promoting ''[[We Were Soldiers]]'' and ''[[Signs (film)|Signs]]'' to the press, Gibson mentioned that he was planning to pare back on acting and return to directing.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/film-and-tv/features/mel-gibson-i-think-im-mellowing-in-my-old-age-642396.html | title = Mel Gibson: 'I think I'm mellowing in my old age' | author = Tiffany Rose | publisher = [[The Independent]] | date = 2002-09-08}}</ref> In September 2002, Gibson announced that he would direct a film called ''[[The Passion of the Christ|The Passion]]'' in [[Aramaic]] and [[Latin]] with no subtitles because he hoped to "transcend language barriers with filmic storytelling."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aintitcool.com/?q=node/13351 |title=Jesus Christ!! What - Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news |publisher=Aintitcool.com |date= |accessdate=2008-10-22}}</ref> After ''[[The Passion of the Christ]]'', Gibson directed a few episodes of ''[[Complete Savages]]'' for the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] network. In 2006, he directed the action-adventure film ''[[Apocalypto]]'', his second film to feature sparse dialogue not spoken in the [[English language]]. ==Honors== On July 25, 1997, Gibson was named an honorary [[Officer of the Order of Australia]] (AO), in recognition of his "service to the Australian film industry". The award was honorary because substantive awards are made only to Australian citizens.<ref>[http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=869892&search_type=simple&showInd=true Search Australian Honours - Simple Search]</ref><ref>[http://www.theorderofaustralia.asn.au/ Order of Australia Association]</ref> In 1985, Gibson was named "[[Sexiest Man Alive|The Sexiest Man Alive]]" by [[People (magazine)|''People'']], the first person to be named so.<ref>[http://www.people.com/people/quiz/answer/0,,1113192_1113194_,00.html Think You Know Sexy?]</ref> Gibson quietly declined the [[Ordre des Arts et des Lettres|Chevalier des Arts et Lettres]] from the French government in 1995 as a protest against France's resumption of nuclear testing in the Southwest Pacific.<ref>Galloway, Stephen. ''The Hollywood Reporter''. October 30, 1995. "It was a definite decision to make a protest against the nuclear tests", said Gibson, who is mad at French President Jacques Chirac for deciding to detonate some bombs in the Pacific.</ref> ''[[Time Magazine|Time]]'' magazine chose Mel Gibson and Michael Moore as [[Person of the Year|Men of the Year]] in 2004, but Gibson turned down the photo session and interview, and the cover went instead to [[George W. Bush]].<ref>[http://www.riskybusinessblog.com/2006/09/michael_moore_d.html Michael Moore Defends Cruise, Slags Gibson] September 16, 2006</ref> ==Landmark films== ===''Mad Max'' series=== {{main|Mad Max}} Gibson got his breakthrough role as the leather-clad post-apocalyptic survivor in [[George Miller (producer)|George Miller]]'s ''[[Mad Max]]''. The independently-financed blockbuster earned Gibson $15,000 and helped to make him an international star everywhere but in the United States, where the actors' Australian accents were dubbed with American accents. The original film spawned two sequels: ''[[Mad Max 2]]'' (known in North America as ''The Road Warrior''), and ''[[Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome|Mad Max 3]]'' (known in North America as ''Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome''). A fourth movie, ''[[Mad Max 4: Fury Road]]'', is in development, but both Gibson and [[George Miller (producer)|George Miller]] have indicated that the starring role would go to a younger actor.<ref>{{cite web |title = Exclusive Exclusive: Writer-Director George Miller Announces 'Mad Max' As First Game From Creative Alliance With God of War II Director Cory Barlog |author = N'Gai Croal |date = 2008-03-12 |url = http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/levelup/archive/2008/03/12/filmmaker-george-miller-announces-mad-max-game-collaboration-with-cory-barlog.aspx}}</ref> ===''Gallipoli''=== {{main|Gallipoli (1981)}} Gibson played the role of the cynical Frank Dunne alongside co-star [[Mark Lee (actor)|Mark Lee]] in the 1981 [[Peter Weir]] film. ''Gallipoli'' is about several young men from rural [[Western Australia]] who enlist in the [[Australian Army]] during the [[First World War]]. They are sent to [[Turkey]], where they take part in the [[Gallipoli Campaign]]. During the course of the movie, the young men slowly lose their innocence about the purpose of war. The climax of the movie occurs on the [[Australian and New Zealand Army Corps|Anzac]] battlefield at [[Gallipoli]] and depicts the brutal attack at [[Battle of the Nek|the Nek]]. The critically-acclaimed film helped to further launch Gibson's career. He won the award for [[Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role|Best Actor in a Leading Role]] from the [[Australian Film Institute]]. ===''The Year of Living Dangerously''=== {{main|The Year of Living Dangerously}} Gibson played a naïve but ambitious journalist opposite [[Sigourney Weaver]] and [[Linda Hunt]] in [[Peter Weir]]’s atmospheric 1982 film ''[[The Year of Living Dangerously]]'', based on the novel of the same name by [[Christopher Koch]]. The movie was both a critical and commercial success, and the upcoming Australian actor was heavily marketed by [[MGM]] studio. In his review of the film, Vincent Canby of the [[New York Times]] wrote, "If this film doesn't make an international star of Mr. Gibson, then nothing will. He possesses both the necessary talent and the screen presence."<ref>{{cite news | title = Year of Living Dangerously | author = Vincent Canby | publisher = New York Times | date = 1983-01-21}}</ref> Gibson was initially reluctant to accept the role of Guy Hamilton. "I didn't necessarily see my role as a great challenge. My character was, like the film suggests, a puppet. And I went with that. It wasn't some star thing, even though they advertised it that way."<ref name="autogenerated3">{{cite news | title = Mel’s Movies | author = Michael Fleming | publisher = Movieline |date=July 2000}}</ref> Gibson saw some similarities between himself and the character of Guy. "He's not a silver-tongued devil. He's kind of immature and he has some rough edges and I guess you could say the same for me."<ref name="autogenerated2" /> Gibson has cited this screen performance as his personal favorite. ===''The Bounty''=== {{main|The Bounty}} Gibson followed the footsteps of [[Errol Flynn]], [[Clark Gable]], and [[Marlon Brando]] by starring as [[Fletcher Christian]] in a cinematic retelling of the [[mutiny on the Bounty]]. The resulting 1984 film ''[[The Bounty]]'' is considered to be the most historically accurate version. However, Gibson thinks that the film's revisionism did not go far enough. He said that his character should have been portrayed as more of a bad guy and described the performance of [[Anthony Hopkins]] as [[William Bligh]] as the best aspect of ''[[The Bounty]]''.<ref name="autogenerated3" /> ===''Lethal Weapon'' series=== {{main|Lethal Weapon}} Gibson moved into more mainstream commercial filmmaking with the popular [[buddy cop]] ''Lethal Weapon'' series, which began with the 1987 original. In the films he played [[Los Angeles Police Department|LAPD]] Detective [[Martin Riggs]], a recently widowed [[Vietnam War|Vietnam]] veteran with a death wish and a penchant for violence and gunplay. In the films, he is partnered with a reserved family man named [[Roger Murtaugh]] ([[Danny Glover]]). Following the success of ''[[Lethal Weapon]]'', director [[Richard Donner]] and principal cast revisited the characters in three sequels, ''[[Lethal Weapon 2]]'' (1989), ''[[Lethal Weapon 3]]'' (1993), and ''[[Lethal Weapon 4]]'' (1998). This series would come to exemplify the subgenre of the [[Buddy cop film|buddy film]]. ===''Hamlet''=== {{main|Hamlet (1990 film)}} Gibson made the unusual transition from the action to classical genres, playing the melancholic Danish prince in [[Franco Zeffirelli]]'s [[Hamlet (1990 film)|''Hamlet'']]. Gibson was cast alongside such experienced [[Shakespearean]] actors as [[Ian Holm]], [[Alan Bates]], and [[Paul Scofield]]. He described working with his fellow cast members as similar to being "thrown into the ring with [[Mike Tyson]]". The film met with critical and marketing success and remains steady in DVD sales. It also marked the transformation of Mel Gibson from action hero to serious actor and filmmaker. ===''Braveheart''=== {{main|Braveheart}} Mel Gibson directed, produced, and starred in ''[[Braveheart]]'', an epic telling of the legend of Sir [[William Wallace]], a 13th century martyr of [[Scottish nationalism]]. Gibson received two [[Academy Awards]], [[Academy Award for Directing|Best Director]] and [[Academy Award for Best Picture|Best Picture]] for his second directorial effort. ''[[Braveheart]]'' influenced the Scottish nationalism movement and helped to revive the film genre of the historical epic. The [[Battle of Stirling Bridge|Battle of Stirling]] sequence in ''[[Braveheart]]'' is considered by critics to be one of the all-time best directed battle scenes.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/Movies/03/29/movie.battles/ The best -- and worst -- movie battle scenes] April 2, 2007</ref> ===''The Passion of the Christ''=== {{main|The Passion of the Christ}} Gibson directed, produced, co-wrote, and self-funded the 2004 film ''[[The Passion of the Christ]],'' which chronicled the [[Passion (Christianity)|passion]] and death of [[Jesus Christ]]. The cast spoke the languages of [[Aramaic language|Aramaic]], [[Latin]], and [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]]. Although Gibson originally announced his intention to release the film without subtitles; he relented on this point for theatrical exhibition. The highly controversial film sparked divergent reviews, ranging from high praise to criticism of the violence to charges of anti-Semitism. The movie grossed [[US Dollar|US$]]611,899,420 worldwide and $370,782,930 in the US alone, surpassed any motion picture starring Gibson. It became the eighth highest-grossing film in history and the highest-grossing [[rated R]] film of all time. The film was nominated for three [[Academy Awards]] and won the [[People's Choice Award]] for Best Drama. ===''Apocalypto''=== {{main|Apocalypto}} Gibson further established his reputation as a director with his 2006 action-adventure film ''[[Apocalypto]]''. Gibson's fourth directorial effort is set in [[Mesoamerica]] during the early sixteenth century against the turbulent [[end times]] of a [[Maya civilization]]. The sparse dialogue is spoken in the [[Yucatec Maya language|Yucatec]] [[Mayan languages|Maya]] language by a cast of [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native American]] descent. ==Future films== In March 2007, Gibson told a screening audience that he was preparing another script with [[Farhad Safinia]] about the writing of the ''[[Oxford English Dictionary]]'' (OED).<ref>Event Report: [http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Event-Report-Mel-Gibson-Goes-Mad-At-CSU-4744.html "Mel Gibson Goes Mad At CSU"] - CinemaBlend.com - March 23, 2007</ref> Gibson's company has long owned the rights to ''[[The Surgeon of Crowthorne|The Professor and the Madman]]'', which tells the story of the creation of the [[Oxford English Dictionary|OED]].<ref>{{cite news|last = Gussow|first = Mel|title = The Strange Case of the Madman With a Quotation for Every Word |publisher = New York Times|date= 1998-09-07|url = http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F06E7DF153EF934A3575AC0A96E958260&sec=&spon=&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink |accessdate = 2007-11-07}}</ref> Gibson has dismissed the rumors that he is considering directing a film about Spanish explorer [[Vasco Núñez de Balboa]].<ref>[http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Saturday/National/20070901081824/Article/index_html 10 minutes with Mel Gibson: "When going green comes naturally"] - ''[[The New Straits Times]]'' - September 1, 2007 - accessed September 9, 2007</ref><ref>[http://news.opodo.co.uk/articles/2007-03-07/18081178-Mel-Gibson.php "Mel Gibson to film in Panama?"] - Opodo Travel News - March 7, 2007</ref><ref>[http://defamer.com/hollywood/mel-gibson/mel-gibson-thinking-about-setting-next-splatter-film-in-panama-241983.php Mel Gibson Thinking About Setting Next Splatter Film In Panama] March 6, 2007</ref> Asked in September 2007 if he planned to return to acting and specifically to action roles, Gibson said: :''"I think I’m too old for that, but you never know. I just like telling stories. Entertainment is valid and I guess I’ll probably do it again before it's over. You know, do something that people won’t get mad with me for."''<ref>[http://www.star-ecentral.com/news/story.asp?file=/2007/9/10/movies/18807086&sec=movies Enter the eco warrior] ''[[The Star]]'' (Malaysia) - September 10, 2007 - accessed September 10, 2007</ref> Gibson is next acting in a film adaptation of the [[BBC]] miniseries, ''[[Edge of Darkness]]''. This will be his first starring role since ''[[Signs (film)|Signs]]'' back in 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.variety.com/VR1117984773.html |title=Mel Gibson returns for 'Darkness' - Entertainment News, Gotham, Media - Variety |publisher=Variety.com |author=By |date= |accessdate=2008-10-22}}</ref> ''[[Edge of Darkness (2010 film)|Edge of Darkness]]'' is currently in post-production and is slated for a January 29, 2010 release. In 2005, the film “Sam and George” was announced as the seventh collaboration between director [[Richard Donner]] and Gibson. In February 2009, Donner said that this [[Paramount]] project was “dead,” <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thedigitalbits.com/articles/interviews/richarddonner/donnerinterview.html|title= Inside Man: Richard Donner on Inside Moves |author= Adam Jahnke |date= February 27, 2009 }}</ref> but that he and Gibson were planning another film based on an original script by [[Brian Helgeland]] for production in fall 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aintitcool.com/node/40175|title= Richard Donner And Mr. Beaks Talk INSIDE MOVES! |publisher=Aint It Cool News |author= Mr. Beaks |date= February 19, 2009 }}</ref> ==Personal life== ===Family=== Gibson met Robyn Denise Moore in the late 1970s soon after filming ''[[Mad Max]]'' when they were both tenants at the same house in [[Adelaide]]. At the time, Robyn was a dental nurse and Mel was an unknown actor working for the South Australian Theatre Company. On June 7, 1980, were they married in a Catholic Church in [[Forestville, New South Wales]].<ref>[http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,22591118-2682,00.html The Advertiser: Star's family farewell father]</ref> Gibson has referred to his wife as "my [[Rock of Gibraltar]], only much prettier." He also has stated, "Life is about love and commitment and screw anyone who thinks that's a cliché." They have one daughter, six sons, and two grandchildren.<ref>{{cite news | first= Jane | last= Bokun | title= Kenny Wayne Shepherd highlights festival | date = April 26, 2009 | publisher=Schreveport Times | url= http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20090426/NEWS01/904260331/1060 |accessdate=April 26, 2009}}</ref> Their seven children are Hannah (born 1980), twins Edward and Christian (born 1982), William (born 1985), Louis (born 1988), Milo (born 1990), and Thomas (born 1999). After nearly three years of separation, Robyn Gibson filed for divorce on April 13, 2009, citing [[irreconcilable differences]]. In a joint statement, the Gibsons declared, "Throughout our marriage and separation we have always strived to maintain the privacy and integrity of our family and will continue to do so."<ref name="filed">[http://www.tmz.com/2009/04/13/mel-gibson-divorce/ "Mel Gibson's Wife Files for Divorce."] TMZ.com. April 13, 2009. Accessed April 13, 2009.</ref> Daughter Hannah Gibson married [[Blues]] musician [[Kenny Wayne Shepherd]] on September 16, 2006.<ref>[http://www.showbuzz.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/09/18/people_milestones/main2020113.shtml Hannah Gibson marrying Shepherd]</ref><ref>[http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,1535906,00.html Mel Gibson's Daughter Marries Guitarist]</ref> Mel Gibson's spokesman had previously denied the rumor that Hannah was planning to become a nun.<ref>{{cite news | url= https://www.nydailynews.com/archives/gossip/2002/09/18/2002-09-18_romantically__sellers_was_dr.html | title= Mel's catching hell| author= George Rush and Joanna Molloy | publisher=New York Daily News | date=September 18, 2004}}</ref> ===Investments=== Gibson has an avid interest in real estate investments, with multiple properties in [[Malibu, California]], several locations in [[Costa Rica]], a private island in [[Fiji]] and properties in Australia.<ref>[http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20050117/ai_n9497657 Mel Gibson denied bid to reclassify estate as farm] Jan 17, 2005</ref><ref>[http://extratv.warnerbros.com/v2/news/0806/04/1/text.html Mel Gibson: Hollywood Takes Sides] August 4, 2006</ref> In December 2004, Gibson sold his {{convert|300|acre|km2|sing=on}} Australian ranch in the [[Kiewa Valley]] for $6 million.<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/goulburnmurray/stories/s1200331.htm Mel Gibson selling up] September 16, 2004</ref> Also in December 2004, Gibson purchased [[Mago Island]] in Fiji from [[Tokyo Kyuko Electric Railway|Tokyu Corporation]] of Japan for $15 million. Descendants of the original native inhabitants of Mago (who were displaced in the 1860s) have protested the purchase. Gibson stated it was his intention to retain the pristine environment of the undeveloped island.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.smh.com.au/news/World/Displaced-Fijians-sue-islandbuying-Mel-Gibson/2005/03/02/1109700545809.html | title = Displaced Fijians may sue island-buying Mel Gibson | publisher = [[Sydney Morning Herald]] | date = 2005-05-03 | accessdate = 2007-09-14 }}</ref> In early 2005, he sold his {{convert|45000|acre|km2|sing=on}} [[Montana]] ranch to a neighbor for an undisclosed multimillion dollar sum.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4188/is_20050228/ai_n11834606| title = Gibson's neighbor buys his Beartooth Ranch | publisher = [[Deseret News]] | date = 2005-02-28 | accessdate = 2007-09-14 }}</ref> In April 2007 he purchased a {{convert|400|acre|km2|sing=on}} ranch in [[Costa Rica]] for $26 million, and in July 2007 he sold his {{convert|76|acre|m2|adj=on}} Tudor estate in [[Connecticut]] (which he purchased in 1994 for $9 million) for $40 million to an unnamed buyer.<ref>[http://www.bergproperties.com/blog/mel-gibson-reportedly-listing-his-greenwich-ct-estate-for-395m-status-of-his-malibu-properties-is-uncertain/1260/celebrities Mel Gibson reportedly listing his Greenwich, CT estate for $39.5M; status of his Malibu properties is uncertain] July 12, 2007</ref> Also that month, he sold a [[Malibu, California|Malibu]] property for $30 million that he had purchased for $24 million two years before.<ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20042556 Mel Gibson sells Malibu home for $30 million: Star bought the property two years ago for $24 million] July 30, 2007</ref> In 2008, he purchased the [[Malibu]] home of [[David Duchovny]] and [[Téa Leoni]] .<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/latinamerica/la-hm-hotprop20-2008sep20,0,4116201.story| title = Mel Gibson buys Malibu home of David Duchovny and Téa Leoni| publisher = [[Los Angeles Times]] | date = 2008-09-20 | accessdate = 2008-09-27 }}</ref> ===Religious and political views=== ====Faith==== Gibson is a [[Traditionalist Catholic]]. As part of his response to a question on whether [[Pope John Paul II]] saw ''[[The Passion of the Christ]]'', Gibson said, "I’d like to hear what he has to say. I’d like to hear what anyone has to say. This film isn’t made for the elite. Anyone could see this film, even the occupier of the [[chair of Peter]] can see this film."<ref>Goodridge, Mike. "The Passion of Mel Gibson." ''Screen International''. pg 12, February 20, 2004.</ref> Gibson also referred to him as "Pope John Paul II" in a 2004 ''[[Reader's Digest]]'' interview,<ref>Noonan, Peggy. "Face to Face with Mel Gibson." ''Reader's Digest''. February 2004.</ref> and acquaintance Father [[William Fulco]] has said that Gibson denies neither the [[Pope]] nor [[Vatican II]].<ref name="autogenerated1">[http://annenberg.usc.edu/Events/event200.aspx?p=1 “Whose Passion? Media, Faith & Controversy”] panel discussion video, time 1:05</ref> When asked about the Catholic doctrine of "''[[Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus]]''", Gibson replied, "There is no salvation for those outside the Church … I believe it. Put it this way. My wife is a saint. She's a much better person than I am. Honestly. She's, like, Episcopalian, Church of England. She prays, she believes in God, she knows Jesus, she believes in that stuff. And it's just not fair if she doesn't make it, she's better than I am. But that is a pronouncement from the [[Chair of Saint Peter|chair]]. I go with it."<ref name=pboyer>Boyer, Peter J. ''The New Yorker''. September 15, 2003</ref> When he was asked at [[Willow Creek Community Church|Willow Creek]] church whether John 14:6<ref>{{cite book |title=The Holy Bible, Gospel of John 14:6 |url=http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2014:6;&version=31}}</ref> is an intolerant position, he said that "through the [[Merit (Catholicism)|merits]] of Jesus' sacrifice… even people who don't know Jesus are able to be saved, but ''through'' him."<ref>[http://dir.salon.com/story/ent/feature/2004/01/27/passion/index1.html?pn=3 "Inside Mel Gibson's "Passion"."] ''Salon''. January 27, 2004.</ref> Gibson told [[Diane Sawyer]] that he believes non-Catholics and non-Christians can go to heaven.<ref name=2004prime>{{cite news|url= http://web.archive.org/web/20050716090130/http://sixtyminutes.ninemsn.com.au/sixtyminutes/stories/2004_02_22/story_1034.asp |title=Transcript of February 2004 Primetime |accessdate=2006-07-31}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url= http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/2/afa/202004b.asp |title=Gibson's Words Fuel Controversy Already Sparked By 'Passion'| author=Martin, Allie and Jenni Parker| publisher=Agape Press| date=2004-02-20}}</ref> In May 2007, Mel Gibson flew to [[Hermosillo]], Mexico, where he attended a [[Tridentine Mass]] during which grandchildren of his friends and two of his children received the [[Confirmation|sacrament of Confirmation]], administered by [[Archbishop]] [[emeritus]] [[Carlos Quintero Arce]].<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2007May23/0,4670,PeopleGibson,00.html "Gibson attends Roman Catholic Confirmation in Mexico."] Fox News. May 23, 2007.</ref><ref>[http://creerenmexico.org/index.php/?cat=22 "Mel Gibson y el Obispo emérito de Hermosillo."] Fox News. May 23, 2007.</ref> The same Archbishop Arce [[consecration|consecrated]] Gibson's private [[traditionalist Catholic|traditional Catholic]] [[Church of the Holy Family in Malibu|church]] in February, 2007.<ref>[http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/metro/184354.php "Mel Gibson visits Archbishop."] azstarnet.com.</ref> Gibson's [[Traditionalist Catholic]] beliefs have been the target of attacks, especially during the controversy over his film ''[[The Passion of the Christ]]''. Gibson has recently stated in an interview with [[Diane Sawyer]] that he feels that his "[[human rights]] were violated", by the often vitriolic attacks on his person, his family, and his religious beliefs which were sparked by ''The Passion''.{{Fact|date=April 2009}} ====Politics==== Gibson has been called everything from “ultraconservative”<ref name = "time.com-Apocalytpo">Padgett/Veracruz, Tim. [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1174684-2,00.html "Apocalypto Now."] ''Time''. March 19, 2006.</ref> to “politically very liberal” by acquaintance [[William Fulco]].<ref name="autogenerated1" /> Although he has denied that he is a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]],<ref>Weiner, Allison Hope. [http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1564173_2,00.html "The Year of Living Dangerously."] ''Entertainment Weekly''. December 8, 2006.</ref> Gibson is often referred to as one in the press, and [[WorldNetDaily]] once reported that there was grassroots support among Republicans for "a presidential run" in 2008.<ref>[http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=43659 "Mel Gibson Pushed for President."] ''World Net Daily''.</ref> Gibson complimented filmmaker [[Michael Moore]] and his documentary ''[[Fahrenheit 9/11]]'' when he and Moore were recognized at the 2005 [[People's Choice Awards]].<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,143924,00.html "Moore, Gibson: I Love His Work."] Fox News. January 10, 2005.</ref> Gibson's [[Icon Productions]] originally agreed to finance Moore's film, but later sold the rights to [[Miramax Films]]. Moore said that his agent [[Ari Emanuel]] claimed that "top Republicans" called Mel Gibson to tell him, "don’t expect to get more invitations to the [[White House]]".<ref>Keough, Peter. [http://www.bostonphoenix.com/boston/movies/documents/03931494.asp "Not so hot: Fahrenheit 9/11 is more smoke than fire."] ''Boston Phoenix''. June 25, 2004.</ref> Icon's spokesman dismissed this story, saying "We never run from a controversy. You'd have to be out of your mind to think that of the company that just put out ''[[The Passion of the Christ]]''."<ref>Stein, Ruthe. [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/05/06/MNGIH6GI6C1.DTL "'Fahrenheit 9/11' too hot for Disney."] ''San Francisco Chronicle''. May 6, 2004.</ref> In a July 1995 interview with ''[[Playboy]]'' magazine, Gibson said President [[Bill Clinton]] was a "low-level opportunist" and someone was "telling him what to do". He said that the [[Rhodes Scholarship]] was established for young men and women who want to strive for a "[[New World Order (conspiracy)|new world order]]" and this was a campaign for [[Marxism]].<ref name = pb>Grobel, Lawrence. "Interview: Mel Gibson". ''[[Playboy]]''. July 1995. Vol. 42, No. 7, Pg. 51. Retrieved May 17, 2006.</ref> Gibson later backed away from such [[conspiracy theory|conspiracy theories]] saying, "It was like: 'Hey, tell us a conspiracy'... so I laid out this thing, and suddenly, it was like I was talking the gospel truth, espousing all this political shit like I believed in it."<ref name = "NutTeKoha">Nui Te Koka. "Did I say that?" ''The Daily Telegraph''. January 30, 1999, pg 33.</ref> In the same 1995 ''Playboy'' interview, when Gibson was asked why he was against women being priests, he responded that "men and women are just different. They're not equal. The same way that you and I are not equal... You might be more intelligent, or you might have a bigger dick. Whatever it is, nobody's equal. And men and women are not equal. I have tremendous respect for women. I love them. I don't know why they want to step down. Women in my family are the center of things. And good things emanate from them. The guys usually mess up... Women are just different. Their sensibilities are different." When asked for an example, he responded "I had a female business partner once. Didn't work." When asked why, he said that "she was a cunt." Gibson also said "Feminists don't like me, and I don't like them. I don't get their point. I don't know why feminists have it out for me, but that's their problem, not mine."<ref name = pb/><ref>Grobel, Lawrence. [http://books.google.com/books?client=firefox-a&id=ygBlAAAAMAAJ&dq=%22I%27ll+get+kicked+around+for+saying+it%2C+but+men+and+women+are+just+different.+They%27re+not+equal.+The+same+way+that+you+and+I+are+not+equal.+%22&q=%22I%27ll+get+kicked+around+for+saying+it%2C+but+men+and+women+are+just+different.+They%27re+not+equal.%22&pgis=1#search_anchor Grobel, Lawrence. ''The art of the interview: lessons from a master of the craft''.] Three Rivers Press, 2004. Original from the University of Michigan, Digitized May 21, 2008. ISBN 1400050715. p. 151.</ref><ref name="deangelis">DeAngelis, Michael. [http://books.google.com/books?id=aZkshPsocwgC&pg=PA165 ''Gay Fandom and Crossover Stardom''.] [[Duke University Press]], 2001. ISBN 0822327384p. 166.</ref> In 2004, he publicly spoke out against taxpayer-funded [[Stem cell|embryonic stem-cell research]] that involves the [[cloning]] and destruction of human [[embryo]]s.<ref>[http://www.nationalreview.com/interrogatory/gibson200411010950.asp "Braveheart Stands Athwart a Brave New World."] ''National Review''. November 1, 2004.</ref> In March 2005, he issued a statement condemning the outcome of the [[Terri Schiavo case]], referring to Schiavo's death as "state-sanctioned murder" on [[Sean Hannity]]'s radio show.<ref>[http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=43576 "It's Modern Crucifixion."] ''World Net Daily''.</ref> Gibson joked about [[Weapons of mass destruction|WMDs]] in a February 2004 interview with [[Diane Sawyer]] and in March 2004 questioned the [[Iraq war]] on [[Sean Hannity]]'s radio show.<ref>[http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/03/18/1079199319258.html "Mel Gibson joins stars to question Iraq war."] ''Sydney Morning Herald''. March 18, 2004.</ref> In 2006, Gibson told the ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine that the "fearmongering" depicted in his film ''[[Apocalypto]]'' "reminds me a little of [[George W. Bush|President Bush]] and his guys."<ref name = "time.com-Apocalytpo"/> ===Allegations of homophobia=== {{main|Braveheart#Accusations of homophobia}} The [[Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation]] (GLAAD) accused Gibson of [[homophobia]] after a December 1991 interview in the [[Spain|Spanish]] newspaper ''[[El País]]''. Asked what he thought of [[gay]] people, he said, "They take it up the ass." Gibson then proceeded to point at his posterior and said: "This is only for taking a shit." When reminded that he had worked closely with gays at drama school, Gibson said, "They were good people, kind, I like them. But their thing is not my thing." When the interviewer asked if Gibson was afraid that people would think he is gay because he's an actor, Gibson replied, "Do I sound like a homosexual? Do I talk like them? Do I move like them? What happens is when you're an actor, they stick that label on you." <ref name="sfbay">Wockner, Rex. [http://www.sfbaytimes.com/index.php?sec=article&article_id=5399 "Mel Gibson, Circa 1992, "Refuses to Apologize to Gays"."] ''San Francisco Bay Times''. August 17, 2006</ref><ref name="deangelis"/> Gibson later defended his comments on ''[[Good Morning America]]'', saying, "[Those remarks were a response] to a direct question. If someone wants my opinion, I'll give it. What, am I supposed to lie to them?" <ref name="sfbay"/> In his 1995 ''Playboy'' interview, he responded to [[Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation|GLAAD]]'s protests over his comment with "I'll apologize when hell freezes over. They can fuck off".<ref name=pb/> Eventually, however, Gibson joined GLAAD in hosting 10 [[lesbian]] and gay filmmakers for an on-location [[seminar]] on the set of the movie ''[[Conspiracy Theory (film)|Conspiracy Theory]]'' in January 1997.<ref>[http://www.glaad.org/media/archive_detail.php?id=181 "Mel Gibson to Meet Up-and-Coming Lesbian and Gay Filmmakers."] glaad.org.</ref> In 1999 when asked about the comments to ''[[El País]]'', Gibson said, "I shouldn't have said it, but I was tickling a bit of vodka during that interview, and the quote came back to bite me on the ass."<ref name = "NutTeKoha"/> Gibson has been criticized for homophobia over his films ''[[Braveheart]]''<ref>Rotello, Gabriel. [http://www.qrd.org/qrd/media/print/gabriel.rotello/1995/gays.should.beware.men.in.kilts-06.01.95 "Gays Should Beware of Men in Kilts."] ''New York Newsday''. June 1, 1995.</ref> and ''[[The Passion of the Christ]]''.<ref>Clinton, Paul. [http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/Movies/02/25/review.passion/index.html "Review: A powerful, personal 'Passion'."] CNN. February 25, 2004.</ref> ===Allegations of anti-Semitism=== Gibson has been accused of [[anti-Semitism]] over two issues: {{main|The Passion of the Christ}} His 2004 film ''[[The Passion of the Christ]]'' sparked a fierce debate over [[The Passion of the Christ#Anti-Semitism|alleged anti-Semitic imagery and overtones]]. Gibson denied that the film was anti-Semitic, but critics remained divided. Some agreed that the film was consistent with the [[Gospels]] and traditional [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic]] teachings, while others argued that it reflected a selective reading of the [[Gospels]]<ref>''[http://www.bc.edu/research/cjl/meta-elements/texts/cjrelations/resources/education/dramatizing_the_death.htm Some criticism of The Passion]''</ref> or that it failed to comply with recommendations for dramatization of the [[Passion (Christianity)|Passion]] issued by the Committee for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs of the [[United States Conference of Catholic Bishops|USCCB]] in 1988.<ref>''[http://www.bc.edu/research/cjl/meta-elements/texts/cjrelations/resources/documents/catholic/Passion_Plays.htm USCCB stance on The Passion dramatizations]</ref> {{main|Mel Gibson DUI incident}} A leaked report revealed that during Gibson's July 28, 2006, arrest for [[driving under the influence]], he made anti-Semitic remarks to arresting officer James Mee, who is Jewish, saying, "Fucking Jews... Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world. Are you a Jew?"<ref name=tmz>''[http://www.tmz.com/2006/07/28/gibsons-anti-semitic-tirade-alleged-cover-up/ Gibson's Anti-Semitic Tirade - Alleged Cover Up]''; [[TMZ.com]]; July 28, 2006</ref> Gibson issued two apologies for the incident through his publicist, and in a later interview with [[Diane Sawyer]], he affirmed the accuracy of the quotations. ===Prankster=== Mel Gibson is known for his sense of humor on the set of his movies.<ref>''[http://anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=10022 Mel Gibson: Clowning Around.]'' Anecdotage.com Accessed August 3, 2006</ref> He has a reputation for practical jokes, puns, [[Three Stooges|Stooge]]-inspired physical comedy, and doing outrageous things to shock people. Gibson is fond of drawing caricatures and hiring high school marching bands to pay tribute to his co-workers. As a director he sometimes breaks the tension on set by having his actors perform serious scenes wearing a red clown nose.<ref>[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1101030127-409570,00.html The Passion of Mel Gibson] Jan. 19, 2003, Time.com Accessed September 9, 2007</ref> [[Helena Bonham Carter]], who appeared alongside him in ''[[Hamlet (1990 film)|Hamlet]]'', said of him, "He has a very basic sense of humor. It's a bit lavatorial and not very sophisticated."<ref>Wensley Clarkson's "Mel Gibson: Living Dangerously", page 287</ref> On the set of ''[[Maverick (film)|Maverick]]'' Gibson played a joke on co-star [[Jodie Foster|Jodie Foster's]] birthday by secretly rewriting the script to give her character all corny dialogue. Foster returned the favor by hiring a [[Bagpipes|bagpiper]] in full Scottish regalia to follow Mel around at the [[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] Oscar party after he won for ''[[Braveheart]]''. On the set of ''[[Ransom (1996 film)|Ransom]]'', Gibson presented [[Ron Howard]] and [[Brian Grazer]] with a mock ''[[Braveheart]]'' [[For Your Consideration]] ad when both ''[[Braveheart]]'' and ''[[Apollo 13 (film)|Apollo 13]]'' were nominated for [[Academy Award for Best Picture|Best Picture]]. The ad was for “Best Moon Shot,” and featured a picture of ''[[Braveheart|Braveheart's]]'' Scottish army [[mooning]] the English.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mel-at-carinya.com/archives/interviews/ToMelandBack/2.html |title=To Mel & Back2 |publisher=Mel-at-carinya.com |date= |accessdate=2008-10-22}}</ref> While filming ''[[Conspiracy Theory (film)|Conspiracy Theory]]'', he and co-star [[Julia Roberts]] played a series of pranks on each other, beginning with Gibson welcoming Roberts to the set with a gift-wrapped freeze-dried rat.<ref>Mel's Other 'Passion': Practical Jokes Accessed September 2, 2007, etonline.com</ref> In addition to inserting several homages to the [[Three Stooges]] in his ''[[Lethal Weapon]]'' movies, Gibson produced a television movie on the comedy group in 2000. As a gag, Gibson inserted a single [[subliminal]] frame of himself smoking a cigarette into the 2005 teaser trailer of ''[[Apocalypto]]''.<ref>[http://www.apple.com/trailers/touchstone/apocalypto/ Teaser Trailer. Frame 2546. Timecode 01:01:47:03. Time 00:01:46]</ref> ===Alcohol abuse=== Mel Gibson has said that he started drinking at the age of thirteen.<ref>[http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,21062683-5005961,00.html "Rant aftermath a gift, says Gibson."] ''Herald Sun''. January 15, 2007.</ref> In a 2002 interview about his time at [[National Institute of Dramatic Art|NIDA]], Gibson said, "I had really good highs but some very low lows. I found out recently I'm [[bipolar disorder|manic depressive]]."<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/stay-in-touch/mel-gibson-talks-about-bipolar-struggle/2008/05/14/1210444527205.html| title=Mel opens up, but ever so fleetingly | author=Murray, Elicia and Garry Maddox| publisher=The Sydney Morning Herald | date=2008-05-15| accessdate=2008-05-15}}</ref> Gibson has not made any other public mention of having [[bipolar disorder]]. Gibson was arrested in Toronto in 1984 for driving with a blood alcohol level between 0.12%-0.13% after he rear-ended a car. Gibson pled guilty and was fined $300 and banned from driving in [[Ontario]] for 3 months.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mel Gibson talks about Braveheart, movie stardom, and media treachery |url=http://www.dallasobserver.com/Issues/1995-05-25/film/film_3.html |author=Seitz, Matt Zoller |work=Dallas Observer |date=1995-05-25 |accessdate=2006-07-29}}</ref> This led to a retreat to his Australian farm for over a year to recover, but he continued to struggle with drinking. Despite this problem, Gibson gained a reputation in [[Hollywood]] for professionalism and punctuality, so that ''[[Lethal Weapon 2]]'' director [[Richard Donner]] was shocked when Gibson confided that he was drinking five pints of beer for breakfast.<ref name=2004prime /> Reflecting in 2003 and 2004, Gibson said that despair in his mid-thirties led him to contemplate suicide, and he meditated on Christ's [[Passion (Christianity)|Passion]] to heal his wounds.<ref name=pboyer /><ref name=2004prime /><ref>{{cite news |url=http://archives.starbulletin.com/2004/02/22/news/index2.html |title=Mel Gibson's Passion |author=Ryan, Tim |work=Honolulu Star-Bulletin |date=2004-02-22}}</ref> He took more time off acting in 1991 and sought professional help. That year, Gibson's attorneys were unsuccessful at blocking the ''[[Daily Mirror#Sunday Mirror|Sunday Mirror]]'' from publishing what Gibson shared at [[Alcoholics Anonymous|AA]] meetings.<ref>''The Advertiser''. September 22, 1991</ref>{{Clarify me|date=February 2009}} In 1992, Gibson provided financial support to Hollywood's Recovery Center, saying, "[[Alcoholism]] is something that runs in my family. It's something that's close to me. People do come back from it, and it's a miracle."<ref>Higgins, Bill. ''Los Angeles Times''. December 14, 1992.</ref> {{main|Mel Gibson DUI incident}} On July 28, 2006, Gibson was arrested for [[Driving under the influence|DUI]] while speeding in his vehicle with an open container of alcohol. He admitted to making anti-Semitic remarks during his arrest and apologized for his "despicable" behavior, saying the comments were "blurted out in a moment of insanity" and asked to meet with Jewish leaders to help him "discern the appropriate path for healing."{{Fact|date=October 2008}} When pressed for what his thoughts were at the time in a later interview with Diane Sawyer, he cited the vitriolic attacks on his film ''[[The Passion of the Christ]]'' and Israel-Lebanon [[2006 Lebanon War|conflict]]. After Gibson's arrest, his publicist said he had entered a recovery program to battle alcoholism. On August 17, 2006, Gibson pleaded [[nolo contendere|no contest]] to a misdemeanor drunken-driving charge and was sentenced to three years on probation.{{Fact|date=October 2008}} He was ordered to attend self-help meetings five times a week for four and a half months and three times a week for the remainder of the first year of his probation. He was also ordered to attend a First Offenders Program, was fined $1,300, and his license was restricted for 90 days. He also volunteered to record a public service announcement. In a October 12, 2006 interview with [[Diane Sawyer]], Gibson spoke on his struggle to remain sober. <blockquote>"The risk of everything - life, limb, family - is not enough to keep you from it… You cannot do it of yourself. And people can help, yeah. But it's God. You've got to go there. You've got to do it. Or you won't survive…This whole experience in a way, for me, I'm sort of viewing it now as a kind of a blessing because, firstly, I got stopped before I did any real damage to anyone else. Thank God for that. I didn't hurt myself, you know. I didn't leave my kids fatherless… The other thing is sometimes you need a cold bucket of water in the face to sort of snap to because you're dealing with a sort of a malady of the soul, an obsession of the mind and a physical allergy. And some people need a big tap on the shoulder. In my case, public humiliation on a global scale seems to be what was required."<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.abcnews.go.com/GMA/Entertainment/Story?id=2561919&page=1 |title=Gibson: 'Public Humiliation on a Global Scale' Made Him Address Alcoholism |publisher=ABC News |accessdate=2007-09-04}}</ref></blockquote> At a May 2007 progress hearing, Gibson was praised for his compliance with the terms of his probation, his extensive participation in a self-help program, beyond what was required.<ref>[http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2007/5/11/153226.shtml "Mel Gibson Praised for Progress in Alcohol Rehab."] ''Newsmax''. May 12, 2007.</ref> ===Philanthropy=== Although the Gibsons have avoided publicity about their [[philanthropy]], they are believed to contribute a substantial amount of money to various charities, one of which is [[Healing the Children]]. According to [[Cris Embleton]], one of the founders, the Gibsons have given millions to provide lifesaving medical treatment to needy children worldwide.<ref>[http://www.newsroom.ucla.edu/page.asp?RelNum=5562&menu=fullsearchresults "Actor and Director Mel Gibson Donates $10 Million."] ''UCLA.edu Newsroom''.</ref><ref>[http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/10/13/1097607264626.html?from=storyrhs "Mel's $14m donation."] ''Sydney Morning Herald''. October 13, 2004.</ref> The Gibsons have also supported the arts, funding the restoration of [[Renaissance]] artwork<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2003/07/16/wdavid16.xml| title = Mel Gibson and Sting to fund David restoration |publisher = The Daily Telegraph | date =2003-07-16 |accessdate = 2007-09-23}}</ref> and giving millions of dollars to [[National Institute of Dramatic Art|NIDA]].<ref>{{cite news |url= http://quadrant.org.au/php/article_view.php?article_id=783 |title=Meln An Interview with John Clark |publisher=Quadrant Magazine |date=May 2004 |accessdate= 2007-09-23 }}</ref> While filming ''[[Apocalypto]]'' in the jungles of Mexico's [[Veracruz]] state, Mel Gibson donated one million dollars to the [[Rotary Club]]<ref> [http://www.rotary.org/newsroom/programs/060411_gibson.html "Mel Gibson gives Rotary $1 million for Mexico disaster recovery."] Rotary.org.</ref> to build houses for poor people in the region after some severe flooding wiped out many homes, stating: <blockquote>''"[T]hey had a lot of floods down there. It was like Louisiana down there in the southern regions. They had severe flooding and something like a million people were displaced and washed out. I've always been of the opinion that if you go into someone else's country to make a film you don't just go in there and stomp all over the place. You bring a gift. It's like going to somebody's house. You bring them a bottle of wine or a bunch of flowers or a box of chocolates and it's the same sort of thing on a big scale when you're going in to somebody's country and they are going to help you make your film. You help them first somehow or you give them a gift or you help in what way you can. So we sort of assisted with the flood relief stuff down there."''<ref>[http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=17262 "Mel Gibson Reveals His Apocalypto."] comingsoon.net. October 30, 2006.</ref></blockquote> Gibson has been involved in discreetly assisting members of the entertainment community with substance abuse problems. He worked behind the scenes to get [[Robert Downey, Jr.]] help while at [[California State Prison, Corcoran|Corcoran State Prison.]]<ref>{{cite news |first-Deborah |last=Netburn |title=Showbiz 7s: The delicate art of the celebrity interview |publisher=Los Angeles Times |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/celebrity/la-et-showbiz7s-2oct02,1,2424049.story |date=2007-10-02 |accessdate=2007-10-03}}</ref> [[Hole (band)|Hole]] rocker [[Courtney Love]] praised Mel Gibson for saving her from a drug relapse after the Hollywood actor helped force her into rehab. Gibson sought to help the musician at a hotel in Los Angeles when he heard she was using drugs again. Love later recalled, <blockquote>"I kept slamming the door in (Gibson's) face. There were two drug people with me who wouldn't leave, so they couldn't get me to rehab. But because of Mel, two drug people ran off to have a cheeseburger with him because he's Mel, and then Warren [Boyd] (her drug minder) could get me into rehab."<ref>[http://contactmusic.com/news.nsf/article/gibson%20saves%20love%20from%20drugs_1011728 "Gibson Saves Love From Drugs."] February 1, 2007.</ref></blockquote> Gibson donated $500,000 to the [[Mirador Basin|El Mirador Basin]] Project to protect the last tract of virgin rain forest in Central America and to fund archeological excavations in the "cradle of Mayan civilization."<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.star-ecentral.com/news/story.asp?file=/2007/9/10/movies/18807086&sec=movies|title=Enter the eco warrior |publisher = [[The Star (Malaysia)]] | date=2007-09-10 |accessdate=2007-09-13}}</ref> In July 2007, Gibson again visited [[Central America]] to make arrangements for donations to the indigenous population. Gibson met with [[Costa Rica]]n President [[Oscar Arias]] to discuss how to "channel the funds."<ref>[http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=3361230&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312 "Mel Gibson Meets With Costa Rican Leader."] ''ABC News''. July 10, 2007.</ref> During the same month, Gibson pledged to give financial assistance to a Malaysian company named Green Rubber Global for a tire recycling factory located in [[Gallup, New Mexico]].<ref>[http://www.ecorazzi.com/?p=3296 "Mel Gibson Backs Green Rubber."] EcoRazzi.com. July 12, 2007.</ref> While on a business trip to Singapore in September 2007, Gibson donated to a local charity for children with chronic and terminal illnesses.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mel Gibson makes S$25,000 donation to charity organisation | url = http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/299690/1/.html |publisher=[[Channel NewsAsia]] |date=2007-09-14 |accessdate=2007-09-14}}</ref> In September 2008, the Gibsons donated $50,000 to the Kidney Foundation of Fiji. The check was delivered by son Milo, who stated he loved Fiji and his family was grateful to be able to help the organization.<ref>{{cite web |first=Monika |last=Singh |url=http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=100852 |title=Actor Gibson's family helps local patients |publisher=Fijitimes.com |date=2008-09-16 |accessdate=2008-10-22}}</ref> ==Filmography and awards== {| border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 90%;" |- bgcolor="#CCCCCC" align="center" ! colspan="4" style="background: LightSteelBlue;" | Actor |- bgcolor="#CCCCCC" align="center ! Year ! Film ! Role ! Notes |- |rowspan=2|1977 | ''[[Summer City]]'' | Scallop | |- | ''[[I Never Promised You a Rose Garden (film)|I Never Promised You a Rose Garden]]'' | Baseball Player | Uncredited |- |rowspan=2|1979 | ''[[Mad Max]]'' | Mad [[Max Rockatansky]] | |- | ''[[Tim (film)|Tim]]'' | Tim |[[Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role]] |- |1980 | ''The Chain Reaction'' | Bearded mechanic | Uncredited |- |rowspan=2|1981 | ''[[Mad Max 2]]'' | [[Max Rockatansky]] |aka ''The Road Warrior''<br> Nominated — [[Saturn Award for Best Actor]] |- | ''[[Gallipoli (1981 film)|Gallipoli]]'' | Frank Dunne |[[Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role]] |- |rowspan=2|1982 | ''[[The Year of Living Dangerously]]'' | Guy Hamilton | Nominated — [[Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role]] |- | ''[[Attack Force Z]]'' | Captain P.G. (Paul) Kelly | |- |rowspan=3|1984 | ''[[Mrs. Soffel]]'' | Ed Biddle | |- | ''[[The River (1984 film)|The River]]'' | Tom Garvey | |- | ''[[The Bounty]]'' | [[Fletcher Christian]] | |- |1985 | ''[[Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome]]'' | Mad Max | Max Rockatansky |- |1987 | ''[[Lethal Weapon]]'' | Sergeant [[Martin Riggs]] | |- |1988 | ''[[Tequila Sunrise (film)|Tequila Sunrise]]'' | Dale "Mac" McKussic | |- |1989 | ''[[Lethal Weapon 2]]'' | Sergeant Martin Riggs | |- |rowspan=3|1990 | ''[[Hamlet (1990 film)|Hamlet]]'' | [[Prince Hamlet]] | |- | ''[[Air America (film)|Air America]]'' | Gene Ryack | |- | ''[[Bird on a Wire (film)|Bird on a Wire]]'' | Rick Jarmin | |- |rowspan=2|1992 | ''[[Forever Young (film)|Forever Young]]'' | Capt. Daniel McCormick | |- | ''[[Lethal Weapon 3]]'' | Sergeant Martin Riggs |[[MTV Movie Awards]] — Best Action Sequence<br>MTV Movie Awards — Best On-Screen Duo<small>with [[Danny Glover]]</small><br>Nominated — MTV Movie Awards — Best Kiss<small>with [[Rene Russo]]</small><br>Nominated — MTV Movie Awards — Most Desirable Male |- |rowspan=2|1993 | ''[[The Man Without a Face]]'' | Justin McLeod | |- | ''The Chili Con Carne Club'' | Mel | |- |1994 | ''[[Maverick (film)|Maverick]]'' | Bret Maverick | |- |rowspan=2|1995 | ''[[Pocahontas (1995 film)|Pocahontas]]'' | [[John Smith (Disney)|John Smith]] | Voice |- | ''[[Braveheart]]'' | [[William Wallace]] | Nominated — [[MTV Movie Awards]] — Best Male Performance<br>Nominated — [[MTV Movie Awards]] — Most Desirable Male |- |1996 | ''[[Ransom (1996 film)|Ransom]]'' | Tom Mullen | Blockbuster Entertainment Awards: Favorite Actor - Suspense<br>Nominated — [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Drama|Golden Globe Award for Best Actor]] |- |rowspan=3|1997 | ''[[FairyTale: A True Story]]'' | Frances' Father | Uncredited |- | ''[[Conspiracy Theory (film)|Conspiracy Theory]]'' | Jerry Fletcher | Blockbuster Entertainment Awards — Favorite Actor - Suspense |- | ''[[Fathers' Day (film)|Fathers' Day]]'' | Scott the Body Piercer | Uncredited |- |1998 | ''[[Lethal Weapon 4]]'' | Sergeant Martin Riggs | Nominated — [[MTV Movie Awards]] — Best Action Sequence<small>with [[Danny Glover]]</small> |- |1999 | ''[[Payback (film)|Payback]]'' | Porter | |- |rowspan=4|2000 | ''[[What Women Want]]'' | Nick Marshall | Nominated — [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy|Golden Globe Award for Best Actor]] |- | ''[[The Patriot (2000 film)|The Patriot]]'' | Benjamin Martin | Blockbuster Entertainment Awards: Favorite Actor — Drama<br>People's Choice Awards — Favorite Motion Picture Star in a Drama<br>Nominated — [[MTV Movie Awards]] — Best Male Performance |- | ''[[Chicken Run]]'' | Rocky | Voice |- | ''[[The Million Dollar Hotel]]'' | Detective Skinner | |- |rowspan=2|2002 | ''[[We Were Soldiers]]'' | Lt. Col. [[Hal Moore]] | |- | ''[[Signs (film)|Signs]]'' | Rev. Graham Hess | |- |2003 | ''[[The Singing Detective (film)|The Singing Detective]]'' | Dr. Gibbon | |- |2004 | ''[[Paparazzi (film)|Paparazzi]]'' | Anger Management Therapy Patient | Uncredited |- |2006 | ''[[Who Killed The Electric Car?]]'' | Himself | |- |2010 | ''[[Edge of Darkness (2010 film)|Edge of Darkness]]'' | Thomas Craven | |} {| border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 90%;" |- bgcolor="#CCCCCC" align="center" ! colspan="4" style="background: LightSteelBlue;" | Director |- bgcolor="#CCCCCC" align="center ! Year ! Film ! Notes |- |1993 | ''[[The Man Without a Face]]'' | |- |1995 | ''[[Braveheart]]'' |[[Academy Award for Best Director]]<br>[[Golden Globe Award for Best Director — Motion Picture|Golden Globe Award for Best Director]]<br>[[Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Director|BFCA Award for Best Director]]<br>ShoWest Award: Director of the Year<br>[[National Board of Review of Motion Pictures|National Board of Review Special Achievement in Filmmaking]]<br>Nominated — [[BAFTA Award for Best Direction]]<br>Nominated — [[Directors Guild of America Award]] |- |2004 | ''[[The Passion of the Christ]]'' | [[Satellite Award for Best Director]] |- |2006 | ''[[Apocalypto]]'' | |- bgcolor="#CCCCCC" align="center" ! colspan="4" style="background: LightSteelBlue;" | Producer |- bgcolor="#CCCCCC" align="center" ! Year !! Film !! Notes |- |1992 | ''[[Forever Young (film)|Forever Young]]'' | Executive producer - uncredited |- |1995 | ''[[Braveheart]]'' | [[Academy Award for Best Picture]]<br>Nominated — [[BAFTA Award for Best Film]] not in the English Language |- |2000 |''[[The Three Stooges]]'' |Television<br>Executive producer |- |rowspan=2|2003 |''[[Family Curse]]'' |Television<br>Executive producer |- | ''[[The Singing Detective (film)|The Singing Detective]]'' | |- |rowspan=2|2004 | ''[[The Passion of the Christ]]'' | People's Choice Awards — Favorite Motion Picture Drama |- | ''[[Paparazzi (film)|Paparazzi]]'' | |- |2004 |''[[Invincible (film)|Invincible]]'' |Television<br>Executive producer |- |2005 | ''[[Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man]]'' |Television<br>Executive producer |- |2006 | ''[[Apocalypto]]'' | Nominated — [[Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film]]<br>Nominated — [[BAFTA Award for Best Film|BAFTA Award for Best Film not in the English Language ]]<br>Nominated — [[Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Foreign Language Film|BFCA Award for Best Foreign Language Film]] |- |2008 | ''Another Day in Paradise'' | Television |- bgcolor="#CCCCCC" align="center" ! colspan="4" style="background: LightSteelBlue;" | Screenwriter |- bgcolor="#CCCCCC" align="center" ! Year ! Film ! Notes |- |2004 | ''[[The Passion of the Christ]]'' | Screenplay |- |2006 | ''[[Apocalypto]]'' | |} ===Other awards and accomplishments=== *[[People's Choice Awards]]: Favorite Motion Picture Actor (1990, 1996, 2000, 2002, 2003) *ShoWest Award: Male Star of the Year (1993) *American Cinematheque Gala Tribute: American Cinematheque Award (1995) *[[Hasty Pudding Theatricals]]: Man of the Year (1997) *Australian Film Institute: Global Achievement Award (2002) *Honorary Doctorate Recipient and Undergraduate Commencement Speaker, [[Loyola Marymount University]] (2003) *World's most powerful celebrity by US business magazine ''[[Forbes]]'' (2004) *[[Hollywood Reporter]] Innovator of the Year (2004) *Honorary fellowship in Performing Arts by [[Limkokwing University Of Creative Technology|Limkokwing University]] (2007) *Outstanding Contribution to World Cinema Award at the [[Irish Film and Television Awards]] (2008)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/arts/2008/0208/gibsonm.html |title=RTÉ.ie Entertainment: Mel Gibson to be honoured at IFTA ceremony |publisher=Rte.ie |date= |accessdate=2008-10-22}}</ref> ==References== {{reflist|2}} ==Published sources== *{{cite book | title=The Films Of Mel Gibson | last=McCarty | first=John | publisher=Citadel | year=2001 | month=September | isbn=0806522267}} *{{cite book | title=Mel Gibson, Man on a Mission | last=Clarkson | first=Wensley | publisher=John Blake | year=2004 | month=September | isbn=1-85782-537-3}} ==External links== {{wikiquote}} {{commons|Mel Gibson}} *{{imdb|0000154}} *{{dmoz|Arts/People/G/Gibson,_Mel/}} *[http://www.notstarring.com/actors/gibson-mel Roles turned down by Mel Gibson] *[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1174684,00.html/ Time Magazine: Apocalypto Now] {{start box}} {{s-ach}} {{succession box | title=[[Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role]] | years=1979<br/>'''for ''[[Tim (film)|Tim]]'' ''' | before=[[Bill Hunter (actor)|Bill Hunter]]<br/>for ''[[Newsfront]]'' | after=[[Jack Thompson (actor)|Jack Thompson]]<br/>for ''[[Breaker Morant (film)|Breaker Morant]]'' }} {{succession box | title=Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role | years=1981<br/>'''for ''[[Gallipoli (1981 film)|Gallipoli]]'' ''' | before=[[Jack Thompson (actor)|Jack Thompson]]<br/>for ''[[Breaker Morant (film)|Breaker Morant]]'' | after=[[Ray Barrett]]<br/>for ''Goodbye Paradise'' }} {{succession box | title=[[Academy Award for Best Director]] | years=1995<br/>'''for ''[[Braveheart]]'' ''' | before=[[Robert Zemeckis]]<br/>for ''[[Forrest Gump (film)|Forrest Gump]]'' | after=[[Anthony Minghella]]<br/>for ''[[The English Patient (film)|The English Patient]]'' }} {{succession box | title=[[Golden Globe Award for Best Director - Motion Picture]] | years=1996<br/>'''for ''[[Braveheart]]'' ''' | before=[[Robert Zemeckis]]<br/>for ''[[Forrest Gump (film)|Forrest Gump]]'' | after=[[Milos Forman]]<br/>for ''[[The People Vs. Larry Flynt]]'' }} {{succession box | title=[[People (magazine)|People]]'s Sexiest Man Alive | years=1985<br/><small>Inaugural Year | before= N/A | after=[[Mark Harmon]]}} {{end}} {{Mel Gibson Films}} {{AcademyAwardBestDirector 1981-2000}} {{Lethal Weapon films}} {{Persondata |NAME=Gibson, Mel |ALTERNATIVE NAMES=Mel Columcille Gerard Gibson |SHORT DESCRIPTION=American film actor, director, producer |DATE OF BIRTH=January 3, 1956 |PLACE OF BIRTH=Peekskill, New York, U.S. |DATE OF DEATH= |PLACE OF DEATH= }} {{Lifetime|1956|LIVING|Gibson, Mel}} [[Category:American film actors]] [[Category:American stage actors]] [[Category:American voice actors]] [[Category:American television actors]] [[Category:American film directors]] [[Category:American philanthropists]] [[Category:American Roman Catholics]] [[Category:Best Director Academy Award winners]] [[Category:Best Director Golden Globe winners]] [[Category:Former students of the National Institute of Dramatic Art]] [[Category:Irish-Americans]] [[Category:Officers of the Order of Australia]] [[Category:People from Westchester County, New York]] [[Category:American Traditionalist Catholics]] [[Category:Shakespearean actors]] [[Category:People convicted of alcohol-related driving offenses]] [[Category:People self-identifying as alcoholics]] [[Category:Producers who won the Best Picture Academy Award]] [[Category:People with bipolar disorder]] [[ar:ميل غيبسون]] [[bn:মেল গিবসন]] [[bs:Mel Gibson]] [[bg:Мел Гибсън]] [[ca:Mel Gibson]] [[cv:Мел Кипсăн]] [[cs:Mel Gibson]] [[cy:Mel Gibson]] [[da:Mel Gibson]] [[de:Mel Gibson]] [[et:Mel Gibson]] [[es:Mel Gibson]] [[eo:Mel Gibson]] [[eu:Mel Gibson]] [[fa:مل گیبسون]] [[fr:Mel Gibson]] [[ga:Mel Gibson]] [[gv:Mel Gibson]] [[ko:멜 깁슨]] [[hr:Mel Gibson]] [[io:Mel Gibson]] [[id:Mel Gibson]] [[it:Mel Gibson]] [[he:מל גיבסון]] [[sw:Mel Gibson]] [[la:Mel Gibson]] [[lv:Mels Gibsons]] [[lt:Melas Gibsonas]] [[hu:Mel Gibson]] [[mr:मेल गिब्सन]] [[nl:Mel Gibson]] [[ja:メル・ギブソン]] [[no:Mel Gibson]] [[oc:Mel Gibson]] [[pl:Mel Gibson]] [[pt:Mel Gibson]] [[ro:Mel Gibson]] [[ru:Гибсон, Мел]] [[sq:Mel Gibson]] [[simple:Mel Gibson]] [[sk:Mel Gibson]] [[sr:Мел Гибсон]] [[sh:Mel Gibson]] [[fi:Mel Gibson]] [[sv:Mel Gibson]] [[ta:மெல் கிப்சன்]] [[th:เมล กิบสัน]] [[tg:Мел Гибсон]] [[tr:Mel Gibson]] [[uk:Мел Гібсон]] [[ur:میل گبسن]] [[vec:Mel Gibson]] [[zh:梅尔·吉布森]]'