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Mel Columcille Gerard Gibson (born January 3, 1956) is an American-born, Australian actor, director, and producer. After establishing himself as a household name with the Mad Max and Lethal Weapon series, Gibson went on to direct and star in 1995's Academy Award-winning Braveheart. In 2004, he directed and produced the controversial blockbuster, The Passion of the Christ. The first person ever awarded People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive", Gibson's direction of Braveheart made him only the sixth actor-turned-filmmaker to garner an Oscar for Best Director.

Early life

Gibson was born in Peekskill, New York, the sixth of ten children born to Hutton Gibson (whose parents were U.S. businessman, John Hutton Gibson, and Irish-Australian opera singer Eva Mylott) and Anne Reilly Gibson (who was born in the parish of Columcille, County Longford, Ireland). The family also adopted a child, bringing the total number of children in the family to eleven. One of Mel's younger brothers, Donal, is also an actor. His unusual first name comes from a 5th-century Irish saint, Mel, who was the founder of the diocese of Ardagh, which contains most of his mother's native county. He is not related to the pop singer Debbie Gibson.

Although Gibson always maintained his United States citizenship, he lived in Australia from the age of twelve. Following a victory on the TV game show Jeopardy!, Gibson's father moved his family to Australia in 1968, allegedly in protest of the Vietnam War for which his elder sons risked being drafted, and also because he believed that changes in American society were immoral. Early Gibson films feature a distinct, noticeable Australian accent.

Film career

After graduating from the National Institute of Dramatic Art in Sydney in 1977, Gibson's acting career began in Australia with appearances in television series, including The Sullivans, Cop Shop and Punishment.

He made his Australian film debut as the leather-clad post-apocalyptic survivor in George Miller's Mad Max, which later became a cult hit and launched two sequels. His international profile increased through Peter Weir's Gallipoli. Gibson's boyish good looks made him a natural for leading male roles.

In 1984, he made his US movie debut, starring as Fletcher Christian in The Bounty. Actor Anthony Hopkins played Captain Bligh opposite Gibson. Reportedly, Gibson and Hopkins did not get along during the shoot. Mel Gibson, at the time struggling with full blown alcoholism, deeply resented the fact that Anthony Hopkins was a teetotaler.

Lethal Weapon and Hamlet

Main articles: Lethal Weapon and Hamlet

Gibson moved into more mainstream commercial filmmaking with the popular Lethal Weapon series, in which he starred as Martin Riggs, an emotionally unstable Vietnam veteran with a penchant for violence and gunplay. Partnered in the films with the elder, more reserved Roger Murtaugh (played by Danny Glover), this series would come to exemplify the action genre's so-called buddy film.

Gibson then made the unusual transition to the classical genre, playing the melancholy Danish prince in Franco Zeffirelli's Hamlet. Gibson was cast alongside such experienced Shakespearean actors as Ian Holm, Alan Bates, and Paul Scofield. He described working with his fellow castmembers as being "thrown into the ring with Mike Tyson."

Over the course of the shoot, which took place in the Scottish Highlands, Gibson was advised that he would do better with the lines if he were able to control his breathing. A longtime chain smoker, Gibson switched to nicotine gum to moderate his smoking for parts of the shoot.

The film met with critical success, and marked the transformation of Mel Gibson from action hero to serious actor and filmmaker. He further complemented those diverse performances with comedic roles in Maverick and What Women Want.

Braveheart

Gibson received two Academy Awards (Best Director and Best Picture) for his 1995 directing of Braveheart, based on the life of Sir William Wallace, a thirteenth-century Scottish knight. Gibson also starred as Wallace in the film.

Gibson stated that when the "Braveheart" script arrived and was recommended by his agents, he rejected it outright. However, after careful thought, he decided to not only act in the film, but to direct it as well.

He said in interviews that he was attempting to make a film similar to the epic films which he had loved as a child, such as Stanley Kubrick's Spartacus (film) and The Big Country. The filming began in the Scottish Highlands. However, after learning that the filming locations were among the rainiest spots in Europe, the shooting was moved to Ireland, where the Irish Army Reserve was called up as extras for the battle scenes.

The Passion of the Christ

Gibson co-wrote, produced and directed The Passion of the Christ, a 2004 film based on the last twelve hours of the life of Jesus, rendered multilingually in Aramaic, Hebrew, and Latin. The film was released through Gibson's Icon Productions. The film has been praised by Christian figures and a few politically conservative Jewish leaders and scholars (e.g., Michael Medved, David Horowitz, and Steven Waldman).

The movie has been criticised by various Christian and Jewish leaders and scholars, many of whom claimed that it would promote anti-Semitism. Critics have alleged that the film's imagery is similar to that of folkish passion-plays historically instrumental in inciting anti-Semitism. The movie has been criticised by some Protestant scholars for its incorporation of details from the visions of Catholic mystics such as the Venerable Mary of Agreda and Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich.

Asked if his movie would "upset Jews", Gibson responded: "It's not meant to. I think it's meant to just tell the truth. I want to be as truthful as possible."

Accusations of anti-Semitism have been fueled by revelations that Mel Gibson's father Hutton Gibson is a Holocaust denier who believes much of the Holocaust was "fiction".

On his decision to cut the scene in which Caiaphas says "his blood be on us and on our children" soon after Pontius Pilate washes his hands of Jesus, Gibson said:

I wanted it in. My brother said I was wimping out if I didn't include it. But, man, if I included that in there, they'd be coming after me at my house. They'd come to kill me.

In spite of and because of the criticism, the movie grossed US$611,899,420 worldwide ($370,782,930 in the US alone) and became the eighth highest-grossing film in history and the highest-grossing rated R film of all time. The ticket sales were boosted by the film attracting viewers who generally do not attend theaters, including entire church congregations attending together. The film was nominated for Best Music (Score), Best Cinematography, and Best Makeup at the 77th Academy Awards and won the People's Choice Award for Best Drama.

Apocalypto

Gibson's next historical epic, Apocalypto, will be released to theaters in December 2006. The film is set 600 years ago in Meso-America, before the Spanish conquest, during the decline of the Maya. Dialogue is spoken in the Yucatec Maya language, in the same way Gibson used Aramaic and Latin for his The Passion of the Christ. It will feature a cast of unknown actors from Mexico City, the Yucatán, and some Native Americans from the United States.

While Gibson financed the film himself, Disney will release it in certain markets.

All that has been revealed about the plot is that the film is set against the turbulent end times of the once great Mayan civilization. When a Mayan man's idyllic existence is brutally disrupted by a violent invading force, he is taken on a perilous journey. Through a twist of fate and spurred by the power of his love for his woman and his family he will make a desperate break to return home and to ultimately save his way of life.

The title is a Greek term which means "an unveiling" or "new beginning", but the movie is not religiously themed or connected to the biblical Apocalypse.

Religion

Extremely devoted to his faith, Mel Gibson has donated money to finance the construction of "independent" traditional Catholic chapels in Malibu, California, and in a small town in West Virginia. Only the Latin Tridentine Mass is offered in both chapels. Gibson has said that he attends Mass every day.

On June 7, 1980, Gibson married Robyn Moore, whom he initially met through a dating service. They have one daughter and six sons: Hannah (born 1980), twins Edward and Christian (born 1982), Willie (born 1985), Louis (born 1988), Milo (born 1990), and Tommy (born 1999). Rumors that Hannah was planning to become a nun were quashed by the family after initial mention in the media.

His wife remains an Anglican despite 26 years of marriage to Mel Gibson. Gibson never disapproved of her Anglican beliefs, saying that "true love knows no boundaries." Gibson has not attempted to convert her, and maintains that she is "a saint" and a much better Christian than he. He has also called her "my Rock of Gibraltar, only prettier." But he has also stated in interviews that he holds to the traditionalist Catholic doctrine of "Extra Ecclesiam Nulla Salus" and, as such, accepts the possibility that his wife could go to hell.

Personal views

Many of Gibson's positions are in accordance with traditionalist Catholicism. In 2004, he publicly condemned taxpayer-funded embryonic stem-cell research that involves the cloning and destruction of human embryos. In March 2005, he issued a statement condemning the ending of Terri Schiavo's life, referring to her death as "state-sanctioned murder" on Sean Hannity's radio show. He is, however, a proponent of the death penalty, which the traditional doctrine of the Catholic Church allows for under specific circumstances, but which post-Vatican II Popes have said is rarely justifiable in modern society. He is also a supporter of gun ownership.

While having never identified himself as being a conservative Republican, Gibson has been perceived as such to the point that The Washington Times has referred to him as one, and WorldNetDaily once even reported that there was grassroots support among Republicans for "a presidential run."

He joined many of his colleagues in the entertainment industry in opposition to the Iraq War and praised the liberal director Michael Moore and his documentary film Fahrenheit 9/11. Gibson's Icon Productions was originally set to back Moore's film, but mysteriously backed out. Moore claimed in 2004, Icon Productions got a call from top Republicans to tell Mel Gibson not to expect to get more invitations to the White House." In 2006 Gibson told Hotdog Magazine, a UK film magazine, that the "fearmongering" depicted in his film Apocalypto "reminds me a little of President Bush and his guys." Many fans have perceived The Patriot (2000), We Were Soldiers (2002) and The Passion of the Christ (2004) as conservative movies.

In a July 1995 interview with Playboy magazine, Gibson said President Bill Clinton was a "low-level opportunist" because someone was "telling him what to do." He said he thought Clinton and other politicians who had won Rhodes Scholarships were part of a "stealth" trend of Rhodes scholars becoming politicians who were striving for a "new world order." He said this was a form of Marxism and that "Karl had the right idea." During the interview, Gibson also said the assassinations (or attempts) of Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, and Ronald Reagan may have been related to actions they took regarding the Federal Reserve; he said his father told him about this theory.

Controversies

Accusations of homophobia

Some gay rights groups accused Gibson of homophobia, after a 1992 interview in the Spanish magazine El Pais. Asked what he thought of gay people, he said, "They take it up the ass." Gibson gestured descriptively, continuing, "This is only for taking a shit." When the interviewer recalled that Gibson previously had expressed fear 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? I think not." He later defended his comments on Good Morning America, saying, " to a direct question. If someone wants my opinion, I'll give it. What, am I supposed to lie to them?"

In January 1997, to make amends with the gay community, Gibson and the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation hosted ten lesbian and gay filmmakers for an on-location seminar on the set of the movie Conspiracy Theory.

The depiction of a homosexual character in Braveheart also drew accusations of homophobia. Although historians agree that Prince (later King) Edward II of England was indeed homosexual and a mere puppet of Thomas of Lancaster, historians dispute the portrayal of Edward as effeminate (and Edward's father never threw his lover out of a window, as portrayed in the movie). It should also be noted that Gibson did not write the screenplay for the film.

Gibson was accused of homophobia once more in his movies with his portrayal of Herod Antipas in The Passion of the Christ. Antipas is portrayed as an effeminate homosexual wearing makeup and having 'boy-toys', in many ways similar to the portrayal of Herod in the film version of Jesus Christ Superstar. Although this was a common caricature of Herod in medieval Passion plays, it does not appear in the Gospels and is contrary to the historical record regarding Antipas. In spite of this portrayal, it should be noted that Christ uses the Greek word for a "vixen," or female fox, rather than "fox" when he describes Herod in the Gospel.

Remarks about Jews

During an arrest for driving under the influence (see below), Gibson allegedly made anti-Semitic remarks to the arresting officers. Gibson allegedly asked the officer if he was Jewish and stated, "Fucking Jews...the Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world." The Los Angeles Times and The New York Times reported that unnamed sources confirmed the leaked arrest reports as authentic.

Gibson issued a contrite statement on July 29, 2006, indicating that he was pursuing treatment for his alcoholism and apologizing broadly for his behavior and what he said. Supporters of Gibson blamed the alleged remarks on his intoxication, and critics, such as Christopher Hitchens, accused Gibson of anti-Semitism and others critized his apology for not specifically mentioning the alleged anti-Semitic statements.

Gibson released another statement on August 1st specifically apologizing for his anti-Semetic remarks and urged the Jewish community to help him in his recovery.

After the incident, ABC cancelled Gibson's television mini-series on the Holocaust citing lack of progress with the project.

Drug and alcohol abuse

According to Wensley Clarkson, Gibson's alcoholism dates to his teenage years. A feature article on Gibson published on the DailyCatholic website March 17, 2004 (and described as having been written four years previously, before The Passion of The Christ) states, "He has made it known that from an early age he suffered from being manic depressive, but through his strong faith and appropriate medicines he has been able to overcome these shortcomings to attain the heights of stardom." This disorder is often linked with alcohol abuse and/or self-destructive behavior.

During the shooting of The Bounty on the island of Moorea, Gibson took to mixing two shots of Scotch with a glass of beer. He dubbed the concoction "Liquid Violence."

In a 2004 Primetime interview with Diane Sawyer, Gibson admitted to drug and alcohol abuse. He also said that his addictions have led him to try to commit suicide.

Drunk driving arrests

Remarks about Jews during 2006 drunk driving arrest

In 1984, Gibson was arrested for drunk driving after he rear-ended a car in Toronto. According to Gibson biographer Wensley Clarkson, when the other driver exited his vehicle and began shouting profanity at him, Mel Gibson laughed and offered him a drink. He was fined $400 and banned from driving in Canada for 3 months.

On July 28, 2006, Gibson was charged with driving under the influence while speeding (87 miles per hour in a 45 miles per hour zone) on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California. His bail was set at $5,000 and he was released.

Subsequent to his release a 4-page portion of an allegedly redacted or suppressed police report was leaked to entertainment website TMZ.com. The report is purported to be part of an original from the officer involved, Deputy James Mee, prior to superiors instructing Mee to remove anti-Semitic comments and a barrage of abuse aimed at Deputy Mee and other officers. The police report also alleges Gibson refused to be transported to the police station, and had to be restrained. Gibson's tirade allegedly continued at the police station, where he was videotaped asking a female officer, "What are you looking at, sugar tits?" and possibly attempting to urinate on the floor.

A day after TMZ's report, the Los Angeles Times and The New York Times reported that unnamed sources confirmed to them independently that the leaked documents were authentic. This has neither been denied nor admitted by the Sheriff Department, who have nonetheless asserted no cover up has taken place. Associated Press later reported that an official police report contained Gibson's alleged comments. The report is also posted online at Slate.com

TMZ later alleged that Gibson has been stopped twice before in Malibu for drunk driving but was released without a citation. While the legal blood alcohol level limit for driving in the state is 0.08%, Gibson's blood alcohol content was measured at 0.12%. See also: Effects of alcohol on the body and Blood alcohol concentration.

Gibson issued a statement on July 29, 2006, indicating that he was pursuing treatment for his alcoholism and apologizing for unspecified behavior:

"After drinking alcohol on Thursday night, I did a number of things that were very wrong and for which I am ashamed. I drove a car when I should not have, and was stopped by the L.A. County sheriffs. The arresting officer was just doing his job and I feel fortunate that I was apprehended before I caused injury to any other person. I acted like a person completely out of control when I was arrested, and said things that I do not believe to be true and which are despicable. I am deeply ashamed of everything I said and I apologize to anyone who I have offended....I have battled the disease of alcoholism for all of my adult life and profoundly regret my horrific relapse." Excerpted from complete statement.

In response, Abraham Foxman of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), one of The Passion's most vocal critics, stated that Gibson's apology was "unremorseful and insufficient" and that the ADL hoped "Hollywood now would realize the bigot in their midst." Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League (US), promptly attacked Foxman's statement, saying that Gibson had already apologized and that ADL's "real goal is to discredit The Passion Of The Christ." Jeff Berg, head of the talent agency that represented Gibson for 18 years, told the Los Angeles Times that Gibson had called him after the arrest and that Berg "was trying to communicate the actor's remorse to his staff and clients." Berg told the paper that "I hate what he said, and so does he" and that "his remarks have created a first class mess, and he has owned up to it."

Gibson issued another statement on August 1, 2006:

There is no excuse, nor should there be any tolerance, for anyone who thinks or expresses any kind of anti-Semitic remark. I want to apologize specifically to everyone in the Jewish community for the vitriolic and harmful words that I said to a law enforcement officer the night I was arrested on a DUI charge.

The tenets of what I profess to believe necessitate that I exercise charity and tolerance as a way of life. Every human being is God's child, and if I wish to honor my God I have to honor his children. But please know from my heart that I am not an anti-Semite. I am not a bigot. Hatred of any kind goes against my faith.

I'm not just asking for forgiveness. I would like to take it one step further, and meet with leaders in the Jewish community, with whom I can have a one on one discussion to discern the appropriate path for healing.

I have begun an ongoing program of recovery and what I am now realizing is that I cannot do it alone. I am in the process of understanding where those vicious words came from during that drunken display, and I am asking the Jewish community, whom I have personally offended, to help me on my journey through recovery. Again, I am reaching out to the Jewish community for its help. I know there will be many in that community who will want nothing to do with me, and that would be understandable. But I pray that that door is not forever closed.

Reportedly, Gibson's manager has confirmed that Gibson has entered rehab.

Photos have been released just hours before the arrest showing a drunk, bloodshot-eyed Mel Gibson partying with fans.

Quotes

• "Vatican II corrupted the institution of the church. Look at the main fruits: dwindling numbers and pedophilia." — Time, January 27, 2003

• "It was me that put him on the cross. It was my sins ." On the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, addressing who was responsible for his death.

• "Hollywood is a factory. You have to realize that you are working in a factory and you're part of the mechanism. If you break down, you'll be replaced." On the nature of "the industry." Excerpted from Wensley Clarkson's "Mel Gibson; Living Dangerously," page 202.

• "He's not just a part. He's an assault on your personality. Every day his doubts become your doubts." On playing Hamlet in Franco Zeffirelli's 1990 film. Excerpted from the making of documentary.

• "My family means more to me than the artificial trappings of my career. If ever I had to choose between my career and my family, the wife and kids would definitely come out on top." Excerpted from Wensley Clarkson's "Mel Gibson; Living Dangerously," page 300.

• "The worst thing that can happen to you is you can screw up. I've done that before and it's not too damning. I've done some real stinkers. Luckily, most were early on." Excerpted from Wensley Clarkson's "Mel Gibson; Living Dangerously," page 64.

Prankster

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Gibson has a reputation for being a prankster on the set of his movies, and many of his leading ladies have often accused him of acting juvenile on the set. While filming Conspiracy Theory, he played several pranks on co-star Julia Roberts, and disgusted co-star Jodie Foster by licking the dirt off a wagon wheel on the set of Maverick. On the set of Braveheart, he spread the false rumor that co-star Sophie Marceau was the granddaughter of famous French mime Marcel Marceau. He also directed several scenes in an Elmer Fudd voice, including the funeral scene of Murron Wallace, causing everyone to break down laughing. Before the filming of What Women Want, co-star Helen Hunt pleaded with Gibson to be spared of his pranks. Reportedly, there was no incident.

Trivia

• In Gibson's early Australian television and film roles, he spoke in a heavy general Australian accent. His voice was even dubbed in the US release of Mad Max (along with the rest of the cast). In the early 1990s, he began to lose the accent after having lived in the United States for over a decade. In fact, even in 1987's Lethal Weapon his accent is only slightly discernible. He now speaks in an American accent.
• Gibson was born with a physical anomaly called "Horseshoe kidney". His two kidneys are fused at the base into a U shape. This fusion anomaly occurs in about one of every 400 people.
• In December 2004, Gibson purchased Mago Island from 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.
• He has battled with alcoholism for most of his adult life. After a stint in rehab in the early 1990s he remained sober for several years, but had a relapse in 2006.
• Gibson has a one-frame cameo appearance in the teaser trailer of Apocalypto.
• With his earnings from The Passion of the Christ, Gibson constructed a traditionalist Catholic chapel on his California estate.
• Torture is a recurring theme in many of Mel Gibson's films, as seen in The Passion of The Christ, Braveheart, Conspiracy Theory, Lethal Weapon, and Payback.
• Gibson almost did not get the role that made him a star. His agent got him an audition for Mad Max, but the night before, he got into a drunken brawl with three other men at a party, resulting in a swelled-up nose, a broken jawline, and various other bruises. Mel showed up at the audition the next day looking like a "black and blue pumpkin" (his own words). Mel did not expect to get the role and only went to accompany his friend. However, the casting agent told Mel to come back in two weeks, telling him "we need freaks". Mel did come back, was not recognized because his wounds had healed almost completely, and received the part. This incident is listed in Ripley's Believe It or Not!
• Gibson was considered for roles in Batman, GoldenEye, Amadeus, Gladiator, The Golden Child, X-Men, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Runaway Bride and Primary Colors.
• As of 2006, Gibson is estimated to be worth $850 million, making him the 47th richest person in the Los Angeles area, and the wealthiest actor in the world.
• A chain smoker for much of his acting career, in 2004 Gibson was persuaded by his wife to limit his addiction to just three cigarettes a day.
• He is Eric Cartman's favorite actor on South Park. Cartman mentions him several times, and in one episode he finally gets to meet Gibson, but (in the episode) Gibson is insane and defecates on Cartman. It is strongly suggested that Cartman likes Gibson because of his perceived anti-Semitism.
• Actor Sean Connery once suggested Gibson should play the next James Bond to Connery's M. Gibson turned down the role, reportedly because he feared being typecast.

Filmography

As actor

• Summer City (1977)
• I Never Promised You a Rose Garden (1977)
• Mad Max (1979)
• Tim (1979)
• The Chain Reaction (1980)
• Gallipoli (1981)
• Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981)
• Attack Force Z (1982)
• The Year of Living Dangerously (1982)
• The Bounty (1984)
• The River (1984)
• Mrs. Soffel (1984)
• Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985)
• Lethal Weapon (1987)
• Tequila Sunrise (1988)
• Lethal Weapon 2 (1989)
• Bird on a Wire (1990)
• Air America (1990)
• Hamlet (1990)
• Lethal Weapon 3 (1992)
• Earth and the American Dream (1992) (documentary) (narrator)
• Forever Young (1992) (also executive producer)
• The Chili Con Carne Club (1993) (short subject)
• The Man Without a Face (1993)
• Maverick (1994)
• Casper (1995) (Cameo)
• Braveheart (1995)
• Pocahontas (1995) (voice)
• Ransom (1996)
• Fathers' Day (1997) (Cameo)
• Conspiracy Theory (1997)
• FairyTale: A True Story (1997) (Cameo)
• Lethal Weapon 4 (1998)
• Payback (1999)
• The Million Dollar Hotel (2000)
• Chicken Run (2000) (voice)
• The Patriot (2000)
• What Women Want (2000)
• The One Dollar Diary (2001) (documentary)
• We Were Soldiers (2002)
• Signs (2002)
• Acting Lessons: Should Have Looked Like Mel (2003) (short subject)
• Paparazzi (2004) (also producer)
• Sam and George (2007) (currently announced start of production) (also producer)

As director

• The Man Without a Face (1993)
• Braveheart (1995)
• The Passion of the Christ (2004) (also producer and writer)
• Apocalypto (2006) (currently in post-production) (also executive producer, producer, and writer)

Awards and accomplishments

• Best Actor in a Lead Role, Tim (1979)
• Australian Film Institute: Best Actor in a Lead Role, Gallipoli (1981)
• People's Choice Awards: Favorite Motion Picture Actor (1991)
• MTV Movie Awards: Best Action Sequence, Lethal Weapon 3 (1993)
• MTV Movie Awards: Best On-Screen Duo, Lethal Weapon 3 (1993) - shared with Danny Glover
• ShoWest Award: Male Star of the Year (1993)
• National Board of Review: Special Achievement in Filmmaking, Braveheart (1995)
• American Cinematheque Gala Tribute: American Cinematheque Award (1995)
• ShoWest Award: Director of the Year (1996)
• Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards: Best Director, Braveheart (1996)
• Golden Globe Awards: Best Director, Braveheart (1996)
• Academy Awards: Best Director, Braveheart (1996)
• Academy Awards: Best Picture, Braveheart (1996)
• People's Choice Awards: Favorite Motion Picture Actor (1997)
• Hasty Pudding Theatricals: Man of the Year (1997)
• Blockbuster Entertainment Awards: Favorite Actor - Suspense, Ransom (1997)
• Blockbuster Entertainment Awards: Favorite Actor - Suspense, Conspiracy Theory (1998)
• People's Choice Awards: Favorite Motion Picture Star in a Drama (2001)
• People's Choice Awards: Favorite Motion Picture Actor (2001)
• Blockbuster Entertainment Awards: Favorite Actor - Drama, The Patriot (2001)
• Australian Film Institute: Global Achievement Award (2002)
• People's Choice Awards: Favorite Motion Picture Actor (2003)
• People's Choice Awards: Favorite Motion Picture Actor (2004)
• Named as the world's most powerful celebrity by US business magazine Forbes (2004)

Notes

1. 1995 Academy Awards
2. The Passion of Mel Gibson
3. Giambalvo, Corrado (February 20 2004). "Gibson's father: Holocaust was mostly 'fiction'". USA Today. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
4. The Jesus War: Mel Gibson’s obsession.
5. The Jesus War
6. 'Passion'-ate defense gives offense
7. A passionate Mel Gibson strikes back against critics
8. Churches rent out entire theaters for 'Passion'
9. Mel Gibson says his wife could be going to hell
10. It's Modern Crucification
11. Respect For Human Life
12. Mel Gibson Pushed for President
13. Moore, Gibson: I Love His Work
14. Not so hot: Fahrenheit 9/11 is more smoke than fire
15. Gibson Inspired by 'Fear Mongering' Bush
16. Grobel, Lawrence, "Interview: Mel Gibson." Playboy. July 1995. Vol. 42, No. 7, Pg. 51. Retrieved May 17, 2006.
17. Wright, Tony. "Dream candidate" Ninemsn's The Bulletin. October 15, 2003. Retrieved May 17, 2006.
18. Noxon, Christopher, "Is the Pope Catholic...Enough?." The New York Times. March 9, 2003. Retrieved May 17, 2006.
19. Mel Gibson Anti-gay History
20. GLAAD meets with Mel Gibson
21. Mel Gibson to Meet Up-and-Coming Lesbian and Gay Filmmakers
22. Gays Should Beware of Men in Kilts
23. Kill or be kilted
24. on Mel’s monstrous messiah movie and the culture wars
25. The Passion of the Christ
26. The Passion of the Christ
27. ^ "Gibson's Anti-Semitic Tirade -- Alleged Cover Up". tmz.com. AOL. Retrieved 2006-07-29.
28. http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-gibson30jul30,0,2026973.story?coll=la-home-headlines
29. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/30/us/30gibson.html?ref=us
30. http://www.slate.com/id/2146880/
31. http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/features/story.jsp?story=700842
32. http://www.dailycatholic.org/issue/04Mar/mar17fcs.htm
33. ""Transcript of February 2004 Primetime"". Retrieved 2006-07-31.
34. Matt Zoller Seitz. "Mel Gibson talks about Braveheart, movie stardom, and media treachery". Dallas Observer. Retrieved 2006-07-29.
35. "Mel Gibson arrested for drink driving". Daily Mail. July 29, 2006.
36. "Gibson charged with drink-driving". BBC. 2006-07-28.
37. http://cdn.digitalcity.com/tmz_documents/gibson_wm_docs_072806.pdf
38. Did Gibson Get a Break After Arrest?
39. Mel Gibson Apologizes for Tirade After Arrest
40. 'Cover Up'
41. Mel Gibson's anti-Semitic remarks cited in official police report
42. http://www.slate.com/id/2146842/entry/2146843/
43. Gibson Skated Twice Before
44. Mel Gibson's Statement on His DUI Arrest
45. "ADL Says Mel Gibson's Anti-Semitic Tirade Reveals His True Self; Actor's Apology 'Not Good Enough'". Anti-Defamation League. 2006-07-31. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
46. "Mel's Enemies Lack Forgiveness" (Press release). The Catholic League. July 31 2006. Retrieved 2006-08-01. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
47. ^ Critics Find Voice in Gibson Drama
48. Gibson's statement about anti-Semitic remarks
49. ^ "Mel in rehab" (Press release). Network Ten News. August 2 2006. Retrieved 2006-08-02. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
50. Mel Gibson buys personal Pacific island
51. Mary Packard and the editors of Ripley Entertainment, ed. (2001). Ripley's Believe It or Not! Special Edition. Leanne Franson (illustrations) (1st ed. ed.). Scholastic Inc. ISBN 0-439-26040-X. {{cite book}}: |edition= has extra text (help); |editor= has generic name (help)

References

Clarkson, Wensley (2004). Mel Gibson, Man on a Mission. John Blake. ISBN 1857825373. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)

• Hitchins, Christopher Mel Gibson's Meltdown Slate

External links

• Mel Gibson at IMDb
• Mel Gibson on NNDB
• Mel Gibson directory
• Apocalypto Watch Unofficial fan site for Mel Gibson's next movie
• Roles turned down by Mel Gibson

• 1956 births
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