This article is about the actor. For the basketball player, see Mel Gibson (basketball). Melvin L "Mel" Gibson (born December 30, 1940) is a retired American professional Basketball player

Mel Gibson
Gibson at the 1990 Air America premiere
Born	Mel Columcille Gerard Gibson January 3, 1956 (1956-01-03) (age 52) Peekskill, New York, U.S.
Occupation	Actor, Director, Producer, Screenwriter
Years active	1976-present
Spouse(s)	Robyn Moore (1980-present)

Mel Columcille Gerard Gibson, AO (born January 3, 1956) is a two-time Academy Award-winning American-Australian actor, director, producer and screenwriter. Events 1431 - Joan of Arc is handed over to the Bishop Pierre Cauchon. Year 1956 ( MCMLVI) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Peekskill is a city in Westchester County New York. It is situated on a Bay along the east side of the Hudson River. New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous The United States of America —commonly referred to as the An actor, actress, player or thespian (see terminology) is a person who Acts in a Dramatic production and who works A film director, or filmmaker, is a person who directs the making of a Film. A film producer is a person who creates the conditions for making movies. Screenwriters or scenarists are Scriptwriters who write the Screenplays from which Films and Television programs are made Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia on 14 February 1975 "for the purpose of according recognition Events 1431 - Joan of Arc is handed over to the Bishop Pierre Cauchon. Year 1956 ( MCMLVI) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. "The Oscar" redirects here for the film see The Oscar (film. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. An actor, actress, player or thespian (see terminology) is a person who Acts in a Dramatic production and who works A film director, or filmmaker, is a person who directs the making of a Film. A film producer is a person who creates the conditions for making movies. Screenwriters or scenarists are Scriptwriters who write the Screenplays from which Films and Television programs are made Born in the United States, Gibson moved to Australia when he was 12 years old and he later studied acting at the National Institute of Dramatic Art in Sydney. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. The National Institute of Dramatic Art ( NIDA) is an Australian national training institute for students of Theatre, Film, and Television Sydney (ˈsɪdniː is the most populous city in Australia, with a Metropolitan area population of approximately 4 After establishing himself as a household name with the Mad Max and Lethal Weapon series, Gibson went on to direct and star in the Academy Award-winning Braveheart. Mad Max is a 1979 Australian apocalyptic action thriller Film directed by George Miller and written Lethal Weapon is a 1987 Action film, the first in a series of American Films that were released in 1987 1989 "The Oscar" redirects here for the film see The Oscar (film. Braveheart is a 1995 historical action-drama movie produced and directed by Mel Gibson, who also starred in the title role Gibson's direction of Braveheart made him the sixth actor-turned-filmmaker to receive an Oscar for Best Director. "The Oscar" redirects here for the film see The Oscar (film. The Academy Award for Achievement in Directing (Best Director is one of the Awards of Merit presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS to ^[1] In 2004, he directed and produced The Passion of the Christ, a blockbuster movie^[2] that portrayed the last hours of the life of Jesus. The Passion of the Christ is a 2004 film co-written co-produced and directed by Mel Gibson. This article refers to the theatrical slang term for other uses see Blockbuster (disambiguation. Jesus of Nazareth (7–2 BC / BCE —26–36 AD / CE) Gibson is an honorary Officer of the Order of Australia and was ranked the world's most powerful celebrity in the annual list by Forbes magazine in 2004. Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia on 14 February 1975 "for the purpose of according recognition Forbes is an American Publishing and media company Its flagship publication Forbes magazine is published bi-weekly ^[3]

Early life

Gibson was born in Peekskill, New York, the sixth of eleven children. Peekskill is a city in Westchester County New York. It is situated on a Bay along the east side of the Hudson River. New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous He is the second son of Hutton Gibson and Irish-born Anne Reilly Gibson. Hutton Peter Gibson (born August 26, 1918) is a writer on Religion, a staunch sedevacantist Traditional Catholic, and the father Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world His paternal grandmother was the Australian opera soprano, Eva Mylott (1875–1920). For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. Opera is an art form in which Singers and Musicians perform a Dramatic work (called an opera which combines a text (called a Libretto This article is related to a series of articles under the main article Voice type. Eva Mylott (1875 Tuross Head, New South Wales, Australia &ndash c ^[4] One of Gibson's younger brothers, Donal, is also an actor. Donal Gibson (born February 13, 1958) is an American Actor, and younger brother of award-winning actor and director Mel Gibson. Gibson's first name comes from a 5th century Irish Saint, Mel, founder of the diocese of Ardagh which contains most of his mother's native County, while his second name, Columcille, is also linked to an Irish saint. Saint Mel or Moel died in 488 He is said to have been a Briton who came to Ireland with Saint Patrick, his uncle with whom he worked until The Diocese of Ardagh was established in 1111 at the Synod of Rathbreasail as the see for east Connacht. WikipediaPersondata --> See Columba (disambiguation and St Columb for other uses ^[5] Columcille is also the name of the parish in County Longford where Anne Reilly was born and raised. Longford ( An Longfort in Irish) is the county town of County Longford in the Midlands of Ireland. Because of his mother, Mel Gibson holds dual citizenship in America and the Republic of Ireland. Ireland ( Irish: Éire, ˈeːrʲə is a country in north-western Europe. ^[6]

Hutton Gibson relocated his family to Sydney, Australia in 1968, after winning $145,000 in a work related injury lawsuit against New York Central on February 14, 1968. Sydney (ˈsɪdniː is the most populous city in Australia, with a Metropolitan area population of approximately 4 Events 842 - Charles the Bald and Louis the German swear the Oaths of Strasbourg in the French and German Year 1968 ( MCMLXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. ^[7] The family moved when Gibson was twelve. The move to Hutton's mother's native Australia was for economic reasons and because he thought the Australian military would reject his oldest son for the Vietnam War draft. Conscription in Australia, or mandatory Military service also known as National Service, has a controversial history dating back to the first years of nationhood ^[8]

Gibson was educated by Christian Brothers at St. Leo's Catholic College in Wahroonga, New South Wales during his High School years. St Leo's Catholic College Wahroonga is a secondary Catholic College in north shore of Sydney New South Wales, Australia. Wahroonga is a suburb on the Upper North Shore of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia.

Stage career

Growing up, Mel Gibson considered becoming a journalist, a chef, or a religious brother. Then Gibson’s older sister Mary secretly submitted $5 along with an application for the recent high school graduate to the National Institute of Dramatic Art in Sydney. The National Institute of Dramatic Art ( NIDA) is an Australian national training institute for students of Theatre, Film, and Television Sydney (ˈsɪdniː is the most populous city in Australia, with a Metropolitan area population of approximately 4 After the audition, Gibson was accepted into an acting class that included Judy Davis and Steve Bisley. Judy Davis (born 23 April 1955 is an Academy Award -nominated Screen Actors Guild Award, three-time Emmy Award, two-time BAFTA Award Steve Bisley (born 1951 at Lake Munmorah, New South Wales) is an Australian film and television Actor, who attended the National Institute The students at NIDA were classically trained in the British theatre tradition rather than for screen acting^[9]. The National Institute of Dramatic Art ( NIDA) is an Australian national training institute for students of Theatre, Film, and Television As students, Gibson and Judy Davis played the leads in Romeo and Juliet, and Gibson played the role of Queen Titania in an experimental production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Judy Davis (born 23 April 1955 is an Academy Award -nominated Screen Actors Guild Award, three-time Emmy Award, two-time BAFTA Award Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy written early in the Titania was the name of a character in William Shakespeare 's play A Midsummer Night's Dream. A Midsummer Night's Dream is a romantic comedy by William Shakespeare, suggested by " The Knight's Tale " from ^[10]. After graduation in 1977, Gibson immediately began work on the filming of Mad Max, but he continued to work as a stage actor, joining the State Theatre Company of South Australia in Adelaide. Mad Max is a 1979 Australian apocalyptic action thriller Film directed by George Miller and written The State Theatre Company of South Australia is South Australia 's leading professional Theatre company. Adelaide is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of South Australia, and is the fifth largest city in Australia with a Gibson’s theatrical credits include Waiting for Godot, playing Estragon opposite Geoffrey Rush, and a 1982 Sydney production of Death of a Salesman, playing Biff Loman. Waiting for Godot is a play by Samuel Beckett, in which two characters wait for someone named Godot who never arrives Estragon (affectionately Gogo; he tells Pozzo his name is Adam) is one of the two main characters from Samuel Beckett 's Waiting for Geoffrey Roy Rush (born 6 July 1951 is a Golden Globe - BAFTA - Emmy - AFI - and Academy Award -winning Australian actor Sydney (ˈsɪdniː is the most populous city in Australia, with a Metropolitan area population of approximately 4 Death of a Salesman is a 1949 play by American playwright Arthur Miller and is considered a classic of American theater Gibson’s most recent theatrical performance was a 1993 Telluride production of Love Letters by A. R. Gurney, opposite Sissy Spacek. The Town of Telluride is a Home Rule Municipality that is the County seat and the most populous town of San Miguel County in the southwestern Love Letters is a Pulitzer Prize for Drama nominated play by A A R Gurney (Albert Ramsdell Gurney Jr (born November 1, 1930) is an American Playwright and Novelist. Mary Elizabeth "Sissy" Spacek (born December 25, 1949) is an Academy Award &ndashwinning American Actress and singer ^[11] At the beginning of his acting career, Gibson also appeared in television pilots for series including The Sullivans, Cop Shop and Punishment. The Sullivans was also the title of a 1944 Oscar -nominated film set during World War II and written by Eddie Doherty (later renamed The Cop Shop is also an informal term for a Police station Cop Shop was an Australian police drama Television series Punishment is an Australian Television Soap opera made by the Reg Grundy Organisation for the Ten Network in 1981

Career in Australian cinema

Before Gibson became a Hollywood star, his starring roles in the Mad Max series and the films of Peter Weir during the New Wave of Australian cinema propelled him to international film stardom. Hollywood Star was an Idiosyncratic gossip tabloid published on an erratic schedule in Hollywood California by William Kern who wrote much Mad Max is a 1979 Australian apocalyptic action thriller Film directed by George Miller and written Peter Lindsay Weir AM (born 21 August 1944 is an Australian Film director. The Australian New Wave, also known as the "Australian Film Revival" and the "Australian Film Renaissance" was a resurgence in worldwide popularity of Australian While a student at NIDA, Gibson made his film debut in the 1977 film Summer City, for which he was paid $250. The National Institute of Dramatic Art ( NIDA) is an Australian national training institute for students of Theatre, Film, and Television Summer City is a 1977 Australian film most notable for having Mel Gibson in his inaugural role After being cast in Mad Max by Australian doctor-turned-director George Miller, Gibson began his first lead role in 1977 at the age of 21 on the day after he graduated from drama school. Mad Max is a 1979 Australian apocalyptic action thriller Film directed by George Miller and written Dr George (Miliotis Miller (born 3 March 1945 is an Academy-Award winning Australian Film and Television Screenwriter, director Gibson also played a mentally-slow youth in Tim, which earned him the Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. Tim (1979 is an Australian romance movie directed by Michael Pate. The Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role is an award in the annual Australian Film Institute Awards The release of Mad Max in 1979 then made Gibson internationally famous overnight. Mad Max is a 1979 Australian apocalyptic action thriller Film directed by George Miller and written 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. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including This article concerns the 1982 fictional movie For information about the actual Commando unit see Z Special Unit. Director Peter Weir cast Gibson as one of the leads in the critically-acclaimed World War I drama Gallipoli, which earned Gibson another Best Actor Award from the Australian Film Institute. Peter Lindsay Weir AM (born 21 August 1944 is an Australian Film director. World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All Gallipoli is a 1981 Australian Film, directed by Peter Weir and starring Mel Gibson and Mark Lee, about several young The Australian Film Institute (AFI established in 1958 is an organisation that promotes Australian film and television through the annual AFI Awards, a membership The film Gallipoli also helped to earn Gibson the reputation of a serious, versatile actor and gained him the Hollywood agent Ed Limato. Gallipoli is a 1981 Australian Film, directed by Peter Weir and starring Mel Gibson and Mark Lee, about several young The sequel Mad Max 2 was his first hit in America (released as The Road Warrior). Mad Max 2 The Road Warrior (known as The Road Warrior in the U In 1982 Gibson again attracted critical acclaim in Peter Weir’s romantic thriller The Year of Living Dangerously. Peter Lindsay Weir AM (born 21 August 1944 is an Australian Film director. The Year of Living Dangerously is a 1982 Peter Weir film adapted from the novel of the same name by its author Christopher Koch, Weir and 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. Fletcher Christian ( September 25, 1764 &ndash October 3, 1793) was a Master's Mate on board the ''Bounty'' during The Bounty is a 1984 Historical film made by Dino De Laurentiis Productions and distributed by Orion Pictures Corporation and Playing Max Rockatansky for the third time in Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome in 1985 earned Gibson his first million dollar salary. "Mad" Max Rockatansky, sometimes referred to as The Road Warrior, is the main character from director George Miller 's Mad Max Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome is a Golden Globe -nominated 1985 film the third installment in the action movie Mad Max franchise

Hollywood acting career

Early Hollywood career

Mel Gibson’s first American film was Mark Rydell’s 1984 drama The River in which he and Sissy Spacek played struggling Tennessee farmers. Mark Rydell (born March 23, 1934 in New York City) is an American Actor, Film director and producer. The River is a 1984 Film which tells the story of a struggling farm family in the Tennessee valley trying keep its farm going in the face of bank foreclosures Mary Elizabeth "Sissy" Spacek (born December 25, 1949) is an Academy Award &ndashwinning American Actress and singer Tennessee ( is a state located in the Southern United States. Gibson then starred in the gothic romance Mrs. Soffel for Australian director Gillian Armstrong. Mrs Soffel is a 1984 American film drama based on the true Buck McGovern and the Biddle Boys case of 1901 Pittsburgh, starring Diane Gillian Armstrong (born 18 December 1950 is an award-winning Australian director of feature films and documentaries He and Matthew Modine played condemned convict brothers opposite Diane Keaton as the warden's wife who visits them to read the Bible. Matthew Avery Modine (born March 22, 1959) is an American Actor, perhaps most famous for playing Private Joker in Stanley Kubrick's Diane Keaton (born Diane Hall on January 5 1946 is an Oscar -winning American film Actress, director and producer Etymology According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the word bible is from Latin biblia, traced from the same word through Medieval Latin and Late Latin 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. Martin Riggs (born October 16, 1950) is a fictional police officer from the Lethal Weapon franchise Lethal Weapon is a 1987 Action film, the first in a series of American Films that were released in 1987 1989 Gibson’s next film was Robert Towne’s Tequila Sunrise, followed by Lethal Weapon 2 in 1989. Robert Burton Towne (born November 23, 1934) is an American Screenwriter and director. Tequila Sunrise is a 1988 movie written and directed by Oscar -winner Robert Towne. Lethal Weapon 2 is a 1989 Action film directed by Richard Donner, and starring Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Joe Pesci After starring in three films back-to-back, Bird on a Wire, Air America, and Hamlet, Gibson took another hiatus from Hollywood. Bird on a Wire is a 1990 Feature film starring Goldie Hawn and Mel Gibson. Air America is a 1990 Film starring Mel Gibson and Robert Downey Jr Hamlet is a 1990 Film based on the Shakespearean play of the same name.

1990s Acting career

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, Lethal Weapon 3, Maverick, and Braveheart. For other uses of the name see Forever Young. Forever Young is a 1992 film directed by Steve Miner, starring Lethal Weapon 3 is a 1992 buddy cop action - Comedy film directed by Richard Donner and starring Mel Gibson Maverick is an Academy Award nominated 1994 Comedy Western movie, based on the 1950s television series Maverick, created Braveheart is a 1995 historical action-drama movie produced and directed by Mel Gibson, who also starred in the title role He then starred in Ransom, Conspiracy Theory, Lethal Weapon 4, and Payback. Conspiracy Theory is a 1997 American action / Paranoid thriller Film directed by Richard Donner. Lethal Weapon 4 is a 1998 buddy cop action - Comedy film directed by Richard Donner and starring Mel Gibson, Payback is a 1999 Action film starring Mel Gibson and directed by Brian Helgeland. Gibson also served as the speaking and singing voice of John Smith in Disney’s Pocahontas. John Smith is a name often regarded as the archetype of a common Personal name in most English -speaking countries a generic name sometimes representing " Pocahontas is the thirty-third Animated feature in the Disney animated features canon.

2000s Acting career

In 2000, Gibson acted in three films that each grossed over $100 million: The Patriot, Chicken Run, and What Women Want, the all-time top-grossing romantic comedy. The Patriot is a 2000 War film directed by Roland Emmerich, written by Robert Rodat, and starring Mel Gibson. Chicken Run is a 2000 Stop-motion animation British film made by the Aardman Animations studios (which produced the Oscar What Women Want is a 2000 American film directed by Nancy Meyers and starring Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt In 2002, Gibson acting in the Vietnam War drama We Were Soldiers and M. Night Shyamalan’s Signs, which became the highest-grossing film of Gibson’s acting career. The Vietnam War, also known as the Second Indochina War, or the Vietnam Conflict, occurred in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia We Were Soldiers is a 2002 American War film that dramatized the Battle of Ia Drang in November 1965, the first major engagement Manoj Nelliyattu Shyamalan (ˈʃaməˈlan ( Malayalam: മനോജ് നെല്ലിയട്ടു ശ്യാമളന്‍ Tamil: மனோஜ் நெல்லியட்டு Signs is a 2002 Science fiction Thriller film written produced and directed by M While promoting 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. Signs is a 2002 Science fiction Thriller film written produced and directed by M

Producing career

After his success in Hollywood with the Lethal Weapon series, Gibson began to move into the areas of producing and directing. Lethal Weapon is a 1987 Action film, the first in a series of American Films that were released in 1987 1989 With partner Bruce Davey, Gibson formed Icon Productions in 1989 in order to make Hamlet. Bruce Davey is an Oscar -winning Australian film producer A partner in Icon Entertainment alongside Mel Gibson, Sydney -born Davey Icon Productions LLC is an American independent Production company founded in August 1989 by American-Australian actor/director Mel Gibson and Australian Hamlet is a 1990 Film based on the Shakespearean play of the same name. 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 to An Ideal Husband. Immortal Beloved is a 1994 Film about the life of Composer Ludwig van Beethoven. An Ideal Husband is a 1999 Feature film based on the play by Oscar Wilde. Gibson has taken supporting roles in some of these films, such as The Million Dollar Hotel and The Singing Detective to improve their commercial prospects. The Million Dollar Hotel is 2000 Drama film based on a concept story by Bono of U2 and Nicholas Klein, and directed by The Singing Detective is a 2003 film based on the BBC Miniseries of the same name, a work by Dennis Potter. Gibson has also produced a number of projects for television, including a biopic on The Three Stooges and the 2008 PBS documentary Carrier. The Three Stooges were an American Vaudeville and Comedy act of the early to mid–20th century best known for their numerous Short subject films The Public Broadcasting Service ( PBS) is a Non-profit Public broadcasting Television service with 354 member TV stations in the Carrier is a 10-hour Documentary film about a six-month deployment of a U Icon has grown beyond just a production company to an international distribution company and a film exhibitor in Australia and New Zealand. Icon Productions LLC is an American independent Production company founded in August 1989 by American-Australian actor/director Mel Gibson and Australian For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. New Zealand is an Island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island

Directing career

Mel Gibson has credited his directors, particularly George Miller, Peter Weir, and Richard Donner, with teaching him the craft of filmmaking and influencing him as a director. Dr George (Miliotis Miller (born 3 March 1945 is an Academy-Award winning Australian Film and Television Screenwriter, director Peter Lindsay Weir AM (born 21 August 1944 is an Australian Film director. Richard Donner (born April 24, 1930) is an American Film director, and also a Film producer through the production company According to Robert Downey, Jr., studio executives encouraged Gibson in 1989 to try directing, an idea he rebuffed at the time. Robert John Downey Jr (born April 4 1965 is an American ^[12] Gibson made his directorial debut in 1993 with The Man Without a Face, followed two years later by Braveheart, which earned Gibson the Oscar for Best Director. The Man Without a Face is a 1993 drama starring and directed by Mel Gibson. Braveheart is a 1995 historical action-drama movie produced and directed by Mel Gibson, who also starred in the title role Gibson had long planned to direct a remake of Fahrenheit 451, but in 1999 the project was indefinitely postponed because of scheduling conflicts. Fahrenheit 451 is a 1966 Film of a Dystopian future based on the novel of the same name by Ray Bradbury. ^[13] 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. Robert John Downey Jr (born April 4 1965 is an American Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West Hamlet is a Tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1599 and 1601 ^[14] While promoting We Were Soldiers to the press, Gibson mentioned that he was planning pare back on acting and return to directing. We Were Soldiers is a 2002 American War film that dramatized the Battle of Ia Drang in November 1965, the first major engagement Later in 2002, Gibson announced his film The Passion of the Christ. The Passion of the Christ is a 2004 film co-written co-produced and directed by Mel Gibson. After The Passion, Gibson directed a few episodes of Complete Savages, and then directed the 2006 action-adventure film Apocalypto. Complete Savages is a sitcom Television program that began airing on ABC in September 2004

Film 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. Vincent Canby ( July 27 1924 &ndash September 15 2000) was an American film critic. Gibson recalls the young Steve McQueen… I can't define "star quality," but whatever it is, Mr. Terrence Steven "Steve" McQueen (March 24 1930 – November 7 1980 was an American movie Actor, nicknamed "The King of Cool" Gibson has it. ”^[15] Gibson has also been likened to “a combination Clark Gable and Humphrey Bogart. Clark Gable (February 1 &ndashNovember 16) was an iconic American Actor nicknamed "The King of Hollywood" in his heyday ”^[16] 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, and the "Lethal Weapon" series of films. Peter Lindsay Weir AM (born 21 August 1944 is an Australian Film director. Gallipoli is a 1981 Australian Film, directed by Peter Weir and starring Mel Gibson and Mark Lee, about several young Later, Gibson expanded into a variety of acting projects including human dramas such as Hamlet, and comedic roles such as those in Maverick and What Women Want. Hamlet is a Tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1599 and 1601 Maverick is an Academy Award nominated 1994 Comedy Western movie, based on the 1950s television series Maverick, created What Women Want is a 2000 American film directed by Nancy Meyers and starring Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt 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, 2004's Passion of the Christ and 2006's Apocalypto. The Man Without a Face is a 1993 drama starring and directed by Mel Gibson. Braveheart is a 1995 historical action-drama movie produced and directed by Mel Gibson, who also starred in the title role The Patriot is a 2000 War film directed by Roland Emmerich, written by Robert Rodat, and starring Mel Gibson. The Passion of the Christ is a 2004 film co-written co-produced and directed by Mel Gibson. 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. Batman is a 1989 Superhero film based on the DC Comics character of the same name. GoldenEye (1995 is the seventeenth Spy film of the British James Bond series directed by Martin Campbell and the Amadeus is a 1984 drama directed by Miloš Forman. Based on Peter Shaffer 's stage play Amadeus, the film Gladiator is a 2000 Epic film directed by Ridley Scott and starring Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen The Golden Child is a 1986 American mystical Comedy film starring Eddie Murphy. X-Men is a 2000 Superhero film based on the fictional Marvel Comics characters of the same name. Robin Hood Prince of Thieves is a 1991 Adventure film directed by Kevin Reynolds. Runaway Bride is a 1999 Romantic comedy film starring Richard Gere and Julia Roberts and directed by Garry Marshall Primary Colors is a 1998 film starring John Travolta based on the popular book (a success fueled in part by speculation over the identity of the then-anonymous ^[17] Actor Sean Connery once suggested Gibson should play the next James Bond to Connery's M. Sir Thomas Sean Connery (born August 25 1930) is an Academy Award - Golden Globe - and BAFTA Award -winning Scottish James Bond 007 is a Fictional character created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve Novels and two Short story M is a fictional character in Ian Fleming 's James Bond series as well as the films in the Bond franchise Gibson turned down the role, reportedly because he feared being typecast. For other meanings see Typecasting. Typecasting is the process by which a film TV or stage Actor is strongly identified with a specific ^[18]

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". Events 285 - Diocletian appoints Maximian as Caesar, co-ruler Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia on 14 February 1975 "for the purpose of according recognition The award was honorary because substantive awards are made only to Australian citizens. ^[19][20] In 1985, Gibson was named "The Sexiest Man Alive" by People, the first person to be named so. People (full name People Weekly) is a weekly American Magazine of Celebrity and human interest stories, published People (full name People Weekly) is a weekly American Magazine of Celebrity and human interest stories, published ^[21] Gibson quietly declined the 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. The Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Order of Arts and Literature is an Order of France, established on May 2, 1957 by the Minister ^[22] Time magazine chose Mel Gibson and Michael Moore as Men of the Year in 2004, but Gibson turned down the photo session and interview, and the cover went instead to George W. Bush. Time (trademarked in capitals as TIME) is a weekly American Newsmagazine, similar to Newsweek and Person of the Year (formerly Man of the Year) is an annual issue of the United States Newsmagazine Time that features and profiles George Walker Bush ( born July 6 1946 is the forty-third and current President of the United States. ^[23]

Landmark films

Mad Max series

Main article: Mad Max

Gibson got his breakthrough role as the leather-clad post-apocalyptic survivor in George Miller's Mad Max. Mad Max is a 1979 Australian apocalyptic action thriller Film directed by George Miller and written Dr George (Miliotis Miller (born 3 March 1945 is an Academy-Award winning Australian Film and Television Screenwriter, director Mad Max is a 1979 Australian apocalyptic action thriller Film directed by George Miller and written The film was independently financed and had a reported budget of $300,000 AUD — of which $15,000 was paid to Mel Gibson for his performance. The film achieved incredible success, earning $100 million world wide. It held a record in Guinness Book of Records as the highest profit-to-cost ratio of a motion picture, and only lost the record in 2000 to The Blair Witch Project. Guinness World Records, known until 2000 as The Guinness Book of Records (and in previous U The Blair Witch Project is a low-budget American Horror film released in 1999 The film was awarded four Australian Film Institute Awards in 1979. The Australian Film Institute (AFI established in 1958 is an organisation that promotes Australian film and television through the annual AFI Awards, a membership

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 men at a party, resulting in a swollen 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. " When Mel did come back, he 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!^[24]

When the film was first released in America, all the voices, including that of Mel Gibson's character, were dubbed with U. Ripley's Believe It or Not! is a franchise founded by Robert Ripley, which deals in bizarre events and items so S. accents at the behest of the distributor, American International Pictures, for fear that audiences would not take warmly to actors speaking entirely with Australian accents. American International Pictures was a Film production company formed in April 1956 from American Releasing

The original film spawned two sequels: Mad Max 2 (known in North America as The Road Warrior), and Mad Max 3 (known in North America as Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome). Mad Max 2 The Road Warrior (known as The Road Warrior in the U Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome is a Golden Globe -nominated 1985 film the third installment in the action movie Mad Max franchise A fourth movie, Mad Max 4: Fury Road, has been considered but has not been produced. Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome is a Golden Globe -nominated 1985 film the third installment in the action movie Mad Max franchise

The Year of Living Dangerously

Main article: 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. The Year of Living Dangerously is a 1982 Peter Weir film adapted from the novel of the same name by its author Christopher Koch, Weir and Sigourney Weaver (born October 8, 1949) is an Academy Award -nominated American actress, best known for her roles as Lt Linda Hunt (born April 2, 1945) is an American film stage and television Actress. Peter Lindsay Weir AM (born 21 August 1944 is an Australian Film director. The Year of Living Dangerously is a 1982 Peter Weir film adapted from the novel of the same name by its author Christopher Koch, Weir and 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. "^[25] 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. "^[26] 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. "^[27] Gibson has cited this screen performance as his personal favorite.

The film production in the Philippines was disrupted by radical Muslims, forcing the filmmakers to return to Australia to complete the film. The Philippines ( Filipino: Pilipinas, officially known as the Republic of the Philippines (fil ''Republika ng Pilipinas'' RP For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. Gibson downplayed the death threats, saying, "It wasn't really that bad. We got a lot of death threats to be sure, but I just assumed that when there are so many, it must mean nothing is really going to happen. I mean, if they meant to kill us, why send a note?"^[28][29]

The Bounty

Main article: 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 Bounty is a 1984 Historical film made by Dino De Laurentiis Productions and distributed by Orion Pictures Corporation and Errol Leslie Thomson Flynn ( June 20, 1909 &ndash October 14, 1959) was an Australian Film Actor, most Clark Gable (February 1 &ndashNovember 16) was an iconic American Actor nicknamed "The King of Hollywood" in his heyday Marlon Brando Jr (April 3 1924 – July 1 2004 was an Academy Award -winning American Actor, whose body of work spanned over half a century Fletcher Christian ( September 25, 1764 &ndash October 3, 1793) was a Master's Mate on board the ''Bounty'' during For the book about the mutiny by Charles Nordhoff and James Norman Hall see Mutiny on the Bounty (novel. The resulting 1984 film The Bounty is considered to be the most historically accurate version. The Bounty is a 1984 Historical film made by Dino De Laurentiis Productions and distributed by Orion Pictures Corporation and However, Gibson does not believe that the film went far enough in correcting the historical record.

"I think the main problem with that film was that it tried to be a fresh look at the dynamic of the mutiny situation, but didn't go far enough. In the old version, Captain Bligh was the bad guy and Fletcher Christian was the good guy. Vice-Admiral William Bligh FRS RN (9 September 1754 – 7 December 1817 was an officer of the British Royal Navy and a colonial administrator Fletcher Christian ( September 25, 1764 &ndash October 3, 1793) was a Master's Mate on board the ''Bounty'' during But really Fletcher Christian was a social climber and an opportunist. Fletcher Christian ( September 25, 1764 &ndash October 3, 1793) was a Master's Mate on board the ''Bounty'' during They should have made him the bad guy, which indeed he was. He ended up setting all these people adrift to die, without any real justification. Maybe he'd gone island crazy. They should have painted it that way. But they wanted to exonerate Captain Bligh while still having the dynamic where the guy was mutinying for the good of the crew. Vice-Admiral William Bligh FRS RN (9 September 1754 – 7 December 1817 was an officer of the British Royal Navy and a colonial administrator It didn't quite work. "^[30]

Gibson considers the performance of Anthony Hopkins as William Bligh to be the saving grace of the film:

"It was a kind of fresh look at Captain Bligh, and I think of all the renditions of who Bligh was, his was probably the closest. Sir Philip Anthony Hopkins, CBE (born 31 December 1937 is a Welsh Film, stage and Television Actor. Vice-Admiral William Bligh FRS RN (9 September 1754 – 7 December 1817 was an officer of the British Royal Navy and a colonial administrator Vice-Admiral William Bligh FRS RN (9 September 1754 – 7 December 1817 was an officer of the British Royal Navy and a colonial administrator His Bligh was stubborn and didn't suffer fools, but he was brilliant and just had a lot of bad luck. "^[31]

Gibson described the making of the film as difficult because of the long production and bad weather. "I went mad. They would hold their breath at night when I went off. One night I had a fight in a bar and the next day they had to shoot only one side of my face because the other was so fucked up. If you see the film, you can see the swelling in certain scenes. " Anthony Hopkins was worried about Gibson’s heavy drinking, saying, "Mel is a wonderful, wonderful fellow with a marvelous future. Sir Philip Anthony Hopkins, CBE (born 31 December 1937 is a Welsh Film, stage and Television Actor. He's already something of a superstar, but he's in danger of blowing it unless he takes hold of himself. " Gibson agreed with this concern, and added his admiration for Welsh actor, "He was terrific. He was good to work with because he was open and he was willing to give. He’s a moral man, and you could see this. I think we had the same attitudes. "^[32]

Lethal Weapon series

Main article: Lethal Weapon

Gibson moved into more mainstream commercial filmmaking with the popular buddy cop Lethal Weapon series, which began with the 1987 original. Lethal Weapon is a 1987 Action film, the first in a series of American Films that were released in 1987 1989 The " buddy cop " subgenre of Buddy films are Crime films with plots involving two men of very different and conflicting personalities who are forced to work In the films he played LAPD Detective Martin Riggs, a recently widowed Vietnam veteran with a death wish and a penchant for violence and gunplay. Martin Riggs (born October 16, 1950) is a fictional police officer from the Lethal Weapon franchise The Vietnam War, also known as the Second Indochina War, or the Vietnam Conflict, occurred in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia In the films, he is partnered with a reserved family man named Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover). Roger Murtaugh (born December 15, 1937) is a fictional character in the Lethal Weapon films played in all four by Danny Glover Danny Lebern Glover (born July 22 1946 is an American Actor, Film director, and Political activist. This series would come to exemplify the action genre's so-called buddy film. The " buddy cop " subgenre of Buddy films are Crime films with plots involving two men of very different and conflicting personalities who are forced to work

The two actors were trained in two different schools of acting. Gibson is classically trained and Glover is a method actor. Method acting is an Acting technique in which Actors try to replicate real life emotional conditions under which the character operates in an effort to create a life-like Four films were produced in 1987, 1989, 1992 and 1998.

Hamlet

Main article: Hamlet (1990 film)

Gibson made the unusual transition from the action to classical genres, playing the melancholic Danish prince in Franco Zeffirelli's Hamlet. Hamlet is a 1990 Film based on the Shakespearean play of the same name. Franco Zeffirelli, KBE (born Gianfranco Corsi on February 12, 1923) is an Italian Film director. Hamlet is a 1990 Film based on the Shakespearean play of the same name. Gibson was cast alongside such experienced Shakespearean actors as Ian Holm, Alan Bates, and Paul Scofield. William Shakespeare ( baptised An actor, actress, player or thespian (see terminology) is a person who Acts in a Dramatic production and who works Sir Ian Holm CBE (born 12 September, 1931) is an English award-winning Actor known for his stage work and for many film roles Sir Alan Arthur Bates CBE (17 February 1934 – 27 December 2003 was a British Actor. David Paul Scofield, CH, CBE ( 21 January 1922 &ndash 19 March 2008) was an English award-winning actor of stage 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 article: Braveheart

Gibson stated that when the Braveheart script arrived and was recommended by his agents, he rejected it outright because he thought he was too old to play the part. Braveheart is a 1995 historical action-drama movie produced and directed by Mel Gibson, who also starred in the title role After careful thought, he decided that he wanted to direct the picture, and direct only. He finally agreed to act due to pressure from the film's producers.

Gibson received five Academy Awards, Best Director and Best Picture, for his 1995 direction of Braveheart. "The Oscar" redirects here for the film see The Oscar (film. The Academy Award for Achievement in Directing (Best Director is one of the Awards of Merit presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS to The Academy Award for Best Motion Picture is one of the Awards of Merit presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS to artists working Braveheart is a 1995 historical action-drama movie produced and directed by Mel Gibson, who also starred in the title role In the movie, Gibson starred as Sir William Wallace, a 13th century martyr of Scottish nationalism. Sir William Wallace ( Scottish Gaelic: Uilleam Uallas; c 1272 – 23 August 1305 was a Scottish Knight, Landowner, and Patriot

In one of his interviews, he attempted to make a film similar to the big screen epics he had loved as a child, such as Stanley Kubrick's Spartacus and William Wyler's The Big Country. William Wyler ( July 1, 1902 – July 27, 1981) was a four-time Academy Award -winning motion picture director The Big Country is a 1958 American Western film directed by William Wyler. The filming began in the Scottish Highlands. The Scottish Highlands ( Scottish Gaelic: A' Ghàidhealtachd, Scots: Hielans) include the rugged and Mountainous After learning that the intended filming locations were among the rainiest spots in Europe, the shooting was moved to the Republic of Ireland, where members of the Irish Army Reserve worked as extras in the film's many battles. Ireland ( Irish: Éire, ˈeːrʲə is a country in north-western Europe. The Irish Army ( Arm na hÉireann) is the main branch of the Irish Defence Forces ( Óglaigh na hÉireann) The Battle of Stirling sequence in Braveheart is considered one of the best directed battle scenes in all of film history. The Battle of Stirling Bridge was a battle of the First War of Scottish Independence. Braveheart is a 1995 historical action-drama movie produced and directed by Mel Gibson, who also starred in the title role ^[33]

The Passion of the Christ

Main article: The Passion of the Christ

In 2004 Gibson directed The Passion of the Christ which was based on the last twelve hours of the life of Jesus Christ. The Passion of the Christ is a 2004 film co-written co-produced and directed by Mel Gibson. The Passion of the Christ is a 2004 film co-written co-produced and directed by Mel Gibson. Jesus of Nazareth (7–2 BC / BCE —26–36 AD / CE) It was rendered in Aramaic, Latin, Hebrew. Aramaic is a Semitic language with Latin ( lingua Latīna, laˈtiːna is an Italic language, historically spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. Gibson originally intended to release the film without subtitles; however, subtitles were used in the theatrical exhibitions while they were optional in DVD releases.

Gibson co-wrote the screenplay with writer Benedict Fitzgerald and financed the film himself. See also Pre-production Screenwriting A screenplay or script is a written plan authored by a Screenwriter, for a Film or Television Benedict Fitzgerald (born 1949 is an American Screenwriter who co-wrote the screenplay for The Passion of the Christ with Mel Gibson. The filming took place on location in Matera, Italy and Cinecittà Studios in Rome. Cinecittà ( Italian for Cinema City) is a large Film studio in Rome that is the hub of Italian cinema. Rome ( Roma ˈroma Roma is the capital city of Italy and Lazio, and is Italy's largest and most populous city with more than 2

Reviews were mixed, with critics ranging from praising the film for its realistic depiction of Jesus' final hours from a Catholic point of view and criticism of violence, manipulation and charges of anti-Semitism. ^[34][35]

The movie grossed US$611,899,420 worldwide and $370,782,930 in the US alone, a figure, at that time, surpassed any motion picture starring Gibson. The United States dollar ( sign: $; code: USD) is the unit of Currency of the United States; it has also been It became the eighth highest-grossing film in history and the highest-grossing rated R film of all time. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Original Music Score, Best Cinematography, and Best Makeup at the 77th Academy Awards and won the People's Choice Award for Best Drama. The Academy Award for Original Music Score is presented to the best substantial body of music in the form of dramatic underscoring written specifically The Academy Award for Best Cinematography is an Academy Award awarded each year to a Cinematographer for work in one particular Motion picture. The 77th Academy Awards, honoring the best in film for 2004, were held on February 27, 2005, at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood California Note This article does not pertain to the People's Choice Awards presented at the British Comedy Awards show in the United Kingdom, or to an awards show

Apocalypto

Main article: Apocalypto

Gibson's next historical epic, Apocalypto, was released to theaters on December 8, 2006. Events 1609 - Biblioteca Ambrosiana opens its reading room the second public library of Europe. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. The film is set in Mesoamerica, during the fifteenth century against the turbulent end times of a Maya civilization. Mesoamerica or Meso-America (Mesoamérica is a Region extending approximately from central Mexico to Honduras and Nicaragua, defined End time, End times, or End of days are the eschatological writings in the three Abrahamic religions and in doomsday scenarios in various other The Maya civilization is a Mesoamerican Civilization, noted for the only known fully developed written language of the Pre-Columbian Americas The sparse dialogue is spoken in the Yucatec Maya language. Yucatec Maya ("Maaya T'aan" in the revised Orthography of the Academia de Lenguas Mayas de Guatemala) is a Mayan language spoken in It features a cast of actors from Mexico City, the Yucatán, and some Native Americans from the United States. Mexico City (in Spanish: Ciudad de México, México DF, México or simply Méjico) is the Capital city of Mexico Yucatán is one of the 31 states of Mexico, located on the north of the Yucatán Peninsula. Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples from the regions of North America now encompassed by the continental United States The United States of America —commonly referred to as the

Gibson's Icon Productions financed the film, and Disney released it in specific markets. Icon Productions LLC is an American independent Production company founded in August 1989 by American-Australian actor/director Mel Gibson and Australian

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). Farhad Safinia ( Farhād Safīnīyā born 1975 is an Iranian-American screenwriter and producer The Oxford English Dictionary ( OED) published by the Oxford University Press (OUP is a comprehensive Dictionary of the English ^[36] Gibson's company has long owned the rights to The Professor and the Madman, which tells the story of the creation of the OED. The Surgeon of Crowthorne A Tale of Murder Madness and the Love of Words is a Book by Simon Winchester first published in 1998 The Oxford English Dictionary ( OED) published by the Oxford University Press (OUP is a comprehensive Dictionary of the English ^[37]

Gibson has dismissed the rumors that he is considering directing a film about Spanish explorer Vasco Núñez de Balboa. Vasco Núñez de Balboa (1475&ndash January 15, 1519 was a Spanish Explorer, Governor, and Conquistador. ^[38][39][40] Asked in September 2007 if he planned to return to acting and specifically to action roles, Gibson said:^[41]

"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. "

Variety has reported that Gibson is set to star in a film adaptation of the BBC miniseries, Edge of Darkness. Variety is a weekly entertainment trade newspaper founded in New York in 1905 by Sime Silverman Edge of Darkness is a British television Drama serial, produced by BBC Television in association with Lionheart Television International He's a big fan of the serial and was very enthusiastic about playing the part of the lead character, Ronald Craven, when producer Graham King and director Martin Campbell approached him for the role. Graham King (born December 19, 1961) is a Film producer and President and CEO of Initial Entertainment Group who is best known for his Martin Campbell (born October 24[[ 944]] Hastings) is a New Zealand film and Television director. This will be his first starring role since Signs and We Were Soldiers back in 2002. [3]

Family and personal life

Gibson met his wife Robyn Moore in the late 1970s soon after filming Mad Max when they were both tenants at the same house in Adelaide. Mad Max is a 1979 Australian apocalyptic action thriller Film directed by George Miller and written Adelaide is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of South Australia, and is the fifth largest city in Australia with a 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, they married in a Catholic Church in Forestville, New South Wales. Events 1099 - The First Crusade: The Siege of Jerusalem begins Year 1980 ( MCMLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar) Forestville is a Suburb of northern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. ^[42] Gibson has referred to his wife as "my Rock of Gibraltar, only much prettier" and said, "life is about love and commitment and screw anyone who thinks that's a cliché. The Rock of Gibraltar (sometimes called the Pillar of Hercules or by its Latin name Calpe) is a Monolithic Limestone Promontory " They have one daughter, six sons, and one grandchild. ^[43] 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).

Daughter Hannah Gibson married Blues musician Kenny Wayne Shepherd on September 16, 2006. The Blues is a vocal and instrumental form of Music based on the use of the Blue notes It emerged as an accessible form of self-expression Kenny Wayne Shepherd (born Kenny Wayne Brobst Jr, on June 12 1977 Shreveport, Louisiana) is an American Blues Guitarist Events 1400 - Owain Glyndŵr is declared Prince of Wales by his followers Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ^[44][45] Mel Gibson's spokesman had previously denied the rumor that Hannah was planning to become a nun. ^[46]

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. Malibu is an incorporated city in western Los Angeles County, California, United States. Costa Rica, officially the Republic of Costa Rica ( Spanish: Costa Rica or República de Costa Rica,) is a Country in Fiji (Matanitu ko Viti फ़िजी officially the Republic of the Fiji Islands (Matanitu Tu-Vaka-i-koya ko Viti फ़िजी द्वीप समूह गणराज्य For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. ^[47][48] In December 2004, Gibson sold his 300-acre (1. 2 km²) Australian ranch in the Kiewa Valley for $6 million. ^[49] Also in December 2004, Gibson purchased Mago Island in Fiji from Tokyu Corporation of Japan for $15 million. Mago Island (maŋo lies in the northwest sector of Fiji 's northern Lau Group of islands The ( also known in Japanese as Tōkyū Dentetsu (東急電鉄 for short is a major private railway operator in the Greater Tokyo Area of Japan. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. 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. ^[50] In early 2005, he sold his 45,000-acre (180 km²) Montana ranch to a neighbor for an undisclosed multimillion dollar sum. Montana ( is a state in the Western United States. One-third of the state in the western part contains numerous mountain ranges (approximately 77 named of the northern ^[51] In April 2007 he purchased a 400-acre (1. 6 km²) ranch in Costa Rica for $26 million, and in July 2007 he sold his 76 acre Tudor estate in Connecticut (which he purchased in 1994 for $9 million) for $40 million to an unnamed buyer. Costa Rica, officially the Republic of Costa Rica ( Spanish: Costa Rica or República de Costa Rica,) is a Country in Connecticut ( is a state located in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. ^[52] Also that month, he sold a Malibu property for $30 million that he had purchased for $24 million two years before. Malibu is an incorporated city in western Los Angeles County, California, United States. ^[53]

In keeping with his interest in organic foods, Gibson has used his ranch properties to produce all-organic beef. ^[54]

Mel Gibson has eclectic tastes in music and is particularly fond of Italian opera. Italian opera is both the art of Opera in Italy and opera in the Italian language. He is a lover of Italian Renaissance artwork and is a great admirer of the 17th century artist Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio. The Italian Renaissance began the opening phase of the Renaissance, a period of great cultural change and achievement in Europe that spanned the period from the end of the 14th The definition of an artist is wide-ranging and covers a broad spectrum of Activities to do with creating Art, practicing the Arts and/or demonstrating Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, usually just known as Caravaggio, (28 September 1571 – 18 July 1610 was an Italian Artist active in Rome Much of the cinematography in The Passion of the Christ was modeled after the style of this painter. See also Filmmaking Cinematography (from Greek: kinesis κινησις (movement and grapho γραφω (to record is the discipline The Passion of the Christ is a 2004 film co-written co-produced and directed by Mel Gibson. ^[55][56]

Gibson's height is disputed. Varied sources place him from 5'6" (170 cm) to 5'11" (180 cm). ^[57][58][59] In 2002 Gibson stood next to interviewer Michael Parkinson (5 ft 10 in) and demonstrated that they were about the same height. Sir Michael Parkinson, CBE (born March 28 1935) is an English broadcaster and Journalist. ^[60] It should be noted however that at the time of the interview Parkinson was 67 years old and probably not at his peak height.

Religious and political views

Faith

Based on many of his positions, Gibson may be considered a Traditionalist Catholic. Traditionalist Catholics are Roman Catholics, or people who identify as Roman Catholics who believe that there should be a restoration of many or all of the liturgical Despite the rumors^[61] on whether Gibson shares his father's adherence to Sedevacantism, Gibson has not spoken publicly on the matter, and some of his public interviews give the opposite impression. Sedevacantism is the position held by a minority of Traditionalist Catholics who claim that the Papal See has been vacant since the death of Pope Pius XII 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. Pope The Passion of the Christ is a 2004 film co-written co-produced and directed by Mel Gibson. 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. The Cathedra Petri ( Latin) or Chair of Saint Peter is usually understood of a particular chair preserved in St "^[62]Gibson also referred to him as “Pope John Paul II” in a 2004 Reader's Digest interview,^[63] and acquaintance Father William Fulco has said that Gibson denies neither the Pope nor Vatican II. Reader's Digest is a monthly general-interest family Magazine co-founded in 1922 by Lila Bell Wallace and DeWitt Wallace. The Reverend William J Fulco (born February 24, 1936) is a Jesuit Priest and National Endowment for the Humanities Professor History See also History of the Papacy Catholics recognize the Pope as a successor to Saint Peter, who Jesus named as the "shepherd" and The Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican, or Vatican II, was the twentieth century Ecumenical Council of the Roman Catholic Church. ^[64]

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. The Latin phrase Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus means "Outside the Church there is no Salvation " 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. The Cathedra Petri ( Latin) or Chair of Saint Peter is usually understood of a particular chair preserved in St I go with it. ”^[65] Gibson does not understand this dogma to mean that non-Catholics will go to hell. Dogma (the plural is either dogmata or dogmas, Greek, plural) is the established Belief or When Gibson was asked at Willow Creek church whether John 14:6^[66] is an intolerant position, he said that “through the merits of Jesus' sacrifice… even people who don't know Jesus are able to be saved, but through him. Willow Creek Community Church (or simply Willow Creek Church) is a Non-denominational, Evangelical Christian Megachurch located in the Chicago For rule by those having merit see Meritocracy. For the gaming company see Merit Entertainment. ”^[67][68] Gibson also told Diane Sawyer that he believes non-Catholics and non-Christians can go to heaven. ^[69]

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 sacrament of Confirmation, administered by Archbishop emeritus Carlos Quintero Arce. The United Mexican States ( or commonly Mexico (ˈmɛksɪkoʊ () is a federal constitutional Republic in North America. The Tridentine Mass (Missa Tridentina is the form of the Roman Rite Mass contained in the typical editions of the Roman Missal that were published Confirmation is a Rite of initiation in many Christian Churches normally in the form of Laying on of hands and/or Anointing for In Christianity, an archbishop is an elevated Bishop. In the Roman Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion and others this means that they lead Emeritus (ɨˈmɛrɨtəs is an Adjective that is used in the title of a retired Professor, Bishop or other professional ^[70] The same Archbishop Arce consecrated Gibson's private traditional Roman Catholic church of the Holy Family in Malibu in February, 2007. Consecration is the solemn dedication to a special purpose or service usually religious Traditionalist Catholics are Roman Catholics, or people who identify as Roman Catholics who believe that there should be a restoration of many or all of the liturgical Holy Family is a private independent Traditionalist Catholic chapel in Agoura Hills California, United States. ^[71]

Gibson's Traditionalist Catholic beliefs have also been the target of attacks, especially during the controversy over his film The Passion of the Christ. Traditionalist Catholics are Roman Catholics, or people who identify as Roman Catholics who believe that there should be a restoration of many or all of the liturgical The Passion of the Christ is a 2004 film co-written co-produced and directed by Mel Gibson. When the film premiered in France, the newspaper Libération, considered the voice of French liberalism, dubbed Gibson's religious beliefs "the Shiite version of Christianity. This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Libération (affectionately known as Libé) is a French Daily Newspaper founded in Paris in 1973 by Jean-Paul Sartre Liberalism is a broad array of related ideas and theories of Government that consider individual Liberty to be the most important political goal Christianity ( Greek Χριστιανισμός from the word Xριστός ( Christ)is a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings " 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. Lily Diane Sawyer (born December 19, 1945) is a Television Reporter for ABC and co-anchor of its morning news show Human rights refers to the "basic Rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled

Politics

Gibson has been called everything from “ultraconservative”^[72] to “politically very liberal” by acquaintance William Fulco. The Reverend William J Fulco (born February 24, 1936) is a Jesuit Priest and National Endowment for the Humanities Professor ^[73] Although he has denied that he is a Republican,^[74] 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. WorldNetDaily, also known as WND, is a socially conservative news and opinion website founded in 1997. ^[75]

Gibson complimented filmmaker Michael Moore and his documentary Fahrenheit 9/11 when he and Moore were recognized at the 2005 People's Choice Awards. Michael Francis Moore (born April 23 1954 is an Academy Award -winning American filmmaker author and liberal Political commentator. Fahrenheit 9/11 is an award-winning 2004 Documentary Film by American filmmaker Michael Moore which takes a critical look Note This article does not pertain to the People's Choice Awards presented at the British Comedy Awards show in the United Kingdom, or to an awards show ^[76] Gibson's Icon Productions originally agreed to finance Moore's film, but later sold the rights to Miramax Films. Icon Productions LLC is an American independent Production company founded in August 1989 by American-Australian actor/director Mel Gibson and Australian 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". Ariel "Ari" Z Emanuel is a prominent Talent agent and founder of the Endeavor Agency in Beverly Hills California. See also Executive Office of the President of the United States The White House, formerly known as the Executive Mansion, is the Official residence ^[77] 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. The Passion of the Christ is a 2004 film co-written co-produced and directed by Mel Gibson. "^[78]

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". Playboy is an American Men's magazine, founded in Chicago Illinois, by Hugh Hefner and his associates which has grown into Playboy William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton (born William Jefferson Blythe III, August 19 1946 served as the forty-second President of the United States He said that the Rhodes Scholarship was established for young men and women who want to strive for a "new world order" and this was a campaign for Marxism. Rhodes Scholarship Rhodes scholar redirects here Rhodes Scholar redirects here Rhodes scholars New World Order refers to a Conspiracy in which a powerful and secretive group is plotting to eventually rule the world via an autonomous World Marxism is the political philosophy and practice derived from the work of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. ^[79] Gibson later backed away from such conspiracy theories saying, "It was like: 'Hey, tell us a conspiracy' . A conspiracy theory attributes the ultimate cause of an event or chain of events (usually Political, Social or Historical events or the concealment . . 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. "^[80]

In 2004, he publicly spoke out against taxpayer-funded embryonic stem-cell research that involves the cloning and destruction of human embryos. Stem cells are cells found in most if not all multi-cellular Organisms. Cloning in Biology is the process of producing populations of genetically-identical individuals that occurs in nature when organisms such as Bacteria, Insects An embryo (from Greek:, plural, lit "that which grows" from en- "in" + bryein "to swell be full" is a multicellular ^[81]

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. Theresa Marie Schindler "Terri" Schiavo ( December 3 1963 – March 31 2005 was an American woman who suffered brain damage and became dependent on a Feeding tube Sean Hannity (born December 30 1961 is an American radio and television host, conservative Political commentator, and ^[82]

Gibson joked about WMDs in a February 2004 interview with Diane Sawyer and in March 2004 questioned the Iraq war on Sean Hannity's radio show. A weapon of mass destruction ( WMD) is a weapon which can kill large numbers of humans and/or cause great damage to man-made structures (e Lily Diane Sawyer (born December 19, 1945) is a Television Reporter for ABC and co-anchor of its morning news show The Iraq War, also known as the Second Gulf War, the Occupation of Iraq, or the War in Iraq, is an ongoing Military campaign Sean Hannity (born December 30 1961 is an American radio and television host, conservative Political commentator, and ^[83] In 2006, Gibson told the Time magazine that the "fearmongering" depicted in his film Apocalypto "reminds me a little of President Bush and his guys. Time (trademarked in capitals as TIME) is a weekly American Newsmagazine, similar to Newsweek and George Walker Bush ( born July 6 1946 is the forty-third and current President of the United States. "^[72]

Controversy

Allegations of homophobia

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) accused Gibson of homophobia after a December 1991 interview in the Spanish newspaper El País. The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation ( GLAAD) is a Non-profit organization of LGBT Activism that is "dedicated to promoting and BenPhelpsJPG|thumb|right|Westboro Baptist Church picket signs with Ben Phelps grandson of Fred Phelps Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. El País ( Spanish for "The Country" is the most widely-circulated Daily newspaper in Spain. Asked what he thought of gay people, he said, "They take it up the ass. In the English language, gay is an Adjective that in modern usage refers to Homosexuality. " Gibson pointed, continuing, "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. " Gibson later defended his comments on Good Morning America, saying, "[Those remarks were a response] to a direct question. Good Morning America ( GMA) is a morning news show that is broadcast on the ABC television network debuting on November If someone wants my opinion, I'll give it. What, am I supposed to lie to them?" In his 1995 Playboy interview, he responded to GLAAD's protests over his comment with "I'll apologize when hell freezes over. The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation ( GLAAD) is a Non-profit organization of LGBT Activism that is "dedicated to promoting and They can fuck off". ^[79] Eventually, however, to make amends with the gay community and show he was not homophobic, Gibson joined GLAAD in hosting 10 lesbian and gay filmmakers for an on-location seminar on the set of the movie Conspiracy Theory in January 1997. Gay community or LGBT community is a term used to describe the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender subculture BenPhelpsJPG|thumb|right|Westboro Baptist Church picket signs with Ben Phelps grandson of Fred Phelps A lesbian is a Woman who is romantically or sexually attracted only to other women Seminar is generally a form of Academic instruction either at a University or offered by a commercial or professional organization Conspiracy Theory is a 1997 American action / Paranoid thriller Film directed by Richard Donner. ^[84] 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. El País ( Spanish for "The Country" is the most widely-circulated Daily newspaper in Spain. "^[80]

Some have criticized Braveheart for its portrayal of the future Edward II as weak and effeminate and for the scene in which Edward I throws his son's male lover out of the window. Braveheart is a 1995 historical action-drama movie produced and directed by Mel Gibson, who also starred in the title role For the play see Edward II (play. For the film see Edward II (film. Edward I (17 June 1239 – 7 July 1307 popularly known as Longshanks, was a King of England who achieved historical fame by conquering large parts of Wales and almost ^[85][86] Gibson defended his depiction of Prince Edward as weak and ineffectual, saying,

“'I'm just trying to respond to history. You can cite other examples – Alexander the Great, for example, who conquered the entire world, was also a homosexual. Alexander the Great ( or, Mégas Aléxandros; July 20 356 BC June 10 or June 11 323 BC also known as Alexander III of Macedon (el Ἀλέξανδρος Γ' But this story isn't about Alexander the Great. Alexander the Great ( or, Mégas Aléxandros; July 20 356 BC June 10 or June 11 323 BC also known as Alexander III of Macedon (el Ἀλέξανδρος Γ' It's about Edward II. For the play see Edward II (play. For the film see Edward II (film. ”^[87]

Gibson asserted that the reason the king killed his son's lover was because the king was a “psychopath,”^[88] and he expressed bewilderment that some audience members would laugh at this murder:

"We cut a scene out, unfortunately . Psychopathy ( is a psychological construct that describes chronic immoral and Antisocial behavior . . where you really got to know that character (Edward II) and to understand his plight and his pain. . . . But it just stopped the film in the first act so much that you thought, 'When's this story going to start?' "^[89]

Gibson was also accused of homophobia based on his portrayal of Herod Antipas in The Passion of the Christ. Herod Antipas (short for Antipatros (before 20 BC &ndash after AD 39) was a first century AD ruler of Galilee and Perea, who bore the title The Passion of the Christ is a 2004 film co-written co-produced and directed by Mel Gibson. ^[90] In the film, the Hellenized Antipas is depicted as a luxurious, wig-wearing buffoon who surrounds himself with young male and female drunken revelers. Hellenization (or Hellenisation) is a term used to describe the spread of Greek culture. The character of the Jewish high priest Caiphas is shown to be disgusted by the mascara-wearing Herod and his debauchery. This page gives one list (partly traditional of the High Priests of Ancient Israel up to the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE. Yosef Bar Kayafa ( Hebrew יוסף בַּר קַיָּפָא joˑsef bar qayːɔfɔʔ (which translates as Joseph son of Caiaphas) also known simply as The effeminate portrayal of Antipas in The Passion is common to other representations, including Jesus Christ Superstar. The Passion of the Christ is a 2004 film co-written co-produced and directed by Mel Gibson. Jesus Christ Superstar is a 1973, Oscar-nominated film adaptation of the Rock opera of the same name, based on the last weeks of the life The origin of this tradition may have been Christ's description of Herod as a “fox” in Luke 13:32, using a feminine word meaning “vixen” in the original Greek. ^[91]

Allegations of Anglophobia

Due to some of his film choices as well as his Irish and Australian background, accusations of anglophobia, both sincere and joking, have been made against Gibson. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. Anglophobia (from Latin Anglus "English" + Ancient Greek φόβος -phobos "fear" is a hatred or fear of the English

Criticisms have been leveled at the historical accuracy of the Gibson-directed Braveheart, including its portrayal of English lords asserting Droit de seigneur. Braveheart is a 1995 historical action-drama movie produced and directed by Mel Gibson, who also starred in the title role Droit de seigneur (dʀwa d(ə sɛɲœʀ French for the lord's right, is a term now popularly used to describe an alleged legal right allowing the Gibson has acknowledged the reliance on anachronistic elements and the legends about William Wallace to make Braveheart more cinematically compelling. Sir William Wallace ( Scottish Gaelic: Uilleam Uallas; c 1272 – 23 August 1305 was a Scottish Knight, Landowner, and Patriot Braveheart is a 1995 historical action-drama movie produced and directed by Mel Gibson, who also starred in the title role Furthermore, Gibson has dissociated himself from Scottish nationalists using the film to campaign for separation from England. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland ^[92]

Gibson was called anti-English following the release of The Patriot in 2000, despite neither directing or writing the script for the film. The Patriot is a 2000 War film directed by Roland Emmerich, written by Robert Rodat, and starring Mel Gibson. The American Revolutionary character played by Gibson (loosely inspired by four people) waged a private war against a villainous British officer based on Colonel Banastre Tarleton. General Sir Banastre Tarleton 1st Baronet, GCB ( 21 August 1754 &ndash 16 January 1833) was a British ^[93]

According to unauthorised biographer and vocal Gibson critic Wensley Clarkson, Mel Gibson was raised in an openly anti-British atmosphere by his Irish-American parents. Wensley Clarkson (born 1956 is a British Tabloid writer He is the author of Screenplays and Television documentaries plus more than two dozen Irish Americans (Gael-Mheiriceánach are citizens of the United States who can claim ancestry originating in Ireland. Clarkson cites alleged family stories saying that several of Gibson's maternal relations (possibly including his grandmother) were raped by the Black and Tans during the Irish War of Independence. The term Black and Tans (Dúchrónaigh refers to the Royal Irish Constabulary Reserve Force ( Fórsa Chúltaca Chonstáblacht Ríoga na hÉireann) which was one of The Irish War of Independence (or Tan War, or Anglo-Irish War, Irish: Cogadh na Saoirse) from January 1919 to July 1921 was a guerrilla ^[94] Clarkson further accuses Gibson of deliberately standing up the British Royal Family at the London premiere of Hamlet. Hamlet is a 1990 Film based on the Shakespearean play of the same name. However, Gibson had also missed the New York premiere of Hamlet to attend the funeral of his mother in Australia. Hamlet is a 1990 Film based on the Shakespearean play of the same name. ^[95]

Gibson has, however, played British characters several times in his career, playing Fletcher Christian in The Bounty, and voicing John Smith, in Disney's Pocahontas, and narrating the novel My Cousin Rachel. Fletcher Christian ( September 25, 1764 &ndash October 3, 1793) was a Master's Mate on board the ''Bounty'' during The Bounty is a 1984 Historical film made by Dino De Laurentiis Productions and distributed by Orion Pictures Corporation and Captain Sir John Smith (c January 1580– June 21 1631) Admiral of New England was an English Soldier, Sailor Pocahontas is the thirty-third Animated feature in the Disney animated features canon. My Cousin Rachel is a Novel by British author Daphne du Maurier, published in 1951. He has enjoyed cordial working relations with British people during the making of several films, including The Bounty, Lethal Weapon 2, Conspiracy Theory and Chicken Run. The Bounty is a 1984 Historical film made by Dino De Laurentiis Productions and distributed by Orion Pictures Corporation and Lethal Weapon 2 is a 1989 Action film directed by Richard Donner, and starring Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Joe Pesci Conspiracy Theory is a 1997 American action / Paranoid thriller Film directed by Richard Donner. Chicken Run is a 2000 Stop-motion animation British film made by the Aardman Animations studios (which produced the Oscar

While promoting The Patriot, Gibson told reporters, "I'm actually an Anglophile. The Patriot is a 2000 War film directed by Roland Emmerich, written by Robert Rodat, and starring Mel Gibson. I like the Brits, you know?" The fact that he keeps battling the British onscreen is "an unhappy accident, really. I'll have to remedy the situation someday. "^[96]

Gibson has also publicly supported keeping Queen Elizabeth II as the Australian head of state. For the ship see RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Context States headed by Elizabeth II Head of state is the generic term for the individual or collective office that serves as the chief public representative of a Monarchic or Republican Nation-state ^[97]

Allegations of antisemitism

Gibson has been accused of antisemitism over two issues:

Main article: The Passion of the Christ

His 2004 film The Passion of the Christ sparked a fierce debate over alleged anti-Semitic imagery and overtones. Antisemitism (alternatively spelled anti-semitism or anti-Semitism; also rarely known as judeophobia) is the Prejudice against or hostility The Passion of the Christ is a 2004 film co-written co-produced and directed by Mel Gibson. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " The Passion of the Christ is a 2004 film co-written co-produced and directed by Mel Gibson. The Passion of the Christ is a 2004 film co-written co-produced and directed by Mel Gibson. Gibson denied that the film was anti-Semitic, but critics remained divided. Some agreed that the film was consistent with the Gospels and traditional Catholic teachings, while others argued that it reflected a selective reading of the Gospels^[98] or that it failed to comply with recommendations for dramatization of the Passion issued by the Committee for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs of the USCCB in 1988. This article is about the canonical books of the New Testament This article is about the canonical books of the New Testament This article describes the Christian Passion For other meanings see Passion. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops ( USCCB) is the official leadership body of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States. ^[99]

Main article: Mel Gibson DUI incident

According to a leaked report on Gibson's July 28, 2006 arrest for driving under the influence, Gibson made anti-Semitic remarks to arresting officer James Mee, who is Jewish, saying, "Fucking Jews. On July 28, 2006, at 236am PDT, Mel Gibson was arrested on suspicion of Driving under the influence (DUI of alcohol after being stopped Events 1540 - Thomas Cromwell is executed at the order of Henry VIII of England on charges of Treason. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Driving under the influence of alcohol ( driving while intoxicated, drunk driving, drinking and driving, drink-driving) or other drugs . . Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world. Are you a Jew?"^[100] Gibson issued two apologies for the incident through his publicist, and in a later interview with Diane Sawyer, he affirmed the accuracy of the alleged quotations. Lily Diane Sawyer (born December 19, 1945) is a Television Reporter for ABC and co-anchor of its morning news show

Apocalypto

Gibson engaged in an angry confrontation with Alicia Estrada, an Assistant Professor of Central American Studies, during a Q&A session that followed a screening of his film Apocalypto to film students at Cal State University at Northridge, California on March 22, 2007. California State University Northridge (also known as CSUN, Cal State Northridge) is a public university in the San Fernando Valley, within the city limits Events 238 - Gordian I and his son Gordian II are proclaimed Roman emperor. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.

Estrada began by calling Gibson "racist" and "ignorant",^[101][102] and saying, "It's a racist film, and I demand an apology. "^[103] Gibson replied that he was insulted by this accusation. Estrada handed the microphone to her friend KPFK radio host Felipe Perez, who began reading a lengthy statement in Spanish. The organizers eventually said, "ask a question or leave" and cut off the microphone, but Gibson said he should be allowed to continue. Estrada took back the mic and began to translate the prepared statement. When officials concluded that she was not going to ask a question, they called security to escort her out. Estrada then asked Gibson if he was aware of certain scholars, and Gibson replied that he knew them well, and he detailed his research for the film. Although Estrada said that Gibson used profanity in his response, CSUN spokesman John Chandler disagreed: "He didn't respond with a profanity. California State University Northridge (also known as CSUN, Cal State Northridge) is a public university in the San Fernando Valley, within the city limits He responded by answering the question. " After Estrada's microphone was turned off, Gibson said, "No, let her talk. Please. " Estrada became angry that she was being "silenced", and Gibson responded, "I'm listening to you! I can still hear you!" As Estrada and Perez were being escorted out, the audience applauded. Later in the Q&A session, Gibson expressed regret at the incident^[104] and the evening ended with a standing ovation for the filmmaker.

Soon afterwards, student newspaper photographer Khristian Garay sold his photographs to the paparazzi, resulting in a story at TMZ. ^[105]Gibson's publicist told journalists, "This was just a reaction to someone being disruptive and rude. He went on and completed the session and said it was successful. It's unfortunate it was tarnished with a momentary confrontation. " Estrada defended herself, saying, "In no way was my question aggressive in the way that he responded to it. These are questions that my peers, my colleagues, ask me every time I make a presentation. These are questions I pose to my students in the classroom. " Estrada furthermore demanded an apology, "not only to me but to the Central American program at CSUN, to the university and most importantly to the Mayan people and Mayan community. " University spokesman John Chandler commented, "The students were very appreciative of Mr. Gibson being there. He spent a lot of time answering questions about moviemaking. "

Prankster

Mel Gibson is known for his sense of humor on the set of his movies. ^[106] He has a reputation for practical jokes, puns, Stooge-inspired physical comedy, and doing outrageous things to shock people. The Three Stooges were an American Vaudeville and Comedy act of the early to mid–20th century best known for their numerous Short subject films Gibson is fond of drawing caricatures and hiring high school marching bands to pay tribute to his coworkers. As a director he sometimes breaks the tension on set by having his actors perform serious scenes wearing a red clown nose. ^[107] Helena Bonham Carter, who appeared alongside him in Hamlet, said of him, "He has a very basic sense of humor. Helena Bonham Carter (born 26 May 1966 is an Oscar and Golden Globe -nominated English actress. Hamlet is a 1990 Film based on the Shakespearean play of the same name. It's a bit lavatorial and not very sophisticated. "^[108] On the set of Maverick Gibson played a joke on costar Jodie Foster's birthday by secretly rewriting the script to give her character all corny dialogue. Maverick is an Academy Award nominated 1994 Comedy Western movie, based on the 1950s television series Maverick, created Alicia Christian "Jodie" Foster (born November 19 1962 is a two-time Academy Award, BAFTA, and Golden Globe -award winning American Foster returned the favor by hiring a bagpiper in full Scottish regalia to follow Mel around at the Vanity Fair Oscar party after he won for Braveheart. Bagpipes are a class of Musical instrument, Aerophones using enclosed reeds fed from a constant reservoir of air in the form of a bag Vanity Fair is an American magazine of Culture, Fashion, and Politics published by Condé Nast Publications. Braveheart is a 1995 historical action-drama movie produced and directed by Mel Gibson, who also starred in the title role On the set of Ransom, Gibson presented Ron Howard and Brian Grazer with a mock Braveheart For Your Consideration ad when both Braveheart and Apollo 13 were nominated for Best Picture. Ronald William Howard (born March 1 1954 is a director and producer as well as an Actor. Brian Grazer (born July 12, 1951, in Los Angeles, California) is an Oscar and Emmy Award -winning American Braveheart is a 1995 historical action-drama movie produced and directed by Mel Gibson, who also starred in the title role For Your Consideration is a heading frequently used in Advertisements in Entertainment trade publications such as Variety and The Braveheart is a 1995 historical action-drama movie produced and directed by Mel Gibson, who also starred in the title role The Academy Award for Best Motion Picture is one of the Awards of Merit presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS to artists working The ad was for “Best Moon Shot,” and featured a picture of Braveheart's Scottish army mooning the English. Braveheart is a 1995 historical action-drama movie produced and directed by Mel Gibson, who also starred in the title role Mooning is the act of displaying one's bare Buttocks by removing clothing e ^[109] While filming 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. Julia Fiona Roberts (born October 28 1967 is an American - Academy Award winning Film actress and former Fashion model. ^[110]. 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. The Three Stooges were an American Vaudeville and Comedy act of the early to mid–20th century best known for their numerous Short subject films Lethal Weapon is a 1987 Action film, the first in a series of American Films that were released in 1987 1989 As a gag, Gibson inserted a single subliminal frame of himself smoking a cigarette into the 2005 teaser trailer of Apocalypto^[111]

Alcohol abuse

Mel Gibson has said that he started drinking at the age of thirteen. ^[112] In a 2002 interview about his time at NIDA, Gibson said,

"I had really good highs but some very low lows. The National Institute of Dramatic Art ( NIDA) is an Australian national training institute for students of Theatre, Film, and Television I found out recently I'm manic depressive. " ^[113]

Gibson has not made any other public mention of having bipolar disorder.

In 1984, Gibson was arrested in Toronto for driving with a blood alcohol level between 0. Toronto (təˈrɒntoʊ colloquially pronounced or) is the largest city in Canada and is the provincial capital of Ontario 12%-0. 13% after he rear-ended a car. According to Clarkson, when the other driver exited his vehicle and began shouting profanity at him, Mel Gibson laughed and offered him a drink. A drink, or beverage, is a Liquid specifically prepared for Human consumption Gibson plead guilty and was fined $300 and banned from driving in Ontario for 3 months. Ontario (ɒnˈtɛrioʊ is a province located in the central part of Canada, the largest by population and second largest after Quebec In court he apologized to the Toronto community and thanked the police. ^[114][115]

In 1985, Gibson retreated 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. Lethal Weapon 2 is a 1989 Action film directed by Richard Donner, and starring Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Joe Pesci Richard Donner (born April 24, 1930) is an American Film director, and also a Film producer through the production company ^[69] Gibson said in 2003 that his despair in his mid-thirties led him to contemplate suicide, and he meditated on Christ's Passion to heal his wounds. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. This article describes the Christian Passion For other meanings see Passion. ^[65] In 1992, Gibson provided financial support to Hollywood's Recovery Center, saying, "Alcoholism is something that runs in my family. Alcoholism is a term with multiple and sometimes conflicting definitions It's something that's close to me. People do come back from it, and it's a miracle. "^[116]

Main article: Mel Gibson DUI incident

On July 28, 2006, Gibson was arrested for DUI while speeding in his vehicle with an open container of alcohol. On July 28, 2006, at 236am PDT, Mel Gibson was arrested on suspicion of Driving under the influence (DUI of alcohol after being stopped Events 1540 - Thomas Cromwell is executed at the order of Henry VIII of England on charges of Treason. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Driving under the influence of alcohol ( driving while intoxicated, drunk driving, drinking and driving, drink-driving) or other drugs 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. " 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 conflict. The Passion of the Christ is a 2004 film co-written co-produced and directed by Mel Gibson. Background See also Israel-Lebanon conflict The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO had engaged in cross-border attacks from Southern Lebanon After Gibson's arrest, his publicist said he had entered a recovery program to battle alcoholism. On August 17, 2006, Gibson pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor drunken-driving charge and was sentenced to three years on probation. Events 986 - A Byzantine army was destroyed in the pass of Trajan's Gate by the Bulgarians under the Comitopuli Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. la Nolo contendere is a legal term that comes from the Latin for "I will not contend it Superior Court Judge Lawrence Mira ordered him 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. Events 539 BC - The army of Cyrus the Great of Persia takes Babylon. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Lily Diane Sawyer (born December 19, 1945) is a Television Reporter for ABC and co-anchor of its morning news show

"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. "^[117]

At a May 2007 progress hearing, Judge Mira praised Gibson for complying with the terms of his probation, saying,

"I know his extensive participation in a self-help program - and I should note he has done extensive work, beyond which was required. "^[118]

Philanthropy

Although the Gibsons have avoided publicity over their philanthropy, they are believed to spend much money on various charities. Philanthropy is the act of donating money goods services time and/or effort to support a socially beneficial cause with a defined objective and with no financial or material One known charity 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. ^[119][120] The Gibsons have also supported the arts, funding the restoration of Renaissance artwork^[121] and giving millions of dollars to NIDA. The Renaissance (from French Renaissance, meaning "rebirth" Italian: Rinascimento, from re- "again" and nascere The National Institute of Dramatic Art ( NIDA) is an Australian national training institute for students of Theatre, Film, and Television ^[122]

While filming the movie Apocalypto in the jungles of Mexico's Veracruz state, Mel Gibson donated one million dollars to the Rotary Club^[123] to build houses for poor people in the region after some severe flooding wiped out many homes, stating:

"[T]hey had a lot of floods down there. Veracruz, formally Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave is one of the 31 states that constitute the republic of Mexico. Rotary International is an organization of Service clubs known as Rotary Clubs located all over the world 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. "^[124]

Gibson has a reputation for discreetly assisting members of the entertainment community with substance abuse problems. He worked behind the scenes to get Robert Downey, Jr. some help at Corcoran State Prison.^[125] Hole rocker Courtney Love praised Mel Gibson for saving her from a drug relapse after the Hollywood actor helped force her into rehab. Robert John Downey Jr (born April 4 1965 is an American California State Prison Corcoran (COR is a male-only California state prison located in the city of Corcoran, in Kings County. Hole was an American Alternative rock band that formed in Los Angeles in 1989 and disbanded in 2002 Courtney Michelle Love (born Courtney Michelle Harrison on July 9 1964 is an American Rock musician and Golden Globe-nominated actress Gibson sought to help the musician at a hotel in Los Angeles when he heard she was using drugs again. Love later recalled,

"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. "^[126]

Gibson has donated $500,000 to the 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. The Mirador Basin is a geographically defined elevated Basin found in the remote rain forest of the northern department of Petén, Guatemala. "^[127] In July 2007, Gibson again visited Central America to make arrangements for donations to the indigenous population. Gibson met with Costa Rican President Oscar Arias to discuss how to "channel the funds. Costa Rica, officially the Republic of Costa Rica ( Spanish: Costa Rica or República de Costa Rica,) is a Country in Óscar Rafael de Jesús Arias Sánchez (born 13 September 1940) is the current President of Costa Rica, and won the Nobel Peace Prize "^[128] 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. Gallup (Naʼnízhoozhí is a city in McKinley County, New Mexico, United States. ^[129] While on a business trip to Singapore in September 2007, Gibson donated to a local charity for children with chronic and terminal illnesses. ^[130]

Quotations

• "I've been goofing off all my life. I thought might as well get paid for that. " — explanation for why he wanted to be an actor at his 1975 NIDA audition. The National Institute of Dramatic Art ( NIDA) is an Australian national training institute for students of Theatre, Film, and Television

• "[In Hollywood] you have to realize you're working in a factory and you're part of the mechanism. If you break down, you'll be replaced, and there should never be any offense taken at people's attitudes. " — Los Angeles Times, May 6, 1990

• "I am politically incorrect, that's true. The Los Angeles Times (also known as the LA Times) is a daily Newspaper published in Los Angeles California and distributed Events 1527 - Spanish and German troops sack Rome; some consider this the end of the Renaissance. Year 1990 ( MCMXC) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar) Political correctness to me is just intellectual terrorism. Political correctness (adjectivally politically correct; both forms commonly abbreviated to PC) is a term applied to Language, ideas policies or behavior I find that really scary, and I won't be intimidated into changing my mind. Everyone isn't going to love you all the time. " — 1996 interview with Roald Rynning

Filmography

Awards and accomplishments

• Australian Film Institute: 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)
• Honorary Doctorate Recipient and Undergraduate Commencement Speaker, Loyola Marymount University (2003)
• People's Choice Awards: Favorite Motion Picture Actor (2004)
• Named as the world's most powerful celebrity by US business magazine Forbes (2004)
• Outstanding Contribution to World Cinema Award at the Irish Film and Television Awards (2008)^[131]

Awards
Preceded by Bill Hunter for Newsfront	Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role 1979 for Tim	Succeeded by Jack Thompson for Breaker Morant
Preceded by Jack Thompson for Breaker Morant	Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role 1981 for Gallipoli	Succeeded by Ray Barrett for Goodbye Paradise
Preceded by Robert Zemeckis for Forrest Gump	Academy Award for Best Director 1995 for Braveheart	Succeeded by Anthony Minghella for The English Patient
Preceded by Robert Zemeckis for Forrest Gump	Golden Globe Award for Best Director - Motion Picture 1996 for Braveheart	Succeeded by Milos Forman for The People Vs. Larry Flynt
Preceded by N/A	People's Sexiest Man Alive 1985 Inaugural Year	Succeeded by Mark Harmon

References

Published sources

• McCarty, John (September 2001). The Films Of Mel Gibson. Citadel. ISBN 0806522267.  
• Clarkson, Wensley (September 2004). Mel Gibson, Man on a Mission. John Blake. ISBN 1-85782-537-3.  

External links

• Mel Gibson at the Internet Movie Database
• Time Magazine: Apocalpto Now
• Mel Gibson at the Open Directory Project
• Roles turned down by Mel Gibson

Persondata
NAME	Gibson, Mel
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	Mel Columcille Gerard Gibson
SHORT DESCRIPTION	American actor, director, and producer
DATE OF BIRTH	January 3, 1956
PLACE OF BIRTH	Peekskill, New York
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH

The Open Directory Project ( ODP) also known as dmoz (from directory The United States of America —commonly referred to as the An actor, actress, player or thespian (see terminology) is a person who Acts in a Dramatic production and who works A film director, or filmmaker, is a person who directs the making of a Film. A film producer is a person who creates the conditions for making movies. Events 1431 - Joan of Arc is handed over to the Bishop Pierre Cauchon. Year 1956 ( MCMLVI) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Peekskill is a city in Westchester County New York. It is situated on a Bay along the east side of the Hudson River.

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