Mel Gibson
Birthday:
3 January 1956, Peekskill, New York, USA
Birth Name:
Mel Columcille Gerard Gibson
Height:
177 cm
Mel Columcille Gerard Gibson was born January 3, 1956 in Peekskill, New York, USA, as the sixth of eleven children of Hutton Gibson, a railroad brakeman, and Anne Patricia (Reilly) Gibson (who died in December of 1990). His mother was Irish, from County Longford, while his American-born father is of mostly Irish descent. Mel and his family moved to...
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Mel Columcille Gerard Gibson was born January 3, 1956 in Peekskill, New York, USA, as the sixth of eleven children of Hutton Gibson, a railroad brakeman, and Anne Patricia (Reilly) Gibson (who died in December of 1990). His mother was Irish, from County Longford, while his American-born father is of mostly Irish descent. Mel and his family moved to Australia in the late 1960s, settling in New South Wales, where Mel's paternal grandmother, contralto opera singer Eva Mylott, was born. After high school, Mel studied at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, performing at the National Institute of Dramatic Arts alongside future film thespians Judy Davis and Geoffrey Rush. After college, Mel had a few stints on stage and starred in a few TV shows. Eventually, he was chosen to star in Mad Max (1979) and in a movie called Tim (1979), co-starring Piper Laurie. The small budgeted movie Mad Max (1979) made him known worldwide, while Tim (1979) garnered him an award for Best Actor from the Australian Film Institute (equivalent to the Oscar). Later, he went on to star in Gallipoli (1981), which earned him a second award for Best Actor from the AFI. In 1980, he married Robyn Moore and had seven children. In 1984, Mel made his American debut in The Bounty (1984), which co-starred Anthony Hopkins. Then in 1987, Mel starred in what would become his signature series, Lethal Weapon (1987), in which he played "Martin Riggs". In 1990, he took on the interesting starring role in Hamlet (1990), which garnered him some critical praise. He also made the more endearing Forever Young (1992) and the somewhat disturbing The Man Without a Face (1993). 1995 brought his most famous role as "Sir William Wallace" in Braveheart (1995), for which he won two Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director. From there, he made such box office hits as The Patriot (2000), Ransom (1996), and Payback (1999). Today, Mel remains an international superstar mogul, continuously topping the Hollywood power lists as well as the Most Beautiful and Sexiest lists. Show less «
I like directing much better. It's more fun, that's all there is to it. It's essentially the same job, which is storytelling, but you have m...Show more »
I like directing much better. It's more fun, that's all there is to it. It's essentially the same job, which is storytelling, but you have more control over the way you want to tell the story. It's a high. I love it. Show less «
My fears: everything from being afraid that I'm going to run out of cream for my cornflakes right up to someone chopping my privates off.
My fears: everything from being afraid that I'm going to run out of cream for my cornflakes right up to someone chopping my privates off.
On his involvement in Braveheart (1995) as actor, director and producer: "If you're going to wear three hats, you'd better grow two more hea...Show more »
On his involvement in Braveheart (1995) as actor, director and producer: "If you're going to wear three hats, you'd better grow two more heads." Show less «
There is no salvation for those outside the Church...I believe it. Put it this way. My wife is a saint. She's a much better person than I am...Show more »
There is no salvation for those outside the Church...I believe it. Put it this way. My wife is a saint. She's a much better person than I am. Honestly. She's like, Episcopalian, Church of England. She prays, she believes in God, she knows Jesus, she believes in that stuff. And it's just not fair if she doesn't make it, she's better than I am. But that is a pronouncement from the chair. I go with it. Show less «
On his religious beliefs: "I'm not a done deal. I'm a work in progress. I'm still extremely flawed."
On his religious beliefs: "I'm not a done deal. I'm a work in progress. I'm still extremely flawed."
You can't live up to what people expect. Nobody can. But I guess that's my problem, not theirs.
You can't live up to what people expect. Nobody can. But I guess that's my problem, not theirs.
About the The Passion of the Christ (2004): This movie is about faith, hope, love and forgiveness. Themes that are as important now as they ...Show more »
About the The Passion of the Christ (2004): This movie is about faith, hope, love and forgiveness. Themes that are as important now as they were in Jesus' time. Show less «
I wasn't exactly the most zealous keeper-of-the-flame, you know? I was a pretty wild boy quite frankly. Even now when I'm trying more than I...Show more »
I wasn't exactly the most zealous keeper-of-the-flame, you know? I was a pretty wild boy quite frankly. Even now when I'm trying more than I was before, I still fail every day at some level, but that's being human. Show less «
I'd like to be able to wake up early every morning, but I don't. I'd like to quit smoking. I'd like to never lose my temper. The list goes o...Show more »
I'd like to be able to wake up early every morning, but I don't. I'd like to quit smoking. I'd like to never lose my temper. The list goes on and on. I'd even like to get dressed by myself, and not have other people watching me. Show less «
I did a lot of crazy things so I'm surprised to be alive.
I did a lot of crazy things so I'm surprised to be alive.
On human embryonic stem cell research: "I found that the cloning of human embryos will be used in the process and that, for me, I have an et...Show more »
On human embryonic stem cell research: "I found that the cloning of human embryos will be used in the process and that, for me, I have an ethical problem with that. Why do I, as a taxpayer, have to fund something I believe is unethical?" Show less «
The fear mongering we depict in this film reminds me a little of President Bush and his guys. [on Apocalypto (2006)]
The fear mongering we depict in this film reminds me a little of President Bush and his guys. [on Apocalypto (2006)]
I feel a strange kinship with Michael [Moore]. They're trying to pit us against each other in the press, but it's a hologram. They really ha...Show more »
I feel a strange kinship with Michael [Moore]. They're trying to pit us against each other in the press, but it's a hologram. They really have got nothing to do with one another. It's just some kind of device, some left-right. He makes some salient points. There was some very expert, elliptical editing going on. However, what the hell are we doing in Iraq? No one can explain to me in a reasonable manner that I can accept why we're there, why we went there, and why we're still there. Show less «
On his decision to cut a scene in which Caiaphas says "his blood be on us and on our children" soon Pontius Pilate washes his hands of Jesus...Show more »
On his decision to cut a scene in which Caiaphas says "his blood be on us and on our children" soon Pontius Pilate washes his hands of Jesus: "I wanted it in. My brother said I was wimping out if I didn't include it. But, man, if I included that in there, they'd be coming after me at my house. They'd come to kill me." Show less «
Asked whether The Passion of the Christ (2004) would be offensive to Jews today: "It's not meant to. I think it's meant to just tell the tru...Show more »
Asked whether The Passion of the Christ (2004) would be offensive to Jews today: "It's not meant to. I think it's meant to just tell the truth. I want to be as truthful as possible. But when you look at the reasons Christ came, he was crucified - he died for all mankind and he suffered for all mankind. So that, really, anyone who transgresses has to look at their own part or look at their own culpability." Show less «
Vatican II corrupted the institution of the church. Look at the main fruits: dwindling numbers and pedophilia. - Time, January 27, 2003.
Vatican II corrupted the institution of the church. Look at the main fruits: dwindling numbers and pedophilia. - Time, January 27, 2003.
I might go and go somewhere no-one can find me. You know where that is? You know where the place is no-one can find you? I was thinking of p...Show more »
I might go and go somewhere no-one can find me. You know where that is? You know where the place is no-one can find you? I was thinking of pitching my tent right next to the weapons of mass destruction. Then no-one would find me. Show less «
I got to a very desperate place. Very desperate. Kind of jump-out-of-a-window kind of desperate. And I didn't want to hang around here, but ...Show more »
I got to a very desperate place. Very desperate. Kind of jump-out-of-a-window kind of desperate. And I didn't want to hang around here, but I didn't want to check out. The other side was kind of scary. And I don't like heights, anyway. But when you get to that point where you don't want to live, and you don't want to die, it's a desperate, horrible place to be. And I just hit my knees. And I had to use The Passion of the Christ (2004) to heal my wounds. Show less «
Asked whether his opposition to abortion and support for capital punishment makes him feel isolated in Hollywood: "Some kind of a dinosaur? ...Show more »
Asked whether his opposition to abortion and support for capital punishment makes him feel isolated in Hollywood: "Some kind of a dinosaur? No, you know you have to have these opinions about these things. I'm pretty firm on stuff like that. I don't feel like I'm howling in a hurricane. I just try to do my bit the way I think it should be done." Show less «
"I probably sound like some egotist, you know, saying that the Roman Church is wrong, but I believe it is at the moment, since Vatican II." ...Show more »
"I probably sound like some egotist, you know, saying that the Roman Church is wrong, but I believe it is at the moment, since Vatican II." (1990) Show less «
Opposition to The Passion of the Christ (2004) kind of put me back on my heels a little bit ... I expected some level of turbulence because ...Show more »
Opposition to The Passion of the Christ (2004) kind of put me back on my heels a little bit ... I expected some level of turbulence because when one delves into religion and politics - people's deeply held beliefs -- you're going to stir things up ... But it was a surprise to have shots being fired over the bow while I was still filming, and then to have various loud voices in the press - people who hadn't seen the work - really slinging mud. Show less «
Asked if he felt besieged by the opposition to The Passion of the Christ (2004): Beseiged? No, not really. They're pretty pathetic actually....Show more »
Asked if he felt besieged by the opposition to The Passion of the Christ (2004): Beseiged? No, not really. They're pretty pathetic actually. I sort of look at them now and feel sorry for them. They've given their best shot, they kind of came out with this mantra again and again and again, 'He's an anti-Semite, he's an anti-Semite, he's an anti-Semite, he's an anti-Semite.' I'm not. But they like to say that in newspapers. So it's kind of how those, anything repeated often enough slowly amalgamates into some sort of accepted truth. Show less «
Obviously, nobody wants to touch something filmed in two dead languages. They think I'm crazy, and maybe I am. But maybe I'm a genius.
Obviously, nobody wants to touch something filmed in two dead languages. They think I'm crazy, and maybe I am. But maybe I'm a genius.
There's something to do with the Federal Reserve that Lincoln did, Kennedy did and Reagan tried. I can't remember what it was. My dad told m...Show more »
There's something to do with the Federal Reserve that Lincoln did, Kennedy did and Reagan tried. I can't remember what it was. My dad told me about it. Everyone who did this particular thing that would have fixed the economy got undone. Anyway, I'll end up dead if I keep talking. Show less «
My biggest weakness is that I'm excessive. Fortunately for everyone concerned, I'm not as excessive as I used to be.
My biggest weakness is that I'm excessive. Fortunately for everyone concerned, I'm not as excessive as I used to be.
I think the Lethal Weapon movies contain my favorite performances. It sounds really crummy, I know, but although the work doesn't look hard,...Show more »
I think the Lethal Weapon movies contain my favorite performances. It sounds really crummy, I know, but although the work doesn't look hard, it's difficult to create effortless on screen. Show less «
What worries me is that people will take this as fact. I'm not angry, per se, that it refutes everything I hold sacred, the foundations of m...Show more »
What worries me is that people will take this as fact. I'm not angry, per se, that it refutes everything I hold sacred, the foundations of my beliefs. The Da Vinci Code (2006) is an admitted work of fiction but it cleverly weaves fact into maverick theories in a way that will appear plausible to some. Show less «
To be certain, neither I nor my film is anti-Semitic. The Passion is a movie meant to inspire, not offend. My intention in bringing it to th...Show more »
To be certain, neither I nor my film is anti-Semitic. The Passion is a movie meant to inspire, not offend. My intention in bringing it to the screen is to create a lasting work of art and engender serious thought among audiences of diverse faith backgrounds, or none, who have varying familiarity with this story. If the intense scrutiny during my twenty-five years in public life revealed I had ever persecuted or discriminated against anyone based on race or creed, I would be all too willing to make amends. But there is no such record. Nor do I hate anybody - certainly not the Jews ... They are my friends and associates, both in my work and social life. Thankfully, treasured friendships forged over decades are not easily shaken by nasty innuendo. Anti-Semitism is not only contrary to my personal beliefs, it is also contrary to the core message of my movie ... For those concerned about the content of this film, know that it conforms to the narratives of Christ's passion and death found in the four Gospels of the New Testament ... This is a movie about faith, hope, love and forgiveness - something sorely needed in these turbulent times. Show less «
I'm not a preacher, and I'm not a pastor. But I really feel my career was leading me to make The Passion of the Christ (2004). The Holy Ghos...Show more »
I'm not a preacher, and I'm not a pastor. But I really feel my career was leading me to make The Passion of the Christ (2004). The Holy Ghost was working through me on this film, and I was just directing traffic. I hope the film has the power to evangelize. Show less «
[on his drunk driving relapse]: "I acted like a person completely out of control when I was arrested and said things that I do not believe t...Show more »
[on his drunk driving relapse]: "I acted like a person completely out of control when I was arrested and said things that I do not believe to be true and which are despicable. The arresting officer was just doing his job and I feel fortunate that I was apprehended before I caused injury to any other person. I disgraced myself and my family with my behavior and for that I am truly sorry. I have battled with the disease of alcoholism for all of my adult life and profoundly regret my horrific relapse." Show less «
Hollywood is a factory. You have to realize that you are working in a factory and you're part of the mechanism. If you break down, you'll be...Show more »
Hollywood is a factory. You have to realize that you are working in a factory and you're part of the mechanism. If you break down, you'll be replaced. Show less «
The precursors to a civilization that's going under are the same, time and time again. What's human sacrifice if not sending guys off to Ira...Show more »
The precursors to a civilization that's going under are the same, time and time again. What's human sacrifice if not sending guys off to Iraq for no reason? Show less «
I'll always continue to work. I've never much depended on anyone but myself, as far as that goes. And, hey, I'm not under the illusion that ...Show more »
I'll always continue to work. I've never much depended on anyone but myself, as far as that goes. And, hey, I'm not under the illusion that everything's just going to be hunky-dory work-wise forever. I've never been under that illusion. Things could go away tomorrow. Show less «
I was subjected to a pretty brutal public beating. The film came out and, you could have heard a pin drop. Not even the crickets weren't chi...Show more »
I was subjected to a pretty brutal public beating. The film came out and, you could have heard a pin drop. Not even the crickets weren't chirping. But the other thing I never heard was one single word of apology. I thought I dealt with that stuff. But the human heart can bear the scars of resentment, and it will come out when you're overwrought and you take a few drinks. - On the hostile critical response to The Passion of the Christ (2004). Show less «
My dad taught me my faith. I believe what he taught me. The man never lied to me in his life. People said, 'Well, he's just an old kook.' He...Show more »
My dad taught me my faith. I believe what he taught me. The man never lied to me in his life. People said, 'Well, he's just an old kook.' He's not an old kook. He's very intelligent. He's in complete possession of all his mental faculties. And if he says something he has a reason why he says it and he can back it up. Mensa wanted this guy, okay? He's very intelligent. Show less «
They're not blameless in the Mideast conflict. Now when you're loaded the balance of how you see things comes out the wrong way. Let me be r...Show more »
They're not blameless in the Mideast conflict. Now when you're loaded the balance of how you see things comes out the wrong way. Let me be real clear, here. In sobriety here, in front of you, national television ... that I don't believe that Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world. I mean, that's an outrageous, drunken statement. Show less «
"Film-making is what I love now. I don't want to be the star of a movie anymore." (December 2006)
"Film-making is what I love now. I don't want to be the star of a movie anymore." (December 2006)
I felt like sending Michael Richards a note. I feel really badly for the guy. He was obviously in a state of stress. You don't need to be in...Show more »
I felt like sending Michael Richards a note. I feel really badly for the guy. He was obviously in a state of stress. You don't need to be inebriated to be bent out of shape. But my heart went out to the guy. They'll probably torture him for a while and then let him go. I like him. Show less «
[In response to winning more Oscars after his first]: "It's a wonderful feeling, but I'm not gonna kill myself trying to win another one."
[In response to winning more Oscars after his first]: "It's a wonderful feeling, but I'm not gonna kill myself trying to win another one."
I've been chased by automobiles doing dangerous things on the freeway. People have tried to spit on me. It's made me totally paranoid. One d...Show more »
I've been chased by automobiles doing dangerous things on the freeway. People have tried to spit on me. It's made me totally paranoid. One day a gay group confronted me. They had signs, they were screaming and frothing at the mouth - pure hatred. It was wild. - After making apparently homophobic remarks in a 1992 interview with a Spanish magazine. Show less «
Everyone always presumes I'm a Republican. I'm not. I couldn't vote for either one of those guys in the last election. I looked at the pair ...Show more »
Everyone always presumes I'm a Republican. I'm not. I couldn't vote for either one of those guys in the last election. I looked at the pair of them and was like, 'What do you want to do - get punched or get kicked?' It was a terrible choice to have to make. So I found somebody else on the ballot who was an independent who I liked the sound of. I can't even remember his name. Show less «
I am politically incorrect, that's true. Political correctness to me is just intellectual terrorism. I find that really scary, and I won't b...Show more »
I am politically incorrect, that's true. Political correctness to me is just intellectual terrorism. 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. Show less «
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. - On his c...Show more »
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. - On his controversial 1992 interview with a Spanish magazine. Show less «
I had really good highs but some very low lows. I found out recently I'm manic depressive. (2002)
I had really good highs but some very low lows. I found out recently I'm manic depressive. (2002)
It's a hard game and everybody gets knifed at some point. But what's become really clear to me is that it's not rocket science at the end of...Show more »
It's a hard game and everybody gets knifed at some point. But what's become really clear to me is that it's not rocket science at the end of the day. I wish I had that youthful spring in my step I once had, but hopefully, in some ways, I'm a lot better as far as maturity goes. (2009) Show less «
Some people said that in telling the story we messed up history. It doesn't bother me because what I'm giving you is a cinematic experience,...Show more »
Some people said that in telling the story we messed up history. It doesn't bother me because what I'm giving you is a cinematic experience, and I think films are there first to entertain, then teach, then inspire. There probably were historical inaccuracies - quite a few. But maybe there weren't, who's to say, because there was very little history about the man. It wasn't necessarily authentic. In some of the stuff I read about him, he wasn't as nice as he was on film. We romanticised it a bit, but that's the language of film - you have to make it cinematically acceptable. Actually, he was a monster - he always smelled of smoke because he was always burning people's villages down. He was like what the Vikings called a 'berserker'. But we kind of shifted the balance a bit because somebody's got to be the good guy and somebody the bad guy, and every story has its own point of view. That was our bias. - On Braveheart (1995). Show less «
William Wallace was around 28 when he died and I was already ten years older than that, although at least my knees weren't wrinkly!
William Wallace was around 28 when he died and I was already ten years older than that, although at least my knees weren't wrinkly!
When all's said and done, I did a pretty good hatchet job on my marriage. I'm to blame, if you're inclined to judge.
When all's said and done, I did a pretty good hatchet job on my marriage. I'm to blame, if you're inclined to judge.
Nobody is without sin. You have to try to make amends if you can. You have to shut up and move on and not whine about it. And you have to de...Show more »
Nobody is without sin. You have to try to make amends if you can. You have to shut up and move on and not whine about it. And you have to deal with it like a man. You've just got to accept your own culpability. Show less «
I feel sorry for Tiger Woods. Why are we talking about this when we're sending 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan? He's being used as a diver...Show more »
I feel sorry for Tiger Woods. Why are we talking about this when we're sending 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan? He's being used as a diversion, and it just drives me crazy. Show less «
I have aged. It's just a natural part of the holy human condition. What am I going to do? Get surgery? That just looks weird. Besides, that ...Show more »
I have aged. It's just a natural part of the holy human condition. What am I going to do? Get surgery? That just looks weird. Besides, that must hurt, so what's the point? I think I'm a lot better because maturity brings things out. I just wish I had that youthful spring again. But it's a trade-off, right? Show less «
I did have bodyguards for a little while but it's a drag. If your number's up, its up. If I'm lying in bed and somebody comes into my room, ...Show more »
I did have bodyguards for a little while but it's a drag. If your number's up, its up. If I'm lying in bed and somebody comes into my room, I'll either wake up or I won't. And I'll either hit 'em with my big stick that I've got or my gun that I have stowed away... or they'll hit me. Look, in this day and age, you've got to be tooled up. Show less «
I try and eat right but I don't work out much. I quit smoking so that's something in the right direction. I just don't do anything fun anymo...Show more »
I try and eat right but I don't work out much. I quit smoking so that's something in the right direction. I just don't do anything fun anymore. But that's dying, isn't it? You die in stages. You let things go in pieces. It's more than halfway through, right? Life's experiences, whether they be pleasant, unpleasant, torturous or excruciatingly wonderful and blissful, season you somehow and hopefully you learn from them. Isn't that what it's about? Show less «
[on his return to acting after 8 years with Edge of Darkness (2010)] I think any kind of hiatus one takes in an artistic journey is going to...Show more »
[on his return to acting after 8 years with Edge of Darkness (2010)] I think any kind of hiatus one takes in an artistic journey is going to make a huge difference. The pause will inform the choices that you make. I kind of felt I was getting stale so being away for a while has been good. Show less «
[on his infamous anti-semitic rant to police in 2006] It's said that I went into a rant, but I think it went on for about five words. I was ...Show more »
[on his infamous anti-semitic rant to police in 2006] It's said that I went into a rant, but I think it went on for about five words. I was drunk. It just turned into a big thing. I apologized profusely -- not once but three times. So what's the problem? It's four years ago. Do I need to apologize again? Show less «
Barack Obama is a man with an impossible task on his hands. He got left a mess and I wish him all the best but I don't think he's going to f...Show more »
Barack Obama is a man with an impossible task on his hands. He got left a mess and I wish him all the best but I don't think he's going to fix it in five minutes and probably not in his entire tenure. Show less «
[on why he temporarily quit acting after Signs (2002)] I felt ham-fisted. 'M. Night Shyamalan' told me I was just doing too much. I looked a...Show more »
[on why he temporarily quit acting after Signs (2002)] I felt ham-fisted. 'M. Night Shyamalan' told me I was just doing too much. I looked around and I was the oldest guy on the set and I felt like the least sophisticated. I decided I needed to rethink everything. I got into this because I wanted to be good. I walked away because I don't know that I was bringing much new to anything. Another seven or eight years of living informs the choices one makes. Show less «
You ask anybody what their number one fear is and it's public humiliation. Multiply that on a global scale and that's what I've been through...Show more »
You ask anybody what their number one fear is and it's public humiliation. Multiply that on a global scale and that's what I've been through. It changes you. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. It's really that simple. You can't do anything but live in the moment and leave the future in the hands of providence and don't regret the past too much. Maybe just take a lesson from it. Show less «
Feminists don't like me, and I don't like them. I don't get their point. I don't know why feminists have it out for me, but that's their pro...Show more »
Feminists don't like me, and I don't like them. I don't get their point. I don't know why feminists have it out for me, but that's their problem, not mine. Show less «
I've never treated anyone badly or in a discriminatory way based on their gender, race, religion, or sexuality - period. I don't blame some ...Show more »
I've never treated anyone badly or in a discriminatory way based on their gender, race, religion, or sexuality - period. I don't blame some people for thinking that though, from the garbage they heard on those leaked tapes, which have been edited. You have to put it all in the proper context of being in an irrationally, heated discussion at the height of a breakdown, trying to get out of a really unhealthy relationship. It's one terribly, awful moment in time, said to one person, in the span of one day and doesn't represent what I truly believe or how I've treated people my entire life. Show less «
Depression is like that. It's somewhere one can be caught. You can get stuck there. Initially, it does stem from a certain amount of egotism...Show more »
Depression is like that. It's somewhere one can be caught. You can get stuck there. Initially, it does stem from a certain amount of egotism. What does it do to everyone around in the family? It is an illness. It is a disease. And, I think there is a better understanding of it. A guy said to me one time, something really profound, and it's so simple. It's that depression lies. It's a liar and you have to shut it down. There is nothing that alleviates it more than going out and doing something for someone else. It's almost like instant healing. Get away from yourself. People can't even get out of bed and it gets really severe. I've never been at that stage. Everyone goes through low and high and low and high and some people are blessed to be created on an even keel all the way through - but not me. Show less «
[on Jodie Foster] You couldn't get two people who are more diametrically opposed on everything that they think about religion and politics t...Show more »
[on Jodie Foster] You couldn't get two people who are more diametrically opposed on everything that they think about religion and politics than we do. But there's a core of goodness there that's undeniable, and I just love her. Show less «
[on Steven Spielberg] The first film of Steven's I saw was Duel (1971). It was amazing. I was 19 and I went to see it and it was really, rea...Show more »
[on Steven Spielberg] The first film of Steven's I saw was Duel (1971). It was amazing. I was 19 and I went to see it and it was really, really compelling. And then there were all these stories: "The guy made it for no money!" I'm like, "Wow, that's kind of brilliant." And it was really brilliant. He's a master - so many great films. One of the best he made, people hardly recognized him for it: Empire of the Sun (1987). Phenomenal movie! The thing that bothered me about that was it seemed like nobody noticed, but it was this masterpiece! [2009] Show less «
[on the Mad Max movies] I like the second one, The Road Warrior. It's a great film. It still holds up because it's so basic. It didn't requi...Show more »
[on the Mad Max movies] I like the second one, The Road Warrior. It's a great film. It still holds up because it's so basic. It didn't require any dialogue. Let the film do the talking. It's about energy, it didn't spare anyone - a girl gets it, a dog gets it. It was the first Mad Max film but done better. The third one, Thunderdome, didn't work at all. Show less «
[on the death of Robin Williams] It's unspeakably sad. He was an exceptional human being, an extraordinary talent, and he had no equal. He s...Show more »
[on the death of Robin Williams] It's unspeakably sad. He was an exceptional human being, an extraordinary talent, and he had no equal. He set his own benchmark and people have aspired to hit it. I don't think anyone quite did. Show less «
[on his sister applying to the Sydney National Institute of Dramatic Arts on his behalf] I was wandering around without a purpose. So she po...Show more »
[on his sister applying to the Sydney National Institute of Dramatic Arts on his behalf] I was wandering around without a purpose. So she pointed me in the right direction. I thought "What the hell else am I going to do". There really wasn't much I wanted to do, and I'd never done anything like acting before. The first time I had to go on stage I was physically ill and couldn't stand up. My legs wouldn't support me. I had to do it sitting down. It was blind terror. Show less «
We're all a bunch of different and contradictory bits. I'm no closer to explaining who I am than anyone else is.
We're all a bunch of different and contradictory bits. I'm no closer to explaining who I am than anyone else is.
[on George Miller and Peter Weir] I kicked off my career working with two of the world's greatest from home. How come those guys were there?...Show more »
[on George Miller and Peter Weir] I kicked off my career working with two of the world's greatest from home. How come those guys were there? Of course at the time I didn't know who they were. But I realized pretty quickly they were special. Show less «
I've never treated anyone badly or in a discriminatory way based on their gender, race, religion or sexuality - period. I don't blame some p...Show more »
I've never treated anyone badly or in a discriminatory way based on their gender, race, religion or sexuality - period. I don't blame some people for thinking that though, from the garbage they heard on those leaked tapes, which have been edited. You have to put it all in the proper context of being in an irrationally, heated discussion at the height of a breakdown, trying to get out of a really unhealthy relationship. It's one terribly awful moment in time, said to one person, in the span of one day and doesn't represent what I truly believe or how I've treated people my entire life. Show less «
(On The Year of Living Dangerously (1982)) "I didn't necessarily see my role as a great challenge. My character was, like the film suggests,...Show more »
(On The Year of Living Dangerously (1982)) "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." Show less «
(On whether he'll return to action roles) "I think I'm too old for that, but you never know. I just like telling stories. Entertainment is v...Show more »
(On whether he'll return to action roles) "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." Show less «
(On Peter Weir) "I'd auditioned for an earlier film and he told me right up front, 'I'm not going to cast you for this part. You're not old ...Show more »
(On Peter Weir) "I'd auditioned for an earlier film and he told me right up front, 'I'm not going to cast you for this part. You're not old enough. But thanks for coming in, I just wanted to meet you.' He told me he wanted me for Gallipoli (1981) a couple of years later because I wasn't the archetypal Australian. He had 'Mark Lee', the angelic-looking, ideal Australian kid, and he wanted something of a modern sensibility. He thought the audience needed someone to relate to of their own time." Show less «
(On his character in The Year of Living Dangerously (1982)) "He's not a silver-tongued devil. He's kind of immature and he has some rough ed...Show more »
(On his character in The Year of Living Dangerously (1982)) "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." Show less «
(On his domestic abuse allegations) I was allowed to end the case and still maintain my innocence. It's called a West Plea and it's not some...Show more »
(On his domestic abuse allegations) I was allowed to end the case and still maintain my innocence. It's called a West Plea and it's not something that prosecutors normally allow. But in my case, the prosecutors and the judge agreed that it was the right thing to do. I could have continued to fight this for years and it probably would have come out fine. But I ended it for my children and my family. This was going to be such a circus. You don't drag other people in your life through this sewer needlessly, so I'll take the hit and move on. Show less «
(On philanthropy) "It gives you perspective. It's one of my faults, you tend to focus on yourself a lot. Which is not always the healthiest ...Show more »
(On philanthropy) "It gives you perspective. It's one of my faults, you tend to focus on yourself a lot. Which is not always the healthiest thing for your psyche or anything else. If you take a little time out to think about other people, it's good. It's uplifting." Show less «
I had really good highs but some very low lows. I found out recently I'm manic depressive.
I had really good highs but some very low lows. I found out recently I'm manic depressive.
"Alcoholism is something that runs in my family. It's something that's close to me. People do come back from it, and it's a miracle." (1992)
"Alcoholism is something that runs in my family. It's something that's close to me. People do come back from it, and it's a miracle." (1992)
The whole notion of politics is they always present you with this or this or this. I'll get a newspaper to read between the lines. Why do yo...Show more »
The whole notion of politics is they always present you with this or this or this. I'll get a newspaper to read between the lines. Why do you have to adhere to prescribed formulas that they have and people argue over them and they're all in a box. And you watch Fox claw CNN, and CNN claw Fox. Sometimes I catch a piece of the news and it seems insanity to me. I quietly support candidates. I'm not out there banging a drum for candidates. But I have supported a candidate and it's a whole other world. Once you've been exposed to it, once or twice or however many times, if you know the facts and see how they're presented, it's mind-boggling. It's a very scary arena to be in, but I do vote. I go in there and pull the lever. It's kind of like pulling the lever and watching the trap door fall out from beneath you. Why should we trust any of these people? None of them ever deliver on anything. It's always disappointing. Show less «
(On The Bounty (1984)) "I think the main problem with that film was that it tried to be a fresh look at the dynamic of the mutiny situation,...Show more »
(On The Bounty (1984)) "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. But really Fletcher Christian was a social climber and an opportunist. 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. It didn't quite work." Show less «
(On The Man Without a Face (1993)) "I read the script first and that's what I liked. The book is just - I'm sorry, but the guy did it. And y...Show more »
(On The Man Without a Face (1993)) "I read the script first and that's what I liked. The book is just - I'm sorry, but the guy did it. And you know, like, why? I just wanted to say something a lot more positive. Show less «
(On making The Bounty (1984)) "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 n...Show more »
(On making The Bounty (1984)) "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 messed up. If you see the film, you can see the swelling in certain scenes." Show less «
(On the controversy of The Year of Living Dangerously (1982)) "It wasn't really that bad. We got a lot of death threats to be sure, but I ju...Show more »
(On the controversy of The Year of Living Dangerously (1982)) "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?" Show less «
(On Lethal Weapon (1987)) "This particular story was a cut above others I had passed on, because the action is really a sideline which heigh...Show more »
(On Lethal Weapon (1987)) "This particular story was a cut above others I had passed on, because the action is really a sideline which heightens the story of these two great characters. I picture Riggs as an almost Chaplinesque figure, a guy who doesn't expect anything from life and even toys with the idea of taking his own. He's not like these stalwarts who come down from Mt. Olympus and wreak havoc and go away. He's somebody who doesn't look like he's set to go off until he actually does." Show less «
I think I've scratched the surface after twenty years of marriage. Women want chocolate and conversation.
I think I've scratched the surface after twenty years of marriage. Women want chocolate and conversation.
[on Braveheart (1995)'s portrayal of the Prince of Wales, which was called homophobic] I'm just trying to respond to history. You can cite o...Show more »
[on Braveheart (1995)'s portrayal of the Prince of Wales, which was called homophobic] 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. But this story isn't about Alexander the Great. It's about Edward II. Show less «
[on Braveheart (1995)'s portrayal of the Prince of Wales] We cut a scene out, unfortunately. . . where you really got to know that character...Show more »
[on Braveheart (1995)'s portrayal of the Prince of Wales] We cut a scene out, unfortunately. . . 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?' Show less «
(On his character in The Patriot (2000)) "I think I would have made him a slave holder. Not to seems kind of a cop-out."
(On his character in The Patriot (2000)) "I think I would have made him a slave holder. Not to seems kind of a cop-out."
(On The Passion of the Christ (2004)) "This is a movie about love, hope, faith and forgiveness. He [Jesus] died for all mankind, suffered fo...Show more »
(On The Passion of the Christ (2004)) "This is a movie about love, hope, faith and forgiveness. He [Jesus] died for all mankind, suffered for all of us. It's time to get back to that basic message. The world has gone nuts. We could all use a little more love, faith, hope and forgiveness." Show less «
I love women. They're the best thing ever created. If they want to be like men and come down to our level, that's fine.
I love women. They're the best thing ever created. If they want to be like men and come down to our level, that's fine.
[on Hamlet (1990)] I mean, it's a great story. It's got some great things in it. I mean, there's something like eight violent deaths.
[on Hamlet (1990)] I mean, it's a great story. It's got some great things in it. I mean, there's something like eight violent deaths.
[on filming Braveheart] When you're an actor and when filming is done, you can go home, but when you're directing, you're only half way thro...Show more »
[on filming Braveheart] When you're an actor and when filming is done, you can go home, but when you're directing, you're only half way through. Show less «
[on the definition of "ultimate love" while filming Hacksaw Ridge] putting your life on the line for the other by saving your fellow brother...Show more »
[on the definition of "ultimate love" while filming Hacksaw Ridge] putting your life on the line for the other by saving your fellow brothers in arms when bullets are flying by your head on the battlefield. Show less «
[advice he would give his younger self]Don't be so caught up in the little things. Take advantage of all the gifts the world has to offer. L...Show more »
[advice he would give his younger self]Don't be so caught up in the little things. Take advantage of all the gifts the world has to offer. Live every day to the fullest, and then Shut the fuck up Show less «
I like telling stories where no one says anything. [Hollywood Reporter, 2017]
I like telling stories where no one says anything. [Hollywood Reporter, 2017]
[on The three E's of filmmaking: Entertain, to Educate and to Elevate]if you can do all three of these you'll be ok in Hollywood and in film...Show more »
[on The three E's of filmmaking: Entertain, to Educate and to Elevate]if you can do all three of these you'll be ok in Hollywood and in filmmaking Show less «
[on the 2016 Presidential campaign and the issue of building a wall]the good news is soon it will be over, and the bad news is that one of t...Show more »
[on the 2016 Presidential campaign and the issue of building a wall]the good news is soon it will be over, and the bad news is that one of those people will be elected, with all this talk about building walls, I think it's worth remembering that if you look at the service men in this country a lot of them have names like Ramirez, Hernandez and Rodriguez, and it's interesting that many of these men and women fight and die for this country die and some of them don't get their citizenship until after they're dead Show less «
Mel Gibson's Photos
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Stonebanks
William Wallace
Rev. Graham Hess
Max Rockatansky
Lt. Col. Hal Moore
Martin Riggs
Voz
Dale 'Mac' McKussic
Justin McLeod
Driver
Ronald Craven
Ed Biddle
Benjamin Martin
Rocky
Frank Dunne
Rick Jarmin
Jerry Fletcher
John Link
Capt. John Smith
Walter Black
Hamlet
Tom Mullen
Nick Marshall
Porter
Bret Maverick
Capt. Daniel McCormick
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