- Donated $10 million to two Los Angeles hospitals to help children with serious medical problems who cannot afford treatment or get proper care in their own countries. (2004)
- Obtained a temporary restraining order against a homeless man who allegedly showed up at his Malibu estate and the chapel he attends, asking to pray with the actor. (2004)
- Named as the world's most powerful celebrity by U.S. business magazine Forbes. (2004)
- His movie distribution company sued Regal Entertainment Group, the U.S. largest movie chain for $40 million, alleging it reneged on a deal to pay out 55 percent of revenues from THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST. (June 9, 2004)
- Wants to bring the unedited version of THE PASSION OF CHRIST to TV. (April 15, 2004)
- The soundtrack of his movie THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST went gold, selling 500,000 copies in February. (April 15, 2004)
- A bid by three Jewish brothers to have Gibson's controversial film THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST banned in France as anti-Semitic has failed after a Paris court found no reason to stop its premiere. (March 30, 2004)
- A repentant Texas man went to police after seeing Gibson's controversial film THE PASSION OF CHRIST and confessed to murdering a 19-year-old woman who was pregnant with his child. (March 26, 2004)
- Having done with THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST, Gibson says he's planning a movie based on a Jewish rebellion nearly 200 years before the birth of Christ. (March 20, 2004)
- Is considering dropping his support for American President George W Bush, after questioning his handling of the Iraq War. (March 19, 2004)
- Is in talks to make a fifth LETHAL WEAPON film. (March 13, 2004)
- Four Church of England parishes are trying to boost their congregations by offering free cinema tickets to watch Gibson's controversial movie THE PASSION OF CHRIST. (March 10, 2004)
- Gibson's company has sued a movie post-production firm where workers allegedly made pirate copies of his hit movie THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST. (March 6, 2004)
- His movie THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST has inspired a new craze across America for Christian-themed jewelry. (March 2, 2004)
- Said his film THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST was unfairly prejudged for a year before its release but he forgives his critics. (February 28, 2004)
- Animal rights activists PETA is furious he's raising animals for meat at his beef cattle ranch in Columbus, Montana. (February 27, 2004)
- His controversial movie THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST took in an estimated $15 million to $20 million after just one day of release, a remarkable number for a religious-themed movie so divisive that no Hollywood studio would touch it. (February 26, 2004)
- While preview audiences are leaving theaters deeply moved by his controversial film THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST, critics are slamming it for excessive violence, questioning its spiritual message and wondering aloud if it is anti-Semitic. (February 25, 2004)
- Some teens will see Gibson's THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST with church youth groups that have booked tickets well in advance. (February 24, 2004)
- First reviews of his controversial new film on the last 12 hours of Jesus' life, THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST, indicated that it will be a film debated for years to come with critics deeply and passionately split over whether the intense violence of the movie is redemptive or destructive to Christianity's message of peace and brotherly love. (February 24, 2004)
- U.S. President Bush wants to see the controversial new Mel Gibson film THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST, his spokesman said Friday. (February 21, 2004)
- The distributor of his controversial film THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST is expanding the movie's release in U.S. theaters next week to meet rising ticket demand. (February 20, 2004)
- One week before the U.S. release of his controversial movie, THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST, Gibson and his father has publicly reiterated claims that the Holocaust was exaggerated. (February 19, 2004)
- First lady Laura Bush says she would like to see his controversial film, THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST. (February 18, 2004)
- Arch Bonnema, a Southern Baptist, was so moved by Gibson's controversial film THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST, he bought $42,000 worth of tickets so more people could see it. (February 14, 2004)
- Said he used his controversial new film THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST to heal his suicidal tendencies following a severe bout of depression. (February 14, 2004)
- Took part in a satellite interview at Azusa Pacific University in California on Saturday to answer worried Christians' questions about his controversial movie THE PASSION OF CHRIST. (February 11, 2004)
- Said his need to reevaluate his life inspired him to make the biblical epic THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST. (February 9, 2004)
- Has cut a controversial scene from his upcoming film The Passion of Christ to placate critics. (February 5, 2004)
- Maia Morgenstern, the Romanian actress who plays Mary in Gibson's THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST does not consider the film anti-Semitic. (February 4, 2004)
- Jews and Christians who fear Gibson's THE PASSION OF CHRIST will fuel anti-Semitism are planning lecture series, interfaith talks and other programs to try to mute the film's impact. (January 30, 2004)
- Anticipates the worst is yet to come over his controversial film THE PASSION OF CHRIST. (January 22, 2004)
- Pope John Paul's secretary denied widespread news reports that the Pope offered a personal endorsement of Gibson's unreleased movie THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST. (January 20, 2004)
- Will be independently released on about 2,000 screens in the United States on February 25, 2004.
- A statement from the Global Pastors Network said up to 3000 pastors, representing 80 denominations from 40 countries and every state and province in North America, will be able to view Gibson's controversial film The Passion of The Christ during a conference in Orlando, Florida, on January 21, 2004
- His controversial film THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST has received the approval of the Pope -- Vatican insiders have disclosed that the Pope watched a video version at the Vatican and declared: It is as it was. (December 20, 2003)
- Pope John Paul II has been given a personal screening of Gibson's controversial new movie THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST. (December 18, 2003)
- A screening of his controversial film THE PASSION OF CHRIST for a trio of highly influential Vatican congregations resulted in a strong endorsement from an American official of one of the three. (December 11, 2003)
- Delays the Vatican screening of THE PASSION OF CHRIST on Tuesday evening as he was still working on the final version and asked the select audience to wait because the film is only weeks away from being finished. (December 3, 2003)
- America's most influential minister, the Rev. Billy Graham, gave an enthusiastic thumbs-up to Gibson's biblical epic, THE PASSION OF CHRIST, after a private screening with him. (December 1, 2003)
- Two scholars who have criticized Gibson's film THE PASSION OF CHRIST said Thursday they have received hate mail in response to their comments. (November 7, 2003)
- Gibson 's controversial film on the crucifixion, THE PASSION OF CHRIST, will open in theaters next Ash Wednesday, Feb. 25. (October 24, 2003)
- Jim Caviezel, the actor who stars as Jesus Christ in Mel Gibson's controversial new movie THE PASSION OF CHRIST was struck by lightning on the set. (October 24, 2003)
- Is negotiating with Newmarket Films to distribute his embattled Biblical epic THE PASSION OF CHRIST in the United States. (October 23, 2003)
- Has renamed his epic about the last hours of Jesus to THE PASSION OF CHRIST because the original name - THE PASSION was claimed by another movie in the works. (October 16, 2003)
- The well-documented controversy swirling around Gibson's upcoming movie THE PASSION OF CHRIST, has movie fans so curious that they've been crashing Web sites in their search for bootleg trailers. (October 13, 2003)
- Is experiencing big problems in his quest to find a major studio willing to take on his controversial film THE PASSION. (October 8, 2003)
- The headquarters of the Catholic Church have staunchly defended Gibson's controversial new film THE PASSION, rejecting claims it promotes anti-Semitism. (September 19, 2003)
- A senior Vatican official who watched clips from Gibson's controversial film THE PASSION offered enthusiastic praise Saturday for what he saw, despite concerns from Jewish groups that the movie will promote anti-Semitism. (September 15, 2003)
- Gibson's controversial new movie THE PASSION has garnered interest from a gang of distribution companies, including Newmarket, Paramount Classics, Sony Classics and Lion's Gate. (August 26, 2003)
- Gibson's new film THE PASSION has already unleashed a wave of anti-Semitism in the United States despite the fact that it won't be released for months, a Jewish leader said on Tuesday -- Rabbi Marvin Hier, founder of the Los Angeles-based Simon Wiesenthal Center, said the Jewish human rights organization had received dozens of hate calls and letters prompted by a handful of private screenings and advance publicity about the movie. (August 13, 2003)
- The Anti-Defamation League expressed concern on Monday that Gibson's THE PASSION will fuel anti-Semitism by reinforcing a belief that Jews were guilty for Jesus' death. (August 12, 2003)
- Has spent nearly $30 million of his own money to produce, co-write and direct controversial movie THE PASSION. (August 9, 2003)
- Gibson said his controversial movie about Jesus Christ will inspire, not offend -- His belief will be put to the test this weekend when a four-minute clip of THE PASSION is played for a group of Christians attending a festival in California. (August 8, 2003)
- Gibson's controversial religious film THE PASSION has been praised as the best adaptation of The Bible in Hollywood history by an acclaimed American reviewer, who is also an orthodox Jew -- Critic Michael Medved spoke on television of his approval of the $25.6 million film, funded entirely by devout Roman Catholic Gibson. (August 7, 2003)
- Gibson's biblical epic THE PASSION is being tipped for box-office failure because it's too violent -- According to a friend of Gibson, scenes sure to shock include a horrific depiction of the crucifixion, worse than the graphic scenes in Gibson's Oscar-winning film BRAVEHEART. (July 17, 2003)
- Gibson has decided to include subtitles in his controversial movie THE PASSION -- Gibson shocked Hollywood after announcing the film would be shot in Aramaic language without the aid of subtitles but now a Christian focus group invited to a screening of the film insists it has too many subtitles. (July 2, 2003)
- Continuing to raise concerns over Gibson-directed film about the last days of Jesus Christ, THE PASSION, the Anti-Defamation League of America (ADL) charged Tuesday that, based on a study of an early version of the screenplay, the project could be replete with objectionable elements that would promote anti-Semitism. (June 26, 2003)
- Gibson has received an apology from the United States Conference Of Catholic Bishops after members lashed out at his plans to make a film about the last 12 hours of Christ's life -- The high clergy were skeptical about THE PASSION, which Gibson is directing in Italy, but a spokesman for the Conference admits members were wrong to be critical of a film that has yet to be completed. (June 16, 2003)
- Gibson has labeled his latest film THE PASSION, the ultimate action movie even though it's about the last few hours of Jesus Christ's life - Gibson insists his new project, starring James Caviezel as Christ, will find a wide audience, despite its deeply religious content. (April 14, 2003)
- The prospect of impending war in Iraq has netted its first celluloid casualty in the shape of Gibson's fourth futuristic trip MAD MAX: FURY ROAD -- Expected to begin filming in Namibia in July, the Road Warrior will have to wait until Autumn to be unleashed back on to the roads and might now not make its summer 2004 release date. (March 1, 2003)
- Gibson produces, directs, and finances a $25 million biopic about a guy who died 2,000 years ago, shot in two languages that have been dead nearly as long, with no subtitles - THE PASSION, which traces the day Jesus Christ was crucified, is being filmed in Latin, the language of Palestine's Roman conquerors, and Aramaic, the main language of the region's Semites back in the day. (January 22, 2003)
- Whether he's playing an American patriot, a suicidal cop or even a man without a face, Mel Gibson has always been sexy onscreen until now, but with the addition of a pair of Coke-bottle glasses, a balding pate and a doctor's white smock, Gibson is unrecognizable as a 65-year-old oddball psychiatrist in THE SINGING DETECTIVE -- director Keith Gordon said, He's found a voice that doesn't sound like Mel Gibson and he moves much slower than he normally does. A lot of people haven't even recognized him until the third scene he's in. (January 21, 2003)
- Gibson's son Edward narrowly escaped death when his truck skidded off a muddy road and plunged into a river -- the lucky 20-year-old and two pals were swept away by the force of the river, but were washed to safety in a shallow stretch after they skidded off a bridge on December 20. (January 2, 2003)
- In his latest film SIGNS, which was released on the second of August 2002, Gibson actually set aside some of his most common acting tricks and Joaquin Phoenix (plays his brother Merrill) seems to challenge him at every turn.
- Chosen by People (USA) magazine as one of the 50 most beautiful people in the world. (1996)
- Auditioned for the role of Mozart in THE AMADEUS 1984.
- Was considered for the lead role in BATMAN (1989).
- A big fan of The Three Stooges.
- Awarded the AO (Officer of the Order of Australia), Australia's highest honor, in mid-1997.
- He and his wife met through a dating service.
- He has a horseshoe kidney (two kidneys fused into one)
- He took up acting only because his sister submitted an application behind his back. The night before an audition, he got into a fight, and his face was badly beaten, an accident that won him the role.
- He was considered for the role of James Bond in GOLDEN EYE (1995).
- His father moved the family to Australia in part because he was afraid his sons would be drafted during the Vietnam War.
- Roommates with Geoffrey Rush in college.
- Director/producer of BRAVEHEART (1995), Gibson was investigated by the RSPCA, who were convinced that the fake horses used were real.
- Gibson was supposed to star in Terry Gilliam's never made film, A TALE OF TWO CITIES, but turned it down to star in BRAVEHEART which he then offered to Gilliam to direct. Gilliam declined.
- Because he was relatively unknown in the U.S., trailers and previews did not feature Mel Gibson, but instead focused on the car crashes and action scenes. (MAD MAX).
- Cast himself in the role of McLeod for THE MAN WITHOUT A FACE (1993) only after he was unable to find any other satisfactory actor willing to take the part.
- Considered for the role of Simon Templar in THE SAINT
- For release of PAYBACK (1999) in Australia, the U.S. tagline, Get ready to root for the bad guy, was changed to, Get ready to CHEER for the bad guy, because Gibson pointed out that in Australia, to root is slang for having sexual intercourse.
- Franco Zeferelli reportedly decided to offer him the role of Hamlet after seeing his suicide contemplation scene in LETHAL WEAPON (1987).
- He and Greg Henry (PAYBACK) have starred in movies called THE PATRIOT. Mel Gibson in THE PATRIOT (2000), and Gregg Henry in THE PATRIOT (1986).
- He eats some dog cookies in order to stop smoking in LETHAL WEAPON 3 (1992). In MAD MAX 2: THE ROAD WARRIOR (1981), Mel eats a can of dog food in order to survive.
- His character in THE PATRIOT (2000) was originally scripted to be the real historical figure Francis Marion, THE SWAMP FOX, but after historians informed the filmmakers of some of the more sordid aspects of Marion's life (slaughtering Indians, raping his female slaves) they decided to create a fictional story and a more likeable hero.
- His voice in MAD MAX (1979) was dubbed after producers were concerned that American audiences wouldn't understand his then-thick Australian accent.
- In MAVERICK, he had special lessons to learn how to draw a gun from a holster.
- In one scene of PAYBACK, Detective Hicks tells Mel Gibson's character, See you later Rocky. This may be a reference to CHICKEN RUN (2000), where Gibson plays a rooster named Rocky.
- M. Night Shyamalan had originally written the main character in SIGNS (2002) as older. Once Gibson showed interest in the project, Shyamalan rewrote the character with Gibson in mind.
- Production of RANSOM (1996) was delayed a few days when he needed an emergency appendicectomy.
- The producers were looking for someone beaten and rough for the role of Max. The night before his audition for the film, he had his face cut in a bar fight.
- Turned down the role of Eliot Ness in THE UNTOUCHABLES (1987) before Costner was signed.
- CHICKEN RUN (2000): After Rocky leaves, there is another joke at Mel Gibson's expense. Bunty says, I don't even think he was American, a reference to the common misconception that Gibson is actually Australian. Although he was born in the USA and didn't move to Australia until he was 12, the belief persists, especially in the UK, that he's Australian.
- He has his own production agency ( Icon Productions).
- His partner at Icon Productions is Bruce Davey.
- Mel's father, Hutton, was a railroad brakeman who was injured on the job, resulting in him transporting Mel and the other children to Australia.
- Mel has a home in Montana, Connecticut, Australia, and California.
- Mel's children were most impressed when he was the voice of John Smith in Disney's Pocahontas.
- Mel has 10 brothers and no sisters.
- THE THREE STOOGES are Mel's role models.
- Was nominated for Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy/Musical in 2001 for WHAT WOMEN WANT.
- Nominated for Best Male Performance at MTV Movie Awards for THE PATRIOT (2001)
- Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy/Musical at Golden Globe Awards for WHAT WOMEN WANT (2001)
- Nominated for Best Action Sequence at MTV Movie Awards for LETHAL WEAPON 4 (1999) - shared with Danny Glover
- Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama, RANSOM (1997)
- Nominated for Best Male Performance at MTV Movie Awards for BRAVEHEART (1996)
- Nominated for David Lean Award for Direction at BAFTA Awards for BRAVEHEART (1996)
- Nominated for Most Desirable Male at MTV Movie Awards (1996)
- Nominated for Best Kiss at MTV Movie Awards for LETHAL WEAPON 3 (1993) - shared with Rene Russo
- Nominated for Most Desirable Male at MTV Movie Awards for LETHAL WEAPON 3 (1993)
Quotes- On the making of THE PASSION OF CHRIST: "There have been a lot of unusual things happening on this set, good things like people being healed of diseases, a couple of people have had sight and hearing restored, another guy was struck by lightning while we were filming the crucifixion scene and he just got up and walked away. There was even a little six-year-old girl (the daughter of a person connected with the crew) who had epilepsy since she was born and had up to 50 epileptic fits a day. She's doesn't have them anymore for over a month now." He marvels at how this movie has effected or touched most of the cast in some deep and personal way. "And they really give you a lot of hope. It's like wow! I mean, we're not kidding around about this. It's really happening."
- On the making of THE PASSION OF CHRIST: "The performances I'm getting out of Jim, Maia and Monica -- they knock my socks off! And you should see the guy who plays Judas; he's doing an incredible job and the guards -- they're very scary people. There's not a bad performance in my cast. It's amazing."
- On the making of THE PASSION OF CHRIST: "My hope is that this movie has a tremendous message of faith, hope, love, forgiveness and a message of tremendous courage and sacrifice. My hope is that it will effect people on a very profound level and somehow change them and that message is a pretty good message to be pushing right now. There's so much turmoil in the world today, on the brink of everybody at each other's throats. I think usually when the world is tried in this way people usually start going back to something higher to fill a void in their souls, particularly if the earth is crying out in pain from all the suffering and fear that's inflicted by war and hatred. For me, I don't think there's a better message you could put out there, than what's in this movie."
- On THE PASSION OF CHRIST: "It's absolutely not about the blame game. Christ doesn't want it to be about that."
- On why he made THE PASSION OF CHRIST: "I'm not a preacher, and I'm not a pastor. But I really feel my career was leading me to make this. 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."
- On why he made THE PASSION OF CHRIST: "I wanted to show His sacrifice for all sin for all time."
- About his spiritual side: "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."
- "Deal with Jesus for a year and you can't help but become deeply affected."
- "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."
- "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."
- "I did a lot of crazy things so I'm surprised to be alive."
- "I have 6 chickens, 5 dogs, 2 cats, and a fish."
- "Be yourself or be no one."
- It's all happening too fast. I've got to put the brakes on or I'll smack into something."
- "That's like asking you to pick your favorite child... I do however, think Bird on a Wire was one of my finest works. Oscar caliber." - Biography
- "After about 20 years of marriage, I'm finally starting to scratch the surface of that one. And I think the answer lies somewhere between conversation and chocolate." [on what women want]
- "I immediately felt terrible... They were nice guys. They're funny and little and I was looking down on all three of them and they're hairy." [at once yelling at the remaining Beatles for making noise in a sound stage]
Awards- People's Choice Awards: Favorite Motion Picture Actor (2004)
- People's Choice Awards: Favorite Motion Picture Actor (2003)
- Australian Film Institute: Global Achievement Award (2002)
- Blockbuster Entertainment Awards: Favorite Actor - Drama, THE PATRIOT (2001)
- People's Choice Awards: Favorite Motion Picture Actor (2001)
- People's Choice Awards: Favorite Motion Picture Star in a Drama (2001)
- Blockbuster Entertainment Awards: Favorite Actor - Suspense, CONSPIRACY THEORY (1998)
- Blockbuster Entertainment Awards: Favorite Actor - Suspense, RANSOM (1997)
- Hasty Pudding Theatricals: Man of the Year (1997)
- People's Choice Awards: Favorite Motion Picture Actor (1997)
- Academy Awards: Best Director, BRAVEHEART (1996)
- Academy Awards: Best Picture, BRAVEHEART (1996)
- ShoWest Award: Director of the Year (1996)
- Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards: Best Director, BRAVEHEART (1996)
- Golden Globe Awards: Best Director, BRAVEHEART (1996)
- National Board of Review: Special Achievement in Filmmaking, BRAVEHEART (1995)
- American Cinematheque Gala Tribute: American Cinematheque Award (1995)
- 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)
- People's Choice Awards: Favorite Motion Picture Actor (1991)
- Australian Film Institute: Best Actor in a Lead Role, GALLIPOLI (1981)
- Best Actor in a Lead Role, TIM (1979)
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