Although American born, Mel’s father relocated the family to New South Wales, Australia in 1968 after he injured himself at work and pursued a lengthy lawsuit against New York Central Railroad which eventually, won him $145,000, which along with the $21,000 he won on the game show Jeopardy enabled them to emigrate Anne’s homeland – Mel’s paternal grandmother was the Australian Opera singer Eva Mylott.
When Mel had finished high school he studied at the University of South Wales in Sydney, after which he starred in a few TV shows and had a season onstage at Sydney’s South Australian Theatre Company where he portrayed Henry IV and Oedipus. It was in 1979 when he got his big break and was chosen to star in the small budgeted movie “Mad Max” which was dubbed for its release in the US – this was the film that helped Mel to be known worldwide. In the same year he also starred in “Tim” which got him an award for Best Actor in the Australian Film Institute, which is the US equivalent of the Oscar.
Mel apparantly met his wife Robyn Moore at a dating service and in 1980 they married, and at present they still are! Together they have seven children; Hannah (born 1980), Edward and Christian (twins born 1982), Willie (1985), Louis (1988), Milo (1990) and Tommy (1999).
Mel was born with the abnormality of a “Horseshoe Kidney” which means that his Kidneys are fused together in the shape of a horse shoe. He also suffers from bipolar disorder. He is around 5’10” tall.
In 1981 Mel starred in Peter Weir’s World War I drama “Gallipoli”, for which he earned another award for Best Actor from the AFI. “The year of living dangerously came in 1982 in which he played his first romantic role which was opposite Sigourney Weaver. It was this film that first gave him his status as a sex symbol!
Mel’s American debut was in “The River” opposite Sissy Spacek followed shortly after by “The Bounty” (1984) which co starred Anthony Hopkins. In 1985 he returned to Australia to star in “Mad Max, Beyond Thunderdrome”. After taking a couple of years off to enjoy his young family he went on to star in his signature series “Lethal Weapon” alongside Danny Glover. For anyone that hasn’t had the pleasure of the “Lethal Weapon” films he plays police officer Martin Riggs, a playful fun-loving ordinary guy who doesn’t take his work to seriously. The films are a mixture of action and comedy, and he and Danny Glover come across as having a charming and natural on screen relationship as partners. These are movies that I could watch over and over! They are fantastic.
In 1988 Mel starred in “Tequila Sunrise” which is a slightly disappointing movie and although the 1990 film “Bird on a Wire” (with Goldie Hawn) was a bit of a flop, it is still one my favourite films. The blockbuster “Lethal Weapon 2” came in 1989 which was followed by another flop “Air America”.
He starred in Franco Zeffirelli’s “Hamlet” in 1990 which was an odd career move but in the end earned him more praise than criticism. He charmed his audience in 1992 with “Forever Young” and then a year later decided to take on the disturbing “The Man Without a Face”. Somewhere in between the two he managed the massive hit “Lethal weapon 3”! In 1994 he took on “Maverick” which is a country funny film which I adore!
1995 saw “Braveheart” in which he starred as Sir William Wallace - a 13th century Scottish nobleman persecuted for his efforts to free Scotland from an English rule. This film was far bigger than anything he had attempted before and all the hard work was worth it because “Braveheart” as well as being voted five awards including Best Picture and honoring Mel as Best Director it is also ranked number 62 on the American Film Institutes most inspiring movies of all time, which is fantastic for a film he almost turned down fearing he was too old for the role. He asked producers if he could direct instead and the compromise was made that if he starred as Wallace then he could also direct the movie.
Also in 1995 he provided the voice for John Smith in the Disney animation “Pocahontas” here he had his singing debut. The massive hit “Ransom” was in 1996 which earned a whopping $35 million in the first week, it was during this film that Mel was rushed to hospital for an appendectomy and returned to work just a few days later to do his action shots. A Year later came “Conspiracy Theory” in which Mel starred opposite Julia Roberts. “Lethal Weapon 4” came in 1998 which Mel and Danny Glover both starred in and directed, Mel has said that his performances as Martin Riggs were his favorite. In 1999 he starred in the hugely successful movie “Payback”. The year 2000 was a busy one for Mel - he starred in “The Million Dollar Hotel”, “The Patriot” and the comedy “What Women Want”.
In 1991, 1992 and 1996 Mel Gibson was chosen as one of the 50 most beautiful people in the world by “People” magazine. In 1997 he was ranked in the UK’s Empire magazine as number 12 in the list of the top 100 movie stars of all time. Also in 1997 he was awarded the AO – Officer of the Order of Australia which is Australia’s highest honor. Mel was also the first person ever to be voted “People” magazines “sexiest man alive”!
In 1994 Mel hosted and sometimes performed in “Rabbit Ears Radio” which is a children’s radio program on Public Radio International. He starred in the supernatural thriller “Signs” in 2002 as well as a leading role in the Vietnam War Drama “We Were Soldiers”. In 2004 he produced, directed and acted in some of the “Complete Savages” episodes and also found time and a lot of his own money (around $25 million) for “The Passion of the Christ” – a film about the last 12 hours of the life of Jesus Christ. This film took over $370 million in domestic box office, perhaps the most profitable independent film of all time.
In December of 2004 Mel flew to Fiji where he bought the 2,160 hectare Island of Mago from a Japanese hotel chain for $15 million dollars which he plans to turn into his personal retreat. He also owns a summer house in Branford, Conneticut, a ranch in Australia, an estate in Greenwich and multiple homes in Malibu, CA.
Mel has been considered for many other roles including; Batman, Wolverine in X-Men, Jack Stanton in Primary Colors, Amadeus, Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves and Runaway Bride. He recently turned down the role of Sgt John McLoughlin in World Trade Centre to direct Apocalypto instead. He also turned down the role of James Bond a few years ago because he didn’t want to be typecast.
It was in 2006 that the fantastic “Apocalypto” was created which is a film set in the ancient Maya Civilization and the script spoken entirely in the Mayan language. A quote from Mel on this was “obviously, nobody wants to touch something filmed in two dead languages. They think I am crazy, and maybe I am. But maybe I’m a genius”
On July 28th 2006 Mel was pulled over in his Lexus on the Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu for doing 85mph in a 45mph zone. He was found to have a blood alcohol level of 0.12, well over California’s 0.08 limit. He was arrested and was insanely rude to his Jewish Arresting officer. He continues his racist rants in jail and demeaned a female officer by calling her “sugar tits”. He was released on a $5000 bond. On reflection Mel said “I acted like a person completely out of control when I was arrested and said things that are not true and which are despicable”. On the 1st of August 2006 he checked himself into a program for alcohol abuse. On the 17th August 2006 Mel pleaded no contest to the DUI and was ordered to attend one year of AA meetings and was ordered to pay £1200 in fines and penalties and £100 in restitution.
A quote from Mel Gibson in December 2006; “film making is what I love now. I don’t want to be the star of a movie anymore”
As far as movie stars go, Mel is certainly one of the biggest and has been in the business for more than 25 years, maybe it is due to is wonderful Australian character that he is so popular, or maybe it is due to his attitude towards his work, he strives to be the best and only takes on what he thinks is a good script, his whole attitude to Hollywood is that if one person breaks down that they can easily be replaced with another. According to the “Los Angeles Journal” Mel Gibson has an estimated fortune of $850 million which would make him the wealthiest actor in the world.
Acting Credits
“The Sullivans” – Ray Henderson (1976)
“Summer City” – Scollop…aka Coast of Terror. (1977)
“Mad Max” – Mad Max Rockatansky (1979)
“Tim” – Tim (1979)
“Punishment” Rick Monroe (1981) – TV Series
“Gallipoli” Frank Dunne (1981) Won an AFI Award for Best Actor in a Lead Role.
“Mad Max 2” Mad Max Rockatansky (1981)
“Attack Force Z” – Captain Paul G. Kelly (1982)
“The Year of Living Dangerously” Guy Hamilton (1982)
“The Bounty” Fletcher Christian Master’s Mate (1984)
“The River” Tom Garvey (1984)
“Mrs. Soffel” Ed Biddle (1984)
“Mad Max Beyond Thunderdrome” Mad Max Rotatansky (1985)
“Lethal Weapon” Sergeant Martin Riggs (1985)
“Tequila Sunrise” Dale (Mac) Mckussic (1988)
“Saturday Night Live” Host 1 episode (1989)
“Lethal Weapon 2” Sergeant Martin Riggs (1989)
“Bird on a Wire” Rick Jarmin - amongst others! (1990)
“Air America” Gene Ryack (1990)
“Hamlet” Hamlet (1990)
“Lethal Weapon 3” Sergeant Martin Riggs (1992)
“Forever Young” Captain Daniel McCormick (1992)
“The Chilli Con Carne Club” Mel (1993)
“The Man Without A Face” Justin Mcleod” (1993)
“Maverick” Brett Maverick (1994)
“Braveheart” William Wallace (1995)
“Pocahontas” Voice of John Smith (1995)
“Ransom” Tom Mullen (1996)
“Fathers Day” An uncredited role as Scott the body piercer (1997)
“Conspiracy Theory” Jerry Fletcher (1997)
“Lethal Weapon 4” Sergeant Martin Riggs (1998)
“Payback” Porter (1991)
“The Million Dollar Hotel” Detective Skinner (2000)
“Chicken Run” The voice of Rocky Rooster (2000)
“The Patriot” Benjamin Martin (2000)
“What Women Want” Nick Marshall (2000)
“We Were Soldiers” Lt. Col. Hal Moore (2002)
“Signs” Rev. Graham Hess (2002)
“The Singing Detective” Doctor Gibbon (2003)
“Paparazzi” Uncredited role as an Anger Management Therapy Patient (2004)
“Complete Savages” – series - Officer Cox (2004 – 2005) Also Wrote, directed and produced
some episodes as well as acting in others.
“Payback; Straight Up – The Directors Cut” Porter (2006)
Directed
“The Man without a face” (1993)
“Braveheart” (1995)
“The Passion of The Christ” (2004)
“Complete Savages” (2004) several episodes
“Apocalypto” (2006)
Produced
“Forever Young” (1992)
“Braveheart” (1995)
“The Three Stooges” (2000) TV
“Invincible” (2001) TV
“Family Curse” (2003) TV
“The Singing Detective” (2003)
“The Passion of the Christ” (2004)
“Evel Knievel” (2004) TV
“Paparazzi” (2004) TV
“Complete Savages” (2005) several episodes
“Leonard Cohen: I’m Your Man” (2005)
“Apocalypto” (2006)
Wrote
“The Passion of the Christ” (2004)
“Complete Savages” – episode 1 (2004)
“Apocalypto” (2006)
Here is a list of just some of the many awards that Mel Gibson has acquired over the years
Australian Film Institute Best Actor in “Tim” (1979)
Australian Film Institute Best Actor in “Gallipolli” (1981)
ShoWest Male Star of the Year (1992)
MTV Movie Award for Best on Screen Duo in “Lethal Weapon 3” (1993)
ShoWest Director of the Year (1995)
Oscar for Best Director “Braveheart” (1995)
Oscar for Best Picture “Braveheart” (1995)
National Board of Review Special Achievement in Filmmaking “Braveheart” (1995)
Golden Globe Best Director “Braveheart” (1995)
Broadcast Film Critics Association Best Director “Braveheart” (1995)
BAFTA Lloyds Bank Award Favourite Film “Braveheart (1995)
MTV Movie Award Best Action Sequence “Braveheart” (1996)
People's Choice Awards: Favorite Motion Picture Actor (1997)
Peoples Choice Awards: Favorite Motion Picture Star in a Drama (2001)
Peoples Choice Awards: Favorite Motion Picture Actor (2001)
Australian Film Institute Global Achievement Award (2002)
Peoples Choice Awards: Favorite Motion Picture Actor (2003)
Peoples Choice Awards: Favorite Motion Picture Actor (2004)
Golden Satellite Award “The Passion of the Christ (2004)
Hollywood Film Award Producer of the Year (2004)
Grand Prix Award “The Passion of the Christ” (2004)`
