Mel Gibson

Born On: January 3, 1956

Born In: New York, U.S

Nationality: American-Australian

Career: Hollywood Actor, Director, Producer, Screenwriter and Historian

 

Mel Gibson is a two time Academy Award-winning and critically acclaimed Hollywood actor who is known for his movies like Passion of the Christ, Braveheart, Apocalypto, What Women Want, Lethal Weapon and Mad Max. Apart from being a successful actor, he has also dabbled with production, direction and screenwriting and has been successful in these fields as well. He was ranked as ‘the World's Most Powerful Celebrity’ in 2004, in the annual list of Forbes magazine. He is also an Honorary Officer of the Order of Australia.

 

Born on January 3, 1956 in New York, U.S, Mel Columcille Gerard Gibson was the sixth of 11 children in his household. His paternal grandmother Eva Mylott (1875-1920) was an Australian opera soprano. His father was Hutton Gibson and mother was Irish-born Anne Reilly Gibson. Gibson was named after a 5^th century saint, Mel, and his second name is associated with an Irish saint. His father relocated his family to Australia in the year 1968 after he won $145,000 in a lawsuit related to workplace injury. Mel Gibson was 12 when he moved and was educated by Christian Brothers at St. Leo's Catholic College in New South Wales during high school.

 

Mel Gibson went on to study acting at National Institute of Dramatic Art in Sydney and graduated from here in 1977. In his early career, he made some appearances in television series like The Sullivans, Cop Shop and Punishment. His movie debut was in 1977 in the Australian movie Summer City. It was due to his macho physical appearance that he got roles that naturally called for action. In 1979, he got the role for Mad Max, which went on to earn high box office profits worldwide and established him as an action hero and a household name.

 

Next came The Bounty in 1984, which starred Mel Gibson and Anthony Hopkins. This film was also well received by critics and fans and he was applauded for his role as Fletcher Christian. Mel Gibson moved into mainstream filmmaking with the movie series Lethal Weapon. He played the role of LAPD Detective Martin Riggs and had a reserved partner named Roger Murtaugh. This movie represented the genre of ‘buddy film’. From action, Mel Gibson went on to do classical films like the Hamlet in which he plays the agonized Danish Prince. It was received well and acquired critical success. Next, came the movie that won him five Academy Awards, including Best Director and Best Picture. This was, the Braveheart.

 

He received mixed reactions for his movie Passion of the Christ in 2004. The movie was based on the last 12 hours of the life of Jesus Christ. Mel Gibson co-wrote the screenplay along with writer Benedict Fitzgerald and also financed the film himself. The movie went on to become one of the highest grossing films that year and the highest grossing R rated film ever. His next historical epic was the Apocalypto (2006), based on the decline of the Maya civilization. It was set in the backdrop of the 15^th century Mesoamerica. This film was also financed by Gibson and was released by Disney in specific markets. The movie garnered critical acclaim and became one of the major releases of 2006.

 

Personal Life
Mel Gibson married Robyn Moore, in the late 1970s. During those years, Mel was virtually unknown while his wife worked as a dental nurse. They have seven children; six sons and one daughter and are also the proud grandparents of one grandchild. Mel has much interest in dabbling with real estate investments and many properties in Malibu, California, several possessions in Costa Rica, Private Island in Fiji and properties in Australia. He has a huge fan following and has been voted as ‘Sexiest Man Alive’ by People magazine in the year 1985. He struggled with alcohol addiction in his youth but somehow controlled it as time progressed.