Mel Gibson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mel Gibson AO
Gibson in 2016
Special Ambassador to Hollywood
Incumbent
Assumed office January 20, 2025 Serving with Sylvester Stallone and Jon Voight
President	Donald Trump
Preceded by	Position established
Personal details
Born	Mel Columcille Gerard Gibson (1956-01-03) January 3, 1956 (age 69) Peekskill, New York, U.S.
Citizenship	United States Ireland
Spouse	Robyn Moore ​ ​ (m. 1980; div. 2011)​
Domestic partner	Rosalind Ross (2014–present)
Children	9, including Milo
Parent	Hutton Gibson (father)
Relatives	Donal Gibson (brother) Eva Mylott (grandmother)
Education	National Institute of Dramatic Art (BFA)
Occupation	Actor film director producer screenwriter
Awards	Full list
Works	Full list
Years active	1976–present

Mel Columcille Gerard Gibson (born January 3, 1956) is an American actor and filmmaker. He is famous for playing action heroes and directing popular historical movies. He became well-known for his role as Max Rockatansky in the Mad Max movies and as Martin Riggs in the Lethal Weapon series.

Born in New York, Gibson's family moved to Sydney, Australia, when he was 12. He studied acting at the National Institute of Dramatic Art. In the 1980s, he started his own production company, Icon Entertainment. His role in the World War I movie Gallipoli (1981) won him an award from the Australian Film Institute.

In 1995, Gibson directed and starred in the epic film Braveheart. The movie was a huge success, winning him two Academy Awards, including Best Director and Best Picture. He also directed other major films like The Passion of the Christ (2004) and Apocalypto (2006). After a break from directing, he returned with Hacksaw Ridge (2016), which also received great reviews and awards.

Early life and education

Mel Gibson was born in Peekskill, New York, on January 3, 1956. He was the sixth of eleven children in a family of Irish-American heritage. His father, Hutton Gibson, was a writer, and his mother was Anne Patricia. One of his younger brothers, Donal, is also an actor.

When Gibson was 12 years old, his family moved to Sydney, Australia. The move happened after his father received money from a work-related lawsuit. The family also moved to Australia for financial reasons and to provide new opportunities for the children.

In Australia, Gibson attended St Leo's Catholic College. After high school, he went to the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in Sydney to study acting.

A Career in Film

Gibson became famous first as an actor and later as a director. He is known for playing "action hero" roles but has also acted in dramas and comedies.

Australian Beginnings

Gibson in 1985

Gibson studied acting at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in Sydney. After graduating in 1977, he started working in theater and on television shows. His first major film role was in Mad Max (1979). He played the main character, a police officer in a future world where society has broken down. The movie was a big hit and made Gibson an international star.

In 1981, director Peter Weir cast Gibson in Gallipoli. The film tells the story of young Australian soldiers in World War I. His performance earned him a Best Actor award from the Australian Film Institute and showed that he was a serious and talented actor.

Hollywood Action Star

Gibson's success in Australia led to roles in American movies. His first big American hit was Mad Max 2 (1982), which was called The Road Warrior in the U.S. He also starred in The Year of Living Dangerously (1982) and The Bounty (1984), where he played Fletcher Christian.

In 1987, Gibson starred as detective Martin Riggs in Lethal Weapon. This action-comedy film, where he was partnered with actor Danny Glover, was very popular. It led to three sequels, making the Lethal Weapon series one of the most famous "buddy cop" franchises.

Directing Epic Movies

Gibson in 1990

In the 1990s, Gibson began directing movies. His first film as a director was The Man Without a Face (1993).

Braveheart

Gibson (right) on the set of Braveheart

In 1995, Gibson directed and starred in Braveheart. The film is about the life of William Wallace, a Scottish hero who fought for Scotland's freedom in the 13th century. Braveheart was a huge success. It won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for Gibson. The movie is famous for its large-scale battle scenes.

The Passion of the Christ

In 2004, Gibson directed The Passion of the Christ. The film shows the last twelve hours of the life of Jesus. It was filmed in ancient languages like Aramaic and Latin to feel more realistic. The movie was very successful at the box office, but it also caused a lot of discussion because of its powerful and intense scenes.

Apocalypto

Gibson's next directing project was Apocalypto (2006). This action-adventure film is set in the ancient Maya civilization just before its decline. Like his previous film, the actors spoke in a native language, Yucatec Maya. The film was praised by critics for its exciting story and beautiful visuals.

Hacksaw Ridge

After a ten-year break from directing, Gibson returned with Hacksaw Ridge (2016). The film tells the true story of Desmond Doss, an American army medic during World War II who refused to carry a weapon. For his bravery, he saved many lives during the Battle of Okinawa. The movie received six Academy Award nominations and won two.

Notable Acting Roles

Throughout his career, Gibson has played many different characters. He played the title role in Hamlet (1990), showing his skill in classical drama. He also starred in the historical drama The Patriot (2000), the comedy What Women Want (2000), and the science fiction thriller Signs (2002).

Recent Projects

Gibson with Expendables co-star Sylvester Stallone in 2014

Gibson continues to act in and direct films. He played villains in Machete Kills (2013) and The Expendables 3 (2014). In 2023, he was an executive producer for the movie Sound of Freedom. In 2025, he directed the thriller Flight Risk, starring Mark Wahlberg.

Personal Life

Gibson and his former wife Robyn in 1988

Family

In 1980, Gibson married Robyn Moore. They have one daughter and six sons. After 26 years of marriage, they separated in 2006, and their divorce was finalized in 2011. Gibson also has a daughter with Russian pianist Oksana Grigorieva. Since 2014, he has been in a relationship with writer Rosalind Ross. They have one son together, born in 2017.

Charity Work

Gibson has given a lot of time and money to charity. He and his former wife supported Healing the Children, an organization that helps children get medical treatment. He has also donated money to protect rainforests in Central America and to support young actors in Australia.

Faith and Politics

Gibson is known for his traditional Christian faith. He even funded the building of his own church in California. In politics, Gibson has said he is against war but respects the sacrifices made by soldiers. In January 2025, he was appointed by President Donald Trump to serve as a special ambassador to Hollywood, along with actors Sylvester Stallone and Jon Voight. Their role is to help bring more film business back to the United States.

Images for kids

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  Gibson with Jodie Foster at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival

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  Gibson in Singapore, 2007

Awards and honors

Major film awards

Gibson has won numerous major awards for his film achievements, including multiple awards for the following:

Other awards and 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".
• In 2004, he was named "world's most powerful celebrity" by Forbes.
• In 2007, Gibson was awarded an honorary fellowship in performing arts by Limkokwing University of Creative Technology.
• In 2008, he won the Outstanding Contribution to World Cinema Award at the Irish Film and Television Awards.

See Also

In Spanish: Mel Gibson para niños