CELEBRITIES

Mel Gibson: The Oscar winner's career, controversies in photos

Mel Gibson rose to fame in the late 1970s and '80s with star-making roles in "Mad Max" and "Lethal Weapon," later becoming a major Hollywood force behind the camera with films like "Braveheart" and "The Passion of the Christ. Once one of the industry's most in-demand names, his career was later overshadowed by a series of high-profile controversies and legal troubles. Here's a look at his career, from leading man and director to controversial celebrity figure. Above, Gibson attends a special screening of "Monster Summer" at the DGA Theater Complex in Los Angeles on Sept. 24, 2024.
Mel Gibson rose to fame in the late 1970s and '80s with star-making roles in "Mad Max" and "Lethal Weapon," later becoming a major Hollywood force behind the camera with films like "Braveheart" and "The Passion of the Christ. Once one of the industry's most in-demand names, his career was later overshadowed by a series of high-profile controversies and legal troubles.

Here's a look at his career, from leading man and director to controversial celebrity figure. Above, Gibson attends a special screening of "Monster Summer" at the DGA Theater Complex in Los Angeles on Sept. 24, 2024.
VALERIE MACON, AFP Via Getty Images
Mel Gibson holds Oscars for best director and best picture for "Braveheart" at the 68th annual Academy Awards, at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, March 25, 1996.
Mel Gibson holds Oscars for best director and best picture for "Braveheart" at the 68th annual Academy Awards, at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, March 25, 1996.
JEFF HAYNES, AFP Via Getty Images
Mel Gibson poses on May 21, 2016, during a photocall for the film "Blood Father" at the 69th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France.
Mel Gibson poses on May 21, 2016, during a photocall for the film "Blood Father" at the 69th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France.
ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT, AFP Via Getty Images
Actor Mel Gibson arrives looks to the opening ceremony of the 49th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival on July 4, 2014, in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic. The festival opened with the movie "I Origins."
Actor Mel Gibson arrives looks to the opening ceremony of the 49th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival on July 4, 2014, in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic. The festival opened with the movie "I Origins."
Matej Divizna, Getty Images
Actors Harrison Ford, Sylvester Stallone and Mel Gibson pose during a photocall for the film "The Expendables 3" at the 67th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, on May 18, 2014.
Actors Harrison Ford, Sylvester Stallone and Mel Gibson pose during a photocall for the film "The Expendables 3" at the 67th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, on May 18, 2014.
LOIC VENANCE, AFP Via Getty Images
Gibson appears in Los Angeles Superior Court Aug. 31, 2011, in downtown Los Angeles. The actor was in court concerning the civil financial and custody agreement between Gibson and his former girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva.
Gibson appears in Los Angeles Superior Court Aug. 31, 2011, in downtown Los Angeles. The actor was in court concerning the civil financial and custody agreement between Gibson and his former girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva.
POOL, AFP Via Getty Images
Earlier that year, Gibson pleaded no contest to a charge of misdemeanor battery against Grigorieva and was placed on probation. He enters the Los Angeles Courthouse airport branch on March 11, 2011, in Los Angeles.
Earlier that year, Gibson pleaded no contest to a charge of misdemeanor battery against Grigorieva and was placed on probation. He enters the Los Angeles Courthouse airport branch on March 11, 2011, in Los Angeles.
Frederick M. Brown, Getty Images
Director Jodie Foster, actor Mel Gibson and writer Kyle Killen attend "The Beaver" premiere at the Palais des Festivals during the 64th Cannes Film Festival on May 17, 2011, in Cannes, France.
Director Jodie Foster, actor Mel Gibson and writer Kyle Killen attend "The Beaver" premiere at the Palais des Festivals during the 64th Cannes Film Festival on May 17, 2011, in Cannes, France.
Pascal Le Segretain, Getty Images
Mel Gibson holds up the outstanding contribution to world cinema award at the fifth annual Irish Film and Television Awards in Dublin, Ireland, on Feb. 17, 2008. The award came two years after the actor was arrested for driving under the influence and launched into an angry tirade against Jewish people. Once the details of his arrest were leaked, Gibson issued an apology.
Mel Gibson holds up the outstanding contribution to world cinema award at the fifth annual Irish Film and Television Awards in Dublin, Ireland, on Feb. 17, 2008. The award came two years after the actor was arrested for driving under the influence and launched into an angry tirade against Jewish people. Once the details of his arrest were leaked, Gibson issued an apology.
AFP, AFP Via Getty Images
Moviegoers wait in line in front of a advertisement for Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" at a theater on Feb. 25, 2004, in New York City. The film was a commercial success, becoming the highest-grossing R-rated film at the time and currently the highest-grossing indie film.
Moviegoers wait in line in front of a advertisement for Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" at a theater on Feb. 25, 2004, in New York City. The film was a commercial success, becoming the highest-grossing R-rated film at the time and currently the highest-grossing indie film.
Stephen Chernin, Getty Images
Actors Mel Gibson, right, and Danny Glover arrive at the American Museum of the Moving Images salute to Mel Gibson on March 7, 2002, in New York City.
Actors Mel Gibson, right, and Danny Glover arrive at the American Museum of the Moving Images salute to Mel Gibson on March 7, 2002, in New York City.
Mario Tama, Getty Images
Mel Gibson as Lieutenant Colonel Harold G. Moore stars in the 2002 film "We Were Soldiers."
Mel Gibson as Lieutenant Colonel Harold G. Moore stars in the 2002 film "We Were Soldiers."
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Actor Mel Gibson smiles during a press conference to promote his movie "What Women Want" on Oct. 17, 2000, at the Intercontinental Hotel in Sydney.
Actor Mel Gibson smiles during a press conference to promote his movie "What Women Want" on Oct. 17, 2000, at the Intercontinental Hotel in Sydney.
Nick Laham, Getty Images
Mel Gibson stars in the 1999 movie "Payback."
Mel Gibson stars in the 1999 movie "Payback."
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Mel Gibson and Julia Roberts in the 1997 suspense thriller "Conspiracy Theory."
Mel Gibson and Julia Roberts in the 1997 suspense thriller "Conspiracy Theory."
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Mel Gibson stars in the action thriller "Ransom," 1996.
Mel Gibson stars in the action thriller "Ransom," 1996.
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