Credit: Getty

Mel Gibson is responding to the backlash.

On Saturday (August 29), the 70-year-old Oscar winner appeared at FanExpo Canada for an event “From Braveheart to Mad Max: A Q&A With Mel Gibson.” The event was held for Mel to talk about his career and answer questions from attendees at the fan convention.

As Mel walks out on stage, he immediately started mimicking the hand gestures of an ASL interpreter at the front of the stage, as seen in a video captured by a fan and posted on social media.

1

The Passion of the Christ director was immediately hit with backlash, with one person writing, “I don’t care how many Jesus movies he makes – he’s still a h o r r i b l e human…” Another wrote called Mel “hateful scum.”

After facing lots of backlash and criticism, Mel issued an statement to Entertainment Weekly where he apologized for his actions.

“Sometimes when you get pushed out on a stage in a spotlight your mind is all over the place, and sometimes spontaneous thoughtless idiocy is displayed,” Mel shared. “There was no intended maliciousness attached, and I certainly apologize to anyone who was upset by it.”

Mel is obviously no stranger to controversy. Back in 2020, Winona Rider accused him of making anti-semitic and homophobic statements towards her and a friend at a party.

Posted To:Mel Gibson