Mel Gibson blames “idiocy” on his decision to impersonate an interpreter for the hearing impaired at a Canadian Fan Expo event.
The 70-year-old Academy Award-winning filmmaker was filmed making nonsensical hand features behind a sign language translator introducing him to fans at a celebratory gathering being emceed by reporter Liam Crowley.
His entrance didn’t appear to register with Crowley or the interpreter, who may not have seen Gibson’s prank. But the “Mad Max” star didn’t escape criticism online, where some social media users drudged up his long history of polarizing behavior.
Gibson told TMZ he was caught up in the moment.
“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,” he confessed.
Gibson refused to apologize when GLAAD criticized him for behavior some found to be a homophobic in the 1990s. He’s also been accused of engaging in antisemitic rhetoric, which gained attention during a 2006 traffic stop when he was filmed accusing “f–king Jews” for causing the world’s wars. He blamed alcohol for that outburst.
He was prohibited from owning a firearm following a 2011 domestic violence conviction, but had his gun rights restored in April 2025, according to USA Today.
“Now people are disappointed in him? He’s a terrible person,” one X user commented on his latest controversy.
Others felt Gibson critics were overreacting to his attempt at humor in Toronto over the weekend.
Gibson was most recently seen on film in “Hunting Season,” which premiered in December.