Mel Columcille Gerard Gibson (born January 3, 1956) is an Academy Award–winning American born Australian reared actor, director and producer best known for acting in the Mad Max movie series, the Lethal Weapon series, acting in and directing the Academy Award–winning Braveheart and directing the 2004 blockbuster The Passion of the Christ. He spent much of his early life and career in Australia. In February of 1985, he was the first person ever to garner the title of "Sexiest Man Alive" from People magazine.

Overview

---

Gibson was born in Peekskill, New York, the sixth of ten children born to Hutton Gibson (whose parents were US businessman, John Hutton Gibson, and Irish-Australian opera singer Eva Mylott) and Anne Reilly Gibson (who was born in the parish of Columcille, County Longford, Ireland). The family also adopted a child, bringing the total number of children in the family to eleven. One of Mel's younger brothers, Donal, is also an actor. His unusual first name comes from a 5th-century Irish saint, Mel, who was the founder of the diocese of Ardagh, which contains most of his mother's native county.

Although Gibson always maintained his United States citizenship, he lived in Australia from the age of twelve. Following a victory on the TV game show Jeopardy!, Gibson's father moved his family to Australia in 1968 in protest of the Vietnam War for which his elder sons were potentially at risk for being drafted, and also because he believed that changes in American society were immoral. Early Gibson films feature a distinct, noticeable Australian accent.

More on [ Mel Gibson ]

AP - Celebrity News

Drew Barrymore and Justin Long end relationship
Tue, 08 Jul 2008 11:49:00 -0700
Justin Long and Drew Barrymore have ended their romance, the actor's publicist said Tuesday.
Psychiatrist: Brinkley should weigh choice of men
Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:48:00 -0700
A court-appointed psychiatrist sized up Christie Brinkley's ill-fated fourth marriage Tuesday, saying the model needs to examine her taste in men and her cheating husband is a narcissist with a bottomless ego.
Imprisoned Vick files for bankruptcy protection
Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:09:00 -0700
Imprisoned quarterback Michael Vick filed for bankruptcy protection while serving time for federal dogfighting charges, saying he owes between $10 million and $50 million to creditors.

Subscribe to People RSS feed