Mel Gibson Biography
Braveheart hero and celebrity heart-throb Mel Colm-Cille Gerard Gibson is also the brains behind the popular film ‘The Passion of The Christ’, and he is widely known just by the name Mel Gibson, an American film success with roots in Ireland. Born on January 3 1956 in the Peekskill neighbourhood of New York, USA he was brought up by his strict religious parents Anne Reilly and Hutton Gibson. His family valued religion as well as showbiz and some of his extended relatives had ventured into music and acting years before he was born. Gibson’s formative years were spent in West Pymble, Sydney, Australia where his family adopted a collective way of raising their children with the help of aunts, uncles, neighbours and fellow church worshippers. Gibson’s parents enrolled him in all Catholic schools from primary school until he completed high school at the St. Leo's Catholic College in Wahroonga, New South Wales.
Gibson showed an interest and talent in the family career line as early as the age of five so when he turned twelve Anne Reilly and Hutton Gibson enrolled him at the Australian National Institute of Dramatic Art so that he could polish on his talent. Later he joined the State Theatre Company of South Australia in Adelaide where he took part in productions like ‘Romeo and Juliet’.
He became famous in the 90’s decade after appearing on the film ‘Braveheart’ which became a hit in the Australian, American and U.K box offices in 1995. Amazingly Gibson was able to play a dual role of actor and director during the film’s production and for his dedication he was awarded the Best Director and Best Picture awards at the 1995 Academy Awards.
Almost all of the movies he has directed or played have gone to top spots in film charts and grossed millions of dollars, for the controversial ‘Passion of The Christ’ film was criticised for taking on the ‘absurd’ project but much to the surprise of his critics it was valued at over 600 million dollars after its premiere in 2004.
Under his own film company, Icon Productions Gibson has taken on high profile roles and directing rights in films like ‘Lethal Weapon’, ‘Payback’, ‘Maverick’, ‘Conspiracy Theory’, ‘Ransom ‘, ‘Forever Young’ and the sequels ‘Lethal Weapon 2, 3 & 4’.
Throughout his career Gibson has walked away with numerous awards and nominations including Man of the Year at the 1997 Hasty Pudding Theatricals, the Global Achievement Award in 2002 at the Australian Film Institute awards, Honorary fellowship in Performing Arts by Limkokwing University in 2007 and Honorary Doctorate Recipient and Undergraduate Commencement Speaker, Loyola Marymount University in 2003.
Gibson’s career has not been lacking in controversy and the star has been accused on numerous occasions for bursting out rude and unwarranted remarks to his co-workers, he has also been accused repeatedly for insulting the gay community and for making offensive remarks towards the black community. A confrontation with a police officer in 2006 also led to remarks that were deemed offensive to the Jewish community, at the time the officer was in the process of arresting Gibson for reckless driving when drunk.
He is a regular giver to causes that aim to eradicate child diseases around the world.
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