Mel Gibson Biography

- His height is disputed: some sources say 5’ 8” (1.73m) whilst others say 5’ 11” (1.80m).

- Was the first person ever awarded People magazine’s title of Sexiest Man Alive. His comment was “That implies there are a lot of dead guys who got more points than me.”

- Christened Mel Columcille Gerard Gibson, his first two names have strong religious connections. Saint Mel was a fifth century Irish saint and the founder of Ardagh (which contains most of his mother’s native county). Saint Columcille was a sixth century Irish Celtic Monk and the name means ‘dove of the church’. It is also the name of the parish in County Longford where Gibson’s mother (Anne Reilly) was born and raised.

- During his years of battling alcoholism, he created a drink he called ‘Liquid Violence’, which involved mixing two shots of whiskey with his beer. During one such drinking session, Gibson had his face severely cut in a bar fight and the filming schedule had to be rearranged whilst he recovered in hospital.

- Twice turned down the role of James Bond, first after the departure of Roger Moore and then after Timothy Dalton.

- Investigative journalist Wensley Clarkson, author of numerous non-fiction books, screenplays and television documentaries wrote the biographical book “Mel Gibson: Living Dangerously” (1993).

- Suffered appendicitis on the set of ‘Payback’ (1999), which halted production for a week whilst he recovered in hospital.

- The first Australian actor to be paid $1 million for a film role. Was paid a then-groundbreaking $25 million for his role in ‘The Patriot’ (2000).

- Named as the World’s Most Powerful Celebrity by US business magazine Forbes in 2004.

- Appeared only as the hands that nail Jesus to the cross, in his film ‘The Passion of the Christ’ (2004). A year after the film’s release, Gibson’s fortune was estimated at $850 million, making him the wealthiest actor in the world.

- Admitted to being too strict with his first three children. His eldest daughter, Hannah, entered drug rehabilitation in February 2004.