Mel Gibson is facing backlash after appearing to mock an American Sign Language interpreter at a Fan Expo Canada panel. The actor has since apologized for the incident, which adds to a long history of public controversies that have followed him through his decades-long career, including past allegations involving antisemitic, racist, and homophobic remarks.
Mel Gibson is reportedly under fire for mocking an ASL interpreter at Fan Expo Canada: pic.twitter.com/hraMHz8og0
— TheBlaze (@theblaze) August 31, 2026
On August 29, Mel Gibson was at Fan Expo Canada, where he participated in the panel “From Braveheart to Mad Max: A Q&A with Mel Gibson.” During the panel, he discussed his career as both an actor and filmmaker.
A clip of the event went viral online after the actor was captured making hand gestures behind a sign language interpreter onstage as he was introduced to the crowd.
The three-second clip sparked immediate backlash, with many calling out the actor for seemingly mocking the woman, who was simply doing her job. Many described him as “despicable” and “gross” for his behavior, while others brought up his past controversies.
The Actor Addresses The Backlash And Issues An Apology
On August 31, Gibson issued a written statement to several news and entertainment outlets to address the controversy from the past weekend.
In it, he said, “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.” The actor added that there was no malicious intent behind his actions. “I certainly apologize to anyone who was upset by it,” he concluded, per Fox News.
Despite his apology, many people remained highly critical of Gibson, with some expressing frustration over his repeatedly offensive behavior. “Oh dear, Mel… again?” one user commented. Others, meanwhile, shifted their attention to the organizers of Fan Expo Canada, questioning why they invited Gibson as a guest despite his controversial past.
Mel Gibson’s Was Accused Of Audism
Wayne Nicholson attended Gibson’s panel with his deaf son and said the incident left his child disappointed. Speaking with the Toronto Star, he noted that his son was hoping to attend the meet-and-greet following the panel, but was “heartbroken that one of his favorite actors mocked his own language in front of him.”
Nicholson said Gibson displayed audism, which is described as prejudice or bias against deaf individuals or people who are hard-of-hearing. “It sends the message that deaf people, their language and their access needs are not worthy of respect,” he added.
In contrast, Nicholson highlighted actor Alan Ritchson’s behavior later in the day. After his panel, Ritchson approached the sign language interpreter and shook her hand. “Public figures have influence, and their actions can either challenge prejudice or give others permission to repeat it,” he noted.
Some People Rushed To The Actor’s Defense
Amid the backlash, many people also came to Gibson’s defense. Some accused people of being “overly sensitive” and described what the actor did as “humor.” “No one cares. Mel Gibson didn’t do anything wrong. Grow a spine, people,” one user added.
An ASL interpreter chimed in and said that in her opinion, Gibson didn’t perform the hand gestures as a form of mockery. “I think he was just being silly. I’ve interpreted for live comedy, improv, you name it. I promise, the interpreter didn’t care,” she wrote.
Another user said that Gibson has already apologized and took accountability. “He didn’t mean anything by it so let’s keep it moving. We love you, Mel!” they wrote.
Mel Gibson’s Past Controversies
Gibson is not new to backlash, as many people noted. His controversial remarks stem from the ’90s, when he made derogatory remarks about gay men. In 1995, he famously said, “I’ll apologize when hell freezes over. They can f-ck off.” Years later, however, Gibson claimed that he was heavily drinking when he was interviewed and said he shouldn’t have said the homophobic remarks.
In the mid-2000s, Gibson again came under fire for his antisemitic remarks following a DUI arrest. He later gave a public apology and went into treatment for alcoholism.
In 2010, the actor’s ex-partner accused him of physical assault. Moreover, recordings of conversations between the couple were leaked online, in which Gibson was heard saying racial slurs, making death threats, and saying misogynistic remarks. He pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor battery charge a year later and was sentenced to probation, anger management and community service.
