Mel Gibson Biography: Mel Columcille Gerard Gibson, born on January 3, 1956, is an acclaimed American actor and filmmaker. Over the course of his career, he has received numerous awards and is widely recognized for both his powerful performances in action roles and his impactful work as a director—especially in historical dramas.
Mel Gibson Biography
Mel Columcille Gerard Gibson was born on January 3, 1956, in Peekskill, New York, USA. He is the sixth of eleven children born to Hutton Gibson, a railroad brakeman, and Anne Patricia (Reilly) Gibson, who passed away in December 1990. His mother was originally from County Longford, Ireland, and his father, though American-born, was of predominantly Irish descent. In the late 1960s, Mel’s family relocated to Australia, eventually settling in New South Wales—the birthplace of his paternal grandmother, Eva Mylott, a renowned contralto opera singer. After completing high school, Gibson enrolled at the University of New South Wales in Sydney and studied acting at the National Institute of Dramatic Art, where he trained alongside future stars such as Judy Davis and Geoffrey Rush. Following graduation, Gibson took on several stage roles and television appearances before landing lead roles.
Mel Gibson Biography 2025 Details
| Born | Mel Columcille Gerard Gibson
January 3, 1956 (age 69) |
| Citizenship | · United States
· Ireland |
| Spouse | Robyn Moore
(m. 1980; div. 2011) |
| Domestic partner(s) | Oksana Grigorieva (2007–2010) Rosalind Ross (2014–present) |
| Children | 9, including Milo |
| Parent | · Hutton Gibson (father) |
| Relatives | Donal Gibson (brother) Eva Mylott (grandmother) |
| Education | National Institute of Dramatic Art (BFA) |
| Occupation | Actor
film director producer screenwriter |
| Years active | 1976–present |
| Category | Singers Bio |
See More:
About Mel Gibson
Mel Columcille Gerard Gibson is an American actor and filmmaker. The recipient of multiple accolades, he is known for directing historical films as well for his action hero roles, particularly his.
Mel Gibson Wiki
- Born: 3 January 1956 (age 69 years), Peekskill, New York, United States
- Spouse: Robyn Moore Gibson (m. 1980–2011)
- Partner: Rosalind Ross (2014–)
- Children: Milo Gibson, Hannah Gibson, Thomas Gibson, Christian Gibson, Edward Gibson, William Gibson, Louis Gibson
- Upcoming movie: The Passion of the Christ: Resurrection
- Height: 77 m
Mel Gibson Achievements
He rose to fame portraying Max Rockatansky in the first three Mad Max films (1979–1985) and Martin Riggs in the Lethal Weapon buddy cop series (1987–1998). Originally from Peekskill, New York, Gibson moved to Sydney, Australia, with his family at the age of 12. He studied acting at the National Institute of Dramatic Art, where he performed in stage productions such as Romeo and Juliet alongside Judy Davis. In the 1980s, he co-founded the production company Icon Entertainment.
Early Life and Education
Mel Columcille Gerard Gibson was born on January 3, 1956, in Peekskill, New York, into a large Irish American family as the sixth of eleven children. He was the second son of Hutton Gibson, a writer, and Anne Patricia (née Reilly), who was born in Ireland and passed away in 1990. His paternal grandmother, Eva Mylott, was a renowned opera contralto born in Australia to Irish parents, while his paternal grandfather, John Hutton Gibson, was a wealthy tobacco businessman from the southern United States. One of Mel’s younger brothers, Donal Gibson, also pursued a career in acting.
Mel’s first name was inspired by St. Mel’s Cathedral in Longford, Ireland, his mother’s hometown. His middle name, Colmcille, is shared with a well-known Irish saint. In 1968, Gibson’s father won a $145,000 settlement in a work-related injury lawsuit against the New York Central Railroad—equivalent to over $1.3 million today. Soon after, the family moved to West Pymble, a suburb of Sydney, Australia.
How Did Mel Gibson Get His Start?
Although born in New York, Mel Gibson’s rise to stardom began after his family relocated to Sydney, Australia, when he was 12. There, he attended the National Institute of Dramatic Art and began acting in films like Summer City (1977) and Mad Max (1979). At the time, Mad Max was a low-budget Australian project and didn’t release in the U.S. until later. Gibson continued building his reputation with roles in Tim (1979) and Gallipoli (1981), both of which earned him acting awards.
His true breakout came with Mad Max 2 (1981), which was released in the U.S. as The Road Warrior in 1982. The film was a major box-office success and cemented Gibson as a rising star. He rounded out the Mad Max trilogy with Beyond Thunderdome (1985) and then landed his iconic role in Lethal Weapon (1987), kicking off a prolific Hollywood career.
How Much Did Mel Gibson Make for Mad Max?
When Gibson starred in the original Mad Max (1979), he was still an up-and-comer. As a result, he reportedly earned between $9,000 and $15,000 for the role—a modest paycheck even by the standards of the time.
What Did Mel Gibson Earn for Braveheart?
Braveheart (1995), one of Gibson’s most celebrated films, was a huge success—both commercially and critically. He starred, directed, and produced the film, which went on to gross over $213 million worldwide. While his exact salary remains undisclosed, his multiple roles likely earned him an eight-figure sum, especially considering backend profits.
What Was Mel Gibson Paid for What Women Want?
Gibson took a genre turn in the romantic comedy What Women Want (2000), which grossed around $374 million globally. Reports suggest he earned $25 million for the role—roughly 36% of the film’s budget.
How Much Did Gibson Make for Signs, The Patriot, and We Were Soldiers?
Each of these films was a box office success—and Gibson was handsomely rewarded. For Signs (2002), The Patriot (2000), and We Were Soldiers (2002), he reportedly earned $25 million apiece.
What Was Gibson’s Pay for Hacksaw Ridge?
Hacksaw Ridge (2016) marked Gibson’s major return as a director. While his salary wasn’t publicly revealed, the war drama was a critical and commercial hit, grossing $180 million worldwide on a $40 million budget and winning two Academy Awards.
How Much Did He Earn from The Passion of the Christ?
The Passion of the Christ (2004) was a major gamble for Gibson. He invested $30 million of his own money after being turned down by studios. The bet paid off—Gibson retained 50% of the profits and reportedly made over $400 million, including from merchandise sales. The film became one of the most profitable independent movies of all time.
How Much Did Gibson Lose During His Hollywood Fallout?
While it’s difficult to put an exact number on it, Gibson’s controversies in the mid-2000s likely cost him over $100 million in lost roles and endorsements. At his peak, he was earning $25 million per film, and during his six-year hiatus, he missed out on several major opportunities. Despite the setbacks, Gibson has made a comeback in recent years, acting in multiple films and returning to directing with Flight Risk (2025). With a net worth of $425 million, he has clearly rebounded financially.
What Is Mel Gibson’s Net Worth 2025?
Despite controversies that once derailed his career, Mel Gibson remains among the wealthiest actors in Hollywood. His estimated net worth is a staggering $425 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
FAQs
How did Mel Gibson transition from Australian films to Hollywood?
After gaining recognition in Australian cinema with movies like Mad Max and Gallipoli, Mel Gibson made his American film debut in The Bounty (1984). His performance caught the attention of Hollywood, eventually leading to major roles such as Martin Riggs in the Lethal Weapon series.
Did Mel Gibson study acting professionally?
Yes, Mel Gibson studied acting at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in Sydney, Australia. While there, he performed alongside other future stars like Judy Davis and Geoffrey Rush, gaining a strong foundation in classical and contemporary theater.
What awards has Mel Gibson won for his performances?
Mel Gibson has received multiple accolades throughout his career, including two Academy Awards and a Golden Globe for Braveheart. Earlier in his career, he also won Best Actor awards from the Australian Film Institute for Tim and Gallipoli.
How many children does Mel Gibson have?
Mel Gibson has a total of nine children. He had seven children with his first wife, Robyn Moore, and two more from later relationships.
What production company did Mel Gibson start?
Mel Gibson founded Icon Entertainment in the 1980s. The company has produced several of his films, including Braveheart and The Passion of the Christ, giving him greater creative control over his projects.
What was Mel Gibson’s role in The Passion of the Christ?
Mel Gibson directed, co-wrote, and financed The Passion of the Christ (2004). Although he did not appear on screen, he was deeply involved behind the scenes and took a significant financial risk by investing his own money into the project.