Mel Gibson has apologized for a viral video that appeared to show him mocking an American Sign Language interpreter during an event in Toronto. The clip, which circulated on social media, depicted Gibson mimicking the interpreter's hand gestures behind her back at Fan Expo Canada.
In a statement, Gibson said, "there was no intended maliciousness attached, and I certainly apologize to anyone who was upset by it." He attributed the incident to "spontaneous thoughtless idiocy" displayed when an individual is "pushed out on a stage in a spotlight."
Gibson rose to international fame in the late 1970s and achieved superstardom through the 1980s and 1990s with roles in major film franchises such as "Mad Max" and "Lethal Weapon," as well as the historical drama "Braveheart."
His career has been marked by past controversies, including antisemitic remarks made following a 2006 arrest for drunken driving in Malibu. Gibson has also been a vocal supporter of Donald Trump, and in 2015, was named by the former president as one of his "special ambassadors" to Hollywood.