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Mel Gibson Apologizes for Mocking ASL Interpreter in Moment of 'Idiocy'
A viral clip prompted debate over Gibson’s intent, with critics calling the gestures mocking and others saying the footage does not show clear context.
- On Saturday, August 29, actor Mel Gibson appeared at Fan Expo Canada in Toronto, where video footage showed him making hand gestures near an American Sign Language interpreter during his stage entrance.
- The viral video sparked immediate backlash against Gibson, with critics citing his past controversies and alleged history of offensive remarks; some social media users accused the actor of mocking the interpreter.
- While some users compared the incident to Reacher star Alan Ritchson, who shook an interpreter's hand at the event, other viewers urged caution, noting the footage does not definitively establish malicious intent.
- Gibson issued a statement to Variety regarding the incident, claiming "there was no intended maliciousness" and apologizing to anyone upset by his spontaneous, thoughtless behavior while on stage.
- Production on The Resurrection of the Christ continues as Gibson tours the expo circuit, following his 2004 Passion of the Christ, which earned $612 million worldwide and dominated the R-rated box office.
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At the FanExpo Canada in Toronto, Mel Gibson sparked controversy by mocking a sign language performer on stage on Saturday, August 29. The sequence, filmed and shared online, led the actor of the...
Mel Gibson apologizes after video shows him mocking sign language interpreter at Toronto Fan Expo
Mel Gibson has apologized after a video circulated online appeared to show the actor and director mocking an American Sign Language interpreter as he walked onstage for a career retrospective Q&A at Fan Expo Canada in Toronto.
·Washington, United States
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Although he quickly apologized for his rude but stealthy imitation of sign language, the American actor was still entangled in an unthinkable controversy.
·Paris, France
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Director and actor Mel Gibson's visit to a fan event didn't go quite smoothly.
·Helsinki, Finland
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources103
Leaning Left31Leaning Right14Center19Last UpdatedBias Distribution48% Left
Bias Distribution
- 48% of the sources lean Left
48% Left
L 48%
C 30%
R 22%
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