Mel Gibson is addressing this misstep.
The Braveheart actor has issued an apology after apparently mocking an ASL interpreter during a Q&A session at FanExpo Canada on Aug. 29.
“Sometimes when you get pushed out on a stage in a spotlight your mind is all over the place,” Gibson stated in a message shared with E! News on Aug. 31. “And sometimes spontaneous thoughtless idiocy is displayed.”
The 70-year-old added, “There was no intended maliciousness attached, and I certainly apologize to anyone who was upset by it.”
The moment in question from the fan event shows Gibson seemingly mocking the movements of the ASL interpreter as he enters the stage behind her.
The clip quickly circulated on social media, where it received criticism. One user described the interaction as “casual cruelty,” while another remarked, “The way it would take absolutely nothing to just not do this.”
During the Q&A, Gibson reflected on some of his most significant roles, including in Mad Max and Braveheart. He also, according to the event’s website, sold autographed headshots and photo opportunities for $275.
