Mel Gibson was born in the United States but moved to Australia with his family when he was 12 years old, which is why he has dual citizenship.
He attended the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in Sydney, where he honed his acting skills before breaking into film.
Mel Gibson gained worldwide fame with his role as Max Rockatansky in the 'Mad Max' trilogy, starting with the original film in 1979.
He won two Academy Awards for 'Braveheart' (1995), for Best Director and Best Picture, a film in which he also starred as William Wallace.
Gibson was the first actor from the Southern Hemisphere to win an Academy Award for Best Director.
Mel Gibson is fluent in Latin and has a deep interest in ancient languages, which influenced his decision to produce 'The Passion of the Christ' (2004) in Aramaic, Latin, and Hebrew.
Gibson co-founded Icon Productions, a film production company, in 1989, which produced many of his films, including 'Braveheart' and 'The Passion of the Christ.'
He has a passion for historical epics and has directed several films in this genre, including 'Apocalypto' (2006), which is set during the decline of the Mayan civilization.
Mel Gibson was named 'Sexiest Man Alive' by People magazine in 1985, becoming the first actor to receive this title.
He turned down the role of James Bond in the 1980s because he didn't want to be typecast in action roles.
Gibson is known for his devout Catholic faith and has been outspoken about his religious beliefs throughout his career.
He has been involved in numerous philanthropic efforts, including funding the construction of churches and donating to various charities.
Mel Gibson was the star of the 'Lethal Weapon' series, where he played the iconic character Martin Riggs, a role that solidified his status as an action star.
He is an accomplished equestrian and owns several horses, which he often rides on his private ranch.
Gibson has been a vocal advocate for environmental conservation, supporting efforts to protect rainforests and other natural habitats.