Mel Gibson Apologizes for Mocking Sign Language Interpreter at Canadian Fan Expo

Mel Gibson issued a public apology after facing widespread backlash for allegedly mimicking an American Sign Language interpreter during a panel at Fan Expo Canada. The actor described the incident as thoughtless idiocy but maintained there was no malicious intent behind his gestures.

31 Aug, 17:44 — 31 Aug, 20:34

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Why this matters

A short video clip of Gibson mimicking the interpreter's hand movements went viral over the weekend, triggering immediate condemnation from disability advocates and fans. The episode highlights broader cultural shifts regarding respect for accessibility professionals and adds to Gibson’s longstanding history of public controversies, prompting renewed calls for accountability in Hollywood.

Key entitiesMel Gibson FanExpo Canada Toronto American Sign Language Interpreter

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Sources

Showing 4 of 7 sources

varietyMostly Factual4h ago

Mel Gibson Apologizes for Mocking Sign Language Interpreter at Backlash Grows: ‘Thoughtless Idiocy’ With ‘No Intended Maliciousness’

Mel Gibson has issued an apology amid backlash over his recent appearance at FanExpo Canada, where the Oscar winner mocked an ASL interpreter while walking on stage to attend his retrospective Q&A. Video of the incident was widely circulated on social media platforms like X, with Gibson condemned for his insensitive actions. “Sometimes when you […]

By Zack Sharf

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hollywood-reporterMostly Factual1h ago

Mel Gibson Apologizes For “Thoughtless Idiocy” in Using Mock Sign Language at Fan Expo Canada

Online backlash followed the ‘Braveheart’ star making hand gestures behind the back of an ASL interpreter as he walked on stage in Toronto for a career Q&A session.

By Etan Vlessing

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deadlineMostly Factual1h ago

Mel Gibson Apologizes For “Thoughtless Idiocy” After Seemingly Mocking ASL Interpreter At Fan Event

Mel Gibson is apologizing after he appeared to mock an American Sign Language interpreter at a fan event over the weekend. Video circulating online shows the actor momentarily making furious hand gestures behind the back of an interpreter as he takes the stage at Fan Expo Canada. The video is brief, 1-3 seconds. After backlash […]

By Tomt

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tmzMixed4h ago

Mel Gibson Apologizes After Backlash Over ASL Interpreter Gestures

Mel Gibson is apologizing after catching heat for making hand gestures behind an ASL interpreter at a Canadian fan expo ... telling TMZ it was a dumb, spur-of-the-moment move with no ill intent. Mel tells TMZ ... "Sometimes when you get pushed out…

By TMZ Staff

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Coverage Timeline

First report: variety · 31 Aug, 17:44|Full coverage: 7 · 3h|Window: 3h

variety31 Aug, 17:44First to report

Mel Gibson Apologizes for Mocking Sign Language Interpreter at Backlash Grows: ‘Thoughtless Idiocy’ With ‘No Intended Maliciousness’

tmz31 Aug, 18:00

Mel Gibson Apologizes After Backlash Over ASL Interpreter Gestures

2h later

newsbeast31 Aug, 19:42

Σάλος με τον Μελ Γκίμπσον: Χλεύαζε διερμηνέα νοηματικής στη σκηνή – «Δεν έγινε με κακή πρόθεση», λέει ο ίδιος

cdm-me31 Aug, 20:22

Glupost Mela Gibsona, na događaju imitirao znakovni jezik: Glumac se izvinio nakon skandala

iefimerida31 Aug, 20:25

Οργή στο Χ για τον Μελ Γκίμπσον που κορόιδεψε διερμηνέα της νοηματικής γλώσσας: «Απεχθής, αηδιαστικός» [βίντεο]

deadline31 Aug, 20:27

Mel Gibson Apologizes For “Thoughtless Idiocy” After Seemingly Mocking ASL Interpreter At Fan Event

hollywood-reporter31 Aug, 20:34Latest update

Mel Gibson Apologizes for Mocking Sign Language Interpreter at Canadian Fan Expo

Why this matters

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Sources

Mel Gibson Apologizes for Mocking Sign Language Interpreter at Backlash Grows: ‘Thoughtless Idiocy’ With ‘No Intended Maliciousness’

Mel Gibson Apologizes For “Thoughtless Idiocy” in Using Mock Sign Language at Fan Expo Canada

Mel Gibson Apologizes For “Thoughtless Idiocy” After Seemingly Mocking ASL Interpreter At Fan Event

Mel Gibson Apologizes After Backlash Over ASL Interpreter Gestures

Coverage Timeline

Mel Gibson Apologizes for Mocking Sign Language Interpreter at Backlash Grows: ‘Thoughtless Idiocy’ With ‘No Intended Maliciousness’

Mel Gibson Apologizes After Backlash Over ASL Interpreter Gestures

Σάλος με τον Μελ Γκίμπσον: Χλεύαζε διερμηνέα νοηματικής στη σκηνή – «Δεν έγινε με κακή πρόθεση», λέει ο ίδιος

Glupost Mela Gibsona, na događaju imitirao znakovni jezik: Glumac se izvinio nakon skandala

Οργή στο Χ για τον Μελ Γκίμπσον που κορόιδεψε διερμηνέα της νοηματικής γλώσσας: «Απεχθής, αηδιαστικός» [βίντεο]

Mel Gibson Apologizes For “Thoughtless Idiocy” After Seemingly Mocking ASL Interpreter At Fan Event

Mel Gibson Apologizes For “Thoughtless Idiocy” in Using Mock Sign Language at Fan Expo Canada

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