Mel Gibson sparked backlash after seemingly making fun of an ASL interpreter at Fan Expo Canada on August 29, which celebrated its 30th anniversary this year. The 70-year-old actor-filmmaker came under fire after imitating the interpreter’s signing from behind her.
Social media users criticized Mel Gibson after footage of the interaction quickly spread online
Netizens took to different social media platforms to criticize the Oscar-winning filmmaker and action star. One wrote on X, “It’s ridiculous that Mel Gibson is able to show up to concerts and events in Toronto and people are welcoming him with open arms. It’s nauseating.” An ASL member commented, “Always disappointing to see my language mocked. We work hard to get our language recognized and be taken seriously.”
One of them said, “I still like a couple of his movies, but him as a person, no way. I dislike him even more after this. What a jerk!” A user wrote on Reddit, “Meanwhile, Alan Richardson was at the same event and went over and thanked the sign language interpreter for her work and shook her hand.”
This is not the first time Gibson has faced controversy. During a 1991 interview with El País, he made derogatory remarks when asked about homosexuality. He also claimed that his appearance and mannerisms would prevent anyone from mistaking him for a gay man. He said at that time, as reported by Entertainment Weekly, “Who might think that with this demeanor I could be gay? Do I talk like them? Do I move like them?”
Winona Ryder alleged in a 2010 GQ interview that Gibson made homophobic and antisemitic comments to her in the 1990s. She said, “I remember, like, 15 years ago, I was at one of those big Hollywood parties. And he was really drunk. I was with my friend, who’s gay. He made a really horrible gay joke. And somehow it came up that I was Jewish. He said something about ‘oven dodgers,’ but I didn’t get it.” “I’d never heard that before. It was just this weird, weird moment. I was like, ‘He’s antisemitic, and he’s homophobic.’ No one believed me,” she added.
Ryder recalled the incident again in 2020. However, this time the actor denied Ryder’s allegations. His spokesperson told The Hollywood Reporter, “She lied about it over a decade ago, when she talked to the press, and she’s lying about it now.”
Originally reported by Meenakshi Sengupta on Reality Tea
