Mel Gibson has found himself facing another wave of criticism after an attempt at humor during a fan convention in Canada went viral for all the wrong reasons.
The 70-year-old actor appeared at Fan Expo in Toronto on Saturday. As Gibson walked onto the stage, rather than simply greeting the crowd and taking his seat, he began mimicking the movements of the sign-language interpreter positioned at the front.
People in the audience recorded the moment, and footage quickly circulated across social media. The reaction was overwhelmingly critical, with many viewers arguing that making fun of sign language was disrespectful rather than amusing.
“So predictable from him, what a disappointment he has become,” one former fan wrote. Another questioned why Gibson had been invited to the convention given the controversies that have surrounded him throughout his career.
Some reactions were considerably harsher, with commenters describing the actor as “disgusting” and “despicable.”
One hard-of-hearing viewer explained why the footage was particularly upsetting: “It always makes me sad to see my language being mocked. We worked hard for it to be recognized and taken seriously.”
The backlash eventually reached Gibson himself, and on Monday he addressed the incident and apologized for his behavior.
“Sometimes when you’re pushed onto a stage and the lights are on you, you don’t manage to think properly and you behave spontaneously and idiotically,” Gibson said.
He insisted that his actions were not intended to hurt anyone, adding: “There was no malicious intent, and I absolutely apologize to anyone who was offended by it.”
The incident is relatively minor compared with some of the much more serious controversies that have followed Gibson over the years. The actor has previously faced widespread criticism over antisemitic and homophobic remarks as well as allegations and incidents involving violent behavior.
Mel Gibson is reportedly under fire for mocking an ASL interpreter at Fan Expo Canada: pic.twitter.com/hraMHz8og0
— TheBlaze (@theblaze) August 31, 2026
Despite those scandals, Gibson has remained active in the entertainment industry and is preparing for another major period in the spotlight.
A sequel to his 2004 film The Passion of the Christ is currently expected to arrive in May 2027. A third installment in the series is then planned for the following year.
For now, however, attention is focused on the viral convention footage — and Gibson’s admission that what he intended as a spontaneous joke was an “idiotic” decision.
