Mel Gibson apologizes after mocking an ASL interpreter

Mel Gibson has apologized after video from Fan Expo Canada showed him making exaggerated gestures behind an American Sign Language interpreter during a convention appearance. The clip circulated online after his retrospective question-and-answer session, prompting criticism that the behavior mocked both the interpreter and Deaf viewers who rely on the service.

What happened at the convention

The moment occurred as Gibson entered the stage for a scheduled event over the weekend. While the interpreter signed for the audience, Gibson moved behind them and imitated the motion with broad hand gestures. Short recordings of the exchange spread on social platforms, where viewers challenged the actor’s conduct.

Gibson responded on Monday with a statement acknowledging what he called spontaneous and thoughtless behavior. He said he had not intended malice, but apologized to people who were upset and accepted that the episode was a bad lapse in judgment. His statement did not dispute what appeared in the circulating video.

The apology matters because an ASL interpreter is not part of the entertainment at a public event. The interpreter’s role is to provide access to the conversation for Deaf and hard-of-hearing attendees. Mimicking that work can turn an accessibility service into a visual joke, regardless of the performer’s stated intent.

A swift response to online backlash

The actor’s response arrived soon after the footage gained wider attention. Rather than offering a lengthy defense, Gibson described the conduct as foolish and apologized. That may explain the action, but it does not erase the reason the clip drew criticism: the gestures happened while another person was doing specialized work for members of the audience.

Fan conventions routinely use interpreters, captioning and other accommodations to make panels available to more attendees. The incident therefore reaches beyond one celebrity’s stage entrance. It illustrates how quickly an attempt at spontaneous humor can undermine an accessibility measure and shift attention away from the event itself.

Neither of the two direct reports consulted indicated that the convention had announced additional action. For now, the public development is Gibson’s apology and his acknowledgment that the behavior was inappropriate, while the original video continues to shape how the moment is understood.