# Mel Gibson controversy regarding ASL interpreter

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/mel-gibson-controversy-regarding-asl-interpreter
> Updated: 2026-09-02T04:33:44.000Z. Sources: 52. Developments: 2.

Actor Mel Gibson faced significant social media backlash following his appearance at Fan Expo Canada in Toronto. Video footage from a career Q&A session showed the 70-year-old actor making exaggerated hand gestures behind an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter, which many viewers interpreted as mocking the professional.

Critics and members of the deaf community described the behavior as “disappointing,” “insensitive,” and “cruel.” In response to the outcry, Gibson issued a formal apology, characterizing the incident as “spontaneous thoughtless idiocy.” He maintained that there was “no intended maliciousness attached” and attributed the behavior to his mind wandering under the pressure of the spotlight.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-02: Mel Gibson apologizes after mocking sign language interpreter

Mel Gibson apologized after a video from Fan Expo Canada in Toronto showed him appearing to mock a sign language interpreter, calling his actions “thoughtless idiocy.”

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mel-gibson-apologizes-after-mocking-sign-language-interpreter-1

### 2026-08-31: Mel Gibson apologizes after appearing to mock ASL interpreter

Mel Gibson apologized after a viral video appeared to show him mocking an ASL interpreter during a Q&A session at Fan Expo Canada in Toronto.

49 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mel-gibson-faces-backlash-for-mimicking-asl-interpreter

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Cite as: Mel Gibson controversy regarding ASL interpreter. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/mel-gibson-controversy-regarding-asl-interpreter