Mel Gibson has given critics plenty of reasons to hate him.
Despite his illustrious acting career (and prolific directing credits), Mel's tendency to get mouthy with police officers, fans, and co-stars has landed him in hot water numerous times.
Of course, it's easy to cite the moment fans started turning on Mel Gibson. It was when the 'third wall' broke down. As fans elaborate on Quora, Mel used to keep mum while working in Hollywood.
He didn't speak out much, just created masterpieces and showed his acting and directorial chops. But when he opened his mouth, that's when things went downhill.
And fans aren't the only ones who defend Mel's right to speak his mind, however controversial his opinions. As Hollywood Reporter confirmed, Gibson's "close friend" Jodie Foster backed up her co-star and colleague, saying "I know him in a very complex way. He’s a real person; he’s not a cardboard cutout. I know that he has troubles..."
Foster went on to recount the difficulties of pitching a movie that starred Mel Gibson and caused a flurry of criticism that her career had only seen once before.
But was Gibson ever really blacklisted from Hollywood? Most fans, including those on Quora, would argue that he wasn't. He has projects in progress, they note, and his attitude and negative press hasn't seemed to slow him down any.
When one Quora commenter asked fans (and non-fans) for their "review" of Mel Gibson, most respondents led with describing his talent. One fan noted, "If I don't take his controversial life and incidents into account... he is a great actor and director."
Apparently, onlookers are more likely to forgive Gibson's bad press given his title as "one of the greatest movie stars of the post VCR era." Some compare him to Clint Eastwood, calling him a "mediocre" actor but an "exceptional" producer and director.
But overall, most fans give Mel Gibson a pass for his past bad behavior. As one commenter highlights, "One must be able to separate the man from the artist."
Which sounds to skeptics like a free pass for anti-Semitic, homophobic, and even racist comments. After all, there's a reason journalists title their articles about Mel with "How Does Mel Gibson Still Have a Career?"
As Variety detailed, Mel has apparently repaired relationships with some Hollywood greats, meaning his career has been revived without ever facing consequences for his abhorrent behavior.
But that's due in part to fans' perceptions of the actor as "troubled" yet still "brilliant." Just another cautionary Hollywood tale against elevating regular people to the level of untouchable deities, perhaps.