Mel Gibson Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What Is Mel Gibson’s Net Worth?

With a net worth of $425 million, Mel Gibson, the actor, screenwriter, director, producer, and investor hailing from Australia and America, has made significant contributions to the film industry. Looking back to the early ’80s, it appeared as if there was no limit to what this American-born, Australian actor could achieve. With his charisma, talent, and ambition, Mel Gibson quickly emerged as both a theater and film star in Australia. He featured in well-known films such as the “Mad Max” series, the “Lethal Weapon” series, and “The Year of Living Dangerously.” His other notable works consist of “The Bounty,” “Hamlet,” “Bird on a Wire,” “The Patriot,” and “Signs.” Alongside his acting career, he ventured into writing, producing, and directing, securing an Oscar for Best Director for his film “Braveheart” in 1995. The outlook appeared optimistic for the actor/director, solidifying his position as a key figure in Hollywood.

However, things took a downturn. It began with issues in his marriage, followed by struggles with alcohol, culminating in some incredibly strange recorded rants. At one point, a feud unfolded with director Joe Eszterhas, after their private exchanges were leaked to an entertainment site, which highlighted Gibson’s multiple anti-Semitic comments that incited Eszterhas’s anger. This chapter was preceded by questionable decisions in his filmography, leading to his agency severing ties and losing various projects. Although Gibson has made a partial resurgence over time, he remains a controversial figure in the eyes of some fans and studio executives.

Early Life

Born Mel Colmcille Gerard Gibson on January 3, 1956, in Peekskill, New York, Mel was the sixth of eleven siblings. His parents were Anne Patricia Reilly and writer Hutton Gibson, with Anne passing away in 1990 and Hutton in 2020 at the age of 101. When Mel turned 12, the family moved to Australia, his mother’s homeland, primarily for economic reasons. He received education from the Christian Brothers and attended the National Institute of Dramatic Art in Sydney, performing on stage before making his transition to the film industry in Australia.

Acting Career

Gibson’s significant roles began with the “Mad Max” series, which he commenced right after his college graduation in 1977. In 1985, he made history by earning his first $1 million payday for “Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome,” the third installment in the franchise. Throughout this period, Gibson remained active in the theater, performing in various plays with the State Theatre Company of South Australia in Adelaide, featuring in renowned works like “Waiting for Godot” and “Death of a Salesman.”

Mel transitioned to American cinema with “The River” in 1984, acting alongside Sissy Spacek as a struggling farmer from Tennessee. After a two-year hiatus, he re-emerged as Martin Riggs in the 1987 hit “Lethal Weapon,” followed by his roles in “Tequila Sunrise” in 1988 and “Lethal Weapon 2” in 1989. The early ’90s saw him in blockbuster hits like “Maverick,” “Braveheart,” “Ransom,” and “Payback,” among others. In the 2000s, he was featured in films that grossed over $100 million at the box office, including “The Patriot,” “Chicken Run,” and “What Women Want.” His performance in M. Night Shyamalan’s “Signs” became extraordinarily successful, marking the highest-grossing film of his career.

Other noteworthy roles for him encompass starring in the remaining four entries of the “Mad Max” franchise, “We Were Soldiers,”
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“The Expendables 3,” “The Beaver,” and “Edge of Darkness.”

Director and Producer

In 1989, Gibson began transitioning into the realms of directing and producing by establishing Icon Productions, marking the start of his career with his first film, “Hamlet.” His directorial debut was with “The Man Without a Face” in 1993. Two years later, he directed “Braveheart,” a project that granted him an Oscar for Best Director. Following this, in 2004, Gibson took charge of writing, directing, and funding the controversial film “The Passion of the Christ,” which shattered records as the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time, amassing over $370 million at the U.S. box office. He also helmed “Hacksaw Ridge” in 2016, a film that garnered 14 nominations, including an Academy Award for Best Achievement in Directing and a Golden Globe for Best Director – Motion Picture. Gibson was honored with six awards for this film, which included a Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Director and a Hollywood Film Award for Director of the Year. Additionally, throughout his career, Gibson has both directed and produced a range of television projects.

Mel Gibson Salary Highlights
Signs	$25,000,000
We Were Soldiers	$25,000,000
The Patriot	$25,000,000
Chicken Run	$1,550,000
Lethal Weapon 4	$25,000,000
Conspiracy Theory	$20,000,000
Ransom	$20,000,000
Maverick	$15,000,000
Lethal Weapon 3	$10,000,000
Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome	$1,200,000
The River	$500,000
Attack Force Z	$918/week
Gallipoli	$32,147
Mad Max	$15,000
Summer City	$400
Total	$168,298,465

“The Passion of the Christ” Earnings

Mel dedicated years to securing funding for his ambitious project, “The Passion of the Christ.” Ultimately, after facing numerous challenges, he resolved to personally invest $30 million of his own funds to bring the project to life. Additionally, he contributed another $15 million for marketing efforts, resulting in a total investment of $45 million.

Owning 50% of the film’s profits, the remaining share was allocated to Newmarket Films, the distributor. Once all revenues were accounted for, Mel’s share amounted to $300 million.

There’s more to the story. “Passion” experienced a remarkable success in merchandising, netting Mel an additional $50-$100 million. DVD sales also soared in 2004, yielding Mel a further $75 million.

Taking everything into account, Mel Gibson earned approximately $400 – $475 million from “The Passion of the Christ.”

ItIt was reported that filming for the sequel, “The Passion of the Christ: Resurrection,” would commence later in the year, in January 2023.

Real Estate

Over the years, Mel Gibson has acquired numerous remarkable homes and properties, including various locations in Malibu, Los Angeles, Costa Rica, Fiji, and throughout Australia.

Greenwich, Connecticut:

In 1994, Mel Gibson purchased Old Mill Farm, a sprawling 75+ acre estate in Greenwich, Connecticut, for $9 million. He later sold this estate in July 2007 for an impressive $40 million. Take a look at this video tour of Old Mill Farm:

Malibu:

In 2008, Mel acquired a 5.5-acre home in Malibu for $11.5 million from then-married couple David Duchovny and Tea Leoni. At one point, Mel listed this house for sale at $17.5 million and later relisted it in March 2019 for $14.5 million. He took the listing down in July 2019 and still owns this property today.

The Malibu compound owned by Gibson spans 5,403 square feet and includes 6 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms. Features of the home consist of two offices, a detached gym, a spacious open-air garden cabana/entertainment pavilion with a high ceiling, a built-in barbecue and fireplace, 3 guest houses, and staff quarters. The outdoor area is enhanced with an oversized chessboard on the lawn, organic gardens, fruit orchards, shade trees, shaded terraces, a tennis court, and a swimming pool. Here’s a video tour:

In April 2007, Gibson purchased a 400-acre ranch in Costa Rica for a significant $26 million. He has attempted to sell this lavish estate for as much as $35 million on different occasions. Check out this video tour of Gibson’s Costa Rican estate, known as Playa Barrigona:

In December 2004, Mel sold a property in his homeland of Australia for $6 million, and later that same month, he purchased a private island in Fiji named Mago Island for $15 million.

Personal Life

Mel Gibson tied the knot with Robin Moore in 1980, and the couple had seven children before their divorce in 2011. Afterward, Gibson began a relationship with Russian musician Oksana Grigorieva, with whom he had a daughter. Later, Oksana accused Mel of domestic violence, resulting in a settlement between Gibson and Grigorieva in August 2011.

Until their daughter Lucia reached the age of 18, Mel Gibson was awarded $750,000, joint legal custody, and a residence in Sherman Oaks, California.

In 2014, he began a romantic relationship with Rosalind Ross, a former champion equestrian vaulter and writer. Together, they welcomed a son, Lars Gerard, in January 2017, making him Gibson’s ninth child.

Divorce Settlement

During his divorce from Robin Gibson, Mel reportedly consented to a settlement of $400 million, which at the time marked the largest celebrity divorce settlement in history.

Controversies and Legal Issues

In an effort to protect their child, Oksana Grigorieva sought a restraining order against Gibson in 2010. In retaliation, Gibson filed a restraining order against her. Accusations of domestic violence were made against him, leading to an investigation by the LA County police. In July 2010, a leaked audio recording revealed a violent and racist tirade from Gibson during a phone call to Grigorieva. Mel entered a plea of no contest to a misdemeanor battery charge, resulting in a settlement with Grigorieva, who received $750,000 and their shared home in Sherman Oaks, California, for damages.

Gibson has faced numerous incidents involving anti-Semitic remarks and anti-LGBTQ sentiments. His controversial comments over the years led to him being ostracized by various producers, directors, agencies, and actors within the Hollywood industry for nearly a decade. It wasn’t until the release of “Hacksaw Ridge” that he began to regain acceptance in the Hollywood community.

In various interviews, Gibson has spoken about his struggles with alcohol addiction and his path to recovery. In 1984, while intoxicated, he rear-ended a car in Toronto and subsequently received a three-month driving ban in Canada. On July 28, 2006, he faced arrest for a DUI after driving with an open container of alcohol while speeding. He pleaded no contest and was sentenced to a three-year probation period.

Philanthropy

Gibson has contributed millions to Healing the Children, a charity dedicated to providing life-saving medical care to underserved children globally. In 2007, while on a business trip in Singapore, he generously donated substantial amounts to a local charity focused on children suffering from terminal illnesses. Additionally, he has shown support for various artistic endeavors, including the restoration of Renaissance artwork. Gibson’s charitable efforts total millions of dollars directed towards these causes.

The National Institute of Drug Abuse also benefitted from his generosity. He contributed $500,000 to the El Mirador Basin initiative, which seeks to conserve the remaining virgin rainforest in Central America. In addition, he traveled to Central America in July 2007 to engage with the president of Costa Rica and support the indigenous communities through donations. Furthermore, that year he provided financial backing to Green Rubber Global for the establishment of a tire recycling plant in Gallup, New Mexico.

Accolades

In total, Mel Gibson has been awarded seven Academy Awards, including five for “Braveheart” and two for “Hacksaw Ridge.” He also received a Golden Globe for best directing for “Braveheart.” His accolades include a BAFTA nomination along with several other honors.