Mel Gibson was “cancelled” in Hollywood mainly because of a long series of highly publicized incidents involving antisemitic remarks, racist slurs, and alleged abuse, which turned him from an A‑list star into a cautionary tale about celebrity meltdowns and accountability.

Why Was Mel Gibson “Cancelled”?

The Core Reasons

Mel Gibson’s fall from grace wasn’t one single moment, but a cluster of scandals that built on each other over years.

Key flashpoints often mentioned when people ask “why was Mel Gibson cancelled?”:

  • A 2006 DUI arrest in Malibu where he launched into an antisemitic rant at police.
  • Sexist comments to a female officer during the same incident.
  • Leaked audio in 2010 of him using racist slurs and threatening his then-girlfriend.
  • Allegations of domestic violence and abusive behavior.
  • Earlier history of homophobic remarks and other offensive comments.

These incidents made studios, collaborators, and much of the public see him as radioactive for a long stretch of time.

Timeline: How It Unfolded

1. The 2006 DUI and Antisemitic Tirade

In 2006, Gibson was arrested for drunk driving in Malibu. During the arrest he:

  • Went on an antisemitic rant about Jewish people “causing all the wars,” according to the police report.
  • Directed a sexist insult (“sugar tits”) at a female officer, which became infamous online and in forum discussions.

This incident exploded in the media, severely damaging his public image and relationships in an industry that already watched his religiously charged film “The Passion of the Christ” with mixed feelings.

Gibson later apologized and blamed alcohol, but the damage was done: he was widely labeled antisemitic and misogynistic, and his standing in Hollywood plunged.

2. The 2010 Leaked Tapes and Abuse Allegations

Around 2010, recorded phone calls between Gibson and his then‑girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva leaked.

On those tapes, he was heard:

  • Using racist slurs, including the n‑word.
  • Making graphic, disturbing comments about her appearance and safety.
  • Sounding enraged, threatening, and abusive.

Grigorieva also accused him of physical abuse, including allegedly hitting her while she held their baby. He denied some aspects but reached a legal settlement and paid support, which kept the story in headlines and cemented the public idea of him as violent and dangerous.

Online forums still routinely reference these calls, especially the racist language and apparent threats, as the “real” reason many feel he should remain cancelled.

3. A Pattern of Offensive Remarks

Long before the tapes, Gibson had already raised red flags.

Reported issues include:

  • Homophobic comments decades earlier in interviews, which resurfaced when his later scandals hit.
  • Reputation in some circles for casual use of slurs and edgy “jokes” that others found bigoted.
  • Stories shared later by other actors describing uncomfortable or ugly encounters, which contributed to a picture of someone with deeply prejudiced views.

By the late 2000s and early 2010s, the narrative wasn’t just “he messed up once,” but “this is a pattern,” and that’s a big part of why the “cancelled” label stuck for so long.

What “Cancelled” Looked Like For Him

Gibson didn’t disappear completely, but his career went from unstoppable blockbuster star to near‑exile.

Career fallout included:

  • Losing prime acting and directing opportunities for years after 2006.
  • Studios and agents quietly stepping back because he was seen as too risky for big-budget projects.
  • Long gaps between high‑profile releases, with some films struggling to get wide distribution.

Articles and podcasts still revisit his career as a classic example of a star who “ruined his own career with one comment” and then doubled down with even worse behavior.

At the same time, he was never fully erased:

  • He continued working behind the scenes as a producer and director at times.
  • A number of famous friends publicly argued he should get a second chance, helping him slowly re‑enter projects.

This is why some pieces and forum threads argue he’s “too powerful to ever be fully cancelled,” even if his reputation never fully recovered.

Different Viewpoints on His “Cancellation”

Online and in the press, you’ll see several competing narratives about why he was cancelled and what it means now.

1. “He Earned It” Perspective

Many people, including posters on large forums, see his cancellation as a direct consequence of his own choices.

They emphasize:

  • The antisemitic rant wasn’t taken out of context; it was captured in a police report.
  • The racist language and alleged threats on the tapes are his own voice.
  • Multiple incidents over many years suggest deep prejudice, not just “one bad night.”

From this angle, the question isn’t “why was he cancelled?” but “why is he still working at all?”

2. “Cancel Culture Went Too Far” Perspective

Others argue that while his behavior was awful, the long‑term professional exile showed how brutal “cancel culture” can be.

You’ll see arguments like:

  • He apologized and sought treatment for substance issues; therefore, he should be allowed to rebuild.
  • Many other stars with scandals have returned faster and more fully.
  • Art and artist can be separated; people can enjoy “Braveheart” or “Lethal Weapon” while still condemning his statements.

This camp views his story as a case study in whether society allows redemption for famous people who seriously mess up.

3. “He Was Never Really Cancelled” Perspective

A third camp points out that:

  • He remained wealthy and continued getting roles and directing gigs, just fewer and smaller for a while.
  • Powerful allies in the industry helped him re‑enter Hollywood.
  • Media still covers him extensively, and his name still draws clicks and views.

From this angle, “why was Mel Gibson cancelled?” is really “why was there a backlash—and why wasn’t it stronger or more permanent?”

Recent / Ongoing Discussion (Trending & Forums)

Even in the mid‑2020s, threads pop up with younger users asking exactly what he did and why older fans talk about him as “cancelled.”

Common themes in those discussions:

  • People summarizing the scandals: 2006 DUI antisemitic rant, sexist insult, 2010 tapes with racist language, alleged domestic violence.
  • Users debating whether his films should still be watched or recommended.
  • Comparisons with other “cancelled” celebrities to ask if the treatment is consistent or hypocritical.

So, the phrase “why was Mel Gibson cancelled” has become shorthand for a mix of:

  • Very real, documented abusive and bigoted behavior.
  • A long, messy public attempt at damage control.
  • Broader arguments about cancel culture, redemption, and how far consequences should go.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.