Mel Gibson ‘surprised’ Trump named him Hollywood ambassador

Donald Trump surprised the world on Thursday with his announcement of three “special ambassadors” to Hollywood – including at least one of the ambassadors.

Mel Gibson, who was among the trio of actors named a “Special Ambassador” and “Special Envoy” to Hollywood in a Truth Social post from the newly elected president, says Weekly entertainment that he did not know about the position until Trump publicly announced it. “I got the tweet at the same time as you all and was just as surprised,” he said Apocalypto says filmmaker.

However, Gibson is prepared to fulfill his duties – whatever they may be. “Still, I heed the call,” he says. “My duty as a citizen is to provide any help and insight I can. Is there any chance the position will come with an ambassadorial residence?” (Gibson’s closing rant appears to be a reference to his recent loss of his Malibu home to the Palisades fire.)

Gibson was one of three conservative-leaning actors named in Trump’s announcement, along with Sylvester Stallone and Jon Voight. “It is my honor to announce Jon Voight, Mel Gibson and Sylvester Stallone as special ambassadors to a great but very troubled place, Hollywood, California,” Trump wrote.

It wasn’t immediately clear what duties those ambassadors will perform, but Trump laid out some broad goals: “They will serve as special envoys to me for the purpose of bringing Hollywood, which has lost a lot of business in the last four years, to foreign countries, BACK – BIGGER, BETTER AND STRONGER THAN EVER!”

Trump added: “These three very talented people will be my eyes and ears and I will get done what they suggest. It will be, like America itself, the golden age of Hollywood again!”

Gibson previously aligned himself with Trump when he criticized Vice President Kamala Harris in October, claims she had “The IQ of a fence post.” Although he never officially confirmed who he voted for in the 2024 election, the actor said it would be “a pretty good guess” to assume he cast a ballot for Trump.

The Lethal weapon star has also been seen in public with the president-elect on more than one occasion. Gibson greeted the former president at a UFC event in 2021, and was also seen speaking with Trump at another UFC event in 2023.

Gibson has experienced one of the most tumultuous careers of his generation in Hollywood. Among the most bankable and beloved stars of the 1990s, he successfully transitioned into directing, winning Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director for Braveheart at the 1996 Academy Awards.

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A decade later, he effectively became persona non grata in Hollywood in the wake of a controversial DUI arrest in Malibu where he allegedly made anti-Semitic remarks and disrespected a female police officer.

Gibson first appeared in a new film in the 2010s Edge of Darknessafter which he made a steady comeback with The beaver, Father’s Home 2and The expenses 3 (the latter of which starred Stallone, who also co-wrote the screenplay). Gibson also received a Best Director nomination at the 2017 Academy Awards for his war drama Hacksaw Ridge.

Gibson’s next film, Flight riskarrives January 24. The thriller stars Mark Wahlberg, Topher Grace and Michelle Dockery. He has also said that next year, he plans to shoot Resurrection of Christa sequel to his 2004 hit The Passion of Christ.