Mel Gibson Net Worth (Money & Salary)

Explore Mel Gibson’s Net Worth

Discover the net worth of Australian/American actor, screenwriter, director, producer, and investor Mel Gibson, which is estimated to be $425 million. In the early ’80s, Mel Gibson was known for his versatility, charm, and determination, swiftly rising to fame in Australia and beyond. His portfolio includes iconic roles in the “Mad Max” and “Lethal Weapon” franchises, and films like “The Year of Living Dangerously,” “The Bounty,” “Hamlet,” and “The Patriot.” Besides acting, Gibson ventured into writing, producing, and directing, earning an Oscar for Best Director for his work on “Braveheart” in 1995. Despite encountering personal and professional challenges, Gibson has navigated a Hollywood career marked by highs and lows.

Early Days

Born Mel Colmcille Gerard Gibson on January 3, 1956, in Peekskill, New York, Mel Gibson is one of eleven children of Anne Patricia Reilly and writer Hutton Gibson. Raised in Australia from age 12, Gibson was educated at the National Institute of Dramatic Art in Sydney, kickstarting his acting journey in the Australian theater scene.

Career Highlights

Gibson’s career took off with roles in the “Mad Max” series post-graduation in 1977. His breakthrough came with “Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome,” which earned him his first $1 million fee in 1985. Balancing film and stage work, Gibson also impressed audiences in plays like “Waiting for Godot” and “Death of a Salesman.” Transitioning to American cinema, he starred in “The River” (1984) before iconic performances in “Lethal Weapon,” “Braveheart,” and “Signs,” the latter being his highest-grossing film. Throughout his career, Gibson has showcased his talent in various genres, including action, drama, and thrillers.

Notable works like the “Mad Max” series, “We Were Soldiers,” “Edge of Darkness,” and “The Expendables” have solidified Gibson’s status as a versatile and enduring presence in the entertainment industry. Despite facing controversies and setbacks, Gibson’s contributions to film continue to resonate with audiences worldwide.

Director and Producer

Gibson’s journey into producing and directing commenced in 1989 with the establishment of Icon Productions and the production of his debut film, “Hamlet.” His directorial debut occurred in 1993 with “The Man Without a Face,” followed by the iconic “Braveheart” in 1995, which garnered him an Academy Award for Best Director. Additionally, in 2004, he wrote, directed, and financed “The Passion of the Christ,” a highly controversial yet commercially successful film that set a record as the highest-grossing R-rated film in U.S. box office history, earning over $370 million. His directorial venture, “Hacksaw Ridge,” in 2016, raked in 14 award nominations, including an Academy Award for Best Achievement in Directing and a Golden Globe for Best Director – Motion Picture. Gibson clinched six awards for his remarkable directorial work in the film, such as the Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Director and the Hollywood Film Award for Director of the Year. Furthermore, throughout his illustrious career, Gibson has helmed and produced various television projects as well.

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

Gibson’s arduous efforts to secure funding for his pet project, “The Passion of the Christ,” culminated in him deciding to inject $30 million of his personal finances into the venture out of frustration. Moreover, he contributed an additional $15 million for marketing, bringing his total investment to $45 million.

Gibson retained a 50% stake in the profits of the film, with the remaining 50% going to the distributor, Newmarket Films. Post the calculation of the movie’s earnings, Mel pocketed a personal share of $300 million.

In addition, “Passion” turned out to be a merchandising sensation, fetching Mel an extra $50-$100 million. Further bolstering his earnings were the DVD sales, soaring close to their peak in 2004, with Mel earning a sizeable $75 million from DVD sales.

Collectively, Mel Gibson amassed an estimated sum between $400 – $475 million from the success of “The Passion Of the Christ.”

News surfaced in January 2023 about the initiation of filming for the sequel, “The Passion of the Christ: Resurrection,” slated for later in the year.

Real Estate

Over the years, Mel Gibson has owned a number of impressive homes and properties. Over the decades, Gibson has owned multiple properties in Malibu, Los Angeles, Costa Rica, Fiji, and throughout Australia.

Greenwich, Connecticut:

In 1994, Mel Gibson paid $9 million for Old Mill Farm, a 75+ acre estate in Greenwich, Connecticut. He sold this property in July 2007 for $40 million. Here’s a video tour of Old Mill Farm:

Malibu:

In 2008, Mel paid $11.5 million for a 5.5-acre home in Malibu. The sellers were then-married couple David Duchovny and Tea Leoni. Mel listed this home for sale at one point for $17.5 million. He listed it again in March 2019 for $14.5 million. He removed the listing in July 2019 and continues to own this property to this day.

Gibson’s compound in Malibu is 5,403 square feet, with 6 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms. The home has two offices, a detached gym, an open-air garden cabana/entertainment pavilion with a high ceiling, a built-in barbecue and fireplace, 3 guest houses, and staff quarters. The grounds feature an oversized chess board designed 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 bought a 400-acre ranch in Costa Rica for the hefty sum of $26 million. He has tried to sell this mansion at various points for as much as $35 million. Here’s a video tour of Gibson’s Costa Rican estate, which is called Playa Barrigona:

In December 2004, Mel sold a property in his native Australia for $6 million. Later that same month, he paid $15 million for a private island in Fiji called Mago Island.

Personal Life

Gibson married Robin Moore in 1980 and the couple had seven children before divorcing in 2011. Gibson then started dating Russian musician Oksana Grigorieva, and they had a daughter together. Oksana later accused Mel of domestic violence, and in August 2011, Gibson settled with Grigorieva, who was awarded $750,000, joint legal custody, and a house in Sherman Oaks, California, until their daughter, Lucia, turned 18.

In 2014, Gibson began a relationship with former champion equestrian vaulter and writer Rosalind Ross. They had a son together, Lars Gerard, Gibson’s ninth child, in January 2017.

Divorce Settlement

In his divorce from Robin Gibson, Mel reportedly agreed to pay a $400 million settlement. At the time, it was the largest divorce celebrity divorce settlement in history.

Controversies and Legal Issues

Oksana Grigorieva filed a restraining order against Gibson in 2010 to keep him from their child. Gibson, in retaliation, filed one against her. Accusing him of domestic violence, she led to an investigation by the LA County police. In July 2010, leakage of an audio recording of a violent and racist rant in a phone call from Gibson to Grigorieva occurred on the internet. With a plea of no contest to a misdemeanor battery charge, Gibson settled with Grigorieva, getting her $750,000 and their house in Sherman Oaks, California, as damages.

Gibson faced anti-Semitic hate speech incidents and expressed anti-LGBTQ sentiments. His controversial statements led to being blacklisted by many industry professionals for nearly a decade. Only with the release of “Hacksaw Ridge” did the Hollywood community start to warm up to him again.

Gibson spoke openly about his alcohol addiction and recovery in numerous interviews. In 1984, he was banned from driving in Canada for three months after a DUI incident in Toronto. Arrested for DUI while speeding with an open container of alcohol in July 28, 2006, Gibson pleaded no contest and received three years of probation.

Philanthropy

Gibson generously donated millions to Healing the Children, a charity aiding underserved children globally. During a business trip to Singapore in 2007, he made substantial donations to a local charity supporting kids with terminal illnesses. His support extends to causes in the arts, such as restoring Renaissance paintings and contributing to the National Institute of Drug Abuse. Gibson’s philanthropy reached the El Mirador Basin project with a $500,000 donation to protect the remaining virgin rainforest in Central America. In July 2007, he traveled to Central America to meet the Costa Rican president, provide donations to the indigenous population, and funded Green Rubber Global to establish a tire recycling factory in Gallup, New Mexico.

Accolades

Mel Gibson’s achievements include seven Academy Awards, five for “Braveheart” and two for “Hacksaw Ridge.” He also secured a Golden Globe for best director for “Braveheart,” along with nominations for a BAFTA and various other awards.