Photos

Polls

Merchandise

Links

Various

Sponsors

Upcoming Appearances / Movies Openings

DVD- The Beaver

Blu-Ray- The Beaver

Instant video- The Beaver

DVD- Edge of Darkness

Blu-Ray- Edge of Darkness

Videos: Entertainment News

DVD- Apocalypto

Blu-Ray- Apocalypto

DVD- Passion Of The Christ

NEWS and Rumors

Mel Gibson likely won't testify at deputy's trial

In a series of tentative rulings, Superior Court Judge Barbara Scheper said she will likely block attorneys for Deputy James Mee from showing the jury a video of Gibson being booked into jail and a 30-second TV ad he made supporting the Sheriff's Department three years before his arrest.

Mee, who is Jewish, claims he suffered religious discrimination by superiors after arresting Gibson in 2006, and that he was ordered to remove the actor-director's anti-Semitic rants from a report.

He claims he was passed over for promotions and suffered other reprisals because of the case and that he was personally offended by Gibson's remarks.

Gibson's work as a spokesman for the department helps explain "the circumstances that serve as a backdrop to the harassment and hostile work environment that Deputy Mee suffered," his attorneys wrote in a court filing.

Gibson "wasn't just another arrestee. He was the 'public face' of the department," the documents state.

Scheper also says she won't allow Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca to testify during the case unless there is some evidence he ordered actions against Mee.

Attorneys for Mee had listed Gibson and Baca as potential witnesses last week, but Scheper said neither man's testimony appeared to be relevant.

Scheper said she will make final rulings in the case on Feb. 14, with jury selection expected later next week. Unless she alters course, jurors will hear little about the events during and immediately after Gibson's arrest.

"In my view, it's what happened after this gentleman was arrested" that is crucial to the case, Scheper said.

The judge said prospective jurors will undoubtedly have heard of Gibson's arrest, but the way Mee has presented his case renders Gibson and Baca's testimony unnecessary.

Gibson's reputation was damaged for years after details of the arrest and his anti-Semitic and sexist rant was leaked to celebrity website TMZ.

The actor apologized for his conduct, and his conviction was expunged in 2009 after he completed all the terms of his sentence.

Scheper has said she expects Mee will have difficulty proving his case, but that jurors should ultimately decide whether he was passed over for promotions and targeted for reprisals because he is Jewish.

Mee remains a deputy, although he no longer patrols for drunken drivers in the coastal community of Malibu where Gibson was arrested.

Mel Gibson may be witness in discrimination trial

The trial will focus on what happened to Deputy James Mee after he arrested the actor-director in 2006, and whether he endured discrimination because he is Jewish.

Mee's attorneys are hoping to show the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department moved to protect Gibson because the star had a close relationship with the department before his arrest.

Attorneys for the county have denied Mee faced discrimination or retaliation.

The case is likely to focus heavily on Gibson's arrest, when the actor made anti-Semitic comments that Mee claims his superiors forced him to remove from a report.

Mee also alleges he was ostracized and his opportunities for promotion were blocked after he arrested Gibson.

Gibson's reputation was damaged for years after details of the arrest and his anti-Semitic and sexist rant was leaked to celebrity website TMZ.

The actor apologized for his conduct, and his conviction was expunged in 2009 after he completed all the terms of his sentence.

Sheriff Lee Baca also could be called to testify, according to a witness list filed Thursday.

Attorneys for the county are asking a judge to block jurors from seeing a video of Gibson in a jail booking area and a public service announcement that Gibson recorded for the agency prior to his arrest.

Gibson appeared in a deputy's uniform for the spot, and Mee's attorneys claim it is important context for jurors to consider.

Gibson's work as a spokesman for the department helps explain "the circumstances that serve as a backdrop to the harassment and hostile work environment that Deputy Mee suffered," his attorneys wrote in a court filing. Gibson "wasn't just another arrestee. He was the 'public face' of the department."

Neither Gibson nor Baca have been deposed in advance of the trial, which is scheduled to begin on Feb. 14. If they are called as witnesses, Baca's testimony is expected to last about an hour, while Gibson may spend about 90 minutes on the witness stand.

"He'll do whatever is legally appropriate," Baca's spokesman Steve Whitmore said. "We look forward to telling the whole story."

Gibson's spokesman Alan Nierob declined comment.

In all, 28 possible witnesses are listed in a pretrial filing, but it's unlikely all will testify.

Mee's attorney Etan Lorant said he has been unable to serve Gibson with a subpoena but may not need to call the actor to the stand if he is able to show jurors footage from an interview with Diane Sawyer after the arrest.

Superior Court Judge Barbara Scheper ruled last month that the case should go to trial if it cannot be settled, but noted that Mee's attorneys might have trouble proving their case.

"While I think it's thin, I think there are enough facts to create a question for the jury to decide," Scheper said during a January hearing.

She noted that Mee remains a deputy, although he no longer patrols for drunken drivers in the coastal community of Malibu.

Mel Gibson Tires of Eco-Lawsuit Settles Up

Gibson was sued by a dude who claims -- at the behest of Mel -- he invested his life savings in a company called Green Rubber, which developed technology to devulcanize rubber so old tires could be recycled.

Nader Sherif claimed Mel promised the guy could sell his stock back to the company at any time and get his money back, and he further claimed Mel promised to personally write him a check if the Green Rubber refused. Yes, you guessed it. Sherif wanted his jack back, the company refused and Mel told him to pound sand.

Sources tell TMZ ... Mel paid Sherif something, but we don't know exactly how much.

2012 is starting out to be a very Goodyear for Mel.

Mel Gibson's "Get the Gringo" to debut on DirecTV

The R-rated movie will be available exclusively on DirecTV before being released on Blu-ray, DVD, VOD and digital download.

DirecTV plans to aggresively promote the movie, which premieres in HD on May 1. It will cost $10.99.

After an initial period in which the movie is available exclusively on DirecTV, Fox Home Entertainment will release it.

Adrian Grunberg, who was first assistant director on Gibson's "Apocalypto," directed the movie, which he and Gibson wrote.

An individual familiar with the project told TheWrap that Grunberg and Gibson got along so well on "Apocalypto" that Gibson told the director, who lives in Mexico, that he wanted to work with him again.

Grunberg came up with an idea about a guy who ends up in prison and he and Gibson turned it into a screenplay, the individual said.

The movie, formerly titled "How I Spent My Summer Vacation," is about a career criminal who crashes his car into the border wall while trying to escape the U.S. Border Patrol. He survives the crash, but ends up in a tough Mexican prison where a 10-year-old boy shows him the ropes.

Gibson, Bruce Davey and Stacy Perskie produced the movie.

Although "Get the Gringo" is being released on home video in the United States, it is getting a theatrical release in countries that do not have well-established VOD markets. In Russia, for example, the movie will premiere in movie theaters.

This is Icon's first movie to premiere on home video.

Icon also produced "Apocalypto," "The Passion of the Christ" and "Edge of Darkness."

Gibson clashes with photographer

The Mad Max actor was pursued by a paparazzo in Malibu, California and his pal attempted to deter the cameraman - but ended up falling to the ground when they collided.

In video footage of the incident, taken by TMZ.com, Gibson shouted at the snapper, "Hey, stop running around, dude. I saw you attack him. We are getting the police because you assaulted him."

Addressing his friend, the actor added, "Hey, call the cops and report that this guy assaulted you, I saw him do it."

Gibson's pal then claimed, "You ran into me!", but the photographer insisted: "I didn't attack him, he attacked me."

A member of Gibson's party is reported to have called police but no report of a crime had been filed as WENN went to press.

Mel Gibson Back in Criminal Court As a Juror!!!

A TMZ producer ran into Mel outside the jury assembly room. He's in the hallway reading a script, occasionally jumping on the cell phone talking business.

Mel was also chatting up some of the women in the hallway and even took some photos with them.

Mel is wearing a baseball cap, a dark sport coat, button-up shirt and jeans.

Mel is not being treated differently ... he's doing what all prospective jurors do -- wait.

Mel Gibson DUI Jail Video Triggers Legal Dogfight

L.A. County Sheriff's Deputy James Mee is suing his department, claiming he's the victim of religious discrimination. Mee, who is Jewish, claims he has been targeted by his superiors because of his faith.

Mee wants the jury to see a videotape of Mel Gibson in the holding cell. When TMZ broke the story about Mel's anti-Semitic rant, we referenced the video, which shows an out-of-control Mel handcuffed behind bars, complaining he had to urinate and then -- according to sources -- appearing to make an attempt to pee on the cell floor.

Law enforcement sources tell us ... the video shows Mel running around the cell and at one point even trying to scale the bars like a monkey. And when he attempted to use the phone, but couldn't get a dial tone, we're told he threw the receiver against the phone.

The County of L.A. -- the defendant -- has filed legal docs trying to block the admission of the video, arguing that it's irrelevant to Mee's religious discrimination claim and would only be used to "embarrass Mr. Gibson."

The County also believes the video would inflame the jury, because Mel is "a controversial public figure." And the County claims ... showing the video would violate Mel's right of privacy.

The judge hasn't decided whether the video is fair game.

Mel's rep declined comment.

Ricky Gervais' Best and Worst Golden Globe Jabs

Kim Kardashian Joins Clooney, Gibson, Roberts at Sean Penn Haiti Benefit

And last night, she did just that beside mega-celebs like Sean Penn, George Clooney, Julia Roberts and Leonardo DiCaprio...

The E! reality star was a surprise guest last night at the Cinema For Peace benefit for the J/P Haitian Relief Organization (J/P HRO) at the Montage hotel in Beverly Hills.

"I went to [Haiti] to educate myself and see what it was like," Kardashian told me, referring to her recent humanitarian trip to the country. "Going and seeing that there's so much that needs to be done, I didn't even know where to start."

But start she did and she promises to continue. "I can't wait to go back," Kardashian said.

I'm told Kardashian was at the event as a guest of philanthropist and movie producer Mohammed Al Turki.

Penn was honored with the Cinema for Peace Award for Humanitarian Action in Haiti.

Also attending were Demi Moore and daughter Rumer Willis, Mel Gibson, Josh Brolin, Diane Lane, Hilary Swank, James Gandolfini, Felicity Jones, Emily Watson, model (and Penn's ex-girlfriend) Petra Nemcova, fashion designer Donna Karan, CAA honchos Bryan Lourd and Kevin Huvane and producer brothers Harvey and Bob Weinstein.

The highlight of the night was a live auction that saw singer Damien Rice winning a guitar used by Bono for a whopping $475,000. Julia Roberts' husband Danny Moder was one of two people who paid $50,000 for a trip to Haiti to work alongside Penn.

A $100,000 ring designed and owned by Angelina Jolie went for $60,000 to businessman and major J/P HRO supporter Richard Holz.

The evening raised $5 million for the group's ongoing relief efforts. Half of the funds came from a matching pledge made by Oprah Winfrey in a pre-taped video.

"There's something about Haiti that gets into your veins and you want to keep going back," said Soliel Moon Frey, who has made two trips there with J/P HRO. "And when you see the incredible progress and the work that Sean and J/P HRO is doing, you're in awe."

Roberts presented an award to Sen. Hillary Clinton's chief of staff, Cheryl Mills.

Mel Gibson's Ex Wife Takes Half His Estimated $850 Million in Divorce Settlement

Robyn, his ex-wife of nearly 30 years and the mother of their seven children, is walking away with half his fortune, once estimated to be as high as $850 million (according to the Los Angeles Business Journal in 2006) in what is considered the biggest divorce payout in Hollywood history.

Because the couple didn't have a prenuptial agreement, Robyn, 55, was legally entitled to half of everything he earned during their marriage.

Among Gibson's estimated assets: more than $600 million grossed by The Passion of the Christ alone; $100-plus million in real estate investments worldwide (he bought an island in Fiji for $15 million in 2005); and $75 million for film and TV projects for which Gibson, 55, executive produced.

It appears some of his wealth has already been transferred to Robyn, in particular two Malibu homes worth a combined $22.5 million. As for film residuals, Robyn is entitled to half of every future check Gibson receives for the rest of his life.

"I left my wife because we had no spiritual common ground," Gibson told his then-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva in secretly recorded tapes she made of the actor in February 2010.

During his custody battle with Grigorieva, in which the Russian musician accused Gibson of domestic violence, Robyn filed a sworn statement in July 2010 stating that "Mel was a wonderful and loving father" and never abused Robyn or their kids.

Gibson met Robyn, at the time a dental nurse, in the late 1970s after the American-born actor, who moved to Australia when he was 12, had filmed his breakout role in Mad Max.

Mel Gibson Divorce Final -- Single by Sundown

The couple and their lawyers have been negotiating a financial settlement for more than a year, and we're told the deal has finally been struck.

Now, the paperwork has been submitted, the judge will sign off and Mel will be a single guy by the end of the day.

There was no prenup -- remember, they were married for 28 years before officially separating. Although there are reports the Gibsons' net worth approached $900 million, but we're told it's less.

The couple separated back in 2006 -- shortly after his infamous Malibu DUI arrest -- and Robyn filed for divorce in 2009 -- shortly after learning Mel's then GF Oksana Grigorieva was pregnant.

The divorce has been surprisingly civilized, with Robyn even writing a letter of support for Mel last year ... in his legal war with Oksana Grigorieva. Robyn wrote in all the years she was with Mel, he never struck anyone in their family.

Mel Gibson Gets Glowing Review from Judge in Battery Case

Mel was in Judge Stephanie Sautner's court today for a progress report in his battery case -- remember Oksana Grigorieva?

Judge Sautner said she was more than impressed that Mel has completed twice the counseling requiring of him, and he was right on track on his 12-step program.

Mel pled no contest in March to misdemeanor battery. He's currently on informal probation.

Mel Gibson -- My Head Is Spinning Over My Baby

Mel Gibson -- Out for Azita Ghanizada's Birthday

As TMZ first reported, the two had dinner together a few weeks back ... but her people say it was just a business affair. Mel's rep wouldn't confirm or deny whether it was strictly business.

Mel Gibson's Alleged Baby Mama Laura Bellizzi -- He's Not the Daddy, Case Closed

Laura Bellizzi tells TMZ squarely, "Mel Gibson is not the father of my child."

Bellizzi -- who's a mother and a business woman -- adds through her rep ... any "alleged friends" telling gossip outlets that she's been privately identifying Gibson as her baby daddy are "being 100% dishonest in a misguided effort to seek 5 seconds of notoriety and fame."

Bellizzi's rep continues, Laura is "greatly dismayed at the rash of intrusive and irresponsible stories about her pregnancy."

STATEMENT FROM LAURA BELLIZZI'S REP:

Ms. Bellizzi and her family are greatly dismayed at the rash of intrusive and irresponsible stories about her pregnancy. Ms. Bellizzi considers the details of her pregnancy to be private, and does not intend to respond to the lies and speculation fueling the reckless reports, beyond that which her attorney has already accurately disseminated.

"Mel Gibson is not the father of my child," Ms. Bellizzi claims, all though she acknowledges they know one another. However, the details pertaining to her level of past and/or present involvement with him are private.

Additionally, any alleged "friends" of Ms. Bellizzi claiming that she told them that Mr. Gibson "is the father" of her child are either misinterpreting her desire for privacy surrounding the identity of the father, or are being 100% dishonest in a mis-guided effort to seek 5 seconds of notoriety and fame. Laura has never told any acquaintances or friends that Mel Gibson is the father of her child. That is total rubbish!

The Brain Storm with Mel Gibson, Jamie Foxx & Garry Shandling

That's the question that has Mel Gibson, Jamie Foxx and Garry Shandling stumped in a roast video that played before Downey was honored with the American Cinematheque Award last month.

As we learn, Gibson's only there for the cheese plate, Shandling's never seen Downey out of the Iron Man costume and Foxx ... well, he's still bitter about Tropic Thunder.

"He stole a part from brothers," he says. "F--- that! He does this now. If we don't nip it in the bud, next thing you know, they have him playing Martin Luther King: 'I have a dream that one day little white boys will grow up to be bigger white boys and take roles from all of the black people.'"

It turns out none of them really know Downey that well, except for Gibson, who once visited him when Downey was in prison. "But I was just trying to get good press," he says.

"That would be confusing ... I just wouldn't know who's in, who's out," Shandling notes.

They all try to come up with excuses to get out of the event — until Shandling points out what they would miss out on: a Jodie Foster clip.

Happy Feet director backs Mad Mel

This from director George Miller, who explains the 55-year-old actor simply got too old -- not too notorious -- to reprise his role in the forthcoming Fury Road.

Moreover, he believes Gibson's career can recover despite his highly-publicized personal struggles.

"I don't think it matters whether he acts or not, even though he's naturally an actor," says Miller, who helmed 1979's Mad Max, 1982's The Road Warrior and 1985's Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome.

"I think he's a brilliant filmmaker. (In) The Passion of the Christ, the filmmaking is brilliant. Apocalypto, I think, was brilliant."

Gibson has starred in only two films since 2002's Signs: last year's Edge of Darkness and this spring's The Beaver. Instead it's been his behaviour off-screen that's generated headlines. Most recently, when tapes of phone calls he'd made to his ex-girlfriend, Oksana Grigorieva, were leaked, Gibson endured a firestorm of criticism.

"He's a very, very kind and good soul," Miller says. "For me, observing him over the years, that's why he was naturally a Mad Max character. (He was) a man running from his better nature. All charisma depends on paradox. And here's this man who's funny and goofy and kind and on the other hand, there are these darker currents. You're aware of them when you watch him.

"To recognize how much pain he was in was awful. There's absolutely no question he's remorseful. I knew him when he was young and when he was drinking and he'd do something like turn up late to the set, and I'd take him aside and say, 'What's happening? You can't do this. You have a responsibility.' And he'd be so remorseful. And he'd often not do it again."

In fact, Gibson and Miller were originally set to reunite for the fourth Mad Max, entitled Fury Road, in 2003. But when the U.S. invasion of Iraq scuttled their plans to shoot in Africa, the production languished for years.

"Back in the beginning, Mel was still of the right age. The story wasn't Unforgiven, the film about an aging character who goes back for one more try. It wasn't that sort of story."

While Miller hopes to shoot Fury Road next year -- with Inception's Tom Hardy -- he's also been putting the finishing touches on Happy Feet Two, which opens Friday.

In the sequel to his 2006 CG-animated hit, penguin Mumble (Elijah Wood) faces new challenges, including fatherhood and climate change.

While it took decades for the idea for a fourth Mad Max to formulate, Miller says the concepts behind Happy Feet Two emerged early on. "I'd spent so long with the characters that they were already living like imaginary friends in my head. I began to ask, 'What happened next?' I'd already by the end of Happy Feet One thought about things we could put in the second film.

"Even with technology, because it advances exponentially, you can do things in the second you couldn't in the first."

But the advent of CG and motion-capture technology has always been key to the franchise, notes Miller, who produced Babe as well as directed its sequel.

"Happy Feet, you couldn't do it as a live action movie. Unlike Babe, where you can train dogs and pigs, you can't train penguins. You wouldn't be allowed to and you could never train them to sing and dance. It's amazing to be working when this technology is available and getting better. I feel very lucky to be working in this medium."

Mel's Fear

Keaton: Gibson kiss unforgettable

The Annie Hall star played Gibson's older love interest in the movie and Keaton admits she was so taken by the actor, she will never forget the romantic moment.

She tells People magazine, "Could he have been more beautiful? I was like 39, and he was... a baby! I got in the car to go home, and I kept reinventing that kiss. Over and over."

The love scene is one of many memories Keaton recalled for her new autobiography, Then Again.

Mel Gibson's Mystery Woman -- An 'Alphas' Female

Ghanizada's rep says it was NOT a date.

As TMZ first reported, the two met for dinner at the L'Ermitage Hotel in Beverly Hills.

Azita Ghanizada Fun Facts -- she's 31, was born in Afghanistan, and is fluent in Dari.

Mel Gibson Smooches With Mystery Date

Mel and his chick hit up L'Ermitage Hotel for a romantic dinner earlier this week. When they left Mel went in for the kill.

A few days before Mel went back to the scene of the crime -- Moonshadows -- where he went just before he was arrested in 2006 and went on that anti-Semitic rant. Mel was there with another mystery woman and it was all very uneventful.

Everything seems to be comin' up roses for Mel.

Mel Gibson -- Returns to the Scene of the Crime

Gibson and a blonde lady friend hung out together at Moonshadows in Malibu ... the last place Mel drank on July 28, 2006 before he got into his car and hit PCH ... got a DUI ... and said all sorts of horrible things to the arresting officer.

This time around was MUCH different ... witnesses say Mel was only having dinner with a mystery blonde lady -- not boozing -- and he had a DRIVER take him home.

Mel stays dry

Mel Gibson, Oksana Grigorieva Settlement Hits a Roadblock

As TMZ first reported, Oksana and Mel struck a deal in which Oksana would walk away with $750,000, the house she's living in, and some other stuff. In return, she'll leave Mel alone. They also agreed to 50/50 custody of Lucia.

The settlement agreement is scheduled to go before the family court judge tomorrow for final approval, but we're told the lawyers are still fighting over how it's worded and they've reached a stalemate.

Our sources say Mel's lawyers asked the judge for more time so they can hash it out, but Oksana showed up to court this morning to fight the request ... because she wants the deal done STAT.

Judge Scott Gordon gave Mel and Oksana an extension to sort out their differences -- but only until November 1st ... less time than Mel's people were hoping for.

Robert Downey Jr. Shocker: We Need to Forgive Mel Gibson!

In a surprise move last night, Iron Man star Robert Downey Jr. turned a gala in his honor into an effort to save Mel Gibson's career and bring the onetime A-Lister back into the Hollywood fold.

It all went down during the annual star-studded American Cinematheque tribute...

"Unless you are without sin—and if you are, you are in the wrong f---king industry—you should forgive him and let him work again," Downey said after Gibson presented him with the award before a packed ballroom at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

During his presentation, Gibson remembered being warned about hiring Downey for Air America in 1990 because of his troubled private life. Downey has always credited Gibson for being the first person in town who gave him a job during some of his years battling substance abuse.

Once he was accepting his honor, Downey spoke about that time, recalling that Gibson had told him to "help the next guy" once he was able to.

"It's reasonable to assume...he didn't imagine the next guy would be him," said Downey.

Gibson, who became notorious after arrest and his anti-Semitic rant, attracted skepticism most recently when it was announced that he's planning on directing a film about Judah Maccabee, the Jewish warrior who led the fight against the Seleucid Empire. Hanukkah marks the return of Jewish worship at a Jerusalem temple after he removed pagan statuary.

Jennifer Aniston, Jodie Foster, Jack Black, Jared Harris, directors Jon Favreau and Guy Ritchie, Jamie Foxx, Michael Douglas and CAA honcho Bryan Lourd were among the night's other presenters.

Mel Gibson -- I've Got One, HUGE Tip for Ya ...

Gibson hit up the Bravo Bistro in Scottsdale ... where he dined on shrimp cocktail and osso bucco with the owner of the restaurant and two women.

After 3 hours, Mel picked up the $170 bill ... and left a $150 tip ... that's 88% for all you math-a-magicians out there.

Mel Gibson -- winning back fans one server at a time.

Mel Gibson -- Rear Ends Driver in Arizona

We're told no one was injured -- a cop came to the scene but no one was cited. Both vehicles sustained minor damage. After exchanging insurance information, both parties went their separate ways.

We're told Mel is in town to visit his father, who is hospitalized in Phoenix.

Mel hasn't had the best luck on the road, just last year he crashed his 2008 Maserati in L.A. But cops say he acted like a total gentleman after the wreck.

Rival Maccabee Producer: We're Gonna Beat Mel Gibson!

Sources close to the production tell us, the untitled Judah film -- by producer Bruce Nash and writer Scott Abbott -- was fast-tracked once news broke that Mel was putting together his own Maccabee homage.

We're told Nash believes Mel is the wrong person to helm such an important Jewish story -- telling friends, the Hanukkah tale should be told by someone who has respect for the Jewish community.

As we previously reported, Mel's been developing his J Macc film for 10 years -- and sources tell us Nash has been working on his for 15. Nash doesn't have a shoot date yet, but the race is on.

Shana Tova!

News Archive