Mel Gibson ‘surprised’ Trump named him Hollywood ambassador

Donald Trump surprised the world 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 president-elect, tells Entertainment Weekly that he didn’t know about the position until Trump publicly announced it. “I got the tweet at the same time as all of you and was just as surprised,” the Apocalypto filmmaker says.

However, Gibson is prepared to perform his duties — whatever they may be. “Nevertheless, I heed the call,” he says. “My duty as a citizen is to give any help and insight I can. Any chance the position comes with an Ambassador’s residence?” (Gibson’s concluding quip would seem to be a reference to him recently losing 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, to be Special Ambassadors to a great but very troubled place, Hollywood, California,” Trump wrote.

It wasn’t immediately clear what duties these ambassadors will perform, but Trump set some broad goals: “They will serve as Special Envoys to me for the purpose of bringing Hollywood, which has lost much business over the last four years to Foreign Countries, BACK — BIGGER, BETTER, AND STRONGER THAN EVER BEFORE!” 

Trump added, “These three very talented people will be my eyes and ears, and I will get done what they suggest. It will again be, like The United States of America itself, The Golden Age of Hollywood!”

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

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

Gibson has experienced one of the most tumultuous careers of his generation in Hollywood. He was among the most bankable and beloved stars of the 1990s and successfully transitioned to 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 a controversial DUI arrest in Malibu during which he allegedly made antisemitic remarks and disparaged a female police officer.

Gibson didn’t appear in a new film until 2010’s Edge of Darkness, after which he mounted a steady comeback with the The Beaver, Daddy’s Home 2, and The Expendables 3 (the latter of which costarred Stallone, who co-wrote the script as well). Gibson also received a Best Director nomination at the 2017 Oscars for his war drama Hacksaw Ridge.

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