Mel Columcille Gerard Gibson AO (born January 3, 1956) is an acclaimed American-Australian actor, filmmaker, known for his action hero roles, particularly his breakout role as Max Rockatansky in the first three films of the post-apocalyptic action series Mad Max and as Martin Riggs in the buddy cop action-comedy Lethal Weapon series. Gibson's directorial achievements include Braveheart, a historical epic, for which he won the Golden Globe Award and Academy Award for Best Director. His directorial work on the controversial biblical drama, The Passion of the Christ, was both financial successful and overshadowed by controversy. Gibson's personal life has been marked with several controversial statements and actions and bouts with alcoholism that have negatively affected his popularity and public image. After a decade-long career slump, his directorial comeback, Hacksaw Ridge, received critical acclaim and multiple Academy Award nominations, signaling a potential career resurgence. Gibson was also known for his philanthropic works and his devotion to the Traditionalist Catholic faith.