“Unconscionable and unforgivable”: Gibson hasn't been absolved of antisemitism by former costar

Jason Isaacs, who starred alongside Gibson in "The Patriot," has yet to forgive the Aussie actor

By Cheyenne McNeill

National Affairs Fellow

Published June 17, 2025 6:51PM (EDT)

Jason Isaacs attends the HBO's 'The White Lotus' FYC Screening & Panel. (Photo by Araya Doheny/Getty Images)
Jason Isaacs attends the HBO's 'The White Lotus' FYC Screening & Panel. (Photo by Araya Doheny/Getty Images)

Mel Gibson might be making movies again, but that doesn't mean all of Hollywood has forgiven him.

Jason Isaacs, who starred in "The Patriot" with Gibson, said he still can't consider Gibson a friend thanks to his infamous antisemitic rant in 2006. Isaacs, who is Jewish, revealed his animosity toward the Aussie actor in an interview with Vulture.

“He’s said and done some things that are unconscionable and unforgivable,” he told the outlet.

Isaacs told the magazine that his feelings about Gibson are complicated. 

"He was very charming personally, and he’s intelligent and self-deprecating," he said. "I’m not saying I forgive Mel."

"The White Lotus" star gave Gibson a pass in person when the pair met at a charity event. Isaacs said that Gibson overwhelmed him with a litany of his troubles.

"I hadn’t seen him since that terrible antisemitic outburst when he got stopped by the police," he said. "I went, 'Rabbi Gibson, how are we?' He came up and he said, 'I was really drunk, man. I was trying to get him to hit me or shoot me or something. I’m having a terrible time.'"

In the moment, Isaacs found it tough to stay mad.

"He proceeded to unload some very personal things. He’s not my friend, but — maybe to my eternal shame — I forgave him instantly because he was there making himself vulnerable," he said.

Still, Isaacs doesn't believe a full absolution of Gibson's sins is appropriate.

"You can’t forgive everything from everyone," he said. "I have no idea what to do about him. But if he knocked on my door tonight and said, 'Look, my hotel’s canceled. Can I stay?' I’d say, 'Yes,' probably."

Since his return to the screen, Gibson has spent time sharing conspiracy theories about the Los Angeles wildfires and becoming an official appointee of the Trump administration.


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