Mel Gibson was never Australian?

[DottyDoge]

Today I learnt that Mel Gibson is not and has never been Australian. I knew he became famous because of Mad Max, an Australian film. I assumed like other Australian actors, he’d become famous, and moved to the US for a Hollywood career.

I went down a Wikipedia rabbit hole and found out he was an American, born in America. He did live in Australia as a teenager and was a permanent resident.

Am I the only person who thought he was Australian?

"I wonder if New Zealanders keep a list oftheircelebs and say 'excuse me!' and point to their clip board and say 'I think you'll find X is actually one of ours'."

Yep
Australian either. He's from New Zealand.

I wonder if New Zealanders keep a list oftheircelebs and say 'excuse me!' and point to their clip board and say 'I think you'll find X is actually one of ours'.

Yep
m.youtube.com/watch?v=wqt9-FypkhY

A high per cent of actors/ sports stars/ musicians is the fact they have these exciting dual backgrounds because they are from v wealthy families. It's kind of sad to me that we don't have more blockbuster film stars that simply grew up in Solihull.

@Classica

I knew about Mel.

Russell Crowe isn't Australian either. He's from New Zealand.

I wonder if New Zealanders keep a list of their celebs and say 'excuse me!' and point to their clip board and say 'I think you'll find X is actually one of ours'.

I would much prefer that Australia la the red necked Russell Crowe. Nothing kiwi about him, such an arrogant man.

For all intents and purposes, Nicole Kidman and Mel Gibson are Australian just as Russell Crowe is Australian.

@Classica

I knew about Mel.

Russell Crowe isn't Australian either. He's from New Zealand.

I wonder if New Zealanders keep a list of their celebs and say 'excuse me!' and point to their clip board and say 'I think you'll find X is actually one of ours'.

I think the Canadians do similar for Michael J Fox, Kiefer Sutherland and Shania Twain.

@ArnoldBee

This is very old news. Emma Radacanu was born in Canada. There's lots of odd things in people's backgrounds.

I feel that Emma Raducanu epitomises the international citizen. She crosses ethnicities and cultures and is just all round too bedazzling to be a regular citizen. Utterly fabulous in every respect.

I live in Norfolk, for some time was in Norwich. I was on my way to a midwife appointment years ago and had a bit of a dizzy spell. I was sitting on a bench looking a bit grey and sweaty and Hugh Jackman and his Mum stopped to see if I was okay. We had quite a lovely chat.

think the Canadians do similar for Michael J Fox, Kiefer Sutherland and Shania Twain

Ryan Reynolds got the Canadian governor award last year it comes with a medal and a song Canada loves Ryan

Accents are a big part of it

As a dual citizen it’s the accent that indicates to others where you’re from and also really informs how you feel too, plus your friends and growing up experiences

Probably why Emma R feels as she does too

I thought he was Australian too

Kiefer Sutherland was born in London but grew up in Canada. I think his dad was working in the UK when he was born.

Sam Neill is actually from Omagh, but moved to NZ as well

Michael Gambon is Irish,he was born in Dublin

I didn't know Kenneth Brannagh was Irish till, I saw him on Graham Norton promoting his new film

@ShippingNews

His family moved to Australia when he was 12. And that is where he stayed. He didn't live there briefly, he moved and then grew up there. Before he was ever famous, his father was a famous TV quiz show champion. Was the family American or Australian ? Like many families they were a bit of this and a bit of that.

Tbh if he lived in the US until he was twelve, he grew up in the US not Australia!

This thread has reminded me of one of my favourite comedy bits ever (relates to the NZ accent)

The fact that Mel Gibson gets any work as an actor or director after all he has said, is very telling about the Hollywood establishment. Obviously anti semitism and misogyny aren't important to them. If I was an Aussie I definitely wouldn't be claiming Mel as one of your own.

@Damnloginpopup

Simple test: were they in neighbours or home and away? Yes - Australian. No - foreigners.

Probably.

Except Denise Van Outen was in Neighbours last year and Amanda Holden more recently.

@ShowOfHands

I live in Norfolk, for some time was in Norwich. I was on my way to a midwife appointment years ago and had a bit of a dizzy spell. I was sitting on a bench looking a bit grey and sweaty and Hugh Jackman and his Mum stopped to see if I was okay. We had quite a lovely chat.

What's Norwich got to do with the price of fish?

Because I was in Norwich when it happened. I was merely adding extraneous detail to set the scene

@ShowOfHands

Because I was in Norwich when it happened. I was merely adding extraneous detail to set the scene

She's only jealous

'tis true. Very jealous, just thought the first sentence must be relevant, as in 'of course Norwich. It is the land where those too beautiful for life hang out'

@Batinhernightdress

'tis true. Very jealous, just thought the first sentence must be relevant, as in 'of course Norwich. It is the land where those too beautiful for life hang out'

Never been to Norwich.

I live near Hartlepool. Stunning people.

@Pohtaytoes

The fact that Mel Gibson gets any work as an actor or director after all he has said, is very telling about the Hollywood establishment. Obviously anti semitism and misogyny aren't important to them. If I was an Aussie I definitely wouldn't be claiming Mel as one of your own.

Yes, Gibson is an anti-Semite.

Hugh Jackman's Mum lives in Norwich which is like a beacon to beautiful people. It's why we didn't stay.

@toppkatz

Bagpipes weren't invented in Scotland.

My Spanish teacher used to claim they were Spanish. Specifically Galician. We never believed her.