Actor Mel Gibson apologized today for making anti-Semitic remarks in a drunken rant and asked to meet Jewish leaders, but several called on the Hollywood superstar to first show deeds and not offer words.
Hollywood actor and Director Mel Gibson photgraphed by the LA County PD following his arrest for drink driving.
Separately, US television network ABC pulled a program about the Holocaust that Gibson's company was producing, and a Los Angeles official defended the sheriff's department's handling of Gibson's arrest against charges that he was shown favoritism.
"I want to apologize specifically to everyone in the Jewish community for the vitriolic and harmful words that I said to a law enforcement officer the night I was arrested," Gibson said in a statement.
Gibson, who directed 2004's blockbuster movie "The Passion of The Christ" about the last hours of the life of Jesus, was caught speeding early on Friday, and he went on a rant in which he is widely reported to have said, "The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world."
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department report, parts of which have been widely reported and confirmed by officials, is laced with anti-Semitic remarks and expletives from Gibson.
The report said an open bottle of tequila was found in Gibson's car, and on Tuesday, celebrity magazine In Touch Weekly published photos of the actor drinking in a Malibu, California bar and hugging female patrons.
In his statement, the Oscar-winning director of "Braveheart" and actor in the "Lethal Weapon" movie series said he had entered "an ongoing program of recovery." In the past, Gibson has admitted to having problems with alcohol.