Succession star Sir Brian Cox has defended a Hollywood actor who apologised for making anti-semitic comments.
The Dundonian said Mel Gibson, famous for his lead role in Braveheart, has “problems” but claimed he is not a “bad man”.
Cox, a supporter of Scottish independence, has recently published his memoirs after a glittering acting career spanning decades.
The Scot recently hit new peaks of fame when he starred as media mogul Logan Roy in Succession, for which he won Best Actor in the Golden Globes.
In an interview with former SNP First Minister Alex Salmond on Russian state broadcaster RT, Cox was asked about Gibson, who has been widely panned for offensive comments about Jews.
Salmond said: “You are very complimentary about Mel Gibson. He's had a rough time in recent years, but you see him as a great actor and a rather great human being.”
Cox, who played a supporting role in Braveheart, responded: “I do.”
"Mel's got problems, there's no question about it, but he is not a bad man. He really isn't a bad man and I will defend him because I know him. And I know about his generosity.
“I've seen him deal with actors who've had problems with the alcohol, and he was magnificent. He was always generous, and kind and caring. I have great compassion for Mel.”
In 2006, Gibson apologised for anti-semitic abuse during an incident with a Los Angeles police officer where the actor was arrested.
The police report quoted Gibson saying: “The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world."
He then asked: “Are you a Jew?'"
Gibson later said in a statement: "I acted like a person completely out of control when I was arrested, and said things that I do not believe to be true and which are despicable. I am deeply ashamed of everything I said.”
In 2020, Gibson was accused by actress Winona Ryder of making anti-semitic and homophobic comments in the 1990s.
She told the Sunday Times: "We were at a crowded party with one of my good friends, and Mel Gibson was smoking a cigar, and we're all talking and he said to my friend, who's gay, 'Oh wait, am I gonna get Aids?'
"And then something came up about Jews, and he said, 'You're not an oven dodger, are you?'"
A representative for Gibson said at the time the allegations were "100% untrue".
In 2014, Gibson, who has spoken about his battle with alcoholism, said of the anti-semitism row in Los Angeles:
“It keeps coming up like a rerun, but I've dealt with it and I've dealt with it responsibly and I've worked on myself for anything I am culpable for.”
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