Irish-American-Australian actor Mel Gibson made the big leagues when he starred in the highly successful Lethal Weapon movies, but also proved his incredible talent in the title role in Hamlet, which was produced by Gibson’s own production company, Icon Productions. The role brought him the William Shakespeare Award from the Folger Theater in Washington, D.C. His stage appearances also include Death of a Salesman. Icon also produced, with Gibson starring, Forever Young and Maverick.

But in 1995 he had what was perhaps his biggest success to date with Braveheart, which Gibson starred in, produced and directed. Filmed in Ireland, the movie won Gibson a Golden Globe Award for best director and has been nominated for a number of Academy Awards. Gibson also won the National Board of Review’s Special Achievement in Filmmaking award, and was voted best director by the Broadcast Film Critics’ Association.

His next project is Ransom, directed by Ron Howard.