Jason Isaacs Ends Friendship With Mel Gibson Over Antisemitic Comments: “He’s Not My Friend”

British actor Jason Isaacs is opening up about a painful chapter in his past — one that involves a fractured friendship with controversial actor and director Mel Gibson. In a revealing new interview with Vulture, Isaacs spoke candidly about his decision to distance himself from Gibson after the star’s now-infamous antisemitic remarks in 2006.

The two once shared the screen in the 2000 historical war epic The Patriot, in which Gibson played the lead role of Benjamin Martin and Isaacs portrayed the film’s villain, Colonel William Tavington. Though their on-set collaboration reportedly blossomed into a friendly acquaintance at the time, that connection came to a definitive end following Gibson’s widely publicized arrest six years later.

In July 2006, Gibson was stopped by a Los Angeles County Sheriff for speeding while intoxicated. During the traffic stop, he launched into a hateful tirade that included the declaration, “The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world.” The remarks, detailed in an official arrest report, were met with swift condemnation across Hollywood and beyond. Gibson later issued a public apology, acknowledging the severity of his actions and expressing remorse.

But for Isaacs, the damage was already done.

“He’s said and done some things that are unconscionable and unforgivable,” Isaacs told Vulture. “He’s not my friend.”

Isaacs revealed that the two unexpectedly crossed paths years later at a charity function. In a moment that blended discomfort and dark humor, Isaacs said he referred to Gibson jokingly as “Rabbi Gibson” — a biting nod to the actor’s controversial past.

Gibson, according to Isaacs, attempted to downplay or rationalize his previous behavior in that encounter, a response that left Isaacs deeply conflicted. “Maybe to my eternal shame, I forgave him instantly because he was there making himself vulnerable,” Isaacs admitted. Still, he was quick to clarify that this moment of temporary reconciliation did not erase the harm done. “I’m not saying I forgive Mel. I’ve seen him once a decade for five minutes.”

When asked whether the general public should extend similar forgiveness to Gibson, Isaacs didn’t hesitate: “No. You can’t forgive everything from everyone.”

The candid reflections come at a time when Gibson, now 69, remains a lightning rod for controversy. In recent months, his name has once again dominated headlines — not for his acting or directing, but for political entanglements and disturbing allegations.

Gibson was recently appointed by former President Donald Trump as a so-called “special envoy to Hollywood,” a role many critics have derided as unserious and symbolic of Trump’s combative stance toward traditional media and the entertainment industry. The appointment sparked widespread backlash, especially in light of Gibson’s prior behavior and convictions.

One particularly jarring revelation emerged from inside sources close to the Trump team: Gibson reportedly played a role in the firing of a federal employee who had refused to reinstate his gun license due to his previous domestic abuse conviction. According to reports, Gibson personally appealed to Trump, who then ordered the dismissal of the official involved. Neither the Trump campaign nor Gibson’s representatives have confirmed or denied the account, but it has added fuel to the fire surrounding the actor’s already tarnished reputation.

For Isaacs, the focus remains on accountability — and the limits of personal redemption.

“It’s not about one mistake,” he explained. “It’s about a pattern, about who someone shows themselves to be again and again.”

Isaacs’ comments are a stark reminder that while Hollywood has often been accused of having a short memory when it comes to scandal, there are still some lines that, once crossed, can’t be uncrossed — especially when it involves hate speech or discrimination.

The Harry Potter actor, who has long been outspoken about social justice issues, did not stop at discussing Gibson. In the same Vulture interview, Isaacs touched on his current project, the HBO hit series The White Lotus, where he plays a supporting role in the show’s upcoming fourth season.

According to Isaacs, all cast members on the Emmy-winning series receive a flat rate of $40,000 per episode — a figure he described as “a very low price” given the show’s immense popularity and critical acclaim.

However, shortly after the interview was published, Isaacs took to social media to clarify that his comments were being taken out of context. Labeling the media response a “crappy clickbait alert,” Isaacs explained that he meant no disrespect to the show’s producers or network and that he remains “incredibly proud” to be part of the ensemble.

As for Gibson, the future of his career remains uncertain. While he has made attempts at comebacks in recent years — including a directorial return with the 2016 film Hacksaw Ridge, which earned multiple Oscar nominations — the shadow of his past continues to loom large. His most recent involvement with Trump’s inner circle has only reignited debates about whether Hollywood and political power brokers are too quick to rehabilitate figures with deeply problematic histories.

Jason Isaacs, for his part, seems to have made peace with his own stance. Though he acknowledged the complexities of human behavior, he stood firm in his belief that some actions must carry permanent consequences — especially when they echo the kind of hatred that has had devastating effects throughout history.

“Forgiveness isn’t owed,” Isaacs said. “And it doesn’t erase what happened.”