NEW YORK - American actor Mel Gibson apologised on Aug 31 after being criticised for mocking an American Sign Language interpreter over the weekend at Fan Expo Canada, in an episode he described as “thoughtless idiocy”.

“Sometimes when you get pushed out on a stage in a spotlight your mind is all over the place,” he said in a statement to The New York Times.

Gibson, 70, said there had not been “intended maliciousness” behind his behaviour, adding: “I certainly apologise to anyone who was upset by it.”

A two-time Oscar winner, Gibson was one of dozens of stars who appeared at the fan event held from Aug 26 to 29 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Canada. Organisers billed the event as a “playground” for anyone interested in comics, sci-fi, horror, anime, gaming and cosplay.

Gibson was there on Aug 29 for a Q&A segment discussing his career, including his roles in Mad Max (1979 to 1985) and Braveheart (1995). According to Fan Expo’s website, Gibson sold autographed 20cm-by-25cm headshots and held photo ops for US$275 (S$350).

As he walked onstage to cheers from the crowd, Gibson made several quick and apparently meaningless hand gestures behind the back of an interpreter, who stood facing the audience.

Video of the episode circulated widely online, and many people quickly criticised the actor’s behaviour.

Representatives for Fan Expo Canada did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Aug 31, including about whether Gibson had contacted the interpreter.

More than 300 sign languages are in use around the world, though, according to the US National Association of the Deaf, people in Canada and the United States who are deaf or hard of hearing most commonly use American Sign Language. ASL, as the language is known, allows people to communicate through hand movements and shapes, as well as other signals like facial expressions.

Gibson’s statement was not the first time that he has issued a public apol...