Kaylah Walton
Mel Gibson is often remembered for his roles in iconic action movies of the late 20th century, notably the ‘Lethal Weapon’ series. However, his connection to the revived ‘Mad Max’ franchise and his work as a director in films like the impactful ‘The Passion of the Christ’ and the contentious ‘Apocalypto’ are less recognized. Nevertheless, Gibson continues to capture attention, likely due to his nonconformist views.
This unique perspective possibly explains why Joe Rogan invited Gibson back to the Joe Rogan Experience podcast after a six-year absence, where Gibson revealed some concerning news about his health.
During the podcast, Gibson disclosed that he was born with scoliosis and is currently facing serious back issues. He expressed his reluctance to pursue a surgical option due to the risks involved, stating: “They already treat scoliosis in other ways than surgery, because I don’t want to undergo that procedure. Once you start opening things up and playing with them, there’s no going back.”
Gibson’s insights on health and philosophy
“I was born scoliotic… and of course, I faced injuries over the years,” Gibson reflected, adding a philosophical note by quoting Hippocrates, saying, “Hippocrates, the father of medicine, said, ‘In any ailment, look first to the spine,’ and it was like, ‘He’s got something right!’” He mentioned that his extensive career filled with physical roles has taken a toll on his body, exacerbating his condition, something Rogan could relate to due to his own experiences with back pain from jiu-jitsu.
Gibson’s experience with COVID-19
In 2020, Gibson tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus amid the initial outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and, although he managed relatively well, he was aware that something felt off in his body. He shared with Rogan, “You feel pretty bad for a while, but they didn’t have to use a respirator or anything, and finally I thought, ‘Well, this is enough. I can go home now.’” The actor is now 70 years old.
