N-Word User Mel Gibson Gets Dropped by His Talent Agency

It seems that public meltdowns can have real consequences on our business opportunities. Actor Mel Gibson, who allegedly verbally abused his child's mother over the phone, has been dropped by the William Morris Endeavor Entertainment Agency as a client.

Patrick Whitesell of William Morris informed Gibson's reps that he will no longer be represented by the agency. This happens to be near the same time that Gibson's longtime agent, Ed Limato, died. Limato's funeral is set to take place in New York next week.

A partner with the William Morris Agency, Ari Emanuel, had become hostile toward Gibson after the actor made derogatory statements about Jews and showed skepticism toward whether the holocaust actually occurred. Gibson upset the African American community when he was recorded telling his ex-girlfriend that she was "dressed like a pig in heat," and that "if she gets raped by a pack of n*ggers," it would be her fault.

Since his latest irrational tirade, many studio executives now claim that Gibson is untouchable in the movie industry. "I'd rather get engaged to Lindsay Lohan than have anything to do with him," said one studio head.

A spokesman for Gibson said the star had always planned to do without an agent after Limato's death. He added, "At this point, he doesn't seem to be in need of an agent." He then claimed that Gibson has projects set up for the next two years.

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The Last 10 Films of Denzel Washington

The Last 10 Films of Denzel Washington
After he won his second Academy Award in 2002 for 'Training Day,' Denzel Washington elevated his game. The Mount Vernon, N.Y., native not only became a guaranteed box office draw, but he also found success and wealth in Hollywood. He's gone on to direct two feature films and was recently named among the top 10 money makers in Quigley Publishing Company's annual poll. Here's a look back at some of the films that catapulted him into superstardom.

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The Last Ten Films of Denzel

'John Q.'
Shortly after winning an Oscar for 'Training Day,' Washington had a box office hit with the 2002 Nick Cassavetes film 'John Q.' Co-starring Kimberly Elise, Anne Heche, James Woods and Daniel E. Smith, the film follows a down-on-his-luck father (Washington) whose insurance won't cover his son's heart transplant. Out of desperation, he takes the hospital's emergency room hostage until doctors agree to perform the operation. Although the $36 million film got negative reviews, it went on to earn $71 million domestically and had a worldwide gross of $102 million.

The Last Ten Films of Denzel

'Antwone Fisher'
Released during the winter of 2002, 'Antwone Fisher' marked Washington's directorial debut. The movie, which was based on a true story, stars Derek Luke as Fisher, a young Navy man forced to see a psychiatrist (Washington) after a violent outburst against one of his crewman. During the course of treatment, a painful past is revealed and a new hope begins. To secure financing for the film, Washington also agreed to star in it, along with Salli Richardson, Viola Davis, Novella Nelson and Joy Bryant. Produced with a $12.5 million budget and released in limited theaters, the film earned $21 million domestically.

The Last Ten Films of Denzel

'Out of Time'
Directed by Carl Franklin, 2003's 'Out of Time' featured Washington starring alongside Sanaa Lathan and Eva Mendes in a film about a Florida police chief (Washington) who must solve a vicious double homicide before he himself falls under suspicion. Released during the fall of that year, the $50 million production grossed $41 million domestically at the box office and $55 million worldwide.

The Last Ten Films of Denzel

'The Manchurian Candidate'
In 2004's 'The Manchurian Candidate,' a political thriller co-starring Liev Schrieber, Meryl Streep, Jon Voight, Anthony Mackie and Jeffrey Wright, Washington worked with Jonathan Demme for a second time since 1993's 'Philadelphia.' The film, a remake of the 1962 classic, is the story of former soldiers who are kidnapped and brainwashed for sinister purposes. The $80 million picture opened at the No. 3 spot but grossed a disappointing $65 million domestically and $96 million worldwide.

The Last Ten Films of Denzel

'Man on Fire'
Based on the novel by A. J. Quinnell, 'Man on Fire' featured Washington as an ex-CIA operative who takes revenge on a gang that kidnapped the child he's hired to protect. Directed by Tony Scott and co-starring a very young Dakota Fanning, Christopher Walken, Radha Mitchell, Mickey Rourke and singer Marc Anthony, the $70 million production opened at No. 1 and grossed $77 million domestically. Worldwide, it took in $130 million.

The Last Ten Films of Denzel

'Déjà vu'
Washington starred in the 2006 romantic thriller 'Déjà vu.' Directed by Tony Scott, the film follows an ATF agent (Washington) who travels back in time to save a woman from being murdered, only to fall in love with her during the process. Co-starring in the movie were Paula S. Patton, Jim Caviezel, Val Kilmer, Adam Goldberg and Matt Craven. The filming took place in post-Katrina New Orleans on a $75 million budget. It grossed $64 million domestically and took in $180 million worldwide.

The Last Ten Films of Denzel

'Inside Man'
Washington collaborated with director Spike Lee for the fourth time in the 2006 crime drama 'Inside Man.' Co-starring Clive Owen and Oscar winner Jodie Foster, the film also featured Willem Dafoe, Chiwitel Ejiofor and Christopher Plummer in supporting roles. Washington plays Keith Frazier, a detective who tries to take down a witty bank robber (Owen) after the criminal's perfect heist spirals into a hostage situation. With a production budget of $45 million, 'Inside' would be Lee's biggest box office film to date, grossing $88 million domestically and $184 million worldwide.

The Last Ten Films of Denzel

'The Great Debaters'
With the help of Oprah Winfrey and her company, Harpo Productions, Washington directed and starred in 2007's 'The Great Debaters.' The film, which also featured fellow Oscar winner Forest Whitaker, was based on the true story of Melvin B. Tolson (Washington), a professor at Texas' Wiley College who inspired his students to form the school's first debate team in 1935. The team went on to challenge Harvard in the national championship. Released on Christmas Day through the Weinstein Company, the film took in $30 million.

The Last Ten Films of Denzel

'American Gangster'
In 2007, Russell Crowe teamed up with Washington for the second time, after 1995's 'Virtuosity,' to do the crime drama 'American Gangster.' Directed by Ridley Scott, the story was based on Frank Lucas (Washington), a heroin kingpin from Manhattan who smuggled drugs into the country from the Far East. The $100 million film would be Washington's biggest box draw to date, taking in $130 million domestically and $266 million worldwide. It also landed legendary actress Ruby Dee an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actor for her portrayal as Lucas' mother.

The Last Ten Films of Denzel

There is no question about the fact that Gibson has become toxic in the film industry. But he is getting older and probably doesn't care. Additionally, 'The Passion of the Christ' netted him hundreds of millions of dollars because he was one of the primary financiers of the movie, and the film did quite well. Perhaps there is one thing the black community can learn from the Gibson breakdown and the reaction by Emanuel from the William Morris Agency: If you've got economic power, almost no one can tell you what to do.

Gibson isn't worried about losing his job for what he did, since he has gobs of money and owns a great deal of his work anyway. He probably earns more by financing projects behind the scenes than most actors earn by doing three or four films a year. Emanuel's reaction to Gibson is a teachable moment because it reminds us how the Jewish community, through the mobilization of wealth, is able to take important stands when necessary. A rapper can use the N-word all day on an album and say what he wants about black women, but if he says something defamatory against the Jewish community, he'd be toast. This is not to say that one slur is better or worse than another, or one community's struggles are more or less important; it simply says that when a community is organized, mobilized, empowered and wealthy, it can make sure that its interests are protected and the group is respected. In America, money gives you the right to make your issues important.

I have yet to hear Gibson issue a public apology for his remarks, and I don't expect one. This breaks my heart because he'd always been one of my favorite actors. In fact, I still like Gibson as an actor, which doesn't mean I have to like him as a person. For most of us, that's the case with our Hollywood heroes: They are almost never the person they appear to be.

Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and a Scholarship in Action resident of the Institute for Black Public Policy. To have Dr. Boyce's commentary delivered to your e-mail, please click here.