Mel Gibson Blames Wild Behavior on 'Bjorn the Viking' Alter Ego

For years, Mel Gibson’s name has been tied to a string of headline-making scandals and public outbursts. But according to the actor himself, there’s more to the story than meets the eye. In a revelation that’s as bizarre as it is unexpected, Gibson once claimed that his most infamous moments might not have been entirely his own doing. Instead, he points to an inner force he calls Bjorn the Viking—a wild, primal side he says he’s constantly trying to keep under wraps.

It’s easy to be skeptical. The idea that a Hollywood star’s missteps could be blamed on a fictional Norse warrior sounds like something out of a late-night comedy sketch. Yet, Gibson has described this alter ego in vivid detail, suggesting that his struggles with self-control are a battle against this unruly persona lurking just beneath the surface.

Inside the Mind of Mel Gibson

Back in 2001, at the height of his career, Gibson sat down for an interview and pulled back the curtain on his internal conflict. He painted a picture of Bjorn as a horned Viking, buried deep within him, always threatening to claw his way back to the surface.

“He’s got Viking horns, and I imagine myself trying to bury him, and he’s, like, in the grave, and I’ve packed dirt real tight on him, and I’m shoveling it down, when suddenly this hand starts appearing,”

Gibson explained.

“My insanity doesn’t come out very often, because to exist in society, you have to work on that and keep it in check.”

Despite his efforts to keep Bjorn at bay, Gibson admitted that the struggle isn’t always successful. The actor’s history of controversial remarks and explosive behavior has often overshadowed his work, leading many to question what drives his actions. But in his own words, the battle with Bjorn is ongoing—and sometimes, the Viking wins.

Controversy and the Search for Answers

Gibson’s explanation for his past behavior doesn’t stop at Bjorn. He’s also questioned why he’s been labeled as a right-wing misogynist, insisting that the public’s perception of him doesn’t match who he really is.

“Why is it that people define me as a right-wing misogynist?”

he once asked.

“It’s baffling. I’m not like that at all.”

He’s quick to point out that his Catholic faith, his views on birth control, and his old jokes about traditional gender roles have all contributed to his reputation.

“I guess it’s because I’m Catholic, have ideas on birth control, and used to joke about keeping women barefoot, pregnant, and in the kitchen,”

he reflected, suggesting that these factors have painted him as a brute in the public eye.

The Shadow of Bjorn

Whether or not Bjorn the Viking is real, Gibson’s candid admissions offer a window into the mind of a man wrestling with his own demons. He’s described the process of trying to suppress this side of himself as a constant, exhausting effort—one that doesn’t always succeed. For those who have followed his career, it’s a startling glimpse into the chaos that may lie beneath the surface of one of Hollywood’s most polarizing figures.

In Gibson’s telling, the blame for his most notorious moments doesn’t rest solely on his shoulders. Instead, he suggests, it’s the work of Bjorn—the Viking within—who refuses to stay buried for long.