Mel Gibson has been named the “most powerful Christian” in Hollywood by the multi-denominational website Beliefnet.
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(Photo: AP Image / Norman Ng, File)American filmmaker and actor Mel Gibson shares a laugh with the audience at a panel discussion about the green challenge in businesses during the Forbes Global CEO Conference, Tuesday Sept. 11, 2007, in Singapore.
The director of hit movie “Passion of the Christ,” who is Catholic, topped the Beliefnet Power Dozen list of Christians that “have the clout to choose their career direction, while keeping their faith and even injecting it into their work in subtle or not-so-subtle ways.”
Many attribute Gibson’s blockbuster movie, which aimed at providing an authentic portrayal of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and even featured Hebrew and Aramaic languages, as the spark that helped Hollywood re-discover the Christian and faith market.
While Gibson’s recent movie, “Apocalypto,” had an ancient Mayan setting, it was seen by many as a Christian allegory, according to Beliefnet.
Furthermore, Gibson has also financed the building of a Roman Catholic church in California.
But Gibson’s reputation as an outspoken Christian is not without controversy. He also captured media attention for a drunken-driving arrest – during the course of which he unleashed a torrent of expletives and anti-Semitic remarks – as well as for movies he’s starred in and directed that feature graphic violence, including “Passion of the Christ.”
Trailing Gibson on Beliefnet’s list was Denzel Washington, dubbed the second most powerful Hollywood Christian, followed third by Patricia Heaton.
Washington and his wife Pauletta have lent their voices in the recently released Old Testament version of The Bible Experience, in which they narrate The Song of Songs.
Heaton, who played the wife of the character Ray Romano on the TV show “Everybody Loves Raymond” was a Catholic turned Prostant and now advocates on behalf of an anti-abortion group called Feminists for Life.
Christian producer Ralph Winter, who works regularly with FoxFaith, placed fifth on the list. He has produced blockbusters such as "X-Men" trilogy, "The Planet of the Apes," and "The Fantastic Four." His Christian-themed movies include "Left Behind," "Thr3e," and "The Visitation.”
A list of movers and shakers to look out for included: Sherri Shepherd, who recently joined “The View;” Tony Hale, who played Buster from "Arrested Development;” Miley Cyrus, star of Disney Channel show "Hannah Montana;” Jim Caviezel, who played the role of Jesus in Passion; and Zachary Levi, seen on "Less Than Perfect" and now in the new series "Chuck."
Hollywood's Most Powerful Christians:
1. Mel Gibson
2. Denzel Washington
3. Patricia Heaton
4. Tyler Perry
5. Ralph Winter
6. Angela Bassett
7. Martin Sheen
8. Martha Williamson
9. Kristen Chenoweth
10. Philip Anschutz
11. Howard Kazanjian
12. Scott Derrickson
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good job
I think the drunk anti-jewish comments made by Mel Gibson speak volumes about him. Christians have a connection with the Jews as Jesus was one on earth. They are spiritual kin and should not be denigrated. Also, I don't think that Catholicism necessary makes one a Christian as many don't follow the Bible and are more focused on Tradition than what God says.
Wow... we have a lot of people in here that can walk on water! We Christians are a laughing stock to many because of stuff like this.
Belief.net is not a Christian site, it is a religious site that categorizes all religions. If you want proof, just read their book on angels... they merge everything together.
I would also like to urge many of you to use a spell checker before posting... having Christians slam everyone and telling them that they are going to go to hell is bad enough, but when we misspell words in the process, it is frankly embarrassing.
Since when would Martin Sheen be considered a Christian? This is the man that called God a feckless thug while on West Wing. I don't care how good the pay is, I would not call God names for the sake of "playing a character" on television.
Hey dgnymn, here is a nice Ron Paul quote for you:
"no politician will ever produce even a tiny fraction of the legacy left by Pope John Paul II"
Go Paul Go! Now am I talking about John Paul or Ron Paul?
Why should Mel Gibson apologize for being a Catholic and standing with his beliefs? The movie opened on Catholic Ash Wednesday and it was/is a Catholic movie. As a Catholic I don't believe in the left behind theory and didn't see the movie like a lot of other people...that is my choice but didn't trash the movie. Since when has a Catholic thought the bible is the only way? is that what the early Christians believed? Don't use an idea that became popular in the protestant reformation and try to hold us Catholics to it.
Passion of Christ an authentic film??
I think the person who made that comment needs to read the Biblical version.
Mel Gibson always stated that his version of the Passion was based not on scripture alone but on the 'vision' of a Roman Catholic mystic by the name of Anne Catherine Emmerich and recorded in a book called The Dolorous Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ.
This movie is not an 'authentic' biblical account of Christ's death and resurrection.
Just because something contains 90% truth doesn't mean we ignore the 10% error. In my opinion many professing Christians are ignoring this error for the sake of glorifying one Mr Mel Gibson rather then remaining Bible focused and Christ centered.
Top 10 list in Hollywood. My list is identical - number 1 through 10: The Lord God of Heaven and Earth. Known by many names but on Good Friday, was referred to as the King of the Jews! This same God-Man is the one by whom the worlds were made. Here is my acrostic for the Unbeatable, Matchless, Reigning King - soon to return and establish His Kingdom:
J - Jehova (I AM - Fill in the Blank)
E - Eternal (having no beginning nor end)
S - Substitutionary Sacrifice
U - Unbound by death, hell, and the grave!
S - Seated at the Right Hand of the Father (making intercession for us)
Well, if you want a list that exalts man or God - You had better put JESUS atop the BOTH!
AMEN (So let it be written, and let it be done) :)
Mel Gibson the "most powerful?!?" Not by a long shot. This is absolutely ludicrous!!! The only power he has is the money he's generated through the Passion of the Christ, a film, he says, was made to glorify Mary and cause millions to worship her!!! These are his words. He's a diehard Catholic, and he holds to all the Catholic teachings, which are numerous and many are heretical!! And why doesn't the evanjellycal community recognize this!!
Has anyone ever heard of Kirk Cameron or Ray Comfort???? Why weren't they included? It's only like they are on the streets of Hollywood spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ!!! But may belief.net is interested in the glitz of Hollywood and they've sold out too!!!!
REPENT, FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS AT HAND!!!!
Well yes, if you are talking power with money, I am stating power in character. I wonder which one gets you can most likely get you to Heaven???? Box office mojo just does not quite cut it.
Mel Gibson absolutely should be #1 on the list, as for the left behind Kirk Cameron. According to box office mojo the movie did less than 5 million at the box office, how does that even come close to equating to most powerful? Having said that I'm glad that a Catholic is #1 on the list of most powerful Christians in Hollywood. There are quite a few Catholics who could have easily made that list. The Passion of the Christ was an excellent movie and I encourage everybody to watch that movie.
just a hollywood list of worldly people..who aren't saved at all. anyone can talk about God and the whole world thinks they know and obey the King of Kings. NOT. "By their fruit you shall know them."
I have enjoyed Mel Gibson's past accomplisments as an actor and director. Having said that I am somewhat saddened that other worthwhile individuals weren't acknowledged like KIrk Cameron mentioned above. Mr. Gibson if you recall went into a drunken anti-semitic tirade while carousing with two young women in the not so distant past. I pray that God has healed him of this behavior and that he can/will now Glorify God professionally AND personally.
I appreciate that there are Christians in Hollywood, but I am disappointed that many of them don't take a stand when it comes to the roles they play. Although Tyler Perry is a Christian, a couple of his recent movies have been a little iffy on the sexual front.
Also, I am disappointed in Pat Heaton for her new show with Kelsey Grammer in which they glorify premarital sex. I also saw her on Rachael Ray show and the whole time she made references to drinking and being hungover. Aren't christians supposed to be a light to the rest of the world?
How about Christian Slater? isn't he a christian?