It's Payback Time For Mel Gibson

Posted Friday, May 4, 2001 at 8:04 AM Central

by Heather Koehler

Mel Gibson may tease his co-stars with his prankster antics, but his latest act left everyone smiling.

Mel not only knows What Women Want but knows exactly what his alma mater needs...$1 million. When the Australian hunk learned that his acting school needed money to renovate in order to continue classes, he couldn't write the check fast enough.

"I can honestly say I might not be where I am today if it wasn't for my time at NIDA (Australia's National Institute of Dramatic Art). So, when an opportunity came along where I could repay them, show my appreciation for the time and effort they invested in my, well it was the least I could do."

The school plans to name a wing after Mr. Gibson, his own little Million Dollar Hotel.