TROUBLED HOLLYWOOD actor Mel Gibson, who went to ground after damaging revelations about his private life earlier this year, is to break his silence when he appears via video link at the world premiere of the film Now Herein Dublin next month.
Gibson will pay tribute to the Irish actor Seán Lawlor, who died shortly after making the film.
The pair became friends when Lawlor played Mel Gibson's father in the Oscar-winning Braveheart.
Lawlor, who died from cancer last October, appeared in numerous films including Titanic, In the Name of the Father, Into the Westand Some Mother's Son.
He also produced stage plays, including the one-man production The Watchmanwhich he also wrote. His brother Eric set up the Seán Lawlor Artists Trust in the wake of the actor's death to provide financial assistance for artists in need. Proceeds from the premiere, which will take place on the first anniversary of Lawlor's death on October 10th at the Liberty Hall Theatre, will go to the trust.
Once the toast of Hollywood, Gibson is locked in a bitter custody row with his former girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva over their baby daughter. Gibson had a brief relationship with the Russian singer after the break-up of his 26-year marriage.
Declan Joyce, who acted in and produced Now Here, said: "Mel's been getting pulverised in the US and now he's peeking his head above the parapet to talk about Seán and his life. We're honoured he's going to speak about him."