In 1987, Mel Gibson turned down a role that won an Oscar for ‘Best Actor’. 12 years later, he did it again

Mel Gibson turned down leading roles in *Rain Man* and *Gladiator*, both of which went on to earn their stars the Best Actor Oscar. The choices highlight the opportunities he passed up during his years as one of Hollywood’s most bankable leading men.

The article says Gibson considered *Rain Man* before Dustin Hoffman took the role of Raymond Babbitt in the 1987 film. In 1999, Gibson chose *The Patriot* over *Gladiator*, with Russell Crowe playing Maximus and later winning the Oscar; Gibson reportedly thought he was too old for the part.