[Denver Ditdat]

I remember hearing a Paul Harvey segment about a young boy of 12 (I think) who was walking home through a real rough section of town one night. He was set upon by a group of hooligans, beaten mercilessly and left for dead.

But he didn't die. He survived and spent months in the hospital where doctors had to reconstruct his entire face...

Guess who it was? Yep, Mel.

(Haven't seen this posted, sorry for a double if'n it was.)

I did a quick Google search to find out more about this incident and found The text copied below:

Expert:The Mel Gibson Fans Mailing List
Date:7/1/2001
Subject:injuries

Question
I was told that at a young age, Mel Gibson recieved injuries to his face and there was a reconstruction operation done. I would like to know if this is true and if so the details of the incident.

Thank you,
Bert

Answer
Bert,

Mel Gibson did suffer some injuries during a barroom brawl, but they did not require reconstructive surgery.

An internet rumor states that Mel was brutally beaten while working on the docks as a young man; that abeneficiary paid for surgery because the damage was so severe. The story was attributed to Paul Harvey, but Mr. Harvey has denied authoring the story. He did author a related story about the real injury, but like many internet rumors, it evolved to something totally foreign from the truth.

Hope this helps!

Lisa Hightower
Mel Gibson Fans Listowner/Webmaster

[TIGHTEN]

You know what, Paul Harvey can say whatever he wants. I personally, specifically remember him telling the story over the AM dial. It was at least a year, maybe two years ago. I only remember two of his stories, one about Lucy Ball being chained as a child and that Mel Gibson story. No way in the world PH gave a different account (ie bar fight). I've never heard the story anywhere else, and it made me reflect at the time.

If it was an internet rumor, it made it onto his show. If it didn't happen (which seems now to be the case), I apologize for spreading rumors.