I've enjoyed many of Mel Gibson's movies, and I've always had an image of him as a decent guy with a bit of self-deprecating humor. It's sad to learn that he has a strong anti-semitic streak.
Is this the end of the world for Mel? Hardly. He's not exactly in the poor house -- with the ton of money he made from "The Passion of Christ" he might not have been too far off when he boasted that he owned Malibu. He can certainly self-finance whatever future movies he wants to act in or produce or direct.
However, his reputation has taken a huge hit. That's the fair and reasonable consequence for the hateful things he said. The apology he issued is a good starting point, but it will still take him many years to rebuild his shattered reputation. That's as it should be.
The reputation of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has also taken a hit, although it was none too high to begin with. Heads should roll for giving special treatment to Gibson and then trying to cover it up. But I doubt anything will happen; it will be business as usual.
With people who already hated him. With most Americans, I doubt it. People saw how he was vilified by liberal Jewish groups for having the gall to make a movie about the Christian Gospels. So it's clear that a lot of anger built up in his heart, and he overgeneralized in that anger - wrongly, sinfully. But the fact he's a sinner isn't going to ruin him with most Americans - not if he apologizes, as he's done.