Oscar-winning director and actor Mel Gibson was arrested in Malibu for suspicion of drunken driving, an official said on Friday.

Australian movie superstar Mel Gibson is shown in Sydney in this April 22, 2002, file photo. [AP]

"He was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence," said Los Angeles County Sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore.

Gibson, 50, whose 2004 film "The Passion of the Christ" was a smash hit, was stopped at 2:36 a.m. local time on Friday for speeding on the Pacific Coast Highway, and officers smelled alcohol on his breath.

He was given a sobriety test, taken into custody and released later that morning after posting $5,000 bail.

Whitmore said Gibson was given a citation, and the matter will be reviewed by detectives to determine if drunken driving charges will be filed at a future date, Whitmore said.

Gibson's spokesman could not be reached for comment.

The actor rocketed to fame in the late 1970s in the movie "Mad Max" and scored huge box office hits playing a cop in the "Lethal Weapon" movies.

In 1995, he acted in and directed "Braveheart," about 13th-century Scottish rebel William Wallace. The movie earned 10 Oscar nominations and won five of the awards including directing for Gibson and best picture of the year.

Gibson used his own money to make "Passion," about the last hours in the life of Jesus Christ, because no Hollywood studio would back him. The 2004 film went on to be a major hit and gross more than $611 million at global box offices.