Mel Gibson has lost his patience with a reporter, calling him an "a***hole" after he questioned the actor over his infamous anti-Semetic rant.

Gibson was spruiking his new film, Edge of Darkness, in a satellite interview with Chicago reporter Dean Richards when he was repeatedly asked questions about his battle with alcohol and issues arising from his DUI arrest.

The exchange finally went south when Richards asked: "Do you think the public will perceive you any differently after all that's been in the news about you?"

Gibson replied: "That's almost four years ago, dude. I've done all the necessary mea culpas. Let's move on."

Nervous, Richards wrapped up the interview. But before Gibson's satellite feed went off, the star quipped, "bye bye, a***hole".