Oscar-winning film star Mel Gibson was approved by judge to serve the rest of his probation without appearing in court again, U.S. media reported Thursday.?

"You're on your own now with the self-help groups, so this is the most difficult time for you," said Superior Court Judge Lawrence Mira Tuesday while approving his progress.?

"Good luck to you as you continue your rehabilitation," said Mira.

Gibson will remain on probation for about 18 more months but no more progress reports are necessary.

"Gibson attended five AA meetings every week for nearly five months and three per week for seven months," said Deputy District Attorney Gina Satriano.

He also completed a 90-day program for drunken-driving offenders that included individual and group counseling, said Datriano.

The 52-year-old "Passion of the Christ" director once made worldwide news by unleashing an anti-Semitic tirade during his 2006 arrest for drunk driving.

After his no-contest plea, Gibson was sentenced to three years of probation, paid about 1,600 U.S. dollars in fines and had to attend Alcoholics Anonymous and other meetings.

The star later apologized for making the derogatory comments about Jews to the sheriff's deputy who arrested him.

Gibson won an Academy Award as the director of 1995's "Brave Heart." His "Passion of the Christ," released in 2004, became one of the highest-grossing films of the decade.

(Xinhua/Agencies February 15, 2008)