Dad-of-eight and devout Catholic Mel Gibson is striving to save his career after his racist outburst against the mother of his child, Oksana Grigorieva.

Hollywood bosses last night said his vile actions make him an outcast. Civil rights and women's groups campaigned for a boycott of his films.

The actor is reported to have been caught on tape telling Ms Grigorieva, "If you get raped by a pack of n******, it will be your fault."

This new controversy comes after Gibson's anti-Semitic jibe at a Jewish police officer four years ago.

Veteran campaigner Rev. Jesse Jackson yesterday said the Braveheart actor must "seek help".

"His penchants for anti-Semitic and racist diatribes reveal the actor's fundamental character flaw." Glenn Selig, founder of PR firm The Publicity Agency, said: "The public can overlook a lot, but this is not something they will tolerate or stomach. This will spell the end for Mel Gibson.

"If true, not only will he be rejected by the public but by Hollywood," according to Mr Jackson.

One studio boss said, "Last time he just managed to claw back his career. This time he will be a pariah.

"He offended not only women but a huge swathe of the public. Any Hollywood exec will fear a backlash if they use him."

In his despicable raves, Mr Gibson is understood to have called his Russian musician ex-lover "a whore". The couple separated in April after Ms Grigorieva obtained a restraining order against the actor, claiming he had hit her in the face and knocked out two teeth.

Ms Grigorieva, 40, is reported to have given a recording to court officials as evidence in their custody fight over their nine-month-old daughter. The tape, which lasts 30 minutes, consists of phone messages and secret recordings.

Mr Gibson's spokesman said, "I have no comment on and furthermore no knowledge of the credibility or authenticity of any alleged audio tapes."