Mel Gibson has been formally charged with drink-related offences after an incident in which he made anti-Semitic comments during his arrest.
The Oscar-winning director is accused of driving under the influence, having a raised blood-alcohol level and having an open alcohol bottle in the car.
He could face up to six months in jail if convicted.
During his arrest, Mr Gibson made what he has said were "harmful" anti-Semitic comments. He has since apologised.
Mr Gibson said in a statement his outburst did not reflect his true views.
"Please know from my heart I am not an anti-Semite. I am not a bigot. Hatred of any kind goes against my faith," he said.
Mr Gibson has also asked to meet Jewish groups to "discern the appropriate path for healing".
'Relapse'
In an earlier statement he said he had suffered a horrific relapse in his battle with alcoholism.
The Associated Press news agency reports that Mr Gibson told the arresting officer: "The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world," and asked him: "Are you a Jew?"
Mr Gibson is expected to appear in court on the drink-driving related charges on 28 September.
He was arrested last Friday after being seen driving at 87mph (139km/h) in a 45mph (72km/h) stretch of Malibu's Pacific Coast Highway, the local sheriff's department says.
Authorities say his blood-alcohol level was found to be 0.12%. The legal limit in California is 0.08%.
Mr Gibson has not been charged with speeding or in relation to his anti-Semitic comments.
Mr Gibson, 50, won a best director Oscar for his 1995 film Braveheart, in which he also starred.
His 2004 biblical epic, The Passion of the Christ, was recently named the most controversial movie to date by US magazine Entertainment Weekly.
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