Mel Gibson's father -- who filed for divorce Monday -- believes his wife has been abusing him, and Mel has jumped to his dad's aid ... TMZ has learned.

We're told Mel and his family have been tending to 93-year-old Hutton Gibson, who is seriously ill with a panoply of ailments. Hutton is taking a slew of medications for his conditions, but we're told his wife, Teddy Joye (who is in her 70's) believes her husband's family is prolonging his suffering and wants to discontinue all medicines to accelerate his death. She also believes that's what Hutton wants.

We're told Mel has taken the lead to ensure his dad is getting his meds, and believes Joye is guilty of elder abuse by her conduct. Sources say Mel wants Joye out of his dad's house -- stat.

As we first reported, Hutton personally filed for divorce and even signed the divorce docs in shaky handwriting.

We're also told Joye is going to fight it out with Mel -- possibly in court.

The animosity between Mel's family and Joye is intense.

Can you guess which Hollywood hotties are the proud owners of these taught tums? Check out all the man muscles ... if you can stomachthem!

Angelina Jolie has come a long way from her blood-wearing days -- and this week, she turns 37-years-old!

From her freaky marriage to Billy Bob Thornton to her very public displays of affection with her brother James Haven and her controversial relationship with Brad Pitt, check out Angie's most outrageous moments.

This gorgeous smiling señor is actually the brother of a handsome Hollywood A-lister -- Can you use your family tree telepathy to guess which silver screen star calls this guy hermano?!

Don't get too fresh with this brunette beauty or her famous father will leave you blacker and bluer than her dress!

See which famous fighting face Bianca Van Varenberg showed up to the MTV Movie Awards with in the gallery above.

Lindsay Lohan has gone to the dark side ... as she begins production on her new Liz Taylor film.

We got this pic of Lindsay taking a cigarette break during a pre-production photo shoot and lighting test.

Lindsay reluctantly had her hair cut and dyed to mimic Taylor.

We're told Lindsay believes the "Liz and Dick" movie will re-start her career by showcasing her talents ... ya know, besides these.

It was a real "puck you" to the New Jersey Devils Monday night, as L.A. Kings fans taunted their rivals with blown up images of an even famous-er N.J. franchise -- the cast of "Jersey Shore."

Devils players may not have gotten the joke, since 18 are not even American, but fans sure did.

In the end, Snooki, The Situation, Pauly D and Jwoww may have been L.A.'s secret weapon, because the Kings won 4 zip, which puts them 1 game away from their first Stanley Cup.

Finally, Snooki and Sitch did something useful.

After sporting blonde locks for quite some time now, Mary-Kate Olsen returned to the dark side -- debuting a sleek and sophisticated new 'do at last night's Council of Fashion Designers Awards in New York City.