A California judge gave the 51-year-old actor a thumbs up for making steady progress in a court-ordered alcohol rehabilitation program following his drink-driving arrest last year.

"I truly believe the rehabilitation that is being effected in this case is effective, and I don't want anything to interrupt that," Superior Court Judge Lawrence Mira, told Gibson’s attorney.

Gibson, who will appear in court on August 23 for a final progress hearing, did not attend the Malibu hearing yesterday.

"I do want to see him in court at some point to ensure we are all on the same page. I know his extensive participation in a self-help program -- and I should note he has done extensive work, beyond which was required," the judge added.

"The Passion of the Christ" director was arrested last summer on suspicion of drunken driving and also caused a lot of controversy by launching into a sexist and anti-Semitic tirade against the Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy.

Gibson later issued numerous apologies describing his remarks as "despicable," but he was sentenced to three years probation, fined $1,300 and ordered to attend Alcoholic Anonymous meetings for a year.

The star's lawyer, Blair Berk, said Gibson was "doing extremely well. He's complied with all the terms and conditions and he's completed the program."

"He's doing very well. He's working hard," Gibson's publicist, Alan Nierob, told The Associated Press on Friday. "This is just an ongoing process that he's committed to."