Mel Gibson presents Robert Downey Jr. with his American Cinematheque Award on Friday night.
Photo: Getty
Photo: Getty
Story by Simone Mitchell, the Sydney Morning Herald
US actor Robert Downey Jr. came to the defence of Mel Gibson while picking up an American Cinematheque Award on Friday, calling for Hollywood to "forgive him and let him work".
The Iron Man star has known the troubled actor since the 1980s and has previously spoken out in favour of the Braveheart star following a string of personal woes played out in the press.
Gibson was invited onstage to present Downey Jr. with the prestigious award, since, in the words of Garry Shandling, “The Cinematheque was concerned a bit about Robert’s checkered past, so they chose someone to present the award who could help balance that out and the choice was so obvious, Mel Gibson.”
Downey Jr., who has battled drug and alcohol addiction throughout his career, took to the stage and thanked Gibson for hiring him when "no one else would" in the 1990s - and now he's calling for other movie directors to do the same for his friend.
A star-studded crowd flooded the Beverly Hilton to honour Downey Jr's career, and the actor told the audience, "Unless you are without sin - and if you are, you are in the wrong f**king industry - you should forgive him and let him work.
"He taught me many things, and I will use the 'C' word - courage. There's nothing so much wrong with him. Of course, you have to worry about the guy making the judgment here. He's a good dude with a good heart.
"Mel and I have the same lawyer, same publicist, and same shrink. I couldn't get hired and he cast me. He said if I accepted responsibility - he called it hugging the cactus - long enough, my life would take meaning. And if he helped me, I would help the next guy. But it was not reasonable to expect the next guy would be him."
"Mel and I have the same lawyer, same publicist, and same shrink. I couldn't get hired and he cast me. He said if I accepted responsibility - he called it hugging the cactus - long enough, my life would take meaning. And if he helped me, I would help the next guy. But it was not reasonable to expect the next guy would be him."
Downey Jr.'s comments were met with applause in the auditorium, but the comments were met with a mixed reaction online.
Forbes columnist E.D. Kain applauded Downey Jr’s sentiments, stating "I say bravo to Robert Downey Jr. Someone has to appeal to our better angels. The gossip machine is brutal, and we’re too quick to topple those we raise up so high in the first place.
"Gibson’s struggle may not be a pretty one to witness, but it can’t be any better to have your own hardships and shortcomings broadcast for all the world to see."
Gossip columnist Perez Hilton had a different attitude and lashed out, writing on his blog "Of course, nobody is perfect, and while we agree with that sentiment, there's a big difference between being down and out because you're struggling with the disease of addiction and repeatedly expressing hatred and rage toward a group of people for their religious beliefs!"
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