At an American Cinematheque tribute to Robert Downey Jr. Friday, the “Iron Man” star praised his friend Mel Gibson – and said he should be forgiven.
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 again,” Downey said after Gibson presented him with the award before a packed ballroom.
As he was presenting, Gibson talked about being warned about hiring Downey for “Air America” in 1990 because of Downey’s troubled private life. Downey has always credited Gibson for being the first person who gave him a job during some of his years battling substance abuse.
Now it was Downey Jr.’s turn to support Gibson. Downey spoke about that time, recalling that Gibson had told him to “help the next guy” once he was able to. “It’s reasonable to assume…he didn’t imagine the next guy would be him,” said Downey.
Gibson’s erratic behavior has made headlines in the last few years, including his DUI arrest and anti-Semitic rant and his abusive tirade against his ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva.
MEDIA SPIN: The want to try to make people who were offended by Mel Gibson dumb remarks feel bad. That it makes those people happy to shame Mel. Forgive, give a hand to someone who is down for a time, and let’s all move on. That Hollywood is supporting one of theirs. Because some people feel Hollywood went after Mel Gibson because he is not a lefty. That he is not being blacklisted. Robert Downey is in good place to forgive people.
THE REAL: Of course Mr. Downey you want forgiveness you’re a crack head. You always want forgiveness. Downey’s pouring out platitudes about forgiving. Downing’s affection doesn’t impress me. It’s easy to understand his gratitude to his friend but they don’t change the facts. A sloppy, nasty drunk says EXACTLY what he means. Gibson is an abusive, racist lunatic. I’ll get my entertainment elsewhere because the stench of his bigotry would spoil the experience for me. America has enough like-minded sycophants who aren’t the least bit offended by his toxic ravings.
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