Robert Downey Jr. Asks Hollywood To ‘Forgive’ Mel Gibson While Accepting American Cinematheque Award

[In Other News]

Source: Deadline.com

The American Cinematheque tribute to Robert Downey Jr last night held might have been unthinkable just a few years ago when the actor was hopelessly hooked on drugs, destroying his career and winding up in prison. But if there is anything Hollywood loves, it is redemption – and a second (or third or fourth) chance. That’s something Downey received and ran with largely thanks to his wife Susan who put him on the right course and hasn’t let him fall off since. With a hot career thanks to a second Oscar nomination for Tropic Thunder and blockbuster franchises like Iron Man and Sherlock Holmes, Downey not only turned around his career, he fixed his life and now he’s reaping the rewards as evidenced by the great turnout on Friday night at the Beverly Hilton. But the evening took a serious turn when Downey made an impassioned plea to Hollywood to “forgive” his friend Mel Gibson who was on hand to present him with the award. “Unless you are without sin – and if you are, you are in the wrong industry, you should forgive him and let him work,” Downey said to much applause.

The undisputed highlight of the night came when previously unannounced guest Mel Gibson appeared. Gibson and Downey Jr co-starred in Air America and Gibson’s unwavering support of Downey during his darkest hours was well-documented at the time. Gibson brought up Downey to accept the award to a standing ovation and said, “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 judgement here. He’s a good dude with a good heart.”

“This is my fuckin’ time,” Downey said. “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 assume the next guy would be him.” Downey then went to on to hug Gibson and urge people to let Mel continue his career without shame.



Read more: http://www.deadline.com/2011/10/robert-downey-jr-accepts-american-cinematheque-award-asks-hollywood-to-forgive-mel-gibson/

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Not sure if this is really LBN material, but I do have to say that I've never cared about the personal idiocies of actors or comedians. When they start running for political office is when I start paying attention.

[Tunkamerica]

1. prob. belongs in entertainment

[In Other News]

3. You're probably right

No big whoop if it gets locked and/or moved.

[Ian David]

2. Gibson can suck it. n/t

[fegi052li]

18. +100

Arrogant douchebag

[90-percent]

4. Generosity and loyalty

Nice of Downey to stand for his friend. Gibson sounds like a creep, but I am truly impressed with Downey's character and generosity here.

-jim

[Lucinda]

5. I'm glad Downey has turned his life around. I hope Mel can do the same.

Thanks for the post.

[DianaForRussFeingold]

6. He didn't kill anyone-- Robert Downey Jr. is right!!!

Mel Gibson is one of the greatest actors, ever!

Jody Foster also thinks highly of Mel Gibson and they both know him.
That's good enough for me!

I don't understand people who decide not to see a movie
based on an actor's personal life.

I hope to see him in more great movies like this one..
Edge of Darkness - Mel Gibson 2010-Trailer HD
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SXE5jzWbDs

[zonkers]

7. Drug addiction and racism are apples and oranges.

[DianaForRussFeingold]

8. K&R*

Who are we to judge?!

Mel Gibson's Friends Stand By Him:
"compilation of interview clips in an attempt to show support for Mel. It's good to see how loyal his friends are, and that they stick by him through thick and thin. I, for one, plan to do the same!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LyL2qFOvkM&feature=related

[Iggo]

13. Who am I to judge?

I'm the motherfucker he markets his movies to.

That's who.

[DianaForRussFeingold]

15. Good point!

I think I'll speak for myself from now on.:blush:

[MrsBrady]

9. having been in 12 step

from the way they both talk...the words they use
I'm in al-anon, not aa...
but from interviews I've seen with them both, mainly Downey...

I get the impression that Gibson either sponsored Downey or was a good friend in the program.
Sounds like Downey is trying to return the favor to his friend, from when Gibson fell off the wagon.

Just my opinion.

[bluedigger]

10. Downey's loyalty to his friend is admirable.

It was very brave of him to co-opt his own honorific to take a stand for Gibson. I'm sure he will get some guff for it, too. As for Mel, he has some issues that are still unresolved.:shrug:

[AverageJoe90]

19. +1 nt.

[Darth_Kitten]

11. People can ask for their own forgiveness...

Not their friends/apologists/enablers/whatever doing it for them.

Just saying.

[24601]

12. I don't believe I can forgive him for his hatred documented in the

linked video.

http://www.collegehumor.com/video/3912833/mel-gibson-in-the-colonel

[Iggo]

14. 'Then love him...'

"...IN HELL!!!"

:rofl:

[24601]

17. Buck..buck...buuuccckkk!

:spank:

[hlthe2b]

16. He truly helped Downey and deserves some credit for that...

In comparison to that rather disgusting woman he's trying to divorce, he still comes off the bigger creep, given his apparent violence and then there is that whole racism and alcohol issue. Mel really napalmed a lot of bridges.

Still, Downey is being loyal and I respect that. I don't know whether he can help Gibson rehabilitate, but I give him credit for trying.

[Quartermass]

20. Now I like Downey even further.

It takes a lot of strength and character to stand up for your friends when everyone is insulting and berating them to no end.

But Hollywood is not about forgiveness. It's about ratings and saying things to get those ratings and being part of the in crowd.

But I've always been willing to give Mel the benefit of the doubt. We all have our bad days, and I think it's wrong to expect people to be on their best behavior at all times, especially in stressful situations.

And for those who don't, well, I can only hope one day you'll (general you not specific) be in his shoes where you have a bad day, say some unfortunate things, and then have everyone berate and insult you for weeks and sometimes even years to come.

It's all to easy to judge, insult and berate. It's much harder to understand and respect.

[ForeverFlashy]

21. Me too.

And I love this line, "It's all to easy to judge, insult and berate. It's much harder to understand and respect." It's very true, and I try to apply this philosophy whenever I think that I'm being prejudices, especially when I meet someone new. Anyways, kudos to Robert, and hope that Mel gets back on the right track.