In a new interview, actor Mel Gibson expressed his appreciation for fellow actor Robert Downey Jr., who stood by him during a difficult time in his career.
Gibson recalled an incident in 2006 where he was arrested for drunk driving and made some inappropriate comments. “I said some stupid things, and all of a sudden: I was no longer welcome in Hollywood,” Gibson said.
However, a few years later, Downey Jr. invited Gibson to an awards show where he “stood up and spoke for me. It was a brave and kind thing to do,” Gibson said. “I was pretty much not working in Hollywood at the time, and he supported me. I really appreciated that.”
Actress Jodie Foster, who co-starred with Gibson in the 1995 film “Home for the Holidays,” also spoke about trying to help Gibson during his struggles with addiction at that time.
“I took him aside and said, ‘Look, I’m grateful for what you’ve done, but I’m worried about you,'” Foster said. “I told him, ‘Right now, you’re doing a good job of balancing, but I’m not sure how that’s going to end.'”
Gibson’s career faced major setbacks after the 2006 incident, but Downey Jr.’s public support seemed to help him eventually rebuild his reputation in Hollywood. The two actors have maintained a close friendship over the years, despite their personal challenges.