Robert Downey Jr. was praised by director friend Mel Gibson for supporting him at his darkest time and saving him from getting blacklisted.
During a recent interview with Esquire, Gibson heaped praises for the Academy Award winner and revealed that he was once saved by him when embroiled in a Jewish-centered controversy.
He recalled the ‘sticky situation’ where he made some anti-Semitic comments which had a huge impact on his career, ultimately getting him blacklisted.
“I’m the poster boy for cancel”, he said, long before cancel culture was a widely popular phenomenon.
However, the Braveheart actor is grateful to his friend, Downey, for having his back at the time and extending a gesture that saved his career.
“I was pretty much nonexistent in Hollywood at the time, and he stood up and spoke for me [at the Award ceremony]. It was a bold and generous and kind gesture.”
“I loved him for that”, he added.
It is worth mentioning here that the ceremony that Gibson mentioned is the 2011 American Cinematheque Awards where the Iron Man actor was presented with the extraordinary artist in the entertainment industry award.
In the event, Downey asked Gibson to present him the honor which allowed him to extend his appreciation for the actor and ask for forgiveness.
Mentioning that if he “accepted responsibility for [his] wrongdoings” (or ‘hugged the cactus’: a term used by the duo then) then allow him to start over with a ‘clean slate’.
“I humbly ask that you join me in forgiving my friend his trespasses” he said in his speech and asked to allow him to continue with his contribution to the industry.
“He’s hugged the cactus long enough”, Downey concluded to a cheering audience.
