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Mel Gibson‘s infamous arrest and antisemitic tirade in 2006 left him blacklisted for years … but he’s now giving thanks to pal Robert Downey Jr. for throwing his legacy a lifeline.
The actor/director gave his thanks to RDJ in a new Esquire interview profiling the recent Oscar winner — and he detailed how Rob was one of the only A-listers back in the day who were willing to give him a second chance
MG says, “One time, I got into a bit of a sticky situation where it kind of ended my career. I was drunk in the back of a police car and I said some stupid shit, and all of a sudden: blacklisted. I’m the poster boy for canceled.”
Mel continues, “A couple of years into that he invited me to some kind of award he was getting — we always had this kind of seesaw thing, where if he was on the wagon, I was falling off … So I was pretty much nonexistent in Hollywood at the time, and he stood up and spoke for me. It was a bold and generous and kind gesture. I loved him for that.”
He’s referring to Rob speaking at an award show in 2011 … during which, he explicitly defended Gibson — and said nobody in Hollywood was without sin … and asked for folks to forgive Mel. It was heartfelt … and MG certainly seemed to appreciate it at the time.
While it’s hard to say if Gibson was ever back in the swing of things the way he was pre-2006 — he appreciates Rob sticking up for him regardless … crediting him for reviving his shine in H’wood. Mel’s acted in several films since, and even directed an Oscar darling from 2016.
We should note … Rob’s words carried weight back then — as he himself is Jewish.