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Mel Gibson and Robert Downey Jr. have a lot more in common than one might think. Both actors have saved themselves from becoming “nonexistent and blacklisted” due to struggles with substance abuse. Gibson has said the only reason why the two of them were able to push through those harrowing times is because they had each other.
The Passion of the Christ director, 68, has credited Downey, 59, with keeping his head above water throughout numerous scandals jeopardizing his career. These include accusations of homophobia, a DUI arrest, antisemitic comments as an attempt of suicide by cop, allegations of domestic abuse, and racist remarks.
Gibson Was Blacklisted For Almost a Decade
Gibson’s controversial statements resulted in him being blacklisted in Hollywood for almost a decade. It was Robert Downey Jr. and journalist Allison Hope Weiner who advocated for forgiveness for Gibson in 2014.
Gibson told Esquire about his infamous 2006 Malibu arrest, “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 s–t, and all of a sudden, blacklisted. I’m the poster boy for canceled.”
After recordings surfaced of Gibson using racist remarks towards his then-girlfriend, he lost a role in The Hangover 2 when the cast and crew protested his involvement. When Downey received an honor at the 25th American Cinematheque Awards in Beverly Hills on October 14, 2011, he campaigned for Gibson’s reinstatement.
Downey pled with the audience to offer Gibson “the same clean slate you have given me, and allow him to continue his great and ongoing contribution to our collective art without shame.”
“Unless you are completely without sin, in which case you picked the wrong f–king industry,” he added.
They Stood By One Another For Years
Downey also thanked Gibson personally for his encouragement in the Iron Man star’s eventual sobriety. “When I couldn’t get sober, he told me not to give up hope and encouraged me to find my faith.”
But even when everyone else had turned their back on Downey, the Braveheart actor-director offered him a chance to redeem himself. “I couldn’t get hired, so he cast me in the lead of a movie that was actually developed for him.” The film would become the 2003 musical comedy The Singing Detective, starring Downey in the titular role with Gibson, Robin Wright, Katie Holmes and Adrien Brody.
Gibson told Entertainment Weekly that it was all in a day’s work to return the favor to Downey, who had stood by his side for years.
“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.”
