SECOND CHANCE

Downey Jr.: ‘Forgive’ Mel Gibson

Praises disgraced actor at award show.

Looks like Mel Gibson has somebody in his corner. Robert Downey Jr. used an acceptance speech Saturday to tell Hollywood that it’s “time to forgive” Gibson. “Unless you are without sin—and if you are, you are in the wrong f--king industry—you should forgive him and let him work,” Downey said. The actor said that he “couldn’t get hired” during his own struggles with substance abuse and Gibson went out on a limb and helped him. Gibson has been persona non grata around Hollywood since being arrested for DUI, several public incidents in which he made racist or anti-Semitic comments, and allegations of domestic abuse. Downey insisted, “There’s nothing so much wrong with him … he’s a good dude with a good heart.”