VIDEO: Watch Robert Downey Jr’s Inspiring Speech to Forgive Mel Gibson

As we reported a few days ago, Robert Downey Jr was in Beverly Hills to receive the American Cinematheque Award when he took it upon himself to make a plea to Hollywood and the viewing audience: forgive his friend, Mel Gibson.

We’ve all seen bits of transcript for the speech, but now, you could take a look at the video yourself. Watch below as Downey makes his case for his friend in the charismatic and funny way that only he can, while Gibson watches on in what seems to be a mix of shock and humble embarrassment.

Downey and Gibson have been close friends for years, ever since filming AIR AMERICA together, and when Downey was uninsurable in Hollywood, Gibson was the one who cast him in THE SINGING DETECTIVE, and kept a roof over his head, only asking that when the time comes, Downey do the same thing for the next guy.