Mel Gibson & Robert Downey Jr. went to In-N-Out together for lunch

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Yesterday, TMZ got an exclusive photo of Robert Downey Junior and Mel Gibson exiting In-N-Out in Irvine. There’s only one blurry photo – you can see it here. TMZ swears it’s definitely Mel and RDJ, and I tend to believe it is. TMZ’s witness claims, “they each ordered a Double-Double combo meal and dined with a third person, non-celebrity. They were joined by a friend, who did the ordering for them.” Also: TMZ got someone in RDJ or Mel’s camp to say that it was not a business meeting or anything about film work, meaning that RDJ and Mel were probably just hanging out as friends.

RDJ has been very careful to not say anything negative about Mel, not even when the entire scope of Mel’s rampage was evident. When RDJ was on The Late Show last year, David Letterman finally got RDJ to talk about Mel – just a little bit. RDJ said in part, “He’s a grown man… What am I gonna say? Here’s the problem… I start believing my own hype, and then I start thinking people need to listen to what I say and next thing you know my wife is miserable and the director goes, ‘He’s crazy. What is wrong with this guy?’ And as far as whatever example I can say to anybody else, I think the best thing I can do is just keep the plug in the jug myself and stay out of trouble.” There was also tabloid gossip a few months ago that RDJ and Jude Law’s bromance was suffering because of their constant bickering about Robert still being friendly with Mel. That story probably wasn’t true, but it brings up an interesting set of questions…

First of all, why is RDJ so completely loyal to Mel? Is it simply that Mel was one of the few people who gave RDJ a second chance after Robert’s cracked-out shenanigans? At some point, is it no longer about loyalty and it becomes about guilt-by-association? Here’s another question: even though there are plenty of stories of Mel being persona non grata in Hollywood, he still has enough supporters and apologists willing to go on the record to Vanity Fair, and willing to pour into TMZ’s comment section on a weekly basis – how and why?

Here’s another question – why is it RDJ gets to be “loyal” to Mel without taking much (if any) of a public hit, while Jodie Foster is basically alienating a huge chunk of her fan base by sticking up for Mel? Is it a gender thing? Is Jodie “betraying” her sex by being so close to Mel (and Roman Polanski, for that matter)? My take is no, actually. I think RDJ gets a pass for the most part because A) He’s not shilling some Mel Gibson project and trying to get Mel’s career back on track, like Jodie is, and B) RDJ isn’t so delusional as to publicly defend Mel in some kind of interview or public statement. RDJ has Mel’s back in private, and all he’s really done is refuse to comment on Mel publicly. Jodie, on the other hand, is trying to pitch us a version of Mr. I’ll-Kill-You-But-First-You-Blow-Me that we all know is kind of ridiculous.

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Vintage Mel and RDJ, Air America stills.

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38 Responses to “Mel Gibson & Robert Downey Jr. went to In-N-Out together for lunch”

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  1. Violet says:

    personally i think RDJ is a douche too but everyone already knows that! people probably thought that jodie foster was, you know, not one.

  2. Jazz says:

    I think that quote on Letterman was about Charlie Sheen, not Mad Mel.

  3. Nanz says:

    There is a 12 step program that touts ‘patience and tolerance is our code.’ It also teaches sober members to help another alcoholic in order to remain sober themselves. Maybe RDJ remembers what it’s like to be bottomed-out and is trying to help.

  4. Shay says:

    I think that 80% of Hollywood is screwed up. Mel isn’t the only one. Why is he given preferential treatment?
    I can see why Mel and RDJ are friends: they have a lot of things in common, beginning with ‘A’ for addictions.

  5. brin says:

    They are friends and you stick by your friends.

  6. Nanz says:

    Edit: ‘love and tolerance’

  7. di butler says:

    So, these people that Mel has stood by when they needed him, are supposed to dump him when he needs them? Personally, I’d think less of them if they did. No one wanted to throw Sandy Bullock in the drink when she was married to Nazi lover man, so this guilt by association crap is BS.

  8. Jenna says:

    “They are friends and you stick by your friends.”

    If one of my friends was a racist, abusive, misogynistic toolbag, the only place I’d stick them is in the trash.

  9. Jill says:

    It’s ok to have friends even if you are the biggest jerk in the world. Eventually you might listen to or be humbled by that gift of friendship. Don’t give up hope for Mel – don’t we WANT for him to get better? I don’t want Mad Mel roving around aimlessly by himself! I want a saner, humbled man taking his place and expending that negative energy into something healthy. You definately can’t do that alone….

  10. The_Porscha says:

    I think you’re right. In a lot of ways, Jodie Foster’s comments made it seem like she was essentially trying to “sell” us Mel Gibson, the loving, loyal friend, who we do not believe exists. RDJ has yet to do that. However, I will be skeeved out if he does. Although, for the record, for 12 step programs, they teach acceptance and tolerance of other addicts in order to know and understand your own acceptance and tolerance by others. A lot of addicts have done horrible things and believe they don’t “deserve” to move forward with their lives and 12 steps teach the opposite, so perhaps that’s what RDJ is doing here? I don’t know.

    I’ve just gone so far past the point of Mel-defense that it doesn’t make sense to me and I hope RDJ doesn’t jump on that bandwagon.

  11. Saskia says:

    Just to be clear, I can’t stand Mel Gibson and have never been a fan, not even back in the Mad Max or Braveheart days when everybody thought he was awesome.

    That said, there is a very specific reason that Robert Downey, Jr. has been so privately supportive of Gibson, and has refused to publicly speak against him. RDJ was arrested (again, some more) in 2000 on drug charges, to which he pleaded no contest and was convicted and sentenced in 2001, at which point he was fired from his stint on Ally McBeal. With the exception of “Wonder Boys”, Ally McBeal was the best work he’d gotten since the early 90s because of his long series of arrests and convictions.

    RDJ had reached a point where he was literally uninsurable and no major studio would hire him. The only work he was getting was short films and an Elton John music video. Mel Gibson, who had worked with RDJ on “Air America” way back in 1990, went out of his way to get RDJ cast in “The Singing Detective” and Gibson personally fronted the money for RDJ’s insurance on the set. It was widely considered to be a huge risk at the time, and has since been widely considered to be the tipping point in RDJ’s career.

    Mel Gibson is a gigantic, festering asshat, but he’s also the person who took an enormous risk (professionally and financially) in supporting RDJ for a comeback at a time when RDJ was looked at the way Lindsay Lohan is today. I don’t think RDJ has forgotten that — it was less than a decade ago, after all.

    RDJ has refused to publicly speak directly in support of Gibson, most likely because Gibson’s myriad problems are frankly much greater than just addiction and legal troubles, but RDJ has also steadfastly refused to speak against Gibson. Gibson has essentially given RDJ a very precarious fence to straddle, and RDJ has conducted himself with dignity and integrity. Certainly moreso than Jodie Foster, who as Kaiser noted has come out of this mess looking like she’s shilling for Gibson.

  12. Johnny Depp's Girl says:

    I would always stick by my friends. They may not be perfect and make some really stupid and bad choices but so do I.

    Not to Mel’s degree. Just sayin..

  13. Eve says:

    It could be gratitude or being guilty by association, or even that he does like having Jacuzzi boy as his friend. I can understand that he’s grateful but if he hangs out with Gibson on a regular basis, then I wonder if Downey is really this amazing guy people think he is. In any case, it’s somewhat disappointing. If he starts supporting Gibson openly and the way Foster does, then I’ll be done with him.

    P.S.: TMZ is so trying to make people “like” Gibson again…”Hey, look! He’s having dinner with Downey Jr. who’s Iron Man and super cool, so ‘Mel’ must be indeed a nice guy!”. *BARFS*

  14. S says:

    I tend to think this story is way deeper than anybody knows. I’m not defending Mel for what he’s done that we know about – it’s pretty terrible. But he’s also been a very private person for decades and him and RDJ have known each other for that long too. This is Hollywood – it’s probably so much more messed up than we know.

  15. S says:

    @Saskia – I think you’ve hit the nail on the head with that one.

  16. Rita says:

    @co-sign @Deppsgirl & brin

    RDJ et al, don’t condone Mel’s behavior and I hope they are true friends that scold and lecture him, keeping him on track. It’s easy to walk away from someone when everybody else is.

  17. Jazz says:

    Well said, Saskia!

  18. Roma says:

    Can we please address the most important issue:

    How amazing is In-N-Out? I think half the reason I visit my parents in Phoenix is to get my hands on their delicious cheese burgers.

  19. Micki says:

    I personally respect RDJ more for sticking to his friend in rainy days. Mel’s court drama is still not over so for me it’s still unclear what the truth is. I know the overall opinion is not favorable but I also remember that the people who personally know Gibson do openly/privately support him. So who am I to distrust them completely and believe my own (fabricated from tabloids) opinion?

  20. EdithP says:

    Roma, thank you, we should all acknowledge the In-N-Out burger and it’s deliciousness.

    I think I said this in the Jodie Foster post, but yes, I think the reason RDJ gets a pass is that he isn’t extolling the virtues of Mel Gibson to us and saying what a great guy he is like Jodi. If Jodi would at least acknowledge the awfulness of what Mel did, her praise would go down a lot smoother. Mel did good things for RDJ back when he needed help and RDJ is grateful and isn’t saying anything about his friend.

  21. jen34 says:

    Saskia is 100% correct. I think it’s admirable of RDJ to not slag the person who rescued his career. It’s been a while, but we forget that RDJ was Charlie Sheen.

  22. curmudgeon says:

    I agree with your public private version. I also think the Roman Polanski thing pushed it over the top. Its like she’s telling us
    “You little people don’t understand. We’re artists.”

  23. SHump says:

    I don’t think there is anything wrong with loyalty. I think it is an admirable trait to have. Mel Gibson could be (and very well might be) one of the biggest douches in hollywood, but he didn’t turn his back on RDJ when he was breaking in to people’s houses and sleeping in their kids beds, did he? Now that he’s back on top, it would be easy to turn his back on Mel. It takes a lot of character to stand by someone out of loyalty and friendship, especially when it could be detrimental to your own image and career. Good on him for doing it in a much more understandable and less self-serving way than Jodie Foster.

  24. dread pirate cuervo says:

    @Roma, get out of my head girl!!! In-N-Out was the best part of Vegas!

  25. Whatever says:

    I agree with Saskia too. I remember waiting to hear that RDJ was dead back then. He was an OD waiting to happen and Mel helped to pull him back from the brink. I can see why he wouldn’t trash him, especially since his problems are much deeper than just addiction. There is some mental issue there too, most likely caused by an abusive childhood. I’m not making fun, I’d not make fun of mental illness. He needs help and RDJ is supporting him (privately) as he was supported when he was in need. There are enough people trashing Mel, so I have no problem with his friends supporting him.

  26. Dizzybenny says:

    1st off..HAS ANYONE LOOKED AT THE PICTURE?!?!?
    Jesus that could be anyone!You woundt be able to get a conviction in court with that picture.It’s so blurry and the guy that supposed to be Mel looks like he’s 300 pounds!!
    2nd Mel is hurting and Robert stands by him.And who knows maybe sometime this year Mel will go into rehab and get serious help with his rage.
    Something is defenetly eating at this guy.

  27. mln76 says:

    I agree with Saskia also. I think Mel is an ass and a jerk. But considering the circumstances how could RDJ abandon him? I tend to think in comparing him to Jodie that RDJ seems not to be in denial about what happened but is trying to stand by Mel regardless whereas Jodie seems to be trying to sell a different image to the public. I think only someone who has been through the grinder and come out the other side like RDJ can have the credibility to help someone like Mel. I don’t get the feeling that he thinks what Mel did was OK but I do think he understands how he got there.

  28. Estella says:

    Cosign with Jen34 – “but we forget that RDJ was Charlie Sheen.”

    I am not excusing anything that Mel Gibson has said or done (the list is just too long), but addiction/mental illness can influence what we say and do. RDJ did a LOT OF BAD THINGS in the 80s and 90s – but it wasn’t caught on tape and replayed a thousand times on TMZ. RDJ’s alleged actions: drug use, public intoxication, gay sex, etc are more acceptable than Mel’s racist rants and domestic violence but it doesn’t make him any less flawed of a human being. People ARE capable of change. I hope it isn’t too late for Mel Gibson.

    On another note, I like that RDJ and the phrase In-N-Out appear in the same sentence. That is all.

  29. Anoni Mus says:

    Oh how I used to love Mel in his Air America days. So sad to see pics of that movie… sigh.

    My respect for Robert Downey Jr grows by the second, because it can’t be easy sticking by your friends in situations like these. It shows character and that his friendship goes way deeper than any financial or social interest or Hollywood shallowness.

    Mel is in a deep hole right now, and even though I can’t condone and forget what he’s done, I’d love for him to be able to change his life around, just like RDJ did. I hope RDJ is an inspiration to him right now.

  30. Kim123 says:

    No comment about Mel and RDJ but I miss In-N -OUT. I’m in Houston so I go to Whataburger now.

  31. OXA says:

    RDJ had his enforced cleaned up in prison, Gibson did not save him.
    Mel gave him his first gig apres jail butI think that was good press for Mel’s project.
    This is not good for me and In & Out cuz it tarnishes my favorite place.

  32. Roma says:

    @dread pirate cuervo: I’m beginning to suspect we were friends in another life!

  33. Anti-icon says:

    People who see their friends go downhill try to help. In a town where you get crucified for your past mistakes (RDJ) it is always WISE to support in private. No one is doing anything that a normal friend wouldn’t do…….

    Mel Gibson is in a heap of trouble that he brought on himself. Everyone knows that. He won’t be working, (in a big way) I don’t think, for a long time. But I could be wrong.

  34. sandy says:

    i have always liked rdj from long before his problems and i felt bad for him, and was glad when he got his act together, this is one of the reasons why i liked him, he always seem so down to earth, didn’t take himself and celebrity status to serious,so i am not surprised of this story, what a guy! continued good luck to both, no one is perfect. nothing but respect.

  35. Lisa says:

    I’m with Saskia and mln76. May Gibson get all the help he so desperately needs from people who can give it to him.

  36. helen says:

    Mel Gibson has been around for so long, and sure, he doesn’t sound like my kind of guy with all the hilarious pranks and stupid jokes, he DOES seem genuinely talented, which should count for something in his field of work. I have no doubt that he behaved horribly in this latest relationship, and for all we know in his previous relationships, but considering how his dad is, that’s hardly surprising, although it doesn’t excuse it. But I don’t understand why we the public are suddenly supposed to hate him after all this time- like his whole life up until this counts for nothing, and we are just supposed to rush up to his castle with pitchforks, baying for blood, because of this latest thing? Sure, he sounds like an angry, unbalanced man- that’s not good, but Hollywood is a breeding ground for them. Full of insecure creative types who don’t deal well with the feast and famine of the public opinion, and the ups and downs of their careers. He’s probably having a nervous breakdown- it’s not pretty to see, and he needs to be held accountable for his actions, but I’m not just going to suddenly start hating on him now.

  37. Ginger says:

    I don’t buy that Jody is supporting Mel to help promote her movie. She has been saying these things since the time they met while doing Maverick. Even back then, she said how much she loved him and would be friends with him forever. Danny Glover stands by Mel, RDJ stands by Mel, Richard Donner stands by Mel. Certainly his friends know him far better than any of us and they obviously know that he is not just the things that the media likes to flog on over and over again.

    You’re talking about someone who struggles with alcoholism and has bi-polar disorder. Doesn’t excuse all of the stupid mistakes he’s done, but it makes me think there is more to Mel than just, “oh, he’s just a douchebag”. I have great respect for those that stand by their friends in bad times as well as good. Those are the kind of friends I would want to have.

  38. Hanne says:

    If I didn’t know better of it, I would think Jude is jealous :p I have the feeling no friends of Robert’s are dearer to him than Jude. If there’s one person Robert expected to understand his respect towards Mel Gibson than it must be Jude and of all people, he fires him about it! I can understand that Robert enjoys an luch with Gibson here