Downey: Mel's hugged the cactus long enough

Gibson has been inching back into the public eye after settling an ugly custody dispute with his ex-girlfriend.Mel Gibson's bid for renewed acceptance in Hollywood got a boost on Friday from Robert Downey Jr.Receiving the American Cinematheque Award at the Beverly Hilton, the Iron Man star was feted and roasted by many famous faces who've worked with him such as Jodie Foster, Garry Shandling, Michael Douglas and Jon Favreau. Almost all made reference to Downey's battles with addiction as they hailed his acting abilities.Last onstage was Gibson, who starred with Downey in Air America in 1990 and reunited with him in 2003's The Singing Detective — Gibson reportedly put up the money for Downey's insurance bond on the film when he was essentially untouchable.Gibson has been inching back into the public eye after settling an ugly custody dispute with his ex-girlfriend.When Downey came to the stage, he said, "When I couldn't get sober, Mel helped me." Downey recalled Gibson saying that he needed to take responsibility, and if he did, his life would find new meaning. "Hugging the cactus, he called it," Downey said.As Gibson looked at his shoes, Downey proclaimed that Gibson had "hugged the cactus long enough" and "you should forgive him and let him work again". The two embraced, as the crowd broke into applause.