HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 27: Robert Downey Jr. arrives at the 83rd Annual Academy Awards held at the Kodak Theatre on February 27, 2011 in Hollywood, California.
Robert Downey Jr.gave Ricky Gervais a scathing retort when the comedian poked fun at his past during the Golden Globes but he gamely participated in a jab at his arrests-ridden history while presenting with his Sherlock Holmes co-star Jude Law during the Oscars.
Riffing while announcing the category of best visual effects, Downey Jr. pretended to be annoyed by the tech-heavy professionals. Law scolded him saying, “It’s their moment. You know, if it wasn’t for them your closest association wait a superhero would have been in 2001. When you got busted in a cheap hotel with a woman dressed as Batgirl.”
Downey Jr. played along, responding: “Okay, first of all, that cheap hotel room cost $1250 with a corporate discount. Secondly, it was 2000 not 2001. And most importantly, she was dressed as Wonder Woman. And THAT attention to detail is what has won the respect of all the Academy voters for these fine men and women. “
Last month, Gervais introduced Downey Jr. to the Golden Globes stage with the line, “But many of you in this room probably know him best from such facilities as the Betty Ford Clinic and Los Angeles County Jail.”
Once offstage, Downey Jr. responded with what many perceived as a serious criticism of Gervais’ performance: “Aside from the fact that it’s been hugely mean-spirited with mildly sinister undertones, I’d say the vibe of the show has been pretty good so far, wouldn’t you?”
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