A star-studded list of presenters was announced Tuesday for Sunday’s Golden Globe Awards ceremony, including winners from last year such as Julianne Moore, Eddie Redmayne and J.K. Simmons, as well as past Globe winner Mel Gibson.
The inclusion of Gibson — who has maintained a relatively low public profile since his 2006 DUI arrest and anti-Semitic rant to sheriff’s deputies — raised some eyebrows, but it generated a smile from show host Ricky Gervais.
“Mel Gibson is presenting an award at the Golden Globes. Thank you Jesus,” Gervais wrote on his Twitter page.
Gibson, who won a Golden Globe as best director for “Braveheart” in 1996, also served as a presenter during the 2010 Globes ceremony. Gervais, who was the host that night, introduced him by holding a cocktail and saying, “I like a drink as much as the next man. Unless the next man is Mel Gibson.”
Gibson took the barb in stride, walking on stage with a smile and pointing jokingly at Gervais.
During the July 2006 DUI arrest in Malibu, Gibson told arresting deputies, among other things, that Jews were responsible for all the wars in the world. He later issued an apology, admitting to making “despicable” remarks and attributing his behavior to alcoholism.
The list of presenters for Sunday’s Globes also includes Patricia Arquette and Amy Adams, both of whom took home prizes last year.
Other presenters will be Jaimie Alexander, Jim Carrey, Jamie Foxx, Amber Heard, Bryce Dallas Howard, Kate Hudson, Helen Mirren, Channing Tatum and Olivia Wilde.
The ceremony will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday at the Beverly Hilton.
— Wire reports