Los Ángeles, California – Robert Downey Jr. playfully teased longtime friend and *Iron Man* costar Gwyneth Paltrow at the *Hollywood Reporter’s* Women in Entertainment gala on Wednesday, December 3rd, suggesting she occasionally struggles to recall details of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Downey, 60, lauded Paltrow, 53, during the event, noting her “impossibly intelligent” nature while admitting she “is yet forever confused by the basic tenets of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and its inhabitants.”
According to *The Hollywood Reporter*, the *Iron Man* actor recounted a specific instance where Paltrow inquired, “Who’s that?” to which Downey responded, “That’s Spider-Man. He said his name was Peter. His character’s name is Peter. He’s Tom Holland. You’ve done four movies with him.”
Paltrow and Holland, 29, have starred in several MCU films including *Spider-Man: Homecoming*, *Avengers: Infinity War*, and *Avengers: Endgame*.
The incident echoes previous instances where Paltrow has displayed a seeming unawareness of her extensive involvement within the franchise. Notably, in a March interview with *Vanity Fair*, she expressed surprise at discovering she had been part of seven Marvel movies. She previously admitted to a moment during *Spider-Man* filming where she was working alongside Downey and Jon Favreau, unaware she was actually in the movie.
During the gala, Downey also referenced Paltrow’s infamous ski crash trial, joking that she and her ex-husband, Chris Martin, “introduced the planet to the possibility of ‘conscious uncoupling’ — remember that? — which Hollywood has done a great job not emulating.” He further highlighted the subsequent musical theater production commemorating her “moral strength, intestinal fortitude, not to mention her impeccably tasteful, civil suit chic-yet-practical courtroom attire.”
In her acceptance speech, Paltrow expressed deep gratitude for Downey, describing him as “the older brother I never had and wasn’t sure I wanted, but I’m so grateful to you for being the best partner on screen — for always being the most honest and brilliant reflection back, not just about me but about us, our families and the world.” She also acknowledged her husband, *Glee* cocreator Brad Falchuk, describing him as “the most feminist man I know,” who “lets me be my full self every day.”