Mel Gibson Gets Support of Hollywood Friends

(andPOP) - Some of Mel Gibson's Hollywood friends have come out in support of the embattled actor, saying he is not an anti-Semite but does have a serious drinking problem.

When he was arrested for drunk driving a week ago, an intoxicated Gibson allegedly made several Anti-Jewish comments.

However, movie producer Dean Devlin -- who, along with his wife, is Jewish -- said that the alcoholism fueled the comments.

"If Mel is an anti-Semite, then he spends a lot of time with us, which makes no sense," Devlin said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. "But he is an alcoholic, and while that makes no excuse for what he said, because there is no excuse, I believe it was the disease speaking, not the man."

Actress Jodie Foster also spoke out in defense of Gibson, saying that being intoxicated doesn't excuse his comments, but that he is not a bigot.

"Is he an anti-Semite? Absolutely not," said Foster. "But it's no secret that he has always fought a terrible battle with alcoholism."