Robert Downey Jr. delivered a mixture of humor and admiration at The Hollywood Reporter’s 2025 Women in Entertainment breakfast gala, using his signature wit to roast Gwyneth Paltrow with a series of MCU jokes as he presented her with the Sherry Lansing Leadership Award. Highlighting their shared Marvel history, Downey Jr. made sure his playful remarks about Paltrow’s memory for franchise details kept everyone in the room entertained, placing Robert Downey Jr. MCU jokes front and center in his speech.
Playful Banter Over Marvel Franchise Mix-Ups
Downey Jr. opened his speech by reflecting on Paltrow’s personality, labeling her as both highly intelligent and sometimes bewildered by the sprawling world of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He remarked,
“impossibly intelligent, yet forever confused by the basic tenets of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and its inhabitants.”
– Robert Downey Jr., Actor. Their long-running collaboration in the MCU saw Paltrow portray Pepper Potts opposite Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark, making his jokes all the more fitting.
The Iron Man actor went on to recount a moment on set when Paltrow failed to remember Tom Holland’s Spider-Man character, despite working together across several films. He explained the situation in a humorous retelling:
“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.”
– Robert Downey Jr., Actor. This well-timed quip captured both the size of the Marvel universe and the camaraderie between the cast members.
Celebrities, Career Achievements, and Personal Insights
Shifting the mood, Downey Jr. also celebrated Paltrow’s impressive accomplishments. He brought up her Oscar win for Shakespeare in Love and praised her ability to excel as both a devoted mother and a successful entrepreneur.
“She was birthing and building Goop between takes on the set of Iron Man,”
he reminisced – Robert Downey Jr., Actor. These comments offered an inside look at Paltrow’s drive and creativity both on and off the screen.
Downey Jr. also referenced her separation from Chris Martin, noting its cultural impact:
“introduced the planet to the possibility of ‘conscious uncoupling.’”
– Robert Downey Jr., Actor. Addressing her public image, he criticized those labeling Paltrow as controversial:
“a word used by dingbats to falsely describe powerful women who demonstrate decades of irrefutable relevance and reinvention.”
– Robert Downey Jr., Actor. His words defended Paltrow’s unique persona and enduring significance in the entertainment world.
A Respected Figure in Entertainment
Downey Jr. closed his speech with a tribute that summed up the event’s purpose and the high regard in which Paltrow is held.
“It’s time to recognize … Gwyneth fuggin’ Paltrow.”
– Robert Downey Jr., Actor. Paltrow’s recent work includes her role as Kay Stone in the 2025 sports comedy drama Marty Supreme, alongside Timothée Chalamet’s Marty Mauser, signaling her continued impact across film genres.
The evening not only showcased the warm friendship and banter between two MCU veterans but also celebrated Gwyneth Paltrow’s influential journey from Oscar-winning actress to industry leader, entrepreneur, and cultural icon. With Robert Downey Jr.’s jokes providing levity, the event underscored both the humor and respect that define their longstanding partnership.
