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Jodie Foster, Mel Gibson And Other Unexpected Celebrity Friendships

The Most Bizarre Celebrity Friendships
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If there's one thing people found more baffling than Jodie Foster's part-coming out, part-retirement speech at the Golden Globes Sunday night, it's her close friendship with Hollywood's pariah Mel Gibson.

Foster received the Cecile B. DeMille Award for outstanding contribution, handed to her by longtime friend Robert Downey Jr. In his intro, Downey made a crack about hamsters and had Gibson hand the "Panic Room" actress a bunch of doll hamsters on a silver platter which Foster proceeded to nibble on (ugh, inside jokes).

Afterward, during her much-talked-about acceptance speech, Foster thanked her family, friends "and of course Mel Gibson, you know you saved me too." The camera then showed a stunned and speechless Gibson. Later, the actor told people he "adores" Foster and "I kiss the ground she walks on."

What Mel saved Jodie from is unclear -- maybe from the perils of losing her privacy, which made up the bulk of her speech? -- but it's clear what the "too" in that remark meant. Foster did much of the saving, and still does, by remaining friends with the actor.

In 2011, when Gibson was on the receiving end of more scrutiny than praise (following the anti-Semitic and sexist slurs he made), Foster stuck by him and insisted he was still Hollywood's "most beloved actor."

The two actors starred together in the 1994 movie "Maverick" and in 2011 Foster directed the movie "The Beaver" featuring Gibson.

Are you surprised by the bizarre-o pair? Flip through to see who else made it into our "whoa, they're friends?!" list:

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Before You Go

Unexpected Celebrity Besties
50 Cent & Bette Midler(01 of14)
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The pair professed their mutual admiration for each other at an event for Midler's New York Restoration Project in 2009. "He is such a gorgeous star - holy cow!" Midler told the New York Daily News. "He's like the Godfather of Jamaica, Queens." (credit:Getty)
Demi Lovato & Kim Kardashian(02 of14)
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Despite the age gap (Demi is 20, Kim K is 32), Lovato credits the reality star with supporting her through her tough time in rehab. And the "X Factor" judge seems to be returning the favor, judging by the note Kim wrote her that reads: "Demi, thank you for always being a true friend, for always following your heart and for being an inspiration to me and countless other girls around the world." (via HollywoodLife) (credit:jpistudios.com)
David Beckham & Snoop Lion(03 of14)
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"When I make my records, he’s one of the first people I send the record to before it’s done," Snoop has said of the soccer star. (credit:Getty)
Charlie Sheen & Lindsay Lohan(04 of14)
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After the pair reportedly became close on the set of "Scary Movie 5," Sheen gave Lindsay Lohan a $100,000 check to cover her tax dept. (credit:Getty)
Lady Gaga & Lindsay Lohan(05 of14)
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Back in July, Gaga and LiLo had a slumber party at the Chateau Marmont, and Gaga offered praise via Twitter for Lohan's much-criticized performance in "Liz & Dick." (credit:Gaga)
Russell Brand & Helen Mirren(06 of14)
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Talk about a ladies' man! The British comedian and the dame worked on "Arthur" together and became fast friends -- and then some. Russell called Mirren "sexy and enchanting" and was caught in a faux-kiss with her while he was still married to Katy Perry. (credit:Getty Images)
Tyra Banks & Clay Aiken(07 of14)
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Sparks are flying between the two reality stars, though they played different roles in their respective shows (Tyra hosts and judges "America's Next Top Model," Aiken competed in "American Idol.") The singer, who played guest star on ANTM and taught the pretty ladies to act, told People of his relationship with the former supermodel turned mogul: "For some reason we just clicked when we first met, and we try to stay in touch and see each other whenever we're in town." (credit:AP)
Snooki & Newt Gingrich(08 of14)
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The odd pair got along famously during an interview with Jay Leno. Gingrich congratulated the "Jersey Shore" star on her best-selling literary achievements, and she replied, "Thanks. I'm trying to be like you." (credit:Getty)
Elton John & Eminem(09 of14)
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The unlikely pair struck a friendship when they performed at the Grammys together in 2001. But the connection wasn't left on stage -- Sir Elton also helped Em during tough times when the latter was battling addiction. "I've been helping Eminem over the last 18 months and he's doing brilliantly," John told MTV in 2010. (credit:Getty Images)
Channing Tatum & Jonah Hill(10 of14)
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The two actors shared a bromance while shooting "21 Jump Street" in 2012. "I've never met anyone like Jonah that can go in and literally win an entire room and get away with just about anything," Tatum told People. (credit:Getty)
Andy Cohen & John Mayer(11 of14)
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The Bravo host and singer-songwriter were spotted enjoying the fall weather -- and each other's company -- in September. (credit:Nancy Rivera, ACE / INF)
Kim Kardashian & Britney Spears(12 of14)
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After the pair were seen hanging out at Clive Davis' pre-Grammy bash in 2012, a source told Us Weekly, "Kim and Britney met a few times before. Kim has been to her concert a few times. Britney and Kim love each other." (credit:Getty)
Kelly Osbourne & Miley Cyrus(13 of14)
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This pair of starlets found common ground while shooting for the film "So Undercover." Beyond their mutual love for fashion, Osbourne said of Cyrus: "It's nice to hang around an unaffected girl you can have fun with and understand what I go through and I understand what she goes through." (via Daily Mail) (credit:Getty Images)
Russell Brand, Gordon Ramsay and The Beckhams(14 of14)
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In October, the comedian, 37, cheered on David Beckham at an LA Galaxy match along with Victoria Beckham and the couple's children. (credit:PacificCoastNews)
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