Robert Downey Jr. and his former Marvel co-star Paul Bettany turned heads at Lincoln Center Theater’s annual Spring Gala on May 18, when the two were reunited with a kiss on the red carpet.
The affectionate moment briefly halted arrivals at Alice Tully Hall as cameras flashed, sparking a wave of reactions from fans online.
“They’ve been through all this since 2008!” one fan wrote, while another joked: “Get a room guys.”
The gala honored Downey Jr., fresh off his Academy Award win, along with Emmy-winning producer Susan Downey.
Bettany, Daniel Radcliffe, Tessa Thompson and Mark Strong were among other guests.
The evening featured a concert of Man of La Mancha directed by Bartlett Sher, with guests including Daniel Radcliffe, Tessa Thompson and Mark Strong.
Downey Jr. cut a polished figure in a charcoal suit, oxblood platform shoes and red-tinted sunglasses, accompanied by his wife Susan in their first public appearance together in weeks.
Bettany opted for understated elegance in a muted olive green jacket and tailored beige pants.
Downey Jr. and Bettany’s on-screen partnership spans more than a decade in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the kiss reflects the enduring bond between the two actors.
