Robert Downey Jr recalls Gwyneth Paltrow forgetting Tom Holland despite multiple MCU films together

During his appearance at The Hollywood Reporter’s 2025 Women in Entertainment Gala, Robert Downey Jr. shared a humorous behind-the-scenes moment involving longtime Marvel co-star Gwyneth Paltrow — a moment that once again highlighted her well-documented confusion about some of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s details. 

Downey told attendees that, at one point, Paltrow seemed not to recognize Tom Holland, the actor who has played Spider-Man in multiple MCU films. According to Downey, Paltrow asked him who Holland was, even though the two had already appeared together in several high-profile Marvel titles including Spider-Man: Homecoming, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame.

Downey described his response with his trademark dry humor: he reminded her, “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.” His retelling drew laughter from the audience, adding another memorable moment to the long-running joke that Paltrow often forgets which Marvel films she appeared in.

This is not the first time Paltrow’s MCU memory has become a topic of fan amusement. In past interviews, she has joked — and sometimes revealed — that she does not keep close track of the franchise’s vast roster of films and characters. One viral instance showed her learning live on camera that she appeared in Spider-Man: Homecoming, something she had previously forgotten. Downey’s new story fits neatly into the same pattern that fans find both endearing and entertaining.

Despite the playful jab, Downey used the majority of his speech to celebrate Paltrow’s achievements, praising her as an entrepreneur, an influential performer, and a friend who has been central to the MCU since its early days. Outlets covering the event emphasized that the tone of Downey’s anecdote was affectionate, aimed more at sharing a lighthearted moment than criticizing his co-star.

For Marvel audiences, the story quickly circulated online, reinforcing both the fandom’s affection for Downey’s candid storytelling and Paltrow’s longstanding reputation for being delightfully disconnected from the deeper mechanics of the MCU.