(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Jodie Foster has praised Mel Gibson for being as supportive as he can.

The actress-and-moviemaker directed Mel in comedy drama The Beaver, which tells the tale of an anguished husband who ends up using a beaver hand puppet to communicate with others.

Mel has been enduring some highly-publicised personal problems since he and ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva, with whom he has 18-month-old daughter Lucia, announced they had split in April 2010.

Although Oskana yesterday dropped domestic violence claims she had made against Mel in what was interpreted as an olive branch, the pair are continuing their custody battle.

Jodie says that despite all the personal turmoil Mel has been experiencing, he has maintained an encouraging role through the promotion of the film, which is set for US release tomorrow.

"He has seen the film, he loves the movie," she told Entertainment Tonight.

"He's doing well, you know, he's at an interesting moment in his life and he's really being as supportive as he can and, you know, clapping from the sidelines."

Jodie says working with Mel was an amazing experience, and she believes that whatever people make of his personal life, he will always be respected professionally. Mel has been a Hollywood actor since the 80s, and is best known for acclaimed movies such as Braveheart, the 1995 action drama he directed and starred in.

"I think it's no secret that he's really one of the most loved people in the business, professionally," she added. (C) Cover Media