Mel Gibson is a bonehead, not a racist: Whoopi Goldberg

Mel Gibson's longtime friend Whoopi Goldberg has said that the actor is not a racist, despite his racially charged rant during a leaked taped conversation.

"I know Mel, and I know he's not a racist," the New York Daily News quoted her as telling The View. 

"I have had a long friendship with Mel. You can say he's being a bonehead, but I can't sit and say that he's a racist having spent time with him in my house with my kids."

Goldberg was quick to add, however, that she does not condone her pal's actions.

"I don't like what he's done. Make no mistake." When asked if she thinks Gibson is anti-semitic, she replied, "I think he's an a-hole."

Goldberg also revealed that alcohol was to blame for Gibson's actions during his 2006 DUI arrest in which the actor made anti-semitic remarks to a police officer.

"Drunks say stupid stuff to people all the time... because they're drunk, they're out of control, they're not thinking, they're idiotic," Goldberg added.