TORONTO

Mayor Rob Ford is as “tough as nails” and can overcome his substance abuse problems, says one of Hollywood’s well-known bad boys.

“He’s the mayor, he got that far,” Charlie Sheen said Thursday night as he walked the red carpet for Joe Carter’s annual star-studded charity event.

Sheen, now starring in the TV show Anger management, said appearing at the event was a “moral obligation” to support a charity that has raised nearly $1 million for the Children’s Aid Society and other kids charities since it was first hosted in 2010.

The star has a history of drug problems including a very public meltdown which forced him off the hit TV show Two and a Half Men in 2011, said Ford can “absolutely” resume his leadership duties when he returns from his rehab stint next week.

The mayor announced he was taking a leave of absence on April 30 and has informed council of his intentions to be back on the job Monday.

Earlier this year Sheen denied on Twitter making any comments about Ford and even apologized about the “media cesspool” that had begun to wrap the two together.

But Sheen wasn’t the only high profile celebrity at the Shangri-La hotel — the place to be for any Toronto sports fan Thursday night.

Celebrities and legendary sports stars walked the red carpet at the high-end hotel in downtown Toronto following day on the links at the Joe Carter Classic Golf Tournament at Eagles Nest golf course in Maple.

The event’s host, the beloved Blue Jay who was a major player in winning the two World Series — including the famous walk-off home run against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1993 — said his love for both Toronto and kids are what the charity is all about.

“It’s incredible to be here and to see this turn-out,” Carter said. “It was a really great turn-out today, we haven’t seem the numbers yet, but we know they are going to be good.”

Stars included Wendel Clark, Alan Thicke, Bo Jackson and Charlie Sheen, who has had a few words for Toronto Mayor Rob Ford in the past.

“I’m here for Joe, I’m here for the kids, two legends getting together in Toronto,” said recording artist Biz Markie as he strolled into the party.

Music played for the crowd of hundreds mingling around the red carpet hoping for a glimpse of their favourite sports hero. Celebrities rolled in to a private room off to the side of the a main bar where the exclusive party got started shortly after 9 p.m.