 "Oscars 2024: Jimmy Kimmel makes 'tasteless' comment on Robert Downey Jr's past drug addiction, actor reacts")
Robert Downey Jr’s past drug addiction caught him in controversies several times. The actor, however, has been clean for around two decades now. Despite that, the 96th Academy Awards witnessed an uncomfortable moment for Downey as the host of the event, Jimmy Kimmel, made a joke at the actor’s expense in his opening monologue.
Jimmy Kimmel , for the fourth time since 2017, returned as a host for Oscars 2024. As is customary, Kimmel playfully aimed several celebrities in the crowd, including Christopher Nolan, Ryan Gosling, and Cillian Murphy, in his fun-filled opening monologue. However, the one joke that seemingly did not go down well with the actor and his fans was the one made at the expense of the Iron Man star.
Kimmel started by speaking about the success of Oppenheimer suggesting that director Christopher Nolan worked without an internet connection to avoid his “porn addiction” while making the film. Then, referring to The Avenger actor’s history of substance abuse, the host quipped, “This is the highest point of Robert Downey Jr’s career… well, one of the highest points.”
Visibly uncomfortable with Kimmel’s remarks, the Oscar nominee tapped his nose. Noticing this, Kimmel goes on to ask, “Was that too on the nose or a drug motion you made?” In response to the same, Downey said, “Keep it going, keep it going,” and made a rolling motion with his fingers. Kimmel, however, did not stop there and said, “Is that an acceptance speech in your pocket or do you just have a very rectangular penis.”
As the video of the banter between the Oppenheimer actor and Jimmy Kimmel caught everyone’s attention, netizens started calling out the host for making drug jokes referring to them as ‘tasteless’.
I don’t hate Jimmy Kimmel but the penis joke was cringe.
— Shoe Gazing Underground 🍥☦️🎷🎺🎻🎹🎼🎧🎤🎬 (@AltPost) March 11, 2024
Robert Downey Jr is great.
pic.twitter.com/YbFwnxvMZJ
For those uninitiated, Downey Jr faced various drug charges due to his drug addiction. In 1999, the actor landed in prison where served 12 months for repeatedly missing court-ordered drug tests. Emphasising his drug addiction, Downey Jr previously noted that he lived through “30 years of dependency, depravity, and despair before his comeback as the star of Marvel’s Iron Man in 2008.”
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