Gary Oldman apologises for defending anti-Semitism but not homophobia
Gary Oldman released a statement early this morning apologising for his defence of actor Mel Gibson’s drunken anti-Semitic rants in a recent interview, but failed to mention defending Alec Baldwin’s homophobic rant in which he called a journalist a “cocksucking fag”.
In today’s apology, he wrote: “I am deeply remorseful that comments I recently made in the Playboy Interview were offensive to many Jewish people. Upon reading my comments in print—I see how insensitive they may be, and how they may indeed contribute to the furtherance of a false stereotype. Anything that contributes to this stereotype is unacceptable, including my own words on the matter.
“I hope you will know that this apology is heartfelt, genuine, and that I have an enormous personal affinity for the Jewish people in general.”
Today’s apology to the Anti Defamation League, a foundation created “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all,” contained no mention of Oldman’s defence of Baldwin.
Former 30 Rock star Baldwin was approached by paparazzi last year where he was caught on camera calling one photographer a “cocksucking fag.” Despite that he denied making the comments, MSNBC then suspended his show.
Oldman said Gibson “got drunk and said a few things, but we’ve all said those things.”
In June, Baldwin also apologised for calling a Daily Mail writer a “toxic little queen”:
Douglas Urbanski, Oldman’s manager on Tuesday made a statement to clarify, saying that the actor does not approve of bigotry.
“In this interview Gary is doing what many intelligent people do,” he said. “He is illustrating the absurd by being absurd.”
