Robert Downey Jr., the 58-year-old actor known for his role in “Tropic Thunder,” has defended his portrayal of a character in blackface in the 2008 movie. In the action-comedy film, which also stars Ben Stiller, Jack Black, and Tom Cruise, Downey Jr. played Kirk Lazarus, a pretentious method actor who wears blackface for the role of Sgt Lincoln Osiris. Despite the film’s success at the box office, earning $195.7 million, Downey Jr.’s character has been a subject of criticism and backlash.
In a recent appearance on Rob Lowe’s Literally! podcast, Downey Jr. compared the film to Norman Lear’s iconic sitcom “All in the Family,” which also tackled themes of racism. He reflected on the disclaimer that ran at the beginning of “All in the Family,” which stated, “The program you are about to see is All in the Family. It seeks to throw a humorous spotlight on our frailties, prejudices, and concerns. By making them a source of laughter, we hope to show — in a mature fashion — just how absurd they are.”
Downey Jr. commented on the current climate of grievance and the lack of understanding from audiences, saying, “There used to be an understanding with an audience, and I’m not saying that the audience is no longer understanding — I’m saying that things have gotten very muddied.” He emphasized that the spirit in which “Tropic Thunder” was directed and shot was essentially a railing against tropes that are not right and had been perpetuated for too long.
Ben Stiller, the director of “Tropic Thunder,” has also previously defended the movie, stating he makes ‘no apologies’ for it and is ‘proud of the work everyone did on it.’ Downey Jr.’s defense of his role in “Tropic Thunder” and his comparison to “All in the Family” highlight the complexities of addressing sensitive topics like racism in comedy and the evolving perceptions of audiences over time.
