Jimmy Kimmel is facing backlash from viewers for making a joke about Robert Downey Jr’s history with drug addiction during his opening monologue at the 96th Academy Awards. Many deemed his jokes insensitive and criticized the
Oscars host for perpetuating harmful stereotypes about addiction recovery. In his opening monologue, Jimmy cracked a joke referencing the Iron Man star’s well-documented battle with substance abuse. “This is the highest point of Robert Downey Jr’s long and illustrious career… well, one of the highest points,” Jimmy said. His remark prompted Robert to tap on his nose while nervous laughs were heard from the audience. Robert Downey Jr looked visibly uncomfortable with Jimmy Kimmel’s jokes about him Share icon Image credits:
Jimmy Kimmel Live /
YouTube Emily Blunt reached out from behind Robert and rubbed his shoulders as the
Actor began to look uncomfortable. “Was that too on the nose or a drug motion you made?” Jimmy said. Starting to look visibly annoyed, Robert began motioning at Jimmy to move on with his monologue. “Look at this guy. He’s so handsome, so talented, he’s won every award there is to win,” Jimmy said. “Is that an acceptance speech in your pocket, or do you just have a very rectangular penis?” the Oscars host added. The jab didn’t sit well with Robert, who looked irate by Jimmy’s words. “What a story. Not even 20 years ago, things weren’t going that great for Robert. He played the villain in a movie where Tim Allen turns into a dog,” Jimmy continued before moving on with the rest of his monologue. “He’s insulting and rude,” one person said about Jimmy Kimmel People online were unimpressed by Jimmy’s joke about Robert’s addiction. “He’s insulting and rude,” one wrote on
Facebook, while another added, “Does Kimmel realize that making fun of a recovered addict could send some right back to their addiction. You should really be a better person, Jimmy.” “Making fun of the drug issues of Robert Downey Jr. is actually pretty lame. I’m not surprised though, because Jimmy Kimmel has always sucked,” said one
Twitter user. One person said the exchange between Jimmy and Robert had the makings of another Will Smith-style slap at the Oscars. “Robert Downey Jr if you want to Will Smith slap Jimmy Kimmel I don’t blame you,” one Twitter user wrote. Jimmy Kimmel’s joke about Robert Downey Jr. sparked outrage online Share icon Image credits: Jimmy Kimmel Live / YouTube The nominees and winners of some of the 96th
Academy Awards categories: Best Picture: Winner: Oppenheimer
American Fiction Anatomy of a Fall Barbie The Holdovers Killers of the Flower
moon Maestro Past Lives Poor Things The Zone of Interest Best Actress: Winner: Emma Stone – Poor Things Annette Bening – Nyad Lily Gladstone – Killers of the Flower Moon Sandra Huller – Anatomy of a Fall Carey Mulligan – Maestro Best Actor: Winner: Cillian Murphy – Oppenheimer
Bradley Cooper – Maestro Colman Domingo – Rustin Paul Giamatti – The Holdovers Jeffrey Wright – American Fiction Best Supporting Actress: Winner: Da’Vine Joy Randolph – The Holdovers Emily Blunt – Oppenheimer Danielle Brooks – The Color Purple America Ferrera – Barbie Jodie Foster – Nyad Best Supporting Actor : Winner: Robert Downey Jr – Oppenheimer Sterling K Brown – American Fiction Robert De Niro – Killers of the Flower Moon Ryan Gosling – Barbie Mark Ruffalo – Poor Things Best Director : Winner: Oppenheimer – Christopher Nolan Anatomy of a Fall – Justine Triet Killers of the Flower Moon – Martin Scorsese Poor Things – Yorgos Lanthimos The Zone of Interest – Jonathan Glazer Best Original Song : What Was I Made For? – Barbie (Billie Eilish, Finneas O’Connell) The
fire Inside – Flamin’ Hot (Diane Warren) I’m Just Ken – Barbie (Mark Ronson, Andrew Wyatt) It Never Went Away – American Symphony (Jon Batiste, Dan Wilson) Wahzhazhe (A Song For My People) – Killers of the Flower Moon (Scott George) Publisher