Robert Downey Jr. Breaks His Silence On Jimmy Kimmel’s 2024 Oscars Joke

Imagine your past dark moments in life being used as a joke in front of thousands of people while you sit in the audience unable to do anything.

That’s exactly what happened last month March 10 at the 2024 Oscars which took place at Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles.

At the 96th Academy Awards, the host of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Jimmy Kimmel had the honor to host the event but during his opening monologue, Jimmy dropped some very uncomfortable comments about the “Iron Man” Robert Downey Junior’s well-known substance abuse past.

While the actor who was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his outstanding performance as Lewis Strauss in “Oppenheimer” didn’t say anything concerning Jimmy’s jokes, he finally broke his silence in a recent interview with “Esquire” published April 8.

It turns out that although Robert looked uncomfortable at the Oscars during Jimmy’s jokes, he didn’t take it to heart. Speaking with Esquire, the “Avengers: Endgame” star said, “I don’t care, I love Jimmy Kimmel. I think he’s a national treasure.”

Robert Downey Jr. — On Jimmy’s Oscars Joke

The host of “The Late Night Show” had the privilege of presenting the Academy Awards for the fourth time and as usual, he did what he knows how to do best, which is crack jokes.

Among the celebrities who were partakers of his jokes was the “Sherlock Holmes” actor. But then, rather than focus his jokes on Robert’s successful career, Jimmy chose to focus on Robert’s past as a drug addict.

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He began his remarks with, “Congratulations to [Cillian Murphy’s] costar, Robert Downey Jr. This is the highest point of Robert Downey Jr.’s career. Well, one of the highest points.”

While the audience roared with laughter, the camera featured Robert pointing at the bridge of his nose. At the sight of Robert’s reaction, Jimmy continued, “Was that too on the nose or was that a drug motion you made?”

Now, it’s not news that the “Dolittle” actor was exposed to drugs by his father Robert Downey Sr. as early as age six and had been in and out of treatment programs for years until 2003 when he became substance free. So, Jimmy’s Oscars remarks were considered an unnecessary low blow to the 59-year-old actor.

Anyway, after Jimmy’s comment, Robert signaled the television personality to wrap it up while awkwardly mouthing “Keep it going” Jimmy did keep it going, but still stuck to Robert, “Look at this guy, he’s so handsome, so talented. He’s won every award there is to win. Is that an acceptance speech in your pocket or do you just have a very rectangular penis?”

During his acceptance speech for bagging the award of “Best Supporting Actor” for his role in “Oppenheimer,” Robert acknowledged his wife Susan Downey’s love as the reason he’s still sober. “I’d like to thank my terrible childhood and The Academy. In that order,” joked Robert before adding, “I’d like to thank my veterinarian—I mean, my wife, Susan Downey. She found me, a snarling rescue pet, and you loved me back to life. That’s why I’m here.”

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