Robert Downey Jr calls Krishnan Guru-Murthy a 'bottom-feeding muckraker' and 'syphilitic parasite' after walking out of interview
Robert Downey Jr has called journalist Krishnan Guru-Murthy a 'bottom-feeding muckraker' and 'syphilitic parasite'.
The actor, 50, famously walked out of an interview to promote new movie, Avengers: Age of Ultron earlier this month, after taking offence at his line of questioning which referred to his past drug use.
He made the comments on Wednesday on Howard Stern's radio show after the ill-fated Channel 4 interview last week, telling the star he wished he had walked out of the interview sooner.
Scroll down for video
Things are turning nasty: Robert Downey Jr has called journalist Krishnan Guru-Murthy a 'bottom-feeding muckraker' and 'syphilitic parasite' after famously walking out of an interview with him
Not happy: When asked about his relationship with his father, Downey Jnr walked out of the interview, saying: 'I'm sorry, I really don't... what are we doing?' before walking out
He told the radio host: 'I'm one of those guys who I'm always assuming the social decorum is in play, and that we're promoting a superhero movie, a lot of kids are going to see it, and that just has nothing to do with your creepy dark agenda.'
SHARE THIS ARTICLE
He said of Krishnan: 'You know what? You are weirding me out. You are a bottom-feeding muckraker. My heart was beating in my chest because this was the first interview of the day.
Adding: 'What I have to do in the future is give myself permission to say, "That is more than likely a syphilitic parasite and I need to distance myself from this clown, otherwise I'm probably gonna put hands on this somebody and then there's a real story!"'
MailOnline has contacted a spokesperson for both Krishnan Guru-Murthy and Robert Downey Jr for further comment.
'It's all getting very Diane Sawyer in here': Robert clearly didn't appreciate the line of questioning
Krishnan, 45, hasn't backed down either, telling the Guardian: 'We don’t do promotional interviews on Channel 4 News.
'We agree with PR people that as well as talking about a new movie for a while we want to ask wider ranging questions on relatively serious topics, and we don’t guarantee to run any answers in particular.'
Robert was openly furious when the line of questioning suddenly got personal in a recorded chat with Channel 4 in London to promote his new film.
He had been on good form when the exchange started - in which, as arranged, he would discuss his experiences on the new blockbuster which premiered in Britain on Tuesday.
But he could be seen getting visibly uncomfortable when interviewer Krishnan Guru-Murthy began asking about his long-conquered personal demons.
Didn't go according to plan, Krishnan? The Channel 4 news presenter was left visibly embarrassed
Specifically, the news anchor asked Downey Jr to explain a comment in a five year-old interview with the New York Times, in which he said: 'You can't go from a $2,000-a-night suite at La Mirage to a penitentiary and really understand it and come out a liberal.'
Responding, Downey Jr said: 'I could pick that apart for two hours and be no closer to the truth than giving you some half-arsed answer right now. I couldn't even tell you what a liberal is.'
But, when asked about his relationship with his father, Downey Jnr gets up and says: 'I'm sorry, I really don't... what are we doing?' before walking out of the interview.
Seemingly amused with the reaction, Guru-Murthy can be seen smiling and gesticulating as a production team-member tried to remove Robert's clip-on microphone.
At that point he turns and says: 'It's all getting a bit Diane Sawyer [a U.S. journalist known for her investigative interviewing].'
Off to a good start: Downey Jr was charming as the exchange started - in which, as arranged, he would discuss his experiences on the new blockbuster, which premiered in London on Tuesday
Getting personal: But when Guru-Murthy asked questions about his long-conquered personal demons, the star could be seen getting visibly uncomfortable
Clearly wanting to keep a dignified silence on the matter, the veteran star - who originates from Manhattan and has battled both drug addiction and prison - resisted the temptation to make reference to the incident on Twitter.
Unlike him, however, Krishnan twice shared details - captioning one video 'A steely moment from Ironman'.
But viewers weren't impressed, with nearly three-hundred 'disliking' it within hours.
Tellingly, the comments which followed shared a similar opinion.
One wrote: 'God, Krish you can be an a--. When your interviewee is uncomfortable, don't keep pressing them. Props to RDJ for ending it.'
Another simply said: 'No class at all.'
Downey Jr had a period between 1996 and 2001 during which he was arrested multiple times - mostly for drug charges.
Not happy: The 50 year-old actor remained professional, but was clearly upset by the random questions
This dark phase in his life culminated in 1999 when he was sentenced to three years in prison for repeatedly missing drug testing.
He spent a year in California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison, before he was released in a surprise ruling.
He had one other arrest in 2001 for drug possession, but has maintained a studiously clean life since then.
He's mounted a massive career comeback, the crown jewel of which have been his massively successful role as egotistical billionaire superhero Tony Stark aka Iron Man. Over the course of four movies, he has grossed nearly $4billion in worldwide ticket sales.
The fifth movie featuring Iron Man, Avengers: Age of Ultron, promises to be yet another box office smash.
Forbes estimated that between June 2012 and June 2013 alone, he made more than $75million.
Troubled: Between 1996 and 2001, Downey Jr. had multiple run-ins with the law and several arrests on drug-related charges. He was sentenced to three years of prison, but ended up spending on a year
Last June, a 20-year-old Indio (seen here in 2007) was arrested on drug charges. His father blamed the genetic predisposition to drug abuse that seems to run in the family
Classy: Wanting to keep a dignified silence on the matter, the star - who originates from Manhattan - resisted the temptation to make reference to it on Twitter
Fighting fit: Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Chris Evans as Captain America, Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye, Robert Downey Jr as Iron Man, Mark Ruffalo as The Hulk
Cast: Andy Serkis, Jeremy Renner, Paul Bettany, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Chris Evans, Elizabeth Olsen, Robert Downey Jr and Mark Ruffalo attend the European premiere
He has been praised by co-stars as a model of post-addiction focus and poise.
In an interview to promote Sherlock Holmes, costar Rachel McAdams said that his efforts to stay clean are 'superheroic.'
He maintains he's been entirely sober since July 2003. In interviews, he credits meditation, yoga, 12-step recovery programs and the support of his second wife, film producer Susan Downey.
Last June, his son Indio was arrested on felony drug charges. When he bailed his son out of jail, Downey Jr. seemed to blame himself for his son's fall.
'Unfortunately there's a genetic component to addiction and Indio has likely inherited it.,' he said.
'I'M NOT YOUR SLAVE': QUENTIN TARANTINO'S OUTBURST AT KRISHNAN GURU-MURTHY... AND OTHER CELEBRITY WALK-OUTS IN TV INTERVIEWS
Quentin Tarantino
Robert Downey Jr is not the first Hollywood star to be upset by Krishnan Guru-Murthy's interview technique - last year director Quentin Tarantino also objected to his line of questioning.
The Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction director launched an extraordinary tirade after refusing to answer questions about movie violence.
He said: 'I'm not your slave and you are not my master. You can't make me dance to your tune. I'm not a monkey.'
Towards the end of the interview he rebuffed further questions on the topic, telling Guru-Murthy: 'I'm shutting your butt down.'
Joan Rivers
Actress and comedienne Joan Rivers stormed off the set of a CNN interview in July last year.
Rivers contended that she was there to discuss to her new book, Diary Of A Mad Diva, but was instead accused of coming across as ‘mean’ on TV show Fashion Police.
She was also questioned about wearing fur when she was an animal rights activist.
'This whole interview is turning into a defensive interview,' Rivers announced.
'Are you wearing leather shoes? Then shut up,' she said.
Naomi Campbell
Supermodel Naomi Campbell lost her cool and angrily knocked away a camera after being quizzed over allegations she was given a 'blood diamond' by the deposed African despot Charles Taylor.
'I didn't receive a diamond and I'm not going to speak about that,' Campbell told reporters before walking out of an interview in 2010 and punching the camera in a producer's hand.
Cate Blanchett
The actress swore on national television during interview on TV program The Project in March this year.
The Oscar-winning star came prepared to answer questions about her new Disney film Cinderella, but was faced with increasingly eccentric topics, including drinking beer.
The exasperated actress finally reached breaking point at the end of the Q&A, when Channel Ten journalist Jonathan Hyla asked her about a cat that appeared in the fantasy flick.
Turning around to look for her publicist, a confused and annoyed Blanchett fired back: 'That's your question? That's your f****** question?
No comments:
Post a Comment