Gary Oldman Apologizes For Controversial ‘Playboy’ Interview On ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’

Gary Oldman apologized for defending Mel Gibson in a recent Playboy interview during his appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Late-night talk shows are apparently the place to ask for forgiveness these days. Hot off the heels of Jonah Hill’s 2014 Apology Tour, Oldman plopped himself in front of Kimmel’s cameras to do pretty much the same thing. According to Time, the acclaimed actor didn’t understand the gravity of his remarks until he saw them on the printed page.

For those who are late to the controversy, Gary Oldman essentially said that people should stop fuming about Mel Gibson’s anti-Semitic remarks since everyone is guilty of the same thing. Not surprisingly, quite a few people had a bone to pick with the actor for suggesting that everyone hates Jews. To make matters worse, he essentially proclaimed that a cabal of “bigoted” Jewish people run Hollywood.

During his appearance on Kimmel’s show, Gary Oldman offered the following apology:

“I said some things that were poorly considered. And once I had seen it in print, I could see that it was offensive, insensitive, pernicious and ill-informed. Words have meaning, they carry weight and they carry on long after you’ve said them… and I don’t condone or excuse the words I used in any context. I just basically shouldn’t have used them in any context, but I did, and I have deeply injured and wounded a great many people.”

The Inquisitr previously reported that Gary Oldman issued a written apology for the controversial comments he made during that seriously misguided Playboy interview. Considering Oldman is the star of the upcoming sci-fi flick Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, chances are 20th Century Fox is hoping none of this ends up affecting the flick’s performance at the box office. Way to go, Gary.

Oldman explained in his written apology:

“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, and those specifically in my life.”

What do you think about Gary Oldman apologizing for his recent Playboy interview? Do you believe his appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live will help calm the waters?

[Image via Mr. Conversative]