Clint Eastwood made what some have deemed a “dismissive joke” about Caitlyn Jenner , formerly Bruce Jenner. The Eastwood joke was made during the taping of the Guys’ Choice 2015 awards ceremony. Spike TV reportedly promoted the Guys’ Choice awards broadcast as an “unpredictable” and “unfiltered” event, but the network has decided to remove the Jenner joke before the show airs.
The Caitlyn Jenner Clint Eastwood joke was made before the legendary actor and director introduced Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. The former professional wrestler was being recognized for his work on the San Andreas movie. Eastwood mentioned that The Rock was one of several heralded athletes who became actors.
Eastwood, 85, likened Dwayne Johnson to “Jim Brown and Caitlyn somebody.”
“We will remove the reference in the version that will air,” said David Schwarz, Spike TV’s senior vice president of communications.
Spike to cut Clint Eastwood’s Caitlyn Jenner joke from #GuysChoiceAwards telecast http://t.co/t3fpl39tkT pic.twitter.com/CmYnAxhjXU
— Variety (@Variety) June 8, 2015
Hollywood Life deemed Clint Eastwood’s reference to Caitlyn Jenner “so disappointing.” Some feel that the acting legend was poking fun of Jenner and by extension, the transgender community. Others have stated that Eastwood was likely jesting about not knowing the last name of “Caitlyn somebody” because of the massive amount of media and social media attention which has been paid to the sex change of the former Olympian and reality show star.
Learn from those who have walked the path before you. #TransIsBeautiful #LivingOurTruth #JustTheBeginning pic.twitter.com/OTSS7LOSx9
— Caitlyn Jenner (@Caitlyn_Jenner) June 6, 2015
Excerpts follow from the Hollywood Life report citing outrage about Clint Eastwood’s Caitlyn Jenner joke before Spike TV decided to remove the comment from the “unfiltered” Guys’ Choice Awards ceremony.
“For Caitlyn’s sake, as well as the transgender community as a whole, we hope the insensitive joke is cut from the version that will be broadcast on June 18. Caitlyn Jenner has already faced enough criticism since her Vanity Fair cover reveal on June 1. And the world should stop putting so much focus on her transition! It’s a shame that so many people are quick to poke fun at Caitlyn. What she’s doing is so heroic, and it requires a lot of courage. We think she’s an inspiration. Hopefully, people will stop mocking her and start feeling the same way.”
Clint Eastwood is not the only actor or celebrity to be the target of backlash over Caitlyn Jenner’s transition. Rapper Snoop Dogg posted a message on Instagram likening Jenner to a “science project.”
Singer Drake Bell also garnered the wrath of Caitlyn Jenner supporters on social media after posting a tweet saying he was still going to call Jenner “Bruce.”
Do you think Clint Eastwood made a “dismissive joke” about Caitlyn Jenner?
[Image via Getty Images]
