Gary Oldman apologizes to ‘Team Oldman’ on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’

Another week, another celebrity being profoundly sorry on a late-night talk show. Two weeks ago it was Jonah Hill apologizing for his words on “The Tonight Show.” Wednesday night, it was Gary Oldman on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” addressing his controversial remarks in a Playboy interview.

Oldman, who stars in “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes,” had an interview in Playboy’s July/August issue in which he railed against political correctness and accused many who have criticized Mel Gibson and Alec Baldwin’s remarks about Jews and gays as hypocrites. The comments quickly kicked up a firestorm, and even after Oldman penned an open letter of apology to the Anti Defamation League, the ADL responded that his apology was “insufficient and not satisfactory.”

So, rather than cancel on Kimmel and hide out, Oldman went on TV and continued to express his remorse.

As always, the performer on the hot seat was squirming, but Oldman spoke long and directly, telling the audience, “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.”

He continued, “I have deeply injured and wounded a great many people .... From my heart, I am profoundly, profoundly sorry and deeply apologetic .... Especially to the fans, because they’ve been so incredible to me and very loyal. My nickname is they are ‘Team Oldman.’ And I really feel that I let them down .... I’m an A-hole. I’m 56 and I should know better.”

“I’m stuck on the fact that you call your fans ‘Team Oldman’” Kimmel said, trying to keep things light.

“I’m so happy someone has to apologize on this show and it’s not me for once,” Kimmel said.

Last year, Kimmel aired a sketch in which children attempted to solve complex world problems. The skit featured one child who suggested we should kill everyone in China. That didn’t go over well with Chinese American groups, who staged a protest outside ABC headquarters in Burbank. Kimmel later issued an apology during his show.

“I think it’s important when someone apologizes to accept their apology,” Kimmel said. “But you are a great actor so we cannot trust anything you say.”

“Oh, no, trust me,” Oldman said.

Though Kimmel attempted to shift the topic to “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes,” it was obvious Oldman wasn’t quite finished working through his psyche publicly.

“This news cycle and event has, sadly, derailed what my initial purpose was,” Oldman said.

“It’s not fair to the apes,” Kimmel said.

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