PC Whiners Aside, Downey Jr. Deserves His Oscar Nod

by John Ridley

On the heels of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announcing the nominees for their 81st shindig, there were the usual nontroversies over who was named and who was ignored.
Among all that, Hollywood trade paper Variety noted that Robert Downey Jr.’s nod for Best Supporting Actor in “Tropic Thunder” “marks the first time since Laurence Olivier’s 1965 “Othello” that an actor has been nommed for playing a role in blackface.”

Not quite true. Forrest Whitaker darkened his skin to play Idi Amin for his Oscar winning performance in “The Last King of Scotland.”

Slightly different circumstances, yes. But… (more…)