Robert Downey Jr., the 58-year-old actor, played the role of Kirk Lazarus in the action-comedy film “Tropic Thunder.” The film, also starring Ben Stiller, Jack Black, and Tom Cruise, revolves around a film crew shooting a war movie that becomes the target of local drug dealers. Downey’s character, a method actor named Kirk Lazarus, wears blackface as part of his portrayal of Sgt Lincoln Osiris, a decision criticized in the film by the character Alpa Chino.

Although “Tropic Thunder” was a box office success, earning $195.7 million, the film has faced backlash over the years for its use of blackface. Downey has defended his role in the film multiple times, stating in February 2023 that he doesn’t regret the decision, even though he had reservations about it at times.

During a recent appearance on Rob Lowe’s Literally! podcast, Downey made comparisons to Norman Lear’s sitcom “All in the Family,” which also tackled themes of racism. He pointed out that “All in the Family” had a disclaimer at the beginning of the show, explaining that it sought to humorously highlight human frailties, prejudices, and concerns.

Downey emphasized that the intention behind “Tropic Thunder” was to rail against harmful tropes perpetuated for too long and to challenge audiences to understand the film’s satire. He mentioned that the current climate has muddied the understanding between creators and audiences, and the film aimed to address these issues in a mature and satirical manner.

Ben Stiller, who directed “Tropic Thunder,” has also defended the movie in the past, stating that he makes no apologies and is proud of the work done on the film.