Robert Downey Jr quoted his worst reviews in hilarious award speech

Robert Downey Jr. stepped away from the traditional speech formula for the 2024 Critics’ Choice Awards as he quoted bad reviews about himself.

When it comes to award show speeches, it’s not uncommon for celebrities to follow a certain formula no matter what genre they win for.

They usually take one or two minutes to thank their management, friends, family, and the crew behind their winning project before bowing out for the next presenter.

However, actor Robert Downey Jr. decided to break away from this mold after winning at the Critics’ Choice Awards, as he spent his speech time quoting the worst reviews aimed at him.

Downey Jr. quotes funniest and worst reviews in award speech

The actor recently won the Critics’ Choice Award for best supporting actor for his role as Rear Admiral Lewis Strauss in Oppenheimer.

During his speech, Downey Jr. made the bold choice to highlight some of the funniest and worst reviews he has received over his career, stating, “I was thinking this morning, I love critics… You know, they’ve given me such beautiful feedback, really just so many great moments, and some of it is so poetic. I just want to share some of their thoughts with you over the years.

“The first one is kind of like Haiku: ‘Sloppy, messy and lazy.’ The next one is more metaphoric: ‘Like Pee-Wee Herman emerging from a coma.’ This was from a Brit: ‘A puzzling waste of talent.’ And lastly, and this one lingered: ‘Amusing as a bed-locked fart.’”

Despite receiving extremely harsh criticism, Downey Jr. has continued to headline some of the biggest movies of the last generation and won several prestigious awards including several Golden Globes, People’s Choice Awards, and BAFTAs.

Downey Jr. spent the rest of his speech thanking his Oppenheimer cast mates, who he called “Oppenhomies,” for a fun working environment. “Every day of filming was like having my ego’s ass handed to me at the door, and I think it couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy,” he said.