Actor Billy Bob Thornton has expressed frustration over fellow actors pushing their political views on fans during award ceremonies.
On the podcast Joe Rogan Experience, Thornton suggested that celebrities should “take your little award and just quit.”
Thornton, 70, reflected on how British comedian Ricky Gervais spent a good portion of the 2020 Golden Globes criticizing celebrities.
“It’s like Ricky Gervais said… ‘Come here, pick up your little award, and call it quits,'” Thornton mentioned.
He added, “Who really wants to hear from actors and musicians about politics unless they have a deep understanding of it? Should we really follow their lead? And what if they steer us in the wrong direction?”
Yet, the actor, who identifies as a “radical moderate,” did not hold back on his criticisms of the two major political parties in the U.S.
“I just look for what makes sense, and I think we really need a common sense political party here,” Thornton stated. “It’s not too complicated to understand.”
The star mentioned that he has become increasingly indifferent towards awards. “I contribute to various charities, especially those focused on children’s needs, but nobody seems to know. I don’t attend award shows or brag about my wins,” he said.
“I’ve received a few awards lately,” he noted, “but these days, I’m just thinking, ‘Great, I’m off to eat some dry chicken breast and green beans while listening to people go on about how wonderful they are.'”
He also voiced discontent about celebrities discussing issues unrelated to the awards they’re receiving. “There’s a right time for that… You should stick to what the event is about,” he emphasized.
“Don’t come in and start talking about saving badgers in Wisconsin, you know what I mean?” he elaborated. “People might argue that they have a platform to share their views, but…”
“Well, if you have a billion dollars and want to save the badgers, then go ahead,” he said passionately. “It doesn’t really impact the budget.”
