Robert Downey Jr. got social media abuzz with a remark he made about taking a beta blocker during his acceptance speech Sunday for the 81st annual Golden Globe Awards.
Downey, 58, prevailed in the category of Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture for his portrayal of Lewis Strauss in Oppenheimer.
The Iron Man star took the stage at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, saying, ‘I took a beta blocker, so this is going to be a breeze,’ in reference to the drug, which is said to reduce anxiety.
The A-list actor garnered a mixed reaction from fans in regards to his admission, with some saying it made him more relatable, with others concerned about the actor’s past history with substance abuse.
Beta blockers are a class of medications that are predominantly used to manage abnormal heart rhythms, but can also be used to treat situational anxiety such as stage fright.
Robert Downey Jr., 58, got social media abuzz with a remark he made about taking a beta blocker during his acceptance speech at Sunday for the 81st annual Golden Globe Awards
The Iron Man star took the stage at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, saying, ‘I took a beta blocker, so this is going to be a breeze,’ in reference to the drug, which is said to reduce anxiety
One user said, ‘Just like Robert Downey Jr, I also take a beta blocker before any sort of public speaking.’
Said another: ‘Robert Downey Jr. is so real for saying he took a beta blocker cause I take them too and I would for a moment like this as well.’
Another said, ‘RDJ taking a beta blocker before the #GoldenGlobes is so relatable because I too get incredibly anxious before I hear any sort of news.’
One fan commended Downey for keeping things ‘real,’ while another said it made them ‘want to try beta blockers.’
One user noted Downey’s remark in an effort to skewer the show’s host, Jo Koy.
‘Giving hosting duties to Robert Downey Jr. on beta blockers seems like it would be an improvement at this point,’ the user said.
Some users expressed their concern for Downey after the remark, with one saying, ‘Robert Downey, Jr joking about drug use. Whatever.’
Said another, ‘Ha ha “Beta blocker”. Sure Robert Downey Jr.,’ while another said he was ‘still on drugs.’
Downey prevailed in the category of Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture for his portrayal of Lewis Strauss in Oppenheimer
The New York City native prevailed over fellow nominees Robert De Niro , Ryan Gosling , Charles Melton, Mark Ruffalo and Willem Dafoe.
The A-list actor garnered a mixed reaction from fans in regards to his admission, with some saying it made him more relatable
Some users expressed their concern for Downey after the remark
The New York City native wons over fellow nominees Robert De Niro , Ryan Gosling , Charles Melton, Mark Ruffalo and Willem Dafoe.
In rounding out his speech for his Golden Globe win, Downey praised his collaborators on the critically-acclaimed and commercially-successful biopic about scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer, who helped create the atomic bomb.
‘A sweeping story about the ethical dilemma of nuclear weapons grosses $1 billion: Does that track? No,’ Downey said. ‘Unless, and but, because, Universal went all in on Christopher Nolan to direct Cillian Murphy, with Emma Thomas producing, with Emily [Blunt] and Florence [Pugh] and this cast and crew, and helped them render a … masterpiece … see, that’s not such a leap.’
Downey thanked his wife Susan, saying ‘she has literally made an art out of extracting me from my comfort zones, that I need to feel safe.’
He added, ‘Lastly, Golden Globes journalists, thanks for changing your game, therefore changing your name. Salute.’
The award marks the third individual Golden Globe award Downey has won on four nominations.
He past prevailed in 2010 for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical for his work in Sherlock Holmes.
In 2001, he won, for his work on Ally McBeal in the category of Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television.
He was also part of a group award for the 1994 Winner Special Award for the 1993 film Short Cuts, sharing the honors with luminaries such as Julianne Moore, Tim Robbins and the late Jack Lemmon.