Robert Downey Jr. was panned by some social media users Wednesday after downplaying the fame of influencers, saying the notion they are the 'stars of the future' is 'absolute horses***.'
The Oscar-winning actor, 61, made the remarks in a recent interview with the podcast Conversations for our Daughters, as he spoke about contemporary standards of fame.
'Nowadays people can create celebrity without ever doing much besides rolling a phone on themselves,' said the A-list star. 'I don't look at that as a negative thing. I just look at it as more like the challenge for individuation is being upped.'
Downey said he hoped members of the younger generation will look to establish themselves in a way that 'isn't just a self-aggrandizing kind of influencer-type thing.'
'When I hear people talk about, "Oh, the stars of the future are going to be influencers," I go, "I don't know what world you're living in, but I think that that is absolute horses***!"'
A number of social media users said the latest comments from Downey reflected outdated thinking and elitism.
'It's funny how social media influencers are more relevant than these woke minded celebrities,' said one user. 'This is taking me back to that old Hollywood saying, "You'll never make it in this town."'
Another said, 'Stop acting as if celebrities should be idolised. They're no better than anyone else. If you think they are then there must be something really sad and pathetic about your life.'
Said one user: 'They're already the future stars. This is literally an "old man yells at clouds" thing.'
One user pointed to Downey's advantage in having family in show business when he began his career.
'Why should I care about anything he has to say?' one user said. 'He's a nepo baby. Regardless if he's talented or not. I miss all the working class stars.'
Another said Downey, who won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar playing Lewis Strauss in 2023's Oppenheimer, took a similar path to fame as influencers, via his notoriety amid drug and legal issues decades back.
'Man was famous for being a f*** up until he leveraged his reputation as a f*** up to play a superhero,' the user said. 'With all respect to the flashes of talent he shows us from time to time: three fingers back at ya, kid.'
Downey said his 14-year-old son Exton 'kinda got caught up in this whole influencer thing and next thing you know it's like, "If you like the way I'm playing this video game, do you wanna send me a donation?"'
'There's something about the influencers today that are almost like the Evangelical hucksters of the information age.'
Downey said on the podcast that he strives 'not to get too deep down the rabbit hole' of social media.
'I know, like people say, "Robert, they just love it when you're just kind of like seeming off the cuff, and they're getting a glimpse into your life,"' he said. 'And I go, "But yeah, but I'd be manufacturing that aspect for them, so it's B.S."'
