EXCLUSIVE: Sam Elliott apologized on Sunday for comments he made about the film The Power of the Dog on Marc Maron’s WTF Podcast last month and had a special message for Jane Campion, who won the Oscar for directing the western drama won with Benedict Cumberbatch.
“I told the WTF Podcaster that I thought Jane Campion was a brilliant director and I want to apologize to the cast of The Power of the Dog, all brilliant actors,” Elliott said. “And Benedict Cumberbatch in particular. All I can say is I’m sorry and I’m sorry. I am.”
Speaking of Deadline during Sunday’s Contenders TV event to promote 1883 on Paramount+, Elliott began his mea culpa with a semi-serious warning. “First, don’t do a podcast with the call sign WTF.” He then said the film “got a nerve with me” and wanted to talk to Maron about “how I felt about the film.”
“I wasn’t very articulate about it. I didn’t articulate it very well,” Elliott said in his first public comments since the March 1 podcast. “And I’ve said some things that have hurt people and I feel terrible about it. The gay community has been amazing to me throughout my career. And I mean my entire career before I started in this city. Friends at all levels and in all professions to this day. I’m sorry I hurt one of those friends and someone I loved. And everyone else based on the words I used.”
Elliott’s co-star Faith Hill subsequently referred to Elliott’s “amazing character” on set and how he would do anything to apologize to anyone he felt had offended him. “Whatever was if he stepped on a toe or knocked off a hat.”
She then exclaimed, “We love Sam!”
Watch the video of today’s exchange above.
While speaking with Maron on the podcast, Elliott described The Power of the Dog as a “piece of shit” westerns with “homosexual references.” The veteran actor, who has done plenty of Westerns in his career, also likened the cowboy characters to Chippendales dancers who “bow tie and don’t wear much else” and who “walk around in chaps and shirtless.” As for New Zealand-born Campion writing an American history, he added, “What the hell does that woman down there know about the American West?”
Campion later responded to Elliott’s comments. “I think it’s really unfortunate and sad for him because he really hit the trifecta of misogyny, xenophobia and homophobia,” she told Deadline last month. “I do not like it. I think he was a bit of a slut. Besides, he’s not a cowboy, he’s an actor.”
1883 stars Elliott Shea Brennan, a hardened Civil War vet who guides the Dutton family and a group of European immigrants across the border. Paramount+ will nominate Elliott for an Emmy in the Outstanding Actor category, while 1883 will be in contention for the limited series award as the drama will not return for a second season.