Robert Downey Jr. cut short a recent interview with British Channel 4 News reporter Krishnan Guru-Murthy when the journalist questioned the actor about a past statement regarding how being imprisoned impacted his political beliefs.
Downey Jr., who is currently promoting his new film “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” said in a 2008 interview with The New York Times, “You can’t go from a $2,000-a-night suite at La Mirage to a penitentiary and really understand it and come out a liberal.”
When Guru-Murthy asked what the actor meant by that particular statement, Downey Jr. grew increasingly uncomfortable.
“Things that you said five, seven years ago are things you said in an interview that made sense to you at the time,” he answered. “I could pick that apart for two hours and would be no closer to the truth than I’d be giving you some half-a–ed answer right now. I couldn’t even really tell you what a liberal is, so therein lies the answer to your question.”
The journalist continued to press him, asking, “Does that mean you’re not a liberal?”
“Are we promoting a movie?” Downey Jr. asked, getting a little testy with the reporter. As Guru-Murthy continued his line of personal questions, the actor got up and left.
“You seem okay,” he quipped. “It’s just getting a little Diane Sawyer in here.”
Watch below, with the choice quote coming at about 4:10.
