Jay Leno regrets asking Ryan Phillippe for ‘gayest look’

Last week Tonight Show host Jay Leno, tried to make sport of Ryan Phillippe’s start in acting with his first role as a gay teen Billy Douglas on the soap, One Life to Live. It turned out to be an ill attempt at humor that has Leno on the hot seat. Jay asked  Ryan, “Can you give me, like — say that camera is your gay lover …”

Jay wouldn’t drop it and finally asked, “Can you give me your ‘gayest look?’ “Wow,” replied Phillippe, “That is so something I don’t want to do.” An uncomfortable Phillippe almost walked off the stage. (See footage here.)

Afterwards gay rights organization GLAAD urged Jay Leno to apologize. The talk show host clarified his remarks in a statement.

“In talking about Ryan’s first role, I realize that what I said came out wrong,” Leno said. “I certainly didn’t mean any malice. I agree it was a dumb thing to say, and I apologize.”

GLAAD President Neil G. Giuliano tells Usmagazine in a statement: “We are proud of Ryan for refusing to participate in Leno’s thoughtless attempt at humor.”