newsmakers

newsmakers

Penn has ‘no apologies’ for green-card joke

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.

Sean Penn opened up about the green-card joke heard ’round the world on Saturday in Beverly Hills during a promotional tour for his new film “The Gunman,” saying that he has “absolutely no apologies” for his comment.

The actor-director also offered up choice words for those who didn’t recognize the irony in his remarks.

On Feb. 22 at the 87th Academy Awards, Penn, tasked with presenting the best-picture award, made waves when he opened the envelope and first asked “Who gave this son of a b---- his green card?” before announcing the winner as “Birdman.”

Directed by the Mexican-born Alejandro Inarritu, many wondered whether the joke was distasteful. The term “green card” refers to a document that confers permanent residency on immigrants in the United States.

“I found it hilarious,” Inarritu said after the ceremony. “Sean and I have that kind of brutal [relationship] where only true friendship can survive.”

Inarritu directed Penn in the 2003 film “21 Grams,” and the two remain close to this date. “I make on him a lot of very tough jokes that I will not tell you,” Inarritu added.

Though Inarritu’s casual dismissal of any perceived offense helped to temper the public response to the comment, Penn has remained largely silent on the topic.

“I’m always surprised by flagrant stupidity. I keep having more hope,” said Penn of the widespread outrage that followed the moment.

“I have absolutely no apologies,” Penn said with calm resolve.

“In fact, I have a big [expletive] you for every ... anybody who is so stupid not to have gotten the irony when you’ve got a country that is so xenophobic,” he said. “If they had their way, you wouldn’t have great filmmakers like Alejandro working in this country. Thank God we do.”

Dan Aykroyd to donate to family of slain cop

PHILADELPHIA

Dan Aykroyd plans to make a donation to the family of a Philadelphia police officer killed in the line of duty.

KYW-TV reports the actor made the announcement Friday while visiting the Philadelphia Flower Show to promote his vodka company.

Officer Robert Wilson III was buying a video game for his son while on duty Thursday when police say two brothers entered the store to rob it. Police say Wilson exchanged fire with the suspects and was shot multiple times in the body and head.

Police officials say the 8-year veteran saved lives by drawing fire away from other patrons in the store.

The suspects are charged with murder.

Allman filmmakers to stand trial in fatal Ga. train crash

SAVANNAH, Ga.

Randall Miller had just begun shooting the Gregg Allman biographical movie “Midnight Rider” when the production turned into a nightmare — a freight train traveling 55 mph plowed into the director’s crew on a Georgia railroad bridge, injuring six film workers and killing a camera assistant.

A year later, Miller is scheduled to stand trial along with his business- partner wife and the movie’s executive producer in a rare case of filmmakers being prosecuted for deaths on their sets. A jury in rural Wayne County will have to decide if the train collision that killed 27-year-old Sarah Jones was an accident or the result of a criminal act. And if a crime occurred, which of the defendants, if any, should take the blame.

Miller, his wife, Jody Savin, and executive producer Jay Sedrish face up to 11 years in a Georgia prison if convicted of involuntary manslaughter and criminal trespassing. They all have pleaded not guilty.

Associated Press