Cape Town – Game of Thrones actor Jason Momoa has issued an official apology after receiving criticism for a comment he made in 2011.
Video footage from a 2011 Comic-Con panel discussion Momoa took part in surfaced on Thursday, calling the actor out for an insensitive joke he made relating to his time on the show.
Momoa – who played Khal Drago, Daenerys Targaryen’s husband, in season one of the HBO series – highlighted the extreme lengths playing his character allowed him to go without ramification.
He said: “But as far as sci-fi and fantasy," Momoa says in the clip, "I love that there's so many things you can do, like rip someone's tongue out of their throat and get away with it and rape beautiful women.”
WATCH THE FOOTAGE HERE:
Following the attention his remark received on social media, Momoa issued an apology on Instagram.
“I awoke in Australia to the justified reactions by many people to a distasteful joke I made years ago in Hall H for which I am sorry,” he wrote.
The Aquaman actor added that he is “still severely disappointed” in himself for being so insensitive and pointed out that “rape and sexual harassment can reach anyone” revealing he has seen firsthand the pain it causes.
Concluding the note, Momoa admitted to making a “truly tasteless remark” and with a heavy heart once again apologised.
READ THE FULL NOTE HERE:
This comes amid the ongoing scandal involving Harvey Wienstein. The case has now taken on an international dimension, with police in New York and Britain launching investigations - while a fourth woman accused the Hollywood producer of rape.
READ MORE HERE: Police launch Harvey Weinstein investigation after fourth rape allegation