Sam Elliott has apologized for the comments he made last month about the Oscar-winning film, 'The Power of the Dog', saying he felt "terrible" about his "hurtful" remarks that many saw as homophobic. The 'Road House' star on Marc Maron's WTF podcast said the cowboys in the film were like Chippendale dancers and he was disturbed by Benedict Cumberbatch's portrayal of a closeted gay ranch hand. 

During the podcast, the 77-year-old actor said, "That's what all these f***ing cowboys in that movie looked like. They're running around in chaps and no shirts. There's all these allusions of homosexuality throughout the f***ing movie." The actor asked, "Where's the western in this Western?" Elliott also criticized Jane Campion's choice of location to film the movie. He said, "And why in the f**k does she shoot this movie in New Zealand and call it Montana and say, "This is the way it was?".  

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Following the podcast, Cumberbatch called Elliott's criticism "very odd', while Campion, who went on to win Best Director at the 2022 Oscars, said, "I'm sorry, he was being a little bit of a B-I-T-C-H" at the DGA Awards on March 12. Campion added, "I'm sorry to say it but he's not a cowboy, he's an actor." In another interview, she also said Elliott's remarks "hit the trifecta of misogyny and xenophobia and homophobia." 

The veteran actor, who has appeared in many Western-set films and television series, apologized for his remarks while promoting his film '1883' at Deadline's Contenders TV event on Sunday, April 10. During the interview, the 77-year-old said he "wasn't quite articulate" about how he expressed feelings that the film provoked.

The actor added, "I said some things that hurt people and I feel terrible about that. The gay community has been incredible to me my entire career - and I mean my entire career, from before I got started in this town. Friends on every level, in every job description up until today." Elliott continued, "And I'm sorry I hurt any of those friends. And someone that I loved. And anyone else, by the words that I used."

The actor also noted that he had praised director Jane Campion during the podcast, "I also told this WTF podcaster that I thought Jane Campion was a brilliant director." The '1883' star added, "And I want to apologize to the cast of 'Power Of The Dog', brilliant actors all, and in particular Benedict Cumberbatch. I can only say that I am sorry. And I am. I am."