Dreyfuss: Oscars' diversity rules make me sick

Richard Dreyfuss, the renowned Academy Award-winning actor, has openly expressed his disdain for the new diversity and inclusion standards imposed on Best Picture nominees by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. During a recent interview on PBS's 'Firing Line with Margaret Hoover,' Dreyfuss candidly expressed his perspective on this topic: 'They make me vomit,' he said. Dreyfuss believes that no one should dictate the moral standards that an artist must adhere to when creating a piece, as art is not only a form of commerce but also an expressive medium.

In 2020, the Academy declared that films must meet at least two out of four criteria to be eligible for the Best Picture category in the 2024 Oscars, as reported by Variety. The standards encompass elements such as representation in a movie's cast and subject matter, its creative leadership, the opportunities it offers within the film industry, and the demographics of its audience development team.

Dreyfuss, the recipient of the Best Actor Oscar in 1978 for 'The Goodbye Girl,' questioned the intent behind these changes. He argued that legislating such standards risks stifling artistic freedom and creativity, as he believes that neither the majority nor minority populations in the United States should be catered to in this way. Dreyfuss referenced the classic 1965 film in which Laurence Olivier portrayed Othello in blackface, asserting that Olivier’s performance was outstanding despite the controversial makeup.

The actor raised thought-provoking questions about whether certain groups should be restricted from playing certain roles based on race, religion, or cultural background. Dreyfuss asserted that these new standards are overly patronizing and treat people like children.

Ben Dreyfuss, Richard’s son, and himself an actor and former editorial director for Mother Jones, appeared to address his father’s comments during a recent tweet, saying, 'Big day for strangers who have complained about me for years tweeting 'well, I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree!' In response to his father's controversial comments, Ben also sent him a GIF of John McClane, played by Bruce Willis in 'Die Hard,' saying, 'Welcome to the party, pal.'