Tony Danza is being called after a video of his behavior during a red-carpet interview was posted online.
On April 27, entertainment reporter Rye Myers shared a TikTok video that had the overlay text: "Rudest celebrity I ever interviewed" and it showed him speaking to the 72-year-old Taxi actor at the opening night of New York, New York on Wednesday night.
The clip begins with Danza talking with producer Jamie deRoy when the reporter approaches him for a quick interview. Right off the bat, he tells Myers: "Relax a little...You're more excited than we are. Take it easy."
The interviewer then responds by explaining that the Broadway premiere is "exciting" to him, but Danza is clearly not impressed as he says "I know, I know, I know, I know. OK," before finally agreeing to the chat.
Watch the interview below:Myers barely has a chance to get started before the Who's The Boss alum shuts him down after he asked to name his "favorite New York City staple food".
Danza puts a hand on the reporter's face in a patronizing manner and says: "You know what you've got to do, buddy, you've got to come up with better questions." He then tells his friend, "Come on. Let's go," before walking away.
Myers explained his thoughts after the uncomfortable interview in the caption, writing: "I understand not everyone is in the mood to answer questions, and you can always pass."
He clarified that they asked the "same questions" to other "heavy hitters," including Joel Gray and Lin-Manuel Miranda, but "only Tony Danza replied like this," adding, "To say I was blown away, shocked, and embarrassed is an understatement…But, my professionalism showed through!"
Many users on the video-sharing platform came to his defense in the comments section and slammed Danza for his behavior. One user wrote: "That was so unkind it made me uncomfortable. I love your personality! I bet you’re so nice to hang out with!"
Another penned: "He’s showed his true colors a condescending a***ole but you handled it with humor and grace!! Bravo to you."
A third remarked: "The pat on the face like he’s some sort of goodfella. Unfortunately, Fame makes a lot [of] people way too entitled!"
A fourth shared: "This made my jaw drop, and I can only imagine how you felt experiencing it firsthand. He should be so lucky you were taking the time to interview him."
Even singer Michael Bublé took a shot at Danza, commenting on the post: "I think you're amazing Ry. I'll have a pizza with ya. Let's not invite Tony..."
Danza's interview draws comparisons to Hugh Grant's cringeworthy interview with Ashley Graham while at the Oscars last month.
The model, 35, asked the 62-year-old Englis actor: "What are you most excited to see? Anyone to see win?", to which he replied: "No one in particular." The mom-of-three then asked what him was wearing and who had designed it, at which point he simply answered: "My tailor."
"What does it feel like to be in Glass Onion? Such an amazing film? How fun is it to shoot something like that?" Graham asked. The Love Actually star responded: "Well, I'm barely in it. I'm in for about three seconds," in a very deadpan manner.
While Grant has yet to address the interaction, the model seemed unfazed as she told TMZ: "You know what, my momma told me to kill people with kindness, so there you go."