Samuel Jackson goes nuclear on reporter for confusing him with Laurence Fishburne

"We don't all look alike!" the "Robocop" star informs his hapless interviewer

Published February 10, 2014 10:43PM (EST)

Local TV stations have a reputation for goofy unprofessionalism and quirky hiccups.  This segment at KTLA in Los Angeles is something so much worse. Veteran entertainment reporter Sam Rubin begins his interview by asking about Jackson's Super Bowl commercial, and things get real ugly real quick.

"What Super Bowl commercial?" responds a flabbergasted Jackson.  "See, you're as crazy as the people on Twitter. I'm not Laurence Fishburne!" (Fishburne reprised his role as Morpheus in "The Matrix" for a Kia spot.) "We don't all look alike!"

He then goes on to list other black actors in commercials, who he is not.

Just as uncomfortable as Rubin's attempts to brush off the blunder by saying, "Really my big mistake ... let't talk about 'Robocop,'" are the hoots and howls coming from Rubin's peers who clearly don't get how terribly offensive this "mistake" is.  Rubin later apologized and claimed he was referring to a commercial for Jackson's upcoming "Captain America: The Winter Soldier."  Regardless, the incident (and Jackson's blunt response) is a reminder of Hollywood's serious race problem that was starkly evident at the Golden Globes.


By Sarah Gray

Sarah Gray is an assistant editor at Salon, focusing on innovation. Follow @sarahhhgray or email sgray@salon.com.

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Entertainment Ktla Laurence Fishburne Race Samuel L Jackson