Game of Thrones’ Jack Gleeson Slams “Superficial” Celebrity Culture in Oxford Speech

Game of Thrones star Jack Gleeson has slammed celebrity culture and endorsements in a speech at the Oxford Union. In a speech to the Union back in November, the Irish star who plays the ruthless King Joffrey on the HBO series, said that fame was “an environment from which I instantly wanted to retreat”. “I detested the superficial elevation and commodification of it all, juxtaposed with the grotesque self-involvement it would sometimes draw out in me" he admitted. The star took the opportunity to discuss the “religious hysteria” of celebrity worship by the public, breaking down the impact it had on our society. Gleeson then went on to criticise celebrity endorsements, saying; "What's ironic is that you see celebrity endorsing things like, you know, musical tampons and appearing in advertisements for lavender scented teeth whitener or something. Wielding goods whose sell-by dates [that will] ironically, probably, outlast theirs. "Having one's image, and effectively life, democratized, dehumanizes and sometimes objectifies it into an entertainment product. What sort of valuation of the ego would one have once you've let it been preyed upon by the public for years and years? Perhaps, it becomes truly just skin and bones." The talented young actor from Cork, previously hinted that he might move away from acting after Game of Thrones. "After a long day of work, you're just happy to take off all your annoying armor and the costumes and just be yourself again," he told GQ in 2012. "I'm quite relieved when I can stop being Joffrey." The full 30 minute talk from November can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKboLTwzFTs