Updated

Jay Leno apologized Tuesday for asking actor Ryan Phillippe to give him his "gayest look" during his late-night show last week.

"In talking about Ryan's first role, I realize that what I said came out wrong. I certainly didn't mean any malice. I agree it was a dumb thing to say, and I apologize," Leno said in a statement.

Last week, "Stop-Loss" star Phillippe spoke to Leno about his first paid acting role as a gay teen on soap "One Life to Live." Leno asked Phillippe, "Can you give me your gayest look? Say that camera is Billy Bob... Billy Bob has just ridden in shirtless from Wyoming."

"Wow," replied Phillippe, 33. "That is so something I don't want to do."

On Tuesday, Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation condemned the remarks.

"We are proud of Ryan for refusing to participate in Leno's thoughtless attempt at humor," said GLAAD President Neil G. Giuliano. "Under the guise of comedy, the talk-show host is demonstrating a lack of respect for the gay community and insensitivity to both his co-workers and the audience, to whom he owes an apology."