After gay rights organization GLAAD urged Jay Leno to apologize for making derogatory remarks during a recent interview with actor Ryan Phillippe, the talk show host clarified his remarks in a statement.

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

The Tonight Show host, 57, teased Phillippe, 33, for landing his first role as a ...