David Arquette (AP file)

Actor David Arquette has apologized to the Latin community after branding its women "nuts".

The Scream star came under fire after making the comment while appearing on U.S. TV network Fox News, where he was giving his opinion of Puerto Rican Supreme court nominee Sonia Sotomayor.

He said in the segment, "I think Latina women are, I mean, it depends on the woman, but I think they are very...They have great judgment, but there are some that are just nuts. I'm just saying."

Now Arquette is hoping to make amends for the remark, which he maintains was a joke.

He says, "I would like to issue an apology for the comments I made on Fox and Friends. My intent was to be humorous and not offensive.

"I have nothing but love and respect for Latina women and women in general of all cultural backgrounds."

And he hopes the ensuing controversy will not overshadow the charity he was trying to highlight during the TV appearance.

He adds, "What saddens me most is that it took away from the issue of Hunger in America, for which I was on the show to begin with.

"I work in a pantry in Venice, California with a Hispanic woman named Delpia (who has been feeding people at St. Joseph's Center for 29 years) and she is my personal hero. Having been raised in Los Angeles I have grown up with a deep and profound love for the Latino culture."