Roger Ebert Slams as MTV, 'Jackass' Crew Pay Tribute to Ryan Dunn
While MTV and Jackass crew was paying tribute to their crew member Ryan Dunn, legendary film critic Roger Ebert slammed Dunn for his drunken driving that may have caused the tragic death of Dunn.
Dunn passed away early Monday due to injuries sustained in a fatal car crash in Pennsylvania.
During the crash, Dunn's 2007 Porsche 911 GT3 went off a road, crashed in to woods and caught fire. According to police, the accident occurred at 3 a.m. on Route 322 and New Street in West Goshen Township.
A 30-year old passenger, who was later identified as Zachary Hartwell of West Chester, also died in the accident. Hartwell was working as a production assistant on the movie Jackass Number Two.
Dunn, who was identified after the crash through his tattoos and facial hair, posted a photo on Twitter hours before his death in which he was drinking with his friends in a bar, TMZ reported.
This report fueled speculation that the terrific accident was due to Dunn being drunk.
Ebert, who is the first film critic to win a Pulitzer Prize for Criticism, tweeted Friends don't let Jackasses drink and drive.
The tweet irked a controversy among Dunn's friends, fans and well-wishers, saying Ebert has no right to speak bad about a person who has died just hours before.
Dunn's long-time friend Bam Margera blasted Eger through the same mode -- Twitter. Margera tweeted: About a jackass drunk driving and his is one, f**k you! Millions of people are crying right now, shut your fat f**king mouth!
He further tweeted: I just lost my best friend, I have been crying hysterical for a full day and piece of s**t roger ebert has the gall to put in his 2 cents
Meanwhile, Jackass crew expressed their grief by issuing the following statement:
I don't really know what to say right now everybody because the sadness is overwhelming, but today we lost one of our own. Our brother Ryan Dunn has passed. He died in a car wreck in West Goshen, Pennsylvania, this morning at 3:00am. Goddamn that's tough to write.
As we get more info we will let you know, but right now our hearts go out to his family and to his beloved Angie. Ryan will be missed and remembered by us all. Thanks for the kind words of support everybody.
In a tweet, fellow prankster Johnny Knoxville said, RIP Ryan, I love you buddy.
Friends and near and dears also paid tribute to the daredevil. Reality-TV star Tom Green wrote Just heard that Ryan Dunn from Jackass died last night in a car wreck. Rest In Peace Ryan,
Motocross racer Carey Hart remembered Dunn, writing, You were an amazing guy and you were cut way too short. Enjoyed the times we had. My heart goes out to his family and friends.
Dunn's fans also expressed their grief on MTV.com, saying We will never forget all the laughs you gave us and Rest in peace, bro. You're pranking God now, that lucky bastard.
We are devastated by the tragic loss of Ryan Dunn - a beloved member of the MTV family for more than a decade, Van Toffler, president of MTV Networks Music/Film Group, said in a statement. He made us all laugh and had the tireless enthusiastic approach to life of your favorite middle school friend. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Ryan's family and friends. The Jackass brotherhood will never be the same.
Dunn, who was born in Medina, Ohio, moved to West Chester, Pennsylvania, in his early teens. Dunn was known for his dangerous antics and practical jokes in MTV's Jackass series and movies with his long-time friend Bam Margera.
He got to fame while appearing in videos alongside his friends in the Camp Kill Yourself(CKY) Crew.
The CKY videos caught the eye of Johnny Knoxville, a like-minded prankster who became the Jackass frontman and asked to include CKY clips and new footage featuring them on Jackass, which had its premiere on MTV in 2000.
Last year, Jackass 3D proved to be a box-office superhit, generating $50 million in its first week. Meanwhile, Jackass 3.5: The Unrated Movie just hit stores last week.
Dunn, among others, is survived by his parents, Ronald Dunn and Linda Piscitello, fiancé Lynn Dunn, and sister Angela Cuturic.
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