Jamie Kennedy ‘devastated’ by Kirk's killing, calls outrage over Kimmel's suspension hypocritical
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Actor and comedian Jamie Kennedy said he was "completely devastated" by the killing of Charlie Kirk.
He also told Fox News Digital that he was shaken by both Kirk’s untimely death and the online reactions. Kennedy described the tragedy and the public’s response as deeply unsettling.
The 'Hate to Break It to Ya' podcast host also shared his views with the outlet on the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show and the resulting outrage.
Jamie Kennedy reflects on conservative firebrand Charlie Kirk’s untimely death
The 'Scream' and 'Son of the Mask' actor shared, "I've never been so sad and so mad about someone that I never met. And I was completely, I was just completely devastated by this."
The comedian revealed he was stunned not just by the killing of Kirk on September 10 at Utah Valley University, but also by the reactions of those who celebrated it.
"And then just to see (the killing) was just, you know, it was beyond shocking. So, that was one level. And then to see people's reactions to it was just, it was just beyond sick. It was just beyond evil, sick, disgusting, and that really messed me up," he said.
He struggled to understand how such violence could occur during a free speech event.
"Why? Why did this happen? Like, where are we at? If you go onto a college campus, right, a place that's supposed to be the epitome of open ideas, OK? And then you go there, and then you're gunned down for a speech," Kennedy said.
"But then to see people celebrating it, that's just a new low. And I don't remember seeing this in my 55 years. So, it changed me because I don't want to be around anybody like that," he added. "I don't want to be near anybody like that. I want to be in my own area with people that share my ideas, my values, and let people that share those ideas and those values over there."
Jamie Kennedy calls Erika Kirk the 'living embodiment of Jesus' message'
He also commended the Turning Point USA founder's wife, Erika Kirk, for showing strength and forgiveness in the face of her husband’s murder.
"When his wife forgave the murderer, she is literally the living embodiment of Jesus' message. That was the ultimate forgiveness. I couldn't believe that she did that," he expressed. "It was the most beautiful act of forgiveness we've ever witnessed."
Jamie Kennedy on the Jimmy Kimmel suspension debate
The 'Malibu’s Most Wanted' actor also commented on late-night host Jimmy Kimmel's show being briefly suspended over remarks about Charlie Kirk's suspected shooter.
Kennedy said Kimmel’s temporary suspension was fair and shared his perspective.
"It's like, ‘Yo, something horrific happened,'" he said. "'There’s 1 trillion things you can joke about. Maybe just not joke about this right now.’ A comedian's No. 1 thing to do is what? Read the room. The second one is to point out hypocrisies."
He continued, "No one wanted to hear any jokes about that. I still don't. OK? It was just terrible to do, OK? Should a person be canceled for a joke? Obviously not. But here's the thing: The hypocrisy looms large."
Kennedy further pointed out that Kimmel received a slap on the wrist compared to other hosts.
"Roseanne was on the same network, a comedic icon and a female. So, you get your female, you get your comedic icon on the No. 1 show, 18 million viewers. Canceled for a tweet. She was banished... banished to her macadamia nut farm in Hawaii, like gone. Never reconsidered."
He added, "Gina Carano, in the same company-gone, thrown out for a tweet. So, no, the hypocrisy is ridiculous."
