Comedian Kevin Brennan sparked online outrage after laughing at the death of Friends star Matthew Perry.
Brennan, a former SNL writer and the estranged brother of Chappelle’s Show co-creator Neal Brennan, posted a link on X to a TMZ story about Perry’s death at the age of 54 with the caption: “DROWNED IN A HOT TUB. HAHAHAHA.”
He later shared another link to a separate TMZ article about his mocking post, claiming: “I didn’t mock it. I just thought it was funny. But I do love it when junkies die.” Brennan also replied to someone asking why “is drowning in a hot tub funny,” answering: “Because it’s not very deep.”
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According to reports, paramedics were called to Perry’s Pacific Palisades home on Saturday and found the actor unresponsive in a hot tub. He was pronounced dead at the scene. No cause of death has yet been determined, with the Los Angeles County coroner’s office now investigating.
Los Angeles Police Capt. Scot Williams said Sunday that the cause of Perry’s death may not be established for “some time, but at this point foul play is not suspected.” Perry had been open about his decades-long struggles with addiction to alcohol and other substances and said he wished to be principally remembered as someone who helped other addicts. Law enforcement sources told the Los Angeles Times that no illicit drugs were found in Perry’s home at the time of his death.
X users were predictably incensed by Brennan’s callous comments, which came amid a massive outpouring of grief from Perry’s colleagues, friends, and fans around the world. “Disgusting,” one person replied to Brennan’s laughing post. “Imagine having to write something negative about someone of significance just to feel relevant,” another added. Others described Brennan as “sick,” “gross,” and “tacky.”
Brennan worked as a writer and correspondent on SNL’s “Weekend Update” between 1999 and 2000. He was in contention to be an anchor following Colin Quinn’s departure from the desk in 2000 but was ultimately “passed over,” according to Vulture, and he did not return as a writer for the show the following season.
“We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of our beloved son and brother,” Perry’s family said in a statement after his death. “Matthew brought so much joy to the world, both as an actor and a friend. You all meant so much to him and we appreciate the tremendous outpouring of love.”
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