Steve Rannazzisi: Comedian Admits He Lied About 9/11 Escape, Gets Blasted On Social Media [VIDEO]
Steve Rannazzisi, who is best known for portraying Kevin on FX's The League has come under fire today after admitting his previous accounts of being at the World Trade Center on 9/11 and surviving the attacks were all fabricated.
Rannazzisi has previously recounted a story for years about how he worked for Merrill Lynch in the south tower and was there the day the attacks occurred, claiming he had walked outside after watching a plane strike the north tower from his office on the 54th floor. He also claimed his now wife and then girlfriend was also scheduled to work on the 24th floor that day but never made it due to traffic. He credited their decision to move to Los Angeles-which helped him find his fame-with their surviving that day.
However, he has since recounted his story and admitted he worked in Midtown-and his wife was a temp at the nearby World Financial Center.
Rannazzisi has since taken to social media to apologize for his actions.
As a young man, I made a mistake that I deeply regret and for which apologies may still not be enough.
— Stephen Rannazzisi (@SteveRannazzisi) September 16, 2015
After I moved with my wife to Los Angeles from New York City in 2001 shortly after 9/11, I told people that I was in one of the World Trade — Stephen Rannazzisi (@SteveRannazzisi) September 16, 2015
Center towers on 9/11. It wasn’t true. I was in Manhattan but working in a building in midtown and I was not at the Trade Center on that day
— Stephen Rannazzisi (@SteveRannazzisi) September 16, 2015
I don’t know why I said this. This was inexcusable. I am truly, truly sorry. For many years, more than anything, I have wished that, with — Stephen Rannazzisi (@SteveRannazzisi) September 16, 2015
silence, I could somehow erase a story told by an immature young man.It only made me more ashamed. How could I tell my children to be honest — Stephen Rannazzisi (@SteveRannazzisi) September 16, 2015
when I hadn't come clean about this? — Stephen Rannazzisi (@SteveRannazzisi) September 16, 2015
it is to the victims of 9/11 and to the people that love them--and the people that love me--that I ask for forgiveness.
— Stephen Rannazzisi (@SteveRannazzisi) September 16, 2015
It was profoundly disrespectful to those who perished and those who lost loved ones. The stupidity and guilt I have felt for many years has — Stephen Rannazzisi (@SteveRannazzisi) September 16, 2015
not abated. It was an early taste of having a public persona, and I made a terrible mistake. — Stephen Rannazzisi (@SteveRannazzisi) September 16, 2015
However, his situation was later made worse when he was called out by SNL's Pete Davidson, who's father did die in the attacks, on Twitter-mistakenly believing Davidson was expressing sympathy towards him for the backlash.
It's ok @SteveRannazzisi people make mistakes ... Can't wait to meet my dad for lunch later
— Pete Davidson (@petedavidson) September 16, 2015
"I think you missed the point," Davidson replied when Rannazzisi said he appreciated his comments.
I think you missed the point ... https://t.co/Fk9imfD6ut — Pete Davidson (@petedavidson) September 16, 2015
However, Davidson has since also encouraged others to be less harsh on The League star, saying he reached out to him personally and apologized.
All kidding aside this @SteveRannazzisi story sucks because he's actually a funny comic and I love The League. It's fucked up
— Pete Davidson (@petedavidson) September 16, 2015
Take it easy on @SteveRannazzisi ... He reached out to me and is truly sorry. We all sometimes lie and exaggerate a story to seem cooler ... — Pete Davidson (@petedavidson) September 16, 2015
..Unfortunately this is a very touchy topic n very near n dear 2 peoples hearts.Its years later but he apologized n owned up 2 it like a man
— Pete Davidson (@petedavidson) September 16, 2015