Shaun White apologizes to Special Olympians over ‘Simple Jack’ Halloween costume
By Edmund DeMarche | Fox News
Three-time Olympic gold medalist Shaun White apologized on Tuesday to Special Olympians over his decision to post a picture of himself dressed up for Halloween as the character 'Simple Jack’ from the 2008 movie ‘Tropic Thunder.’
'Simple Jack' was a character in the movie who was mentally challenged.
White, 32, faced social media backlash and posted his apology on Twitter. He called the selection a poor choice.
"It was a last minute decision," he posted. "It was the wrong one. The Special Olympics were right to call me out on it. They do great work supporting so many tremendous athletes and I am sorry for being insensitive. Lesson learned."
A spokesman for the Special Olympics told TMZ in a statement that the organization was disappointed that White would choose the outfit that “causes so much pain.”
White has since deleted the Instagram post, but not before The Huffington Post took a screenshot of the picture.
‘Simple Jack’ was a character in the movie ‘Tropic Thunder.’ Ben Stiller played a fading action star ‘Tugg Speedman,’ who made an attempt at a more serious role ‘Simple Jack,’ which was widely mocked in the film.
The Special Olympics, at the time, called for people to avoid the movie over the role, People reported.
Ben Stiller says he apologized for ‘Simple Jack,’ stands by Shaun White
By Stephen Sorace | Fox News
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Ben Stiller on Tuesday said that he stands by his apology for portraying Simple Jack, a mentally-challenged character from the 2008 movie "Tropic Thunder," a day after three-time Olympic gold medalist Shaun White apologized for dressing up as the character for Halloween.
Stiller, who directed and starred in the movie, addressed the issue on social media. He said he apologized when the movie was first released and “boycotted” by groups who deemed it offensive.
“Actually Tropic Thunder was boycotted 10 years ago when it came out, and I apologized then,” the 52-year-old actor wrote. “It was always meant to make fun of actors trying to do anything to win awards.”
Disability groups at the time had come out against the movie, calling the Simple Jack character offensive and tasteless, TMZ reported.
“I stand by my apology, the movie, Shaun White, And the great people and work of the @SpecialOlympics,” Stiller wrote.
White, 32, posted an apology on Twitter. He called his selection a poor choice.
"It was a last minute decision," he posted. "It was the wrong one. The Special Olympics were right to call me out on it. They do great work supporting so many tremendous athletes and I am sorry for being insensitive. Lesson learned."
