Expert: Roger Ebert's Own Ailments May Have Desensitized Him

By Jo Piazza Posted Jun 21st 2011 10:34PM

Roger Ebert's own battle with a life-threatening disease may have desensitized him to the pain of others, psychologists tell PopEater a day after the famed film critic came under fire for a comment about the death of 'Jackass' star Ryan Dunn.

"People who have survived numerous hardships and tragedies as Roger has, often times are either extremely sensitive to the pain and tragedy of others, or can become hardened to the pain of life including the pain of others," explains clinical psychologist Dr. Jeffrey Gardere. "Roger Ebert has stared down death and pain and may now have a more tough-as-nails, survivor approach to life."

In his battle with cancer, Ebert has been through a series of surgeries, first to remove his malignant thyroid in 2002, then his salivary glands in 2003 and his jaw in 2006. He is clearly no stranger to adversity and he has looked death in the face on numerous occasions. That, Gardere tells us, could be the reason he lacked a sensitivity switch this week when discussing the death of Ryan Dunn.

Hours after Dunn was killed in a car accident, Ebert posted the news of his death, followed by "Friends don't let jackasses drink and drive."

The Internet responded with a collective "Ouch!" and reaction from fans and critics was immediate and harsh.

Dunn's 'Jackass' co-star Bam Margera called Ebert a "piece of sh*t" and the blogger Perez Hilton lambasted his insensitivity. One comment on his Facebook page read: "Mr. Ebert, your comments yesterday showed a true lack of tact and your inability to relate with the human race. I cannot believe you would, within 24 hours of the incident and before an autopsy, make such a deep and hurtful remark."

Celebrity expert Cooper Lawrence of the Scott & Todd show on PLJ told us that Ebert's remarks were positively shameful.

"Completely insensitive! Even if he feels that way, where is his compassion? Why would you do that moments after the person dies? He's had his own personal tragedy you would think he would know to use discretion before saying anything that would further hurt those who loved Ryan Dunn," Lawrence told us. "More importantly, it was NOT his place to weigh in. Just because you critique someone's work does not give you the right to publicly critique their death."

Many other reactions were unprintable, even by 'Jackass' standards.

The film critic backpedaled on Tuesday afternoon, writing on his Chicago Sun-Times blog: "I have no way of knowing if Ryan Dunn was drunk at the time of his death. I don't know what happened in this case, and I was probably too quick to Tweet."

Crisis managers say that Ebert is doing the right thing, but there is more to be done.

"He seems to be backing away from it already by saying he tweeted to soon. Ebert should apologize for being flip and insensitive about the breaking news. It was a terrible accident and this didn't make it any better," Public Relations executive and crisis guru Scott Tangney of Makovsky and Company tells us. "There is a time and a place for delivering a message. Thoughtfulness counts in these matters."

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Tags: Roger Ebert, Ryan Dunn, Twitter

Comments

(91)

Tuesday 21 June

By ang

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Know it all, why don't you read the dam articles about his death!!! Every witnessed report regarding the night of his death states that he was drinking beers and taking shots within the last four hours before he got into his car. I don't think anybody needs to do an autopsy to know that that equals drunk. There is a reason that they tell you not to drink alcohol then drive. This is a prime example. Death is sad yes, but don't do stupid things. IDIOT!

By Jam

He tweeted a photo of himself drinking a couple of hours before he died. That's the first clue that he was drunk. Second clue is it was 3:00 am and he'd been drinking for hours. Final clue, he totalled his car and killed 2 people. He was drunk. Don't be a fool and defend this guy.

By lynnie

Ebert has spent years trying to live, and that stupid idiot seemed to be trying to die. I understand Ebert's feelings.

By Rachel Robertson

Ebert was insensitive?! What about the jerks who let that drunk get behind the wheel when he was obviously impaired? It's lucky he only took one other person with him to the great beyond. What if he'd hit another car or someone's house or something. It may be hard for Dunn's friends to face their idiocy, but that doesn't make Ebert wrong.

By dhughes1432

I agree. Didn't this club have bouncers, doormen, someone that would have noticed he was sloshed? I think club owners should be partially responsible when something like this occurs.

By llh748

I DONT THINK WHAT ROGER SAID WAS ALL THAT BAD CONSIDERING THE DEAD GUY DRANK AND DROVE. HOW EVIL!

By debbie

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you say about the so called surgerys ebert had that made him look the way he does well i think he had 1 to many plastic surgerys

By the yapper

Debbie...you're an idiot!!!

By John

Yes, Debbie, embrace it: you are an idiot.

By Carole

Yes Debbie - you are an idiot, nor do you know how to spell. It's surgeries, not surgerys.

By Sue

Wow, I'd say spelling correctly was the least of Debbie's problems.

By francina

The problem with the sensitivity police is that there's never a good time to say painful truths. That was certainly the case after 9/11 and it's the case now. If alcohol was a factor in this accident, then saying so is just stating the truth. And maybe, just maybe, speaking the truth will hit home with someone and end up saving a life.
Sometimes the truth hurts, but it also saves and liberates.
I respect Ebert's honesty and integrity.

By lk

Nice no chin and deformed neck Ebert.

lk...you're cruel and stupid. Ebert is truthful and decent.

By laura

there's no reason to be cruel or mock someone for a life threatening illness. you would probably benefit from some intensive psychotherapy.

By Brian

... the result for cancer surgery - now who is the insensitive a**?

Really? Bet your mother is SO proud of you.

I like your hide nothing turtlenecks ebert.

By aria

I saw Roger as being angry at the senseless loss of two lives. Anger for the pain of families and loved ones left behind because of irrresponsible actions. My brother got behind the wheel of a car drunk and died along with his girlfriend, a mother of a two year old boy whose life was torn apart. I still cry for that little boy who is grown now but he's had a hard life. Roger is right. It's a senseless tragedy that didn't have to happen. Don't let your friends get in a car if they're drunk. Take their keys and call a cab.

If Ebert had said what you wish he had said he wouldn't be taking the heat right now, and now you are trying to back pedal for him.

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