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 Engine8

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It ain't libel or slander if it's true. Grow the hell up Hollywood. Live in real life and not reality TV.

By JT

My problem with this article is, the line

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

REALLY? this guy is a "celebrity Expert"???? What kind of job is that?

By CLB

Exactly-I think it's known from his own pictures that they were quite drunk, but now we must look to the likes of Perez Hilton and Cooper Lawrence to tell us what we can say or not say.

By sundog410

I agree with Roger, and he shouldn't back down. Dunn tweeted a photo of him and his buddies drinking shortly before the wreck, and if he wasn't totally drunk he was impaired. Also, he went through a guard rail, so his car was traveling at excessive speeds. I'm just glad that he didn't hit another vehicle and kill some innocent people.

By darcy

I think what Mr. Ebert said was insensitive, but after what he has gone thru trying to live, he might have been angry at what he thought was someone seemingly throwing away their life and the life of a friend.

By Elizabeth

While it is sad for the families it doesn't make Ebert wrong. Whether you have one drink or 10 your impaired and if his friends were truly friends they would have stopped him from getting behind the wheel. Having died does not make your wrongs suddenly right and had they lived they would still be just as wrong for drinking and driving. Losing a loved one is unthinkable and horrible but this could have been prevented. Hopefully it helps to teach others.

By rose

They say we die the same way we lived. I believe it.

By GR

Actions can have consequences. Sad as this is HE decided to drink and drive and take another person with him. Glad no more innocent people were involved. My sympathy to their families and friends. So unnecessary.

By muttley

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I am sure he never did any drinking and driving..being in the industry during the 80's....His condition can be brought on by a constant exposure to tobacco and alcohol mix..hmmm?
Screw you hypocrite
RIP Ryan..

By layla

When you drive drunk you put everyone, including yourself, at risk. Thousands of innocent drivers and pedestrians are killed every year because of an idiot a** drunk driver. Ironically, the drunk driver usually survives the incident. As harsh as the truth is, Roger Ebert was correct in his statement. Glad no innocent bystanders were hurt.

By Carole

All the so-called friends who were there partying with him, allowing him to drive off and crying hysterically now should be the ones taking the heat, not Roger. Shame on all of you who were there and didn't stop him from driving. All your "boo-hoo's" aren't going to take away the guilt you feel.

By hey bert and ho

it can be summed up simply.... you live by the sword you die by the sword.... simple. that's exactly what i told all of my teenage boys this morning. it IS sad that people obviously watched him walk out and get into his car like that.

By Anne

Oh, please, Ebert was just talking the truth. Sorry for the guy's death, but HE BROUGHT IT ON HIMSELF AND KILLED A FRIEND........ Ebert shouldn't apologize for anything.

AND YES, friends shouldn't let friends drink and drive. Obviously he either didn't have any real friends that night, or they were also equally wasted.

By RT

They were shameful. And mean-spirited and stupid. But it's Twitter. It's a device tailor-made for mouths whose brains haven't engaged. I mean, rilly people, haven't any of you heard that sometimes a thought is better left unexpressed? How many times are we going to read about some yoyo making a hotheaded,impolitic remark and then having to publicly apologize to Ukranians or the Pope or his mom or his parole officer, before we all realize that Twitter is a moronic utensil and stop using it?

By dagger

when u look like a mutant u prob shouldnt say anythng

By Maria Victoria

I personally don't feel that what he said was so horrible as well. What happen was sad and tragic but I don't feel this should of been so blown out there and he is entitled to feel anyway he wants. It may not be nice or right but everyone will have something to say about everything that happens now a days.

By Jem

Two words, Truth Hurts!

Wednesday 22 June

By Tim

Ole Halloween mask face Roger Ebert needs to shut his mouth. He is an alcoholic and a dry drunk. He is an insensitive @ss. You may think that Dunn is an idiot for driving "while intoxicated",which we don't know because humans LOSE alcohol in their system hours AFTER drinking, but remember that he has parents, siblings spouse family & friends who love him. To the people who are ripping into him, I sincerely hope that people do the same to you when you die.

By ri lady

what the HELL is wrong with his mouth he looks ridiclious !!!!

By mhdjl

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If you would actually read the article, you would know that he has undergone numerous surgeries, including having his jaw removed, because of cancer.

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