Steve Rannazzisi (the league) lied about being in the twin towers

[outbreak]

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/17/arts/television/steve-rannazzisi-comedian-who-told-of-9-11-escape-admits-he-lied.html?_r=0

His story had been that he was working in one of the towers when it was hit and that's what made him quit and become a comedian now he's admitted he made it up.

[Levity]

i was wondering when this would come up on here.

from what i heard, Buffalo Wild Wings ended their ties with him (he was the new commercial spokesperson), and The League is on hiatus now. Not sure if the latter is true, but dude could be fcked when it comes to networks.

[L.Kizzle]

He lost sponsors over a joke?

[outbreak]

He lost sponsors over a joke?

It wasn't a joke. It was before he got famous he started telling that story as how he got in to comedy, repeated it a bunch of times and got headlines for it as an up and comer.

[L.Kizzle]

Comedians make up stories all the time, why is he getting called out on it?

[outbreak]

Comedians make up stories all the time, why is he getting called out on it?

Say you are a used car salesman, you work with a guy who tells you stories about how he was working in one of the towers when it collapsed and survived 9/11. Then you find out years later he was bullshitting and making it up the whole time. How would you feel?

It's not something that's cool to lie about, it's like people lieing about military service. It's not a white lie like making up where you went to college it's offensive to the people who actually went through those events and I'm not even American.

You still seem to think he said it like a joking story kind of thing which isn't the case, he gave dramatic interviews about it and how it changed his life this wasn't a bit.

To be fair to him he did it when he was younger but it's still stupid and people have a right to be offended by it.

[Lebron23]

He's getting roasted on IMDB.

[L.Kizzle]

Say you are a used car salesman, you work with a guy who tells you stories about how he was working in one of the towers when it collapsed and survived 9/11. Then you find out years later he was bullshitting and making it up the whole time. How would you feel?

It's not something that's cool to lie about, it's like people lieing about military service. It's not a white lie like making up where you went to college it's offensive to the people who actually went through those events and I'm not even American.
He's a comedian. He's not lying on a job application or something. Are you a convicted felon? No.

How is making up going to college a white lie?

[Levity]

Comedians make up stories all the time, why is he getting called out on it?

most celebrities will be called out on lies by the media when caught. its the nature of the business. And im sure more than half the country doesnt give a shit about this, let alone, know who he is.

but he has a following back east, where hes from, and theres no doubt that a majority of the hate is coming from there. Especially NY natives.

also, he wasnt a comedian before all this. he was a 9-5 dude. used this as an excuse to move to hollywood and change his life. just speculating, but id imagine he went into auditions with that tall tale, and got the part because of it.

[outbreak]

He's a comedian. He's not lying on a job application or something. Are you a convicted felon? No.

How is making up going to college a white lie?

He used a fabricated story about being in a disaster to get media attention to further his entertainment career. Early in his career he was "the guy who survived 9/11". For an entertainer lying about where you attended college/home town/age/name those aren't a big deal but claiming you were involved in a tragic event that affected the lives of so many people is a low move.

[L.Kizzle]

most celebrities will be called out on lies by the media when caught. its the nature of the business. And im sure more than half the country doesnt give a shit about this, let alone, know who he is.

but he has a following back east, where hes from, and theres no doubt that a majority of the hate is coming from there. Especially NY natives.
True, but a comic lie told on stage to try and make people laugh is totally different.

Comic: "Hey everybody, this happened when I was 21 and that happen once when I was in Chicago."

Different from say, a movie star being interviewed by whoever does interviews, Bob Costas, Gerlado, Oprah, whoever.

Interviewer to movie star: "Where did you grow up? Where did you got to college at? ect?

I grew up in Compton and went to Yale, or some shit. In reality, didn't grow up in Compton and didn't even graduate high school. Living a different personality from who the public sees.

[outbreak]

True, but a comic lie told on stage to try and make people laugh is totally different.

Comic: "Hey everybody, this happened when I was 21 and that happen once when I was in Chicago."

Different from say, a movie star being interviewed by whoever does interviews, Bob Costas, Gerlado, Oprah, whoever.

Interviewer to movie star: "Where did you grow up? Where did you got to college at? ect?

I grew up in Compton and went to Yale, or some shit. In reality, didn't grow up in Compton and didn't even graduate high school. Living a different personality from who the public sees.

Don't understand this.

This wasn't a lie told on stage this was his thing, he gave multiple interviews talking about the events of the day and how he escaped. There's creating a persona and then there's exploiting a tragedy. You don't cross that line.

[L.Kizzle]

He used a fabricated story about being in a disaster to get media attention to further his entertainment career. Early in his career he was "the guy who survived 9/11". For an entertainer lying about where you attended college/home town/age/name those aren't a big deal but claiming you were involved in a tragic event that affected the lives of so many people is a low move.
So he got famous of hos 9/11 bit? I don't know who the hell he is, so just asking?

Now if that's what made him famous, than yeah I can see that. And if that's his claim to fame as "the guy who survived 9/11" than yeah, that's pretty bad.

[outbreak]

So he got famous of hos 9/11 bit? I don't know who the hell he is, so just asking?

Now if that's what made him famous, than yeah I can see that. And if that's his claim to fame as "the guy who survived 9/11" than yeah, that's pretty bad.

His biggest role is as one of the leads on the league (first few seasons were great then it went downhill) but early on he got roles and publicity because he told his dramatic story of how he narrowly escaped working in one of the towers when it collapsed and how his girlfriend worked there too but luckily was late to work that day. Early on that's what got him headlines. I don't know if he ever told it as a bit I only ever heard him talk about it interviews he gave. It's not him working it in to his material to make people laugh it's a dramatic back story he'd give in interviews, he got famous for comedy acting not his stand up.

[L.Kizzle]

His biggest role is as one of the leads on the league (first few seasons were great then it went downhill) but early on he got roles and publicity because he told his dramatic story of how he narrowly escaped working in one of the towers when it collapsed and how his girlfriend worked there too but luckily was late to work that day. Early on that's what got him headlines. I don't know if he ever told it as a bit I only ever heard him talk about it interviews he gave. It's not him working it in to his material to make people laugh it's a dramatic back story he'd give in interviews, he got famous for comedy acting not his stand up.
Yeah, that's totally different. I thought it was just some bit he told on stage. But he seems to be milking it every chance he got.

[warriorfan]

What a loser

[outbreak]

Yeah, that's totally different. I thought it was just some bit he told on stage. But he seems to be milking it every chance he got.

He didn't come clean until caught as well, if he really regretted it getting out like he claims now when it was bought up in the early days he should have just said he may have exaggerated the story a little and left it at that. It was only after people contacted the firm he claimed to work for that he's now come out and said he was lying.

[L.Kizzle]

He didn't come clean until caught as well, if he really regretted it getting out like he claims now when it was bought up in the early days he should have just said he may have exaggerated the story a little and left it at that. It was only after people contacted the firm he claimed to work for that he's now come out and said he was lying.
Boys doing background search on a comedian.

[outbreak]

Boys doing background search on a comedian.
i imagine it'd start when someone who actually worked for the firm he claimed to work for and actually lived through the event notified someone that he's lying.

[SugarHill]

this dude told a lie he feels ashamed of so let's destroy his career. marky mark literally beat minorities so give him more blockbusters

[BigNBAfan]

according to his wiki he lied about going to uni too

[warriorfan]

dudes gonna need to pull some buffalo wild wings shit next time he is being asked questions about 911 the fire alarms gonna go off and he's gonna dip out

[KNOW1EDGE]

L Kizzle are you really THAT dense?

And I love the League and his character in it, but what a fuhcking loser :lol and he's not sorry he did it, he's sorry he got caught

[Patrick Chewing]

Comedians make up stories all the time, why is he getting called out on it?


Brian Williams ring a bell?

[Coach Eddie]

There aren't many lies worse than that.

[KNOW1EDGE]

Who f*cking cares?

A lot of victims of 9/11 and their families.

And probably a lot of aspiring actors who don't make up stories to get jobs.

Is that good enough for you?

[Patrick Chewing]

Who f*cking cares?


People who are not narcissists.

[rezznor]

it's the same thing as buying some medals at a pawn shop and then telling everyone you were a war hero to get sympathy and recognition you did not deserve. people hate that shit.

[Mike Armstrong]

it's the same thing as buying some medals at a pawn shop and then telling everyone you were a war hero to get sympathy and recognition you did not deserve. people hate that shit.
Yarp.

[BigNBAfan]

The majority of people lie to get jobs.

Actors don't audition by telling casting agents about rough times in their life.

Him lying does nothing to affect other people's suffering.

Stop being a baby.

Is that good enough for you?

He sucked before this news and he sucks now. Cry me a river.



The only people who care about this are asshats. Go worry about something worthwhile. Him being a shitty person doesn't affect me, or you, or most people on the planet.

Yes, but when you decide you want to be an actor you understand that your past can come back and haunt you. Whether it's porn or crime, you expect it to happen... this just happens to be a MAJOR **** up on his part. He knew the risks he took, unfortunately this one ended up biting him in the ass.

Based off of his wiki it looks like he's a serial liar anyways, **** em.

[Coach Eddie]

Yes, but when you decide you want to be an actor you understand that your past can come back and haunt you. Whether it's porn or crime, you expect it to happen... this just happens to be a MAJOR **** up on his part. He knew the risks he took, unfortunately this one ended up biting him in the ass.

Based off of his wiki it looks like he's a serial liar anyways, **** em.

His website even lists the wrong college. He has a college listed that is more known for performing arts.

[KNOW1EDGE]

It's a fact that victims of 9/11 and their families are offended by this. They have stated this.

I know that doesn't support your opinion that "the only people who care about this are asshats" -but it's reality

And none of us give a fuhck, it's not hurting us, we are simply commenting on it in a thread intended for people to do so.

[Smoke117]

Why would you admit this at this point when you have become successful in your career? This is one of those things you admit 25 years later if your conscience needs you to...not when you are in the prime of your success. :facepalm

[KevinNYC]

Why would you admit this at this point when you have become successful in your career? This is one of those things you admit 25 years later if your conscience needs you to...not when you are in the prime of your success. :facepalm
He admitted it because he was found out.

[Goro]

What a shit bag.

[Goro]

Why would you admit this at this point when you have become successful in your career? This is one of those things you admit 25 years later if your conscience needs you to...not when you are in the prime of your success. :facepalm

As already pointed out, he admitted it after getting caught. He is the Lance Armstrong of comedians.

[ZeN]

Who f*cking cares?
I don't really care about it myself. However it became a bigger thing when he got tweets from Pete Davidson the comedian who lost his dad on 9-11.

[ZeN]

Why would you admit this at this point when you have become successful in your career? This is one of those things you admit 25 years later if your conscience needs you to...not when you are in the prime of your success. :facepalm
He didn't outright admit to it. People listening to his story started fact checking and getting all pissed that the details weren't adding up. Comedian stalker types.

[ZeN]

The majority of people lie to get jobs.

Actors don't audition by telling casting agents about rough times in their life.

Him lying does nothing to affect other people's suffering.

Stop being a baby.

Is that good enough for you?

He sucked before this news and he sucks now. Cry me a river.



The only people who care about this are asshats. Go worry about something worthwhile. Him being a shitty person doesn't affect me, or you, or most people on the planet.
Chill out bro. You're too young to be seeking a stroke...

[NumberSix]

Is it possible that he actually was in the towers, but now he's claiming he wasn't because he was part of the inside job (possibly planting explosives) but now that he's worried about being exposed for his part in the inside job that he's now claiming he was never there at all?


#NailedIt

[ZeN]

Is it possible that he actually was in the towers, but now he's claiming he wasn't because he was part of the inside job (possibly planting explosives) but now that he's worried about being exposed for his part in the inside job that he's now claiming he was never there at all?


#NailedIt
1. Help bring down towers
2. Get illuminati to help career
3. ?????
4. Success

[Dr Seuss]

I always thought he was lying. because i dont remember seeing him when i was evacuating the tower

[Thorpesaurous]

On Opie and Jimmy they played the interview he did with Marc Maron on WTF, and it is a little troubling to listen to after the fact. It's a really detailed story, and just sounds crazy when you hear him say it knowing it's all false. Apparently his gf at the time did work in the towers, and wound up missing it because she was running late, but has some crazy story about being stuck in the subway for some long period of time. It seems his story sort of popped out of an imagination of her story. Which isn't that crazy. People will sometimes turn stories into first person just because they're easier to tell and have more impact, especially when you tell stories for a living. But it still sounds super creepy when you listen to it after the fact.


This documentary is a crazy watch. The Woman Who Wasn't There.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2114490/



A psychological suspense thriller about The World Trade Center Survivors' Network and their former President, Tania Head. After meeting Director Angelo J. Guglielmo, Jr., Head commissioned a documentary based on her work with the Survivors' Network. Filming began and the world's most famous 9/11 survivor told her story with spellbinding intensity. There was only one problem: Tania Head was never in the Twin Towers and her epic story of grief was a complete fabrication.

[dunksby]

Just Googled him, dude looks like a total douche.

[outbreak]

Watched the first three episodes of season 3 of the league yesterday that show just isn't funny anymore either. Hasn't been for 2 seasons now so dunno why i still watch it

[UK2K]

He lost sponsors over a joke?

Not a joke, at all.

Same thing in the military, with stolen valor. Its such a serious issue...

The Stolen Valor Act of 2013 amends the federal criminal code to rewrite provisions relating to fraudulent claims about military service to subject to a fine, imprisonment for not more than one year, or both an individual who, with intent to obtain money, property, or other tangible benefit, fraudulently holds himself or herself out to be a recipient of:

a Medal of Honor (Army, Navy, Air Force)
a Distinguished Service Cross,
a Navy Cross,
an Air Force Cross,
a Silver Star,
a Purple Heart,
a Combat Infantryman's Badge,
a Combat Action Badge,
a Combat Medical Badge,
a Combat Action Ribbon,
a Combat Action Medal, or
any replacement or duplicate medal for such medal as authorized by law.

Lying to make yourself seem cooler than you really are is not a joke. Its a disgrace to the people who were really there.

[Lebron23]

Just Googled him, dude looks like a total douche.


I recognized him in the movie Paul Blurt Mall Cop.