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An in-joke, also known as an inside joke or in joke, is a joke whose humour is clear only to people who are in a particular social group, occupation, or other community of common understanding. It is an esoteric joke which is humorous only to those who know the situation behind it.
In-jokes may exist within a small social clique, such as a group of friends, or extend to an entire profession such as the film or professional wrestling industries, or a particular sporting endeavour.
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In-jokes are cryptic allusions to shared common ground that act as triggers; only those who have shared the common ground provide an appropriate response.[1] An in-joke works to build community, sometimes at the expense of outsiders. Part of the power of an in-joke is that its audience knows that there are those who do not understand the joke.[2]
An in-joke can also be used as a subtext, where people in the know may find humour with something not explicitly spoken. They may even apologise for doing so to outsiders, directly or indirectly stating that what they were laughing at was an in-joke.[3]
In the computer industry some computer programmers hide in-jokes within the code of software in the form of Easter eggs, i.e., hidden content that can be revealed only by following a specific sequence of inputs.
The Jargon File is a glossary of hacker slang, much of which is in-jokes or is based on in-jokes.
In The Sims 3 game, players can enter 'Enable Llamas' in the cheat console. The game itself accepts 'Enable Llamas' as a cheat (it doesn't come up with the usual unknown command message). Once entered, a message pops up on-screen saying 'Llamas enabled'. The Llamas cheat does not affect gameplay whatsoever; it is most likely an inside joke of the producers.
Many TV shows, like The Simpsons and Family Guy, insert numerous in-jokes per episode, often referring to other TV shows, movies, or even the show itself.
The 2009 movie Star Trek contained multiple references to the 1960s Star Trek TV series, with the references constituting in-jokes for those familiar with the series.
Noticeable in many animated films is A113, a classroom used by graphic design students at CalArts, whose alumni include John Lasseter and Brad Bird.
Look up inside joke in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. |
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Date | February 26, 2012 |
---|---|
Time | 7:09 PM EST (start) |
Location | The Retreat at Twin Lakes in Sanford, Florida, U.S. (See aerial views of points of interest.) |
Coordinates | 28°47′35″N 81°19′47″W / 28.79295°N 81.32965°WCoordinates: 28°47′35″N 81°19′47″W / 28.79295°N 81.32965°W |
Participants | George Zimmerman (shooter) |
Death(s) | Trayvon Martin |
Charges | Second-degree murder[1] |
The fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin by George Zimmerman took place on February 26, 2012, in Sanford, Florida, United States. Trayvon Martin was a 17-year-old African American male who was unarmed.[2] George Zimmerman was a 28-year-old multi-racial Hispanic American,[3][Note 1] who was the community watch coordinator for the gated community where the shooting took place.[5][6][7][8][9]
While on a private errand, Zimmerman saw Martin walking inside the gated community where Martin and his father were visiting his father's fiancée. Zimmerman called the Sanford Police Department to report Martin's behavior as suspicious.[10] Shortly afterwards, there was an altercation, which ended with Zimmerman fatally shooting Martin once in the chest at close range.[11][12][13][14][15]
When police arrived on the scene Zimmerman told them that Martin had attacked him and that he had shot Martin in self-defense.[2][16] Zimmerman was bleeding from the nose and two vertical lacerations on the back of his head.[17][18] EMTs treated Zimmerman at the scene, after which he was taken to the Sanford Police Department. Zimmerman was detained and questioned for approximately five hours.[19][18] A statement was videotaped, and he was then released without being charged.[17] Police said that they had not found evidence to contradict his assertion of self-defense.[20][21][22][23][24]
The circumstances of Martin's death, the initial decision not to charge Zimmerman, and questions about Florida's Stand Your Ground law received national and international attention. Allegations of racist motivation for the shooting and police conduct contributed to public demands for Zimmerman's arrest.[25][26][27] A Special Prosecutor was appointed to take over the investigation and on April 11, 2012, she chose to file charges of murder in the second degree against Zimmerman.[28][29] Zimmerman then turned himself in and was placed in custody.[30][31] On April 20, the judge approved Zimmerman's bail on a $150,000 bond.[32] He was released from jail on April 23 and is required to wear an electronic monitoring device until trial.
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Trayvon ( /treɪˈvɔːn/ tray-VAWN) Benjamin Martin (February 5, 1995 – February 26, 2012) was the son of Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, who were divorced in 1999.[33] The autopsy report stated he was 5 feet 11 inches and 158 pounds.[34]
He was a high school junior in the Miami, Florida, area and had recently turned 17.[35][36] Martin lived with his mother and older brother in Miami Gardens, Florida. He had been taken by his father to Sanford, Florida, following a ten-day suspension from high school.[37][38] [39] They were visiting his father's fiancée and her son at her townhome in The Retreat at Twin Lakes in Sanford on the day Martin was fatally shot.[40]
George Michael Zimmerman[41] was born on October 5, 1983, in Manassas, Virginia,[42] and is the son of Robert Zimmerman, Sr., a retired Virginia magistrate,[43] and Peruvian-born Gladys (née Mesa) Zimmerman.[5][8] He grew up in what his father has described as a "multiracial family" (one of his maternal great-grandfathers was of Afro-Peruvian background),[44] and was raised in his mother's Catholic religion (his father was Baptist).[4] Zimmerman's voter registration record lists him as Hispanic and a Democrat.[45][46]
Zimmerman's height is shown as 5'8" and his weight as 185 pounds on his Seminole County Sheriff's Office Inmate Booking Information dated 4/11/2012.[47] Zimmerman's height is shown as 5'7" and his weight at 200 pounds on the Sanford Police Department Offense Report for 2/26/2012.[48]
In 2009, he moved with his wife to The Retreat at Twin Lakes in Sanford, Florida, a multi-ethnic[49] gated community, where the shooting occurred.[50][51] He was employed as an insurance underwriter prior to the shooting[52] and was in his final semester at Seminole State College for an Associates degree in Criminal Justice.[53] His goal was to become a police officer.[54]
As the only person to volunteer when the homeowners association wanted to organize a community watch,[55] Zimmerman was appointed coordinator by his neighbors, according to Wendy Dorival, Neighborhood Watch organizer for the Sanford Police Department.[56] The homeowner's association told residents who saw suspicious activity to call Zimmerman if they could not contact the police.[57] "[Zimmerman] once caught a thief and an arrest was made," said Cynthia Wibker, secretary of the homeowners association.[55]
Police had been called to The Retreat at Twin Lakes 402 times from January 1, 2011, to February 26, 2012.[55] Zimmerman was the caller on 11 of those calls in that time frame. Crimes committed at The Retreat in the year prior to Martin's death included eight burglaries, nine thefts, dozens of break-ins (at least one with a woman and infant upstairs) and one shooting. In September, Zimmerman was asked to head up a neighborhood watch.[55] The City of Sanford posted a "George Zimmerman 911 Call History" listing 46 calls by him between 2004 and the 2012 shooting.[58][59][60][Note 2]
Zimmerman had been licensed to carry a firearm since November 2009. An officer with Seminole County Animal Services had told Zimmerman not to rely on pepper spray to fend off a loose pit bull in the neighborhood; he told Zimmerman to "get a gun." Zimmerman had called the owner to complain about the dog after it had cornered his wife, and then called animal services on two other occasions to report that the dog was running loose.[53]
Sanford police chief Bill Lee stated that neighborhood watch volunteers are not encouraged to carry a gun but have a Constitutional right to do so.[55] Lee further stated, "Mr. Zimmerman was not acting outside the legal boundaries of Florida Statute by carrying his weapon when this incident occurred."[64]
Sanford Police volunteer program coordinator Wendy Dorival, told the Miami Herald that she met Zimmerman in September, 2011 at a community neighborhood watch presentation. “I said, ‘If it’s someone you don’t recognize, call us. We’ll figure it out,’ ‘Observe from a safe location.’ Dorival said.”[55]
According to ABC News and other media organizations, multiple sources had indicated to them that Chris Serino, the lead investigator for the Sanford Police on the night of the shooting, stated in a February 26, 2012 affidavit that he was unconvinced by Zimmerman's version of events.[65] Based on Serino's February 26 affidavit, police sought an arrest warrant for Zimmerman, however that request was denied by the Office of the State Attorney for insufficient evidence.[65][66][67][21][22][23][68]
On March 13, 2012, Chris Serino sent a capias request to the state's attorney asking for George Zimmerman to be charged with manslaughter.[69][70] Serino stated in the request that "the encounter between George Zimmerman and Trayvon Martin was ultimately avoidable by Zimmerman, if Zimmerman had remained in his vehicle and waited the arrival of law enforcement or conversely if he had identified himself to Martin as a concerned citizen and initiated dialog (sic) in an effort to dispel each party's concern". "There is no indication that Trayvon Martin was involved in any criminal activity at the time of the encounter."[71] The state attorney's office initially did not act on the request for an arrest warrant.[70]
On March 16, 2012, Serino told the Orlando Sentinel that his investigation had turned up no reliable evidence that cast doubt on Zimmerman's account, that he had acted in self-defense. "The best evidence we have is the testimony of George Zimmerman, and he says the decedent was the primary aggressor in the whole event, everything I have is adding up to what he says."[67]
When special prosecutor Angela Corey was asked by the Miami Herald to confirm that the Sanford Police had initially recommended a manslaughter charge, she stated, "I don't know about that, but as far as the process, I can tell you that the police went to the state attorney with a capias request, meaning; We're through with our investigation and here it is for you." A capias is a request for charges to be filed. A source in the Seminole County State Attorney's office told the Miami Herald, "We get capias warrants all the time. That doesn't mean we file charges right away. We investigate to see if it's appropriate. That's the responsible thing to do.[72]
Bill Lee, Chief of Police at the time of the shooting, received criticism for his role in the case. The Sanford city commission, including the Mayor, passed a motion of no confidence in regards to Chief Lee, and his handling of the case[73] although the vote was advisory only.[74] On March 22, 2012, Lee announced that he had temporarily stepped down from his position as chief of police, stating "my involvement in this matter is overshadowing the process."[75] On April 23, 2012, the city of Sanford announced that Police Chief Bill Lee would resign but city commissioners voted to reject the resignation. Some commissioners had concerns about the fairness of Lee losing his job and the mayor stated he preferred to wait for the results of an investigation into Lee and his department. Lee was to remain on paid leave.[76]
Norm Wolfinger was the state's attorney initially responsible for the case.[77] He is responsible for prosecutions in Brevard and Seminole counties, where the shooting occurred.[78]
On March 22, 2012, Florida Governor Rick Scott announced that he was appointing Angela Corey to be Special Prosecutor and that she would be investigating the case instead of Wolfinger.[79] She is the State attorney for Duval, Clay and Nassau counties.[80] After several weeks of investigation, Corey announced on April 11, 2012, that Zimmerman had been charged with second-degree murder.[28][81]
Craig Sonner and Hal Uhrig were the first lawyers to represent George Zimmerman.[82][83] On April 10, 2012, they announced at a news conference that they were withdrawing from the case as Zimmerman was no longer returning their calls and had been acting against their advice.[84] According to Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz, Sonner and Uhrig should not have disclosed those details and other information about Zimmerman after they had stopped representing him, because of considerations of attorney-client privileged information.[85]
On April 11, 2012, it was announced that Zimmerman was represented by a new attorney, Mark M. O'Mara,[30] who is board-certified as a criminal trial specialist.[86] O'Mara pointed out that a small number of murder cases actually go to trial, with many cases resulting in a plea bargain. "We're not taking any possibilities off the table how this case gets resolved," he said. O'Mara described the intensely debated encounter between Martin and Zimmerman as resulting in "a deceased child," and also said, "Obviously, it was a horrible intersection of two young men's lives and it ended in tragedy."[87][88] George Zimmerman's defense team has set up a Twitter account, a Facebook page and a website with a defense fund registered with the Florida Division of Consumer Services. O'Mara stated on the website that "Using social media in a high-profile lawsuit is new, and relatively unprecedented, but that is only because social media itself is relatively new. We feel it would be irresponsible to ignore the robust online conversation, and we feel equally as strong about establishing a professional, responsible, and ethical approach to new media."[89][90][91]
Benjamin Crump, the lawyer representing the interests of the Martin family, operates a law firm in Tallahassee, Florida, with his partner Daryl Parks. The firm has eight lawyers who focus on wrongful death, malpractice, personal injury and civil rights.[92][93] In 2006, Crump sued to have the video released in the case of Martin Anderson, a teenager who died at a boot camp run by the Bay County, Florida, Sheriff's Office.[92][94][95] The Martin family is also represented by Natalie Jackson, an Orlando civil rights attorney.[96][97]
Martin was staying with his father at the home of his father's fiancée.[40] On his return from a convenience store,[98][99] he was observed by Zimmerman,[100] who was driving in his vehicle on a personal errand.[101] At the end of their interaction, Martin was shot 70 yards (64 meters) from the rear door of the fiancée's townhouse.[102][Note 3]
Three weeks prior to the shooting, on February 2, 2012, Zimmerman placed a call to the Sanford Police Department to report a young man peering into the windows of an empty Twin Lakes home. Zimmerman was told a police car was on the way, and he followed protocol, awaiting their arrival. By the time police showed up, the suspect had fled. On February 6, 2012, workers witnessed two young black men lingering in the yard of a Twin Lakes resident around the same time her home was burglarized. A new laptop and some gold jewelry were stolen. The next day police discovered the stolen laptop in the backpack of a young black man, which led to his arrest. Zimmerman identified this young man as the same person he had spotted peering into windows on February 2.[53]
While driving through the Twin Lakes neighborhood, at approximately 7:09:34 PM, February 26, 2012, Zimmerman used his cell phone to call the non-emergency number of the Sanford Police Department[104] to report what he considered suspicious behavior by Martin. "We've had some break-ins in my neighborhood, and there's a real suspicious guy."[53] He described Martin as "just walking around looking about" in the rain.[105] The police dispatcher tape recorded him saying, "This guy looks like he is up to no good or he is on drugs or something." He further stated that the person he was observing had his hand in his waistband, was holding something in his other hand, and was walking around slowly in the rain "looking at all the houses."[106] On the recording of the call, Zimmerman is heard commenting "these assholes, they always get away."[107][108][109]
At 2:07 minutes into his call to the police, Zimmerman says, "he's running." At 2:37 minutes, Zimmerman tells the dispatcher, "he ran." The sound of an "open door" chime, a change in Zimmerman's voice and the sound of wind indicate that Zimmerman has left his vehicle, prompting the dispatcher to ask if Zimmerman is following Martin. When Zimmerman confirms that he is, the dispatcher says, "We don't need you to do that."[110] Zimmerman says "OK." Asked if he "want(s) to meet with the officer," Zimmerman says "yeah" and gives directions to where his vehicle is parked but is unable to provide an address. He also tells the dispatcher the numbers of his street address, and then at 3:35 adds, "Oh crap, I don't want to give it all out. I don't know where this kid is." The dispatcher asks him if he wants to meet the police at the mailboxes,[Note 3, 4th picture] and he at first agrees but then says, "Actually, could you have him call me, and I'll tell him where I'm at?" to which the dispatcher replies, "No problem."[111] Zimmerman appears to hang up at the 4:05 mark. The recording ends at the 4:11 mark, approximately 7:13:41 PM.
Full transcript of Zimmerman's 7:09:34 PM call to SPD non-emergency number[110] |
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7:09:34: Dispatcher: Sanford Police Department. ... In the Stanford Police website a record (since removed) states that George Zimmerman's call came in at 7:09:34 (19:09:34).[112] This is the start time used above. However, in the Case File the Capias request states an approximate 19:12 start time. In the March 13th Report of Investigation (Event Number: 20120571656) page 6 of 13 lists a 19:11:12 start time (the removed record indicates this is when a save occurred). Finally, the Medical Examiner report lists a start time of 19:10. The documentation of the 02/26/2012 Event Report (Event Number: 20120571656) lists call connected at 19:09:34 (7:09:34 PM) and the event report created 19:11:12 (7:11:12 PM after the call connected); some sources mistakenly list the report creation as the start of the call, or round the time to the nearest minute. |
Around the time of the incident, Martin was talking on his cellphone to his girlfriend, according to Attorney Benjamin Crump and State Prosecutor's, which was confirmed by phone company records.[113][114] She called at 7:12 PM, although phone company records round down call times. Hence, the actual call was between 7:12:00 and 7:12:59 PM.[115][116] She was interviewed by Crump who made a statement for her, as her parents requested her anonymity, and gave a sworn interview recorded by a state prosecutor.[113][114]
Martin's girlfriend said that he described a man as "crazy and creepy," who was on the phone watching him from a vehicle, before the man started following him.[114] The friend said that she told Martin to run to the townhouse, where he was staying with his father and the father's girlfriend.[114] She said that Martin told her that he had lost the man and then noticed he was being pursued again.[113][114] She then heard Martin say "What are you following me for?" followed by a man's voice responding, "What are you doing around here?"[113][114] She said that she heard the sound of pushing[113] and then heard Martin say what sounded like "get off, get off," and the call ended.[114] She attempted to call him back immediately, but was unable to reach him.[117]
Police officer Timothy Smith arrived at the scene at approximately 7:17 PM. He reported finding Zimmerman standing near Martin, who was lying face down in the grass and unresponsive.[14][17] At that time, Zimmerman stated to Smith that he had shot Martin and was still armed. Smith handcuffed Zimmerman and removed his weapon from him. Smith observed that Zimmerman's back was wet and covered with grass and he was bleeding from the nose and the back of his head.[14][118]
Ricardo Ayala, the second officer to arrive that night, noticed Officer Smith had Zimmerman in custody, then observed Martin lying face down in the grass and attempted to get a response from him. At this time, Sgt. Anthony Raimondo arrived and together with Ayala began CPR. Paramedics from Sanford Fire and Rescue arrived and continued CPR, finally declaring him dead at 7:30 PM[14]
Other officers who had arrived by this time secured the area and made contact with neighbors in the area and obtained statements from witnesses at the scene. They did not realize Zimmerman had been in a vehicle, however, so it was moved before they could seize it.[119] Zimmerman was treated and released by paramedics while still at the scene of the incident.[14][118] After placing Zimmerman in his police vehicle, Officer Smith heard Zimmerman say, "I was yelling for someone to help me, but no one would help me."[14][120] Zimmerman was then transported to the Sanford Police Department where he was questioned by investigators for approximately five hours.[14][19]
Martin's body was taken to the morgue where he was tagged as a John Doe as he was not carrying any identification.[23] Martin's father, Tracy Martin, called to file a Missing Persons report early on February 27 and police officers arrived at his fiancée's condo with photographs of his dead son around 9:20 am.[23][121]
A witness to the confrontation just prior to the shooting stated that Martin was on top of Zimmerman and punching him, while Zimmerman was yelling for help. This witness, who identified himself as "John", stated that "the guy on the bottom, who had a red sweater on, was yelling to me, 'Help! Help!' and I told him to stop, and I was calling 911".[123] He went on to say that when he got upstairs and looked down, "the guy who was on the top beating up the other guy, was the one laying in the grass, and I believe he was dead at that point.".[123][124]
A 13-year-old boy walking his dog saw a man on the ground shortly before the shooting and identified him as wearing red.[125][126][127] His mother later disputed the testimony and claimed that the police pressured him into choosing what color the man was wearing, and that her son could not see any details in the dark. She also stated that the police waited five days before requesting to even question her son and said the lead homicide investigator told her he did not believe the shooting was self defense.[128][68]
Mary Cutcher and her roommate, Selma Mora Lamilla, appeared on AC 360 and Cutcher stated that she believes "there was no punching, no hitting going on at the time, no wrestling" just prior to the shooting, but admitted that she neither saw the shooting nor the preceding altercation.[129][130][131] Cutcher and her roommate heard the pair in their backyard and a "very young voice" whining, with no sounds of a fight. They heard a gunshot; the crying stopped immediately, and they saw Zimmerman on his knees straddling Martin on the ground.[129][131] Mary Cutcher phoned police after the fatal shooting and said the black man was standing over another man, although Trayvon Martin was already dead.[132] According to the Orlando Sentinel article, "Police spokesman Sgt. Dave Morgenstern [on March 15] issued a statement disputing Cutcher's version of events, calling her statements to WFTV "inconsistent with her sworn testimony to police."[133] However, Cutcher and her roommate maintain that their account of the incident to the police did not agree with Zimmerman's, and they demanded the police retract that incorrect statement.[130]
On March 29, 2012, an eyewitness referred to as a male said that he saw two men on the ground scuffling, then heard the shooting, and saw Zimmerman walk away with no blood on him.[134][135] The witness later appeared on CNN AC360 referred to as a female, giving more details on her account. She pointed out that she heard an argument between a younger and an older voice. The whole time she witnessed the incident the scuffling happened on the grass. She said that the larger man, who walked away after the gunshot, was on top, and that it was too dark to see blood on his face.[136]
A witness who arrived shortly after the shooting revealed photos he took that night that showed "blood trickling down the back of Zimmerman's head from two cuts. It also shows a possible contusion forming on the crown of his head". In revealing the photo to ABC News in mid-April, he noted he heard but didn't see the scuffle, but was one of the first to arrive, and was the first to talk to Zimmerman after the shooting.[18]
After the prosecutors made some discovery information available, the Orlando Sentinel quoted an eye witness statement which said a man had "witnessed a black male, wearing a dark colored 'hoodie' on top of a white or Hispanic male who was yelling for help." The witness said the black male was throwing punches "MMA [mixed martial arts] style." After hearing a "pop," he saw the black male "laid out on the grass."[137][138] When the witness was interviewed several weeks later, after giving his first statement, he thought the black male was either punching or pinning the lighter skinned male underneath him. He was no longer certain who was calling for help, having not seen their mouths in the dark. He was still certain that the black male had been on top of the lighter-skinned male.[139]
Martin's mother says the shouting for help heard on some of the 9-1-1 calls is her son's voice.[140] Zimmerman's father, along with other relatives, have reviewed the 9-1-1 calls and identified the person screaming for help as Zimmerman.[141] In a report, lead investigator Serino said that on Feb. 28, two days after the shooting, he played the 911 tapes for Tracy Martin, Trayvon's father. "I asked Mr. Martin if the voice calling for help was that of his son. Mr. Martin, clearly emotionally impacted by the recording, quietly responded 'No.'" Martin has since told reporters he was uncertain at that time, but that when he heard an enhanced recording on March 16 he was convinced it was his son calling for help.[142] Martin's mother's perspective is relied upon in Corey's Affidavit of Probable Cause for second degree murder. The Zimmerman family perspective is not mentioned in the charging document.[143]
After arriving at the police station, Zimmerman was placed in an interview room where he was interviewed by Investigator D. Singleton.[14][145] The gun, a black Kel-Tec PF-9 9mm semi-automatic pistol, taken from Zimmerman at the scene, was placed into evidence.[15][146] Sometime after 11:21 AM Crime Scene Tech D. Smith photographed Zimmerman's injuries and hands and used a Gunshot Residue Kit to collect GSR in Interview Room 2 at Sanford PD. Zimmerman's clothes were taken as evidence after his wife arrived with a change of clothes.[147]
Zimmerman was not administered a drug or alcohol test.[17] Peter Bella, a retired Chicago Police forensic investigator, stated in an article for the Washington Times, "Except for DUIs, police cannot test suspects for drugs or alcohol, unless the accused demands or consents to it, or they get a warrant".[148][149][150]
He also underwent voice stress analysis, a type of lie detector test, which he passed, and the day after the shooting he re-enacted the incident for police.[119]
The lead homicide investigator on the case, Chris Serino, filed an affidavit the night of the incident saying he was unconvinced by Zimmerman's account and recommending charging Zimmerman with manslaughter, but was informed by State Attorney Wolfinger's office that there was not enough evidence to obtain a conviction.[21] Zimmerman was eventually released without charges.[17] TheGrio.com reported that Wolfinger met with police leaders on the night of the shooting while Zimmerman was still in police custody,[151] but Wolfinger denies this.[77] Instead, his spokesman said, police consulted that night with the prosecutor on call, Kelly Jo Hines.[152]
On the night of the shooting, and afterwards, Zimmerman described in detail, for the police and others, what took place.[141][153][154][155]
Zimmerman said he was driving to the grocery store when he spotted Trayvon Martin walking through the neighborhood. Zimmerman's father said that, while his son was not on duty that night as Neighborhood Watch captain, there had been many break-ins and he thought it suspicious that someone he didn't recognize was walking behind the town homes instead of on the street or the sidewalk. Zimmerman therefore called a non-emergency police line to report Martin's behavior and summon police.[156][157] During the call, Zimmerman told the dispatcher that Martin was "coming to check me out."[10] A source to the Orlando Sentinel said that Zimmerman later told investigators that at one point Martin was circling his vehicle, and he rolled up his window to avoid a confrontation.[153]
After telling the police dispatcher that Martin "ran,"[10] Zimmerman left his vehicle and followed him on foot.[153] The dispatcher confirmed that Zimmerman was following Martin and then said, "OK, we don't need you to do that." Zimmerman replied with "OK" and stated that Martin got away.[10] After a discussion about where Zimmerman would meet police, the call ended, and Zimmerman told investigators he was returning to his vehicle when Martin approached him from his left rear and confronted him.[153][154] According to Zimmerman's father, Martin asked Zimmerman, "Do you have a fucking problem?" Zimmerman replied "No, I don't have a problem", and while Zimmerman reached for his cell phone Martin said, "Well, you do now" or something similar,[141][154] then punched him in the face, knocking him down, and began beating his head against the sidewalk.[153][154] Zimmerman said he called out for help while being beaten, and at one point Martin covered his mouth to muffle the screams.[153][154] According to Zimmerman's father, during the struggle while Martin was on top of Zimmerman, Martin saw the gun his son was carrying and said something to the effect of “You’re gonna die now” or “You’re gonna die tonight” and continued to beat Zimmerman.[141] Zimmerman and Martin struggled over the gun, and Zimmerman shot Martin once in the chest at close range, in self-defense.[153][154][155][Note 4]
Recordings of eight calls to the police made on the night of the shooting were released by the Sanford police on March 17, 2012.[106][158] Early press reports incorrectly indicated that the recordings included the sound of a single shot followed by a voice pleading or begging for help, and then a second shot, after which the voice immediately stopped. Later reports indicate that the gun was fired only once.[159] Zimmerman told police at the scene that he had cried out for help.[154] The statement was corroborated by an eyewitness who said that Martin was on top of Zimmerman, beating him, as Zimmerman called for help.[123] One witness, who had only heard but not seen the events, believed Martin was the one calling for help, and said that the police tried to get her to change her testimony to their assertion that it was Zimmerman calling for help.[160]
Independent experts vary in their interpretations of the low-quality audio of the phone recordings.[161]The FBI was not able to determine whether it was Zimmerman or Martin who could be heard crying out for help in 911 calls, citing both poor audio quality and "the extreme emotional state of the person screaming."[162][163]
Zimmerman was originally not charged with any crime. He asserted the right of self-defense and investigators said they could find no evidence disproving that assertion.[16][164] The State Attorney's office and Police Chief Lee said they did not have enough evidence to arrest Zimmerman. "In this case Mr. Zimmerman has made the statement of self-defense," Lee said. "Until we can establish probable cause to dispute that, we don't have the grounds to arrest him." In response to criticisms of the investigation, Lee responded that "We are taking a beating over this" and defended the investigation.[165] "This is all very unsettling. I'm sure if George Zimmerman had the opportunity to relive Sunday, February 26, he'd probably do things differently. I'm sure Trayvon would, too."[55]
On March 20, 2012, State attorney Norm Wolfinger announced that a Seminole County grand jury would be convened on April 10, to investigate the death of Martin.[166][167][168] However, State attorney Angela Corey, who was assigned to the case by Governor Rick Scott, stated that her office, not a grand jury, would decide whether to press charges in the shooting death of Martin. Angela Corey stated that, "I always lean towards moving forward without needing the grand jury in a case like this, I foresee us being able to make a decision, and move on it on our own."[80] Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi said that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) was involved and "no stone will be left unturned in this investigation."[167]
On May 15, 2012 ABC News reported that a medical report compiled by the family physician of George Zimmerman showed that, following the alleged altercation with Martin, Zimmerman was diagnosed with a closed fracture of his nose, two black eyes, lacerations to the back of his head, a minor back injury, and bruising in his upper lip and cheek. According to the report, prior to the shooting Zimmerman had been prescribed Adderall and Temazepam. [169]
Martin's autopsy report was also released in May 2012.[170] The examiner found the cause of death was a single gunshot wound of the chest, classifying the manner of death as "homicide". There were perforations of the heart and one lung, collapse of both lungs, and hemorrhaging in the pleural cavity. The examiner considered the bullet to have been fired "directly, front to back". There was no exit wound.
In looking at the entrance wound, the examiner assessed the gunshot as one fired from "intermediate range", which can mean from 1 to 18 inches, according to a forensics expert.[171] The examiner noted "soot, ring abrasion, and a 2 x 2 inch area of stippling".
Besides the fatal gunshot wound, the examiner also noted a "1/4 by 1/8 inch small abrasion on the left fourth finger".
The autopsy report stated that Martin had trace levels of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, in his blood and urine.[172][173] The toxicology report found the levels to be 1.5 nanograms/ml of THC and 7.3 nanograms/ml of THC-COOH, a metabolite of THC that can stay in the system for weeks after cannabis has been smoked.[172][173] Larry Kobilinsky, a professor of forensic science stated that the THC amount was so low that it may have been ingested days earlier and played no role in Martin's behavior. "This kind of level can be seen days after somebody smokes".[174]
On March 20, 2012, the Justice Department announced that it was opening investigations into the incident.[175] The state governor, Rick Scott, has asked the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to investigate the shooting.[176][177]
President Barack Obama, speaking to reporters on March 23 after federal investigators were deployed to Sanford, said, "When I think about this boy, I think about my own kids, and I think every parent in America should be able to understand why it is absolutely imperative that we investigate every aspect of this," and, "If I had a son, he would look like Trayvon."[178]
The FBI opened a parallel investigation into whether Martin's civil rights were violated, and interviewed witnesses and looked into Zimmerman's background.[179]
Zimmerman was taken into custody on April 11, 2012, after being charged with second-degree murder in the Florida courts.[1]
On April 11, Florida State Attorney Angela Corey, the special prosecutor, announced that George Zimmerman had been charged with second-degree murder.[180] In Florida, that charge carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and a minimum sentence of 25 years. She reported that Zimmerman had turned himself in to law enforcement and was arrested and placed in custody.[1]
During an April 12 hearing, prosecutors presented an affidavit of probable cause alleging that Zimmerman had followed and confronted Martin.[181] Judge Mark E. Herr ruled that there was probable cause for the case to continue. Zimmerman's lawyer Mark O'Mara requested that the court documents, including witness statements and other information, be sealed. The court granted the request.[182] Zimmerman's arraignment was scheduled for May 29.[183]
O'Mara asked for a new judge on April 16, 2012, saying Judge Jessica Recksiedler had a potential conflict of interest.[184][185] On April 18, Judge Recksiedler agreed to disqualify herself from the case. Judge Kenneth Lester, Jr., was appointed by the chief judge to take over the Zimmerman case.[186]
A motion was filed April 16, 2012, in Seminole County Circuit Court requesting that records in Zimmerman's case file be unsealed. A group of news organizations in Florida, including the Associated Press and The Miami Herald, challenged efforts to seal the records. Information such as full police reports, autopsy reports, and transcripts of witness interviews are normally public under Florida law. "The closure order and the manner in which it was entered are contrary to law," the news organizations said in the motion.[187][188]
A bail hearing was held on April 20 and Judge Lester ruled that Zimmerman could be released on a $150,000 bond.[32]At the hearing, Zimmerman took the witness stand and told the parents of Martin he was "sorry for the loss of your son".[189][190] An investigator for the prosecution also admitted at the hearing that he did not know whether Martin or Zimmerman threw the first punch.[190] He said there was no evidence to disprove Zimmerman's assertion that he was walking back to his vehicle when confronted by Martin.[190] The investigator also stated that Zimmerman's claim of Martin slamming his head against the sidewalk was "not consistent with the evidence they found".[190]
Zimmerman was released on bail at 12:05 a.m., April 23, 2012. He was fitted with an electronic monitoring device that can reveal his whereabouts in real-time.[191]
Zimmerman's attorney, Mark O'Mara, waived Zimmerman's right to appear at an arraignment on April 23, 2012, and entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.[191]
Zimmerman's bond was revoked on June 1, 2012, when Judge Lester granted a Motion to Revoke Bond in which prosecutors accused Zimmerman and his wife of misrepresenting his financial situation to the court in April. The prosecution alleged that the defense, through Mrs. Zimmerman, lied to the court about the amount of money they had.[192]
According to the information alleged in the affidavit of probable cause, provided by investigators working for the State Attorney's office, the prosecution described what they say took place:[193] [194] [195] [196] [197][198]
Martin was walking back from a nearby 7-Eleven store and was on his way to the townhouse where he was temporarily living when he was profiled by Zimmerman.[195][196][198] Zimmerman was driving in his vehicle when he observed Martin and assumed he was a criminal.[195][198] Feeling that Martin did not belong in the gated community where Zimmerman lived, he called the police to report Martin's behavior as suspicious.[195][153] The dispatcher told Zimmerman an officer was on the way and to wait for him.[195][193] In the call, Zimmerman made reference to people he felt had gotten away with break-ins in the neighborhood, and while talking about Martin, stated "these assholes, they always get away" and also said "these fucking punks".[195][197][198]
During this time, Martin was on the phone with a friend and described to her what was happening.[195][196][197] She said that Martin was scared because he was being followed by an unknown male and didn't know why.[195][197] Martin attempted to run home, while Zimmerman exited his vehicle and started to follow Martin.[197][194] When the dispatcher realized Zimmerman was pursuing Martin, he instructed Zimmerman not to do that and told him an officer would meet him. Zimmerman disregarded the dispatcher's instruction and continued to follow Martin.[195][196] Investigators stated that Zimmerman then confronted Martin and a struggle ensued.[195][196][194]
Witnesses heard people arguing and what sounded like a struggle and heard calls for help which were recorded in the 9-1-1 calls to police.[195][198] Martin's mother reviewed the 9-1-1 calls and identified the voice crying for help as her son's.[195][198][140] When police arrived at the scene, Zimmerman admitted to shooting Martin in the chest.[195] An assistant medical examiner conducted an autopsy and determined that Martin had died from the gunshot.[195][198][Note 5]
Over 2.2 million signatures were collected on a Change.org petition, created by Martin's mother, calling for Zimmerman's arrest.[200] It was the website's largest petition ever.[201]
Since Martin was killed while wearing a hoodie, wearing a hoodie was seen as a sign of protest, and many cities across the U.S. staged "Million Hoodie Marches" or "hundred hoodie marches". Additionally, some professional athletes, including Carmelo Anthony and the entire Miami Heat roster, tweeted photos of themselves wearing hoodies.[citation needed]
Fox News Channel host Geraldo Rivera claimed that Martin's "gangsta style clothing" was "as much responsible for Trayvon Martin’s death as George Zimmerman was." Faced with outrage over his statement, Rivera later apologized, saying that he had "obscured the main point that someone shot and killed an unarmed teenager."[202]
Additionally, bags of Skittles candy and cans of Arizona Iced Tea were used as protest symbols. Martin was returning from a 7-Eleven convenience store with these items when he was shot.[98][99][203]
Walkouts were staged by students at over a dozen Florida high schools.[204]
Thousands of people attended rallies around the country to demand Zimmerman's arrest.[25] Members of the Occupy movement marched in solidarity during the "Million Hoodie March".[205][206]
Speaking on the day of the Zimmerman arrest, Al Sharpton said: "45 days ago, Travon Martin was murdered. No arrest was made. The Chief of Police in Sanford announced after his review of the evidence there would be no arrest. An outcry from all over this country came."[207]
Senior Fellow Shelby Steele at Stanford University's Hoover Institution lamented that the tragedy of Trayvon Martin's death is being exploited by a generation of "ambulance-chasing" black leaders who have promoted "our historical victimization as the central theme of our group identity."[208]
A number of high-profile citizens have made public comments or released statements calling for a full investigation, including President Barack Obama,[178] Reverend Al Sharpton,[178][209] and Reverend Jesse Jackson.[210]
According to Zimmerman's father, George Zimmerman received death threats and was forced to move out of his home.[6] The New Black Panther Party offered a $10,000 reward for the "capture" of George Zimmerman;[211][212] this was condemned by the city of Sanford.[211]
In parts of the US, various acts of vandalism, assaults, and crimes have been connected in part to alleged revenge for the shooting of Trayvon Martin.[213][214][215][216][217]
Film director Spike Lee retweeted to his 200,000 Twitter followers an erroneous Sanford, Florida address, purported to be Zimmerman's, which forced a family out of their home to avoid harassment after they received hate mail and unwanted visits from reporters.[218][219][220] Lee was criticized for his retweet[221] and he later issued an apology for having tweeted the wrong address.[222]
Alan Dershowitz criticized the probable cause affidavit against Zimmerman as "so thin that it won't make it past the judge" calling it "irresponsible and unethical" and opined that the charges were motivated by prosecutor Corey's desire to be re-elected.[223][224]
Bill O'Reilly of Fox News called for restraint and urged other pundits to stop trying the case in the media. He said that the case is a "tragedy" but should not be tried in the media. He stated that Martin's parents should be cut some slack in that regard.[225]
Zimmerman was accused of being motivated by racism[2][117] and of having racially profiled Martin.[2][6][16][226] His call to the police dispatcher was edited by NBC so that it appeared that Zimmerman had volunteered the race of Martin to police officers before being specifically asked.[227]
In an open letter on March 15, Zimmerman's father, Robert Zimmerman, defended his son against allegations that his actions were racially motivated, stating that Zimmerman was Hispanic, was raised in a multiracial family, and "would be the last to discriminate for any reason whatsoever," saying that the portrayal of his son as a racist "could not be further from the truth." According to his family, some of Zimmerman's relatives are black.[5] Zimmerman's former lawyer Craig Sonner stated that Zimmerman is not a racist, and that he had mentored black youths in the past.[228] Joe Oliver, a former television news reporter who is acquainted with Zimmerman,[229] noted "I'm a black male and all that I know is that George has never given me any reason whatsoever to believe he has anything against people of color."[230]
In early April, an anonymous letter to the NAACP, which was signed "A Concerned Zimmerman Family Member," said Zimmerman had been one of the few to take any action to protest the 2010 beating of Sherman Ware, a black homeless man, by the son of a Sanford police officer. Zimmerman reportedly distributed fliers in the black community trying to get others involved too, and helped organize a January 8, 2011, city hall meeting to protest the incident.[231] His father confirmed his efforts.[232]
On May 23, 2012, the Miami Herald reported that Zimmerman was recorded criticizing the Sanford Police Department and its former chief, Brian Tooley, at the city hall meeting on Ware's beating. Zimmerman said police had engaged in a "cover-up" and that Tooley should lose his pension. He also said he'd been on ride-alongs with Sanford police where he found them to be lazy. The Herald also reported that it had recently contacted five out of six churches where a Zimmerman relative said he had distributed fliers on the Ware beating, but none recalled receiving them, and Martin family attorney Natalie Jackson, who represented Sherman Ware, denied that Zimmerman had been involved in protesting the incident.[96]
For not arresting Zimmerman, the Sanford police faced heavy criticism, protests, and allegations of racial bias.[2] The NAACP wrote U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder expressing "no confidence that, absent federal oversight, the Sanford Police Department will devote the necessary degree of care to its investigation" and requesting that personnel be detailed to Sanford to review the case without bias."[16][117] Lee repeatedly defended the investigation, stating that the Sanford police did not feel they had conducted a racially biased investigation and welcomed a review of their efforts.[160][226]
Allegations were also made that the Sanford police were protecting Zimmerman.[154] Lee told reporters that they could not arrest Zimmerman because no evidence contradicted his story, and that to do so would leave the police open to litigation.[226] In regards to the 9-1-1 dispatcher telling Zimmerman that "We don't need you to [follow him],"[233] Lee said "That is a call taker making a recommendation to him. He's not under a legal obligation to do that, so that is not something we can charge him with."[16]
On March 21, 2012, three out of the five members of the Sanford city commission, including the Mayor, passed a motion of no confidence in regards to the police chief Bill Lee, and his handling of the case; however, the vote is advisory only.[73] The following day, Lee announced that he had temporarily stepped down from his position as chief of police, stating "my involvement in this matter is overshadowing the process." Lee further stated, "I do this in the hopes of restoring some semblance of calm to a city which has been in turmoil for several weeks."[75]
Self-defense laws in the United States, particularly regarding justifiable homicide, vary by state. Florida law, as of 2005, includes a "stand your ground" provision, under which a person, who reasonably fears death or great bodily harm (the ordinary deadly self-defense requirement) is relieved of the common-law requirement that one first attempt to retreat, if one can safely do so, before using deadly force.[234] In almost all states, such laws exempt people in their own homes; Florida's version extends the no-retreat doctrine to vehicles and public places. In at least 17 states, including Florida, there is no duty to retreat before using force.[235][236] After the shooting, media reports had indicated that Zimmerman would most likely use the "Stand Your Ground" provision in Florida's self-defense law. According to Durell Peaden, one of the sponsors of the Florida law, the law does not say that a person has a right to confront another. "When [Zimmerman] said 'I'm following him', he lost his defense."[237] However, the same article goes on to state, "Peaden and Baxley said they didn't know all the facts of the case, so their interpretations of what happened could change if new information arises during the investigation."[237]
According to analysis by David Kopel, Florida's Stand Your Ground Law "is legally irrelevant to [the] case", and the case turns on whether Martin initially attacked Zimmerman, or whether the initial attack was by Zimmerman attacking Martin.[238]
The Florida Statute excepts persons engaged in "unlawful activity" from protection by the Stand Your Ground provision: (3) A person who is not engaged in an unlawful activity and who is attacked in any other place where he or she has a right to be has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand his or her ground and meet force with force, including deadly force if he or she reasonably believes it is necessary to do so to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another or to prevent the commission of a forcible felony.[239]
On March 19, 2012, Florida authorities announced they had picked 17 people to head up a task force to review the Florida statute that deals with justifiable use of force, including the stand your ground provision. It was decided that the group would hear arguments and testimony from residents at public meetings across the state and pass along recommendations to the governor and the legislature.[240]
For the first 10 days after Martin's death, the story was covered by only the Florida media.[241] In order to bring more attention to the case, Martin family attorney Natalie Jackson sought the assistance of Orlando publicist Ryan Julison.[23]
On March 7, 2012, Reuters covered the story,[242][23] and the following day, CBS News, acting on a tip it received from the network's local bureau in Atlanta, Georgia, obtained an exclusive interview with Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton that was broadcast on CBS This Morning.[241][243] Benjamin Crump, the family's attorney, who had been retained to pursue legal action and to persuade the news media to cover the case, arranged for the interview to take place.[241]
Also on March 8, The Huffington Post, The Young Turks, and TheGrio.com, which is affiliated with NBC News, started to cover the case.[241][244][245][246] On March 9, 2012, ABC World News featured the story on their nightly broadcast.[247] CNN first reported on the case on March 12, 2012, and by the end of that week, radio hosts and bloggers were also reporting on the story.[241][248] National coverage started to increase the week of March 12 and intensified after March 16, when tapes of 9-1-1 calls were released to the public.[241][249] Having the 9-1-1 calls, which the police had previously declined to release, gave radio and TV reporters more material to report on.[241][249]
The Project for Excellence in Journalism has reported that media coverage of the Trayvon Martin case became the first story in 2012 to be featured more than the presidential race. According to the Project, the varying types of media have focused on the case in different ways. An article in the Tampa Bay Times wrote that, "on Twitter, people are outraged at Zimmerman and want justice, while on cable news and talk radio people are discussing the state's laws for self-defense and gun control and on blogs the focus has been on race."[250]
The Associated Press noted that initially the most widely used media photo of Martin was several years old and showed him as a "baby-faced boy," rather than as a young man in his late teens. To represent Zimmerman, the media chose a shot of a beefy 21 year-old Zimmerman taken seven years prior to the shooting, whereas recent photos show him as slim-faced and more mature. The two outdated photos chosen by the media may have helped shape the initial public perception of the shooting. The AP quoted academic Kenny Irby on the expected effect, "When you have such a lopsided visual comparison, it just stands to reason that people would rush to judgment", and another academic, Betsi Grabe, as saying that journalists will present stories as a struggle between good and evil "[i]f the ingredients are there".[251]
Economist and commentator Thomas Sowell criticized the national media for implying that Zimmerman had continued to follow Martin after the police dispatcher said "We don't need you to do that." He said that they mostly left out Zimmerman's answer, "O.K." because "too many people in the media see their role as filtering and slanting the news."[252]
After the audio of the call was released, CNN[253] and other reports alleged Zimmerman had said "fucking coons," two minutes and twenty-one seconds (2:21) into the call. Two weeks later on April 4, 2012, CNN claimed that enhanced audio revealed that Zimmerman had said "fucking cold".[254] The following day, April 5, 2012, CNN's Martin Savidge reported that forensic audio expert Tom Owen claimed it was "fucking punks".[255] It is said to be "fucking punks" in the affidavit of probable cause, dated April 11, 2012.[181] Other reviewers of the call have offered alternate interpretations of what was said, including "unintelligible". According to the Associated Press, the alleged racial slur "fed growing outrage over the police department's initial decision not to arrest Zimmerman".[256][257][110][258]
ABC News obtained a surveillance video of Zimmerman walking unassisted into the Sanford police station after the shooting. An officer is seen pausing to look at the back of Zimmerman's head, but ABC originally said that no abrasions or blood can be seen in the video.[259] The Daily Caller disputed this claim, and posted a still from the ABC video which showed the injury on the back of Zimmerman's head.[260] ABC later reported that it had "re-digitized" the video, and said that this version showed "what appear to be a pair of gashes or welts on George Zimmerman's head", but the story's main focus was on a doctor who claimed it was unlikely that Zimmerman's nose had been broken.[261][262]
Between March 19 and March 27, 2012, the NBC Nightly News, NBC's Today show, and NBC's network-owned Miami affiliate WTVJ NBC6[263] ran segments which misleadingly merged parts of Zimmerman's call. On one version of the recording played by NBC, Zimmerman was heard saying, "This guy looks like he's up to no good or he's on drugs or something... He's got his hand in his waistband, and he's a black male."[264] In another what was played was, "This guy looks like he's up to no good. He looks black." In the original 9-1-1 recording, Zimmerman said: "This guy looks like he's up to no good. Or he's on drugs or something. It's raining and he's just walking around, looking about." The 9-1-1 operator then asked: "OK, and this guy, is he black, white or Hispanic?", and Zimmerman answered, "He looks black."[227] The phrase, "He's got his hand in his waistband, and he's a black male" came several exchanges after that point in the conversation.
The Washington Post wrote that NBC's alterations "would more readily paint Zimmerman as a racial profiler. In reality... Zimmerman simply answered a question... Nothing prejudicial at all in responding to such an inquiry... To portray that exchange in a way that wrongs Zimmerman is high editorial malpractice..."[227]
NBC apologized for "an error made in the production process that we deeply regret".[265] But not on the air.[266] The network said that the Today show and Miami edits took place in two separate incidents involving different people. A Miami-based NBC News producer lost her job, WTVJ reporter Jeff Burnside was fired,[267] and two other employees were disciplined.[268][269] Lilia Luciano, who had been the reporter on some broadcasts of both versions of the audio,[270][264] was also fired.[271]
Fox News newsmagazine host Geraldo Rivera, a former NBC employee, asserted that NBC "made an ideological decision that... they would argue strenuously for the prosecution of George Zimmerman and the ultimate conviction of George Zimmerman... [T]hey are cheerleading for the conviction of George Zimmerman."[272]
Robert Mackey, a blogger at The New York Times, wrote that a "wave of vitriol" was aimed at Martin by "conservatives online" in an attempt to make Martin appear menacing by selectively highlighting images from his social media accounts. In one case an image of a different Trayvon Martin in a "gangsta" pose, attributed to the dead Martin by the white supremicist website Stormfront, spread to conservative blogs and publications such as the Daily Caller and Michelle Malkin's blog.[273][274]
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Grant Morrison | |
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Grant Morrison at the 2006 San Diego Comic-Con International. |
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Born | Glasgow, Scotland |
31 January 1960
Nationality | British |
Area(s) | Writer |
Notable works | All-Star Superman Animal Man Batman and Robin Batman R.I.P. The Filth Final Crisis The Invisibles Seven Soldiers New X-Men Zenith |
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Influenced
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Official website |
Grant Morrison (born 31 January 1960) is a Scottish comic book writer, playwright and occultist. He is known for his nonlinear narratives and counter-cultural leanings, as well as his successful runs on titles like Animal Man, Doom Patrol, JLA, The Invisibles, New X-Men, Fantastic Four, Action Comics, All-Star Superman, and Batman.
Contents |
Grant Morrison was born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1960. His first published works were Gideon Stargrave strips for Near Myths in 1978 (when he was about 17[1]), one of the first British alternative comics. His work appeared in four of the five issues of Near Myths and he was suitably encouraged to find more comic work. This included a weekly comic strip Captain Clyde, an unemployed superhero based in Glasgow, for The Govan Press, a local newspaper, plus various issues of DC Thomson's Starblazer, a science fiction version of that company's Commando title.
Morrison spent much of the early 1980s touring and recording with his band The Mixers, writing the occasional Starblazer for D. C. Thompson and contributing to various UK indie titles. In 1982 he submitted a proposal involving the Justice League of America and Jack Kirby's New Gods entitled Second Coming to DC Comics, but it was not commissioned. After writing The Liberators for Dez Skinn's Warrior in 1985, he started work for Marvel UK the following year. There he wrote a number of comic strips for Doctor Who Magazine, his final one a collaboration with a then-teenage Bryan Hitch, as well as a run on the Zoids strip in Spider-Man and Zoids. 1986 also saw publication of Morrison's first of several two- or three-page Future Shocks for 2000AD.
Morrison's first continuing serial began in 2000AD in 1987, when he and Steve Yeowell created Zenith, an early example of deconstructing the superhero genre.
Morrison's work on Zenith brought him to the attention of DC Comics, who asked him to pitch for them. They accepted his proposals for Animal Man, a little-known character from DC's past whose most notable recent appearance was a cameo in the Crisis on Infinite Earths limited series, and for a 48-page Batman one-shot that would eventually become Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth.
Animal Man placed Morrison at the head of the so-called "Brit Wave" invasion of American comics, along with such writers as Neil Gaiman, Peter Milligan, Jamie Delano and Alan Moore (who had launched the 'invasion' with his work on Swamp Thing).[2]
After impressing with Animal Man, Morrison was asked to take over Doom Patrol, starting his uniquely surreal take on the superhero genre with issue No. 19 in 1989. Previously, a formulaic superhero title, Morrison's Doom Patrol introduced more surreal elements, introducing concepts such as dadaism and the writings of Jorge Luis Borges into his first several issues.
DC published Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth in 1989 as a 128 page graphic novel. Painted by Dave McKean, Arkham Asylum featured uses of symbolic writing not common in comics at the time. (The story was to have included a transvestite Joker, an element toned down by DC.) The book went on to become one of the best selling graphic novels of all time. During the late 80s, Morrison also wrote various other titles for DC, most notably Gothic in issues 6–10 of the Batman title Legends of the Dark Knight.
Whilst working for DC in America, Morrison kept contributing to British indie titles, most notably writing St. Swithin's Day for Trident Comics. St. Swithin's Day's anti-Margaret Thatcher themes proved controversial, provoking a small tabloid press fury and a complaint from Conservative MP Teddy Taylor.
The controversy continued with the publication of The New Adventures of Hitler in Scottish music and lifestyle magazine Cut in 1989, due to its use of Adolf Hitler as its lead character. The strip was unfinished when Cut folded, and was later reprinted and completed in Fleetway's 2000AD spin-off title Crisis.
The early 1990s saw Morrison revamping Kid Eternity for DC with artist Duncan Fegredo, and Dan Dare, with artist Rian Hughes. Morrison coloured Dare's bright future with Thatcherism in Fleetway's Revolver.
In 1991 Morrison wrote Bible John-A Forensic Meditation for Fleetway's Crisis, drawn by fellow member of 'The Mixers' Daniel Vallely, and based on an analysis of possible motivations for the crimes of the serial killer Bible John. Covering similar themes to Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell's From Hell, the story was highly experimental in terms of story and art, with Vallely and Morrison claiming to have used a Ouija board to write the script and Vallely using a series of collages rather than conventional panels to tell the story. Morrison used the term "Forensic Meditation" to refer his mixture of scientific and magical techniques to tell the story. Vallely allegedly destroyed his art work upon the story's completion and left the comic industry. Bible John has not been reprinted.
In 1993 Morrison, fellow Glaswegian comic writer Mark Millar and John Smith were asked to reinvigorate 2000 AD for an eight-week run called "The Summer Offensive". Morrison wrote Judge Dredd and Really and Truly, and co-wrote the highly controversial Big Dave with Millar.
DC Comics launched its Vertigo imprint in 1993, publishing several of Morrison's creator-owned projects, such as the steampunk mini-series Sebastian O and the graphic novel The Mystery Play. 1995 saw the release of Kill Your Boyfriend, with artist Philip Bond, originally published as a Vertigo Voices one-shot. In 1996 Morrison wrote Flex Mentallo, a Doom Patrol spin-off with art by Frank Quitely,[3] and also returned briefly to DC Universe superheroics with the critically acclaimed but short-lived Aztek, co-written with Mark Millar.
In 1996, Morrison was given the Justice League of America to revamp as JLA,[4] a comic book that gathered the 'Big Seven' superheroes of the DC universe into one team. This run was hugely popular and returned the title back to best-selling status.[5] It was also influential in creating the type of "widescreen" superhero action later seen in titles such as Warren Ellis and Bryan Hitch's The Authority.[citation needed] Morrison wrote several issues of The Flash with Mark Millar, as well as DC's crossover event of 1998, the four-issue mini-series DC One Million, in addition to plotting many of the multiple crossovers.
With the three volumes of the creator-owned The Invisibles, Morrison would start his largest and possibly most important[6] work. The Invisibles combined political, pop- and sub-cultural references. Tapping into pre-millennial tension, the work was influenced by the writings of Robert Anton Wilson, Aleister Crowley and William Burroughs and Morrison's practice of chaos magic.[7] In 1998 Morrison published a rare prose piece, "I'm A Policeman" in Sarah Champion's millennial short story collection Disco 2000; though no explicit connection to The Invisibles is made, there are strong thematic links between the two works.[8] At DisinfoCon in 1999, Morrison said that much of the content in The Invisibles was information given to him by aliens that abducted him in Kathmandu, who told him to spread this information to the world via a comic book. He later clarified that the experience he labelled as the "Alien Abduction Experience in Kathmandu" had nothing to do with aliens or abduction, but that there was an experience that he had in Kathmandu that The Invisibles is an attempt to explain.[9] The title was not a huge commercial hit to start with. (Morrison actually asked his readers to participate in a "wankathon" while concentrating on a magical symbol, or sigil, in an effort to boost sales).[10] When the title was relaunched with volume two, the characters relocated to America and the style became intentionally more "American", featuring more action while still maintaining Morrison's ideas and themes. Volume three appeared with issue numbers counting down, signalling an intention to conclude the series with the turn of the new millennium in 2000. However, due to the title shipping late, its final issue did not ship until April 2000. The entire series has been collected by Vertigo as a series of seven trade paperbacks.
In 2000, Morrison's graphic novel JLA: Earth 2 was released with art by Frank Quitely.[11] It was Morrison's last mainstream work for DC for a while, as he moved to Marvel Comics to take over the writing of the main X-Men title, renamed New X-Men for his run, with Quitely providing much of the art.[12] Again, Morrison's revamping of a major superhero team proved to be a critical and commercial success, with the title jumping to the No. 1 sales[13] and established Morrison as the kind of creator whose name on a title would guarantee sales.[14] His penultimate arc "Planet X" depicted the villain Magneto infiltrating and defeating the X-Men in the guise of new character Xorn and developing an addiction to the power-enhancing drug "Kick".[15][16] This has since been retconned by other writers to portray Morrison's Xorn as a separate character distinct from Magneto.[17]
In 2002, Morrison launched his next creator-owned project at Vertigo: The Filth, drawn by Chris Weston and Gary Erskine, a 13-part mini-series,[18] said by Warren Ellis to be heavily influenced by Chris Morris's Blue Jam radio series.
While at Marvel, Morrison also wrote the six-part Marvel Boy series,[19] and Fantastic Four: 1234, his take on another major superhero team. After finishing his New X-Men, he returned to DC Comics to work on several titles and help revamp the DC Universe.
In 2004, Vertigo published three Morrison mini-series. Seaguy, We3 and Vimanarama involving, respectively, a picaresque hero in a post-utopian world that does not need him; cyber-enhanced pets running from their captors in what Morrison calls his "western manga"; and ancient Hindu/Pakistani myths translated into Jack Kirby-style adventures. We3 came in for particular praise for its bold storytelling techniques and artwork by Frank Quitely. Morrison also returned to the JLA with the first story in a new anthology series, JLA Classified, tales set within the JLA mythos by various creative teams.
In 2005, DC Comics started publishing what was dubbed the first ever "megaseries". The Grant Morrison-scripted Seven Soldiers features both new characters and reimagined obscure DC characters: The Manhattan Guardian, Mister Miracle, Klarion the Witch Boy, Bulleteer, Frankenstein, Zatanna and Shining Knight. The maxi-series consists of seven interlinked four-issue mini-series with two "bookend" volumes – 30 issues in all.
Dan DiDio (current editorial vice president of DC Comics) was impressed with Morrison's ideas for revitalising many of DC's redundant characters. Giving him the unofficial title of "revamp guy", DiDio asked him to assist in sorting out the DC Universe in the wake of the Infinite Crisis.[20] Morrison was also one of the writers on 52,[21] a year long weekly comic book series that started in May 2006 and concluded in May 2007.[22]
Starting in November 2005, DC published All-Star Superman, a twelve-issue story arc by Morrison and Frank Quitely. Not so much a revamp or reboot of Superman, the series presents an out-of-continuity "iconic" Superman for new readers. All-Star Superman won the Eisner Award for Best New Series in 2006, the Best Continuing Series Eisner Award in 2007 and several Eagle Awards in the UK. It also won 3 Harvey Awards in 2008 and the Eisner Award for Best Continuing Series in 2009.
In the same year, Morrison and Quitely worked on pop star Robbie Williams' album Intensive Care, providing intricate Tarot card designs for the packaging and cover of the CD.
In 2006 Morrison was voted as the No. 2 favourite comic book writer of all time by Comic Book Resources, beating Neil Gaiman at No. 3 (Alan Moore was #1).[23] That same year, Morrison began writing Batman for DC with issue #655. He also masterminded the relaunch of The Authority and Wildcats, with the art of Gene Ha and Jim Lee respectively, for DC's Wildstorm imprint. WildC.A.T.S. went on hiatus after one issue, The Authority was discontinued after two. The scheduling of The Authority conflicted with 52 and Morrison was unhappy with the reviews: "And then I saw the reviews on issue one and I just thought 'fuck this'.".[24] It eventually concluded without Morrison's involvement in Keith Giffen's The Authority: The Lost Year.
At the 2007 San Diego Comic-Con, DC Comics announced that Morrison would write Final Crisis, a seven issue mini-series slated to appear in 2008 with J. G. Jones handling the art. Morrison also announced that 2008 would see publication of the follow-up to 2004's Seaguy called Seaguy 2: The Slaves of Mickey Eye, the second part of a planned three part series.[25][26]
At the 2008 New York Comic Con, Morrison announced he would be working with Virgin Comics to produce "webisodes" (short animated stories) based on the Mahābhārata; it would not be a direct translation but, "Like the Beatles took Indian music and tried to make psychedelic sounds... I'm trying to convert Indian storytelling to a western style for people raised on movies, comics, and video games."[27]
At San Diego Comic Con 2010 it was announced that Grant Morrison would be leaving Batman and Robin with No. 16 and launching a new series entitled Batman Incorporated with artist Yanick Paquette; a more team-oriented Batman book inspired by the Batman: The Brave and the Bold animated series.[28][29][30]
Morrison's latest creator-owned work, an eight issue Vertigo series titled Joe the Barbarian, launched in January 2010 with artist Sean Murphy.[31] Originally a six issue series, Morrison felt that the story would benefit from an extra two issues. The titular Joe is a diabetic young boy who begins to hallucinate a fantasy world populated with his toys and other fantasy characters when he stops taking his medication.[32]
Following the closure of Virgin Comics, Dynamite Entertainment and Liquid Comics announced a partnership to publish a hardcover of illustrated scripts of Grant Morrison's Mahābhārata-based, animated project 18 Days with illustrations by artist Mukesh Singh, that was released in August 2010.[33][34]
He is the subject of a feature-length documentary titled Grant Morrison: Talking with Gods. The documentary features extensive interviews with Morrison as well as a number of comic artists, editors and professionals he has worked closely with.[35] Talking with Gods was co-produced by Respect Films and Sequart Research & Literacy Organization, and was released in 2010 at the San Diego Comic Con.[36]
Morrison was featured in My Chemical Romance's music video "Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na)" from their 2010 album Danger Days: True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys as the concept's villain Korse.[37] He reprised the role of his character in the "SING" music video.
Morrison will be completing the first 'season' of Batman Inc with issue #10, before returning in 2012 to complete the story with an additional 12 issues. He will be teaming with artist Chris Burnham for the relaunch.[38]
In June 2011, as part of DC Comics' massive revamp of their entire superhero line, Morrison was announced as the writer on the new Action Comics #1, teaming with artist Rags Morales, marking Morrison's return to the Superman character after the All Star Superman.[39]
Morrison's next[citation needed] major comic book project will be Multiversity, a metaseries of eight one-shots set in some of the 52 worlds in the DC Multiverse.[40][41]
In July 2011, Morrison's analysis of superheroes, Supergods: Our World in the Age of the Superhero, was published by Random House Spiegel & Grau in the United States and Jonathan Cape in the UK.[42]
Morrison has become more involved in screenwriting and has written numerous scripts and treatments.
His screenplays include Sleepless Knights for DreamWorks and WE3 for New Line (both in development with Don Murphy producing, John Stevenson is attached as Director for WE3). Most recently he wrote the adaptation of the video game Area 51 home console game[43] for Paramount (in development with CFP Productions producing). Morrison has written a film to be directed by Adam Egypt Mortimer called Sinatoro, to be released in 2012.[44][45] He is working on another screenplay called Dinosaurs vs Aliens for Sam Worthington's production company Full Clip Production and when that is done he has said he will be working with them again on a screenplay based on the 2000 AD story Rogue Trooper.[46]
He has pitched a science fiction television series entitled Bonnyroad to the BBC with director Paul McGuigan and Stephen Fry, which is currently in development.[47]
Morrison provided outline story and script work for two video games (Predator: Concrete Jungle and Battlestar Galactica) both by Vivendi Universal, though the finished products often did not contain all his contributions.
He has also been a successful playwright, with two plays written for and performed by Oxygen House at the Edinburgh Fringe. The first was Red King Rising in 1989, about the (partly fictional) relationship between Lewis Carroll and Alice Liddell and the second in 1990, Depravity about Aleister Crowley. Both plays were critically acclaimed and won between them a Fringe First Award, the Independent Theatre Award for 1989 and the Evening Standard Award for New Drama. A film adaptation of Red King Rising is in discussion. Both plays were included in his collection of prose, Lovely Biscuits released in 1999.[48]
Grant Morrison first appeared as a comics character with a cameo in Animal Man #14. He made a full appearance at the end of issue #25, and spent most of issue #26 in a lengthy conversation with the comic's title character on the impact of realism on comic books. He is killed off in Suicide Squad #58.[49]
Morrison would later be counted among the Seven Unknown Men of Slaughter Swamp, the body of "reality engineers" seen throughout the Seven Soldiers miniseries event, all of whom look exactly like him. During the series, one of these – referred to as the "Eighth of Seven" – went rogue, consolidating magical power for himself, releasing the Sheeda warrior-race on their Twenty-First Century ancestors, and becoming the silver-age character Zor, "The Terrible Time Tailor", a figure who looks exactly like Morrison but also wears a magician's outfit and sporting dark hair and a self-described 'magnificent beard'. This Zor was introduced in the original Spectre adventures in More Fun Comics No. 55 before he was re-invented in "Seven Soldiers." Zor is defeated by Zatanna and captured by his fellow Time Tailors who 'judge' him. Morrison himself, bearing a DC Comics-logo tie clip then becomes the narrator of the final chapter, treating the readers as if they were Zor themselves. Zor is eventually dressed to resemble a paedophiliac miser named Cyrus Gold, killed by an angry mob[50] (in DC history, after being killed by the mob Cyrus Gold's body falls into the swamp, and he is reborn as the Golden Age villain Solomon Grundy.
He has also appeared in an issue of Simpsons Comics, where he is seen fighting with Mark Millar over the title of "Writer of X-Men".[51]
In the notes to the Absolute Edition of DC: The New Frontier, writer Darwyn Cooke mentioned that this version of Captain Cold was visually based upon Morrison.
It has also been suggested by Comics Bulletin's Thom Young that the near-future Batman depicted in Batman No. 666 is based on Morrison: "Oddly, the shaved-headed Batman in the trench coat looks a bit like Grant Morrison and he has a cat named Alfred. In other words, it looks like Morrison (who is known to love cats) made himself Batman in this story. Of course, in Animal Man, Morrison appeared as himself as the teller of tales of Animal Man's life; in Seven Soldiers, the tailors who tell the tales of the universe looked like Morrison; and now he seems to be the Batman of the not-too-distant future."[52] However, Morrison has stated that the decision to base the appearance of the future Batman on him was that of artist Andy Kubert: "I had written him as having a buzz cut, I think, but Andy drew him bald. I think a lot of people just assumed that I stuck myself into a comic again, but that was never intended."[53]
Morrison lives and works between Los Angeles and his homes in Scotland.[54]
This article's use of external links may not follow Wikipedia's policies or guidelines. Please improve this article by removing excessive or inappropriate external links, and converting useful links where appropriate into footnote references. (June 2011) |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Grant Morrison |
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Preceded by Jamie Delano |
Hellblazer writer 1990 |
Succeeded by Neil Gaiman |
Preceded by None |
JLA writer 1997–2000 |
Succeeded by Mark Waid |
Preceded by Scott Lobdell |
X-Men (vol. 2)/New X-Men writer 2001–2004 |
Succeeded by Chuck Austen |
Preceded by James Dale Robinson |
Batman writer 2006–2009 |
Succeeded by Judd Winick |
Preceded by none |
Batman & Robin writer 2009–2010 |
Succeeded by Paul Cornell |
Preceded by Tony Daniel |
Batman writer 2010 |
Succeeded by Tony Daniel |
Preceded by none |
Batman Incorporated writer 2011— |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
|
Jerome Allen "Jerry" Seinfeld[1] (born April 29, 1954) is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and television and film producer, best known for playing a semi-fictional version of himself in the sitcom Seinfeld (1989–1998), which he co-created and co-wrote with Larry David, and, in the show's final two seasons, co-executive-produced.
In his first major foray back into the media since the finale of Seinfeld, he co-wrote and co-produced the film Bee Movie, also taking on the lead role of Barry B. Benson. In February 2010, Seinfeld premiered a reality TV series called The Marriage Ref on NBC. Seinfeld directed Colin Quinn in the Broadway show Long Story Short at the Helen Hayes Theater in New York which ran until January 8, 2011.
Seinfeld is known for specializing in observational humor, often focusing on personal relationships and uncomfortable social obligations. Comedy Central ranked Jerry Seinfeld as one of the twelve greatest stand-up comedians of all time in its four-part special The 100 Greatest Standups Of All Time.[6]
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Seinfeld was born in the borough of Brooklyn in New York City. His father, Kalmen Seinfeld (1918–1985), was of Austrian Jewish background and was a sign maker;[7][8] his mother, Betty (1915- ),[9] is of Syrian Jewish descent.[10] Her family identified their nationality as Turkish when they emigrated to the United States in 1917.[10]
Seinfeld grew up in Massapequa, New York. In September 1959, his mother enrolled him at Birch Lane Elementary School, Massapequa High School.[11] At the age of 16, he spent a short period of time volunteering in Kibbutz Sa'ar in Israel.[12] He went to SUNY Oswego, and after his sophomore year he transferred to Queens College, City University of New York, graduating with a degree in communications and theater.[7]
Seinfeld developed an interest in stand-up comedy after brief stints in college productions.[13] In 1976 after graduation from Queens College, he tried out at an open-mic night at New York City's Catch a Rising Star, which led to an appearance in a Rodney Dangerfield HBO special.[7] In 1979 he had a small recurring role on the Benson sitcom as "Frankie", a mail delivery boy who had comedy routines that no one wanted to hear, but he was abruptly fired from the show due to creative differences.[7] Seinfeld has said that he was not actually told he had been fired until he turned up for the read-through session for an episode, and found that there was no script for him.[14] In May 1981 Seinfeld made a highly successful appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, impressing Carson and the audience and leading to regular appearances on that show and others, including Late Night with David Letterman.[7]
Seinfeld created The Seinfeld Chronicles with Larry David in 1989 for NBC. The show was later renamed Seinfeld to avoid confusion with the short-lived teen sitcom The Marshall Chronicles and, by its fourth season, had become the most popular and successful sitcom on American television. The final episode aired in 1998, and the show has been a popular syndicated re-run. The show also starred Saturday Night Live veteran Julia Louis-Dreyfus, as well as experienced actors Michael Richards and Jason Alexander. On the show, Seinfeld played a caricature of himself. He has said that his show was influenced by the 1950s sitcom The Abbott and Costello Show. Citing Jean Shepherd as an influence in his commentary for "The Gymnast" episode on "Seinfeld, Season 6," he said, "He really formed my entire comedic sensibility--I learned how to do comedy from Jean Shepherd." Seinfeld also holds the distinction of being the only actor to appear in every episode of the show.[15] From 2004–2007, the former Seinfeld cast and crew recorded audio commentaries for episodes of the DVD releases of the show. Seinfeld himself provided commentary for numerous episodes.
After his sitcom ended, Seinfeld returned to stand-up comedy instead of pursuing a film career. In 1998, Seinfeld went on tour and recorded a comedy special titled I'm Telling You for the Last Time. The process of developing and performing new material at clubs around the world was chronicled in a 2002 documentary, Comedian, which focused also on fellow comic Orny Adams, directed by Christian Charles. He has written several books, mostly archives of past routines.
In the late 1990s, Apple Computer came up with an advertising slogan called "Think different" and produced a 60-second commercial to promote the slogan which showed people who were able to "think differently", like Albert Einstein, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King and many others. This commercial was later cut short to thirty seconds and ended up paying tribute to Jerry Seinfeld. This commercial aired only once, during the series finale of Seinfeld.[16]
In 2004, Seinfeld also appeared in two commercial webisodes promoting American Express, titled The Adventures of Seinfeld & Superman, in which he appeared together with an animated rendering of Superman, who was referenced in numerous episodes of Seinfeld as Seinfeld's hero, voiced by Patrick Warburton, who had portrayed David Puddy on Seinfeld. The webisodes were aired in 2004 and directed by Barry Levinson. Seinfeld and "Superman" were also interviewed by Matt Lauer in a specially-recorded interview for the Today show.
On November 18, 2004, Seinfeld appeared at the National Museum of American History to donate the "Puffy Shirt" he wore in the famous Seinfeld episode of the same name. He also gave a speech when presenting the "Puffy Shirt", claiming humorously that "This is the most embarrassing moment of my life."
Seinfeld had a special appearance on May 13, 2006, Saturday Night Live episode as Julia Louis-Dreyfus' assassin. Louis-Dreyfus was the host of that episode and in her opening monologue she mentioned the "Seinfeld Curse". While talking about how ridiculous the "curse" was, a stage light suddenly fell next to her. The camera moved to a catwalk above the stage that Seinfeld was standing on, holding a large pair of bolt cutters. He angrily muttered, "Dammit!", angry that it didn't hit her. Louis-Dreyfus then continued to say that she is indeed not cursed.
On February 25, 2007, Seinfeld appeared at the 79th Academy Awards as the presenter for "Best Documentary". Before announcing the nominations he did a bit of a stand-up comedy routine about the unspoken agreement between movie theater owners and movie patrons. One of the winners of the award was Larry David's now ex-wife, Laurie.
On October 4, 2007, Seinfeld made a brief return to NBC, guest-starring in the episode "SeinfeldVision" of 30 Rock as himself.[17]
On February 24, 2008, Seinfeld appeared as the voice of his Bee Movie animated character Barry, at the 80th Academy Awards as the presenter for "Best Animated Short". Before announcing the nominees, he showed a montage of film clips featuring bees, claiming that they were some of his early work (as Barry).
Amidst his spring 2008 tour Seinfeld made a stop in his hometown of New York City for a one-night-only performance on June 2, 2008 at the Hammerstein Ballroom to benefit Stand Up for a Cure, a charity aiding lung cancer research at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
In August 2008 the Associated Press reported that Jerry Seinfeld would be the pitchman for Windows Vista, as part of a $300 million advertising campaign by Microsoft. The ads, which were intended to create buzz for Windows in support of the subsequent "I'm a PC" advertisements, began airing in mid-September 2008 and were cut from television after just 3 installments, Microsoft opting instead to continue with the "I'm a PC" advertisements,[18] and instead continued running the Seinfeld ads on the Microsoft website as a series of longer advertisements.[19]
In March 2009, it was announced that Seinfeld and the entire cast of Seinfeld would be appearing for a reunion in Larry David's HBO series Curb Your Enthusiasm. The fictional reunion took place in the seventh season's finale.
Seinfeld appeared on an episode of the Starz original series Head Case. Like many of his previous guest appearances on sitcoms he played himself.
In Australia, Seinfeld appears on a series of advertisements for Greater Building Society, a building society based in New South Wales and south eastern Queensland.[20] His appearance in these ads were highly publicized and considered a coup for the society, being only the third time Seinfeld had appeared in a television commercial.[21] The advertisements were filmed in Cedarhurst, Long Island, with the street designed to emulate Beaumont Street in Hamilton, where the Greater's head offices are located.[22] Seinfeld also wrote the scripts for the fifteen advertisements that were filmed. The ads largely aired in the Northern New South Wales television market, where the society has most of its branches.
Seinfeld was the first guest of Jay Leno's new talk show, The Jay Leno Show, which premiered on September 14, 2009.
Seinfeld was featured on Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update sketch to do the "Really!?!" segment with Seth Meyers. Seinfeld was also executive producing and occasionally starring as a panelist in The Marriage Ref. On August 30, 2010, Seinfeld made a notable surprise guest appearance on The Howard Stern Show, repairing the falling out the two had in the early 90s.
Seinfeld toured the U.S. in 2011 and made his first appearance on stage in the U.K. in thirteen years. In July 2011, he was a surprise guest on The Daily Show, helping Jon Stewart to suppress his urge to tell "cheap" "Michele Bachmann's husband acts gay" jokes.[23] He launched a personal archives website at JerrySeinfeld.com. In 2011 he appeared in the HBO special Talking Funny with fellow comedians Chris Rock, Louis C.K. and Ricky Gervais.
Seinfeld is also a bestselling author, most notably for his book Seinlanguage. Released in 1993, the book went on to become a number one New York Times bestseller. The book, written as his television show was first rising in popularity, is primarily an adaptation of the comedian's standup material. The title comes from an article in Entertainment Weekly listing the numerous catch-phrases for which the show was responsible.
In 2002, he wrote a children's book titled Halloween. The book was illustrated by James Bennett. There are also several books about both the sitcom and Seinfeld himself, though many of them are not written by Seinfeld.
Seinfeld wrote the forewords to Ted L. Nancy's Letters from a Nut series of books and Ed Broth's Stories from a Moron. Both authors were rumored to be pseudonyms for Seinfeld or a friend of his. Neither Nancy nor Broth have been seen publicly, although Seinfeld is heavily involved in pitching their books for television.
In promoting Broth's book, Seinfeld hosted a toast in the author's honor. Broth did not attend.[24]
Seinfeld also wrote the foreword to the Peanut Butter & Co. Cookbook, from his favorite sandwich shop in New York City.
Seinfeld dated Carol Leifer, a fellow comedian and rumored to be the inspiration for the character of Elaine from his eponymous sitcom Seinfeld, although both parties deny it.[citation needed] When he was in his late thirties, Seinfeld began a romantic relationship with then-seventeen year old high school student Shoshanna Lonstein.[25] A while later, after meeting Jessica Sklar at the Reebok Sports Club, he began dating her. Sklar, a public relations executive for Tommy Hilfiger, had just returned from a three-week honeymoon in Italy with Eric Nederlander, a theatrical producer and scion of a theater-owning family. Sklar divorced Nederlander and married Seinfeld on November 14, 1998.[26] Comedian George Wallace was the best man at the wedding. After the nuptials Jerry and Jessica Seinfeld bought Billy Joel's Amagansett, Long Island house for $32 million in March 2000.
Seinfeld and his wife have one daughter and two sons; daughter Sascha was born in 2000,[27] son Julian Kal was born in 2003,[28] and Shepherd Kellen was born in 2005, all in New York City.[29][30] His son Julian's middle name, Kal, is the first name of Seinfeld's father and also the first name of Seinfeld's hero Superman, aka Kal-El. Among Seinfeld's best friends are fellow comedians Larry Miller, George Wallace, and Mario Joyner.[31]
In 2000, Jessica Seinfeld launched Baby Buggy, a charity that provides clothing and gear for underprivileged women and children. She is the author of the best-seller Deceptively Delicious: Simple Secrets to Get Your Kids Eating Good Food, released by HarperCollins in October 2007.[32]
Seinfeld is recorded as having made several political contributions, including George W. Bush and Al Gore's presidential campaigns in 2000, and subsequently to four Democratic Party primary candidates in 2000 and 2004.[33]
Seinfeld says that he has practiced Transcendental Meditation for most of his life,[34] and he appeared at a 2009 benefit for TM.[35] Seinfeld has admitted dabbling in Scientology when he was in his twenties,[36] though he says he was never in the organization.[37][38] The association came to light in 1992.[37]
A fan of the New York Mets, Seinfeld periodically calls Steve Somers' show on WFAN-AM, a sports talk radio station, as "Jerry from Queens."[39] Seinfeld called four innings of a Mets game on SportsNet New York June 23, 2010, reuniting with analyst Keith Hernandez who appeared in the Seinfeld two part episode The Boyfriend.[40]
According to Forbes magazine, Jerry Seinfeld's annual earning from Seinfeld in 1998 was $267 million, making him the highest-earning celebrity that year.[41] He reportedly turned down $5 million per episode, for 22 episodes, to continue the show for a tenth season.[42] He earned $100 million from syndication deals and stand-up appearances in 2005 and $60 million in 2006.[43][44] He also earned $10 million for appearing with Bill Gates in Microsoft's 2008 ads for Windows.[45] Between June 2008 and June 2009, Seinfeld earned $85 million, making him the highest-paid comedian during that 12-month period.[46]
Seinfeld, an automobile enthusiast and avid collector, owns a large Porsche collection. He rented a hangar at the Santa Monica Airport, in Santa Monica, California, for an extended period of time during the 1990s for storage of some of the vehicles in the collection. After his return to New York City, he was involved in an extended dispute with several neighbors over the proposed building of a $1.4 million multi-story garage to contain the cars.
One tally has Seinfeld owning 46 Porsches. Reporter Paul Bannister reports that Seinfeld's collection includes Porsche 911s from various years, 10 Porsche Boxsters each painted a different color, and the famous 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder, the same model and pearl-grey color that actor James Dean was driving when he crashed and died. The Discovery Channel television show "Chasing Classic Cars" claims that Seinfeld owns the first and last original Porsche 911s produced. The centerpiece is a $700,000 Porsche 959, one of only 337 ever built. To his initial despair, he was not allowed to drive it as US emission and crash tests were never performed because Porsche refused to donate four Porsche 959s for destruction tests, rendering the car "not street-legal". He imported the car "for exhibition purposes", which stipulates the car may never be driven on American roads.[47] The car was made US street legal in 1999 under the "Show and Display" federal law.[48][49] In several episodes of Seinfeld, Seinfeld drives a Saab 900 (NG) convertible, but a Porsche-themed painting, depicting a Porsche 904 GTS race car competing in the 1964 Targa Florio race in Italy, is visible on a wall in his apartment, as well as a Porsche racing poster featuring a 550 Spyder depicting the 1958 Targa Florio. In another episode, he is seen hiding behind a red Porsche 911RS parked on the street. In addition, an issue of Excellence, a Porsche-centered publication, is featured prominently on an outdoor magazine rack in one episode and on at least one occasion he is seen reading an issue of Road and Track magazine from circa 1990 with a cover article on the Porsche 964. He also wrote an article for the February 2004 issue of Automobile, reviewing the Porsche Carrera GT. For the story he was awarded Road Pest — Silver at the 2004 International Automotive Media Awards.
Year | Film | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1984 | The Ratings Game | Network Rep | |
1999 | Pros & Cons | Prison Man #2 | |
2002 | Comedian | Himself | |
2004 | A Uniform Used to Mean Something | Himself | |
Hindsight Is 20/20 | Himself | ||
2007 | Bee Movie | Barry B. Benson | Voice, Producer, Co-writer Nominated — Producers Guild of America Award for Motion Picture Producer of the Year Award - Animated |
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1980 | Benson | Frankie | |
1989–1998 | Seinfeld | Jerry Seinfeld | American Comedy Award for Funniest Male Performer in a TV Series (1992, 1993) Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series (1993) Golden Globe Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (1995, 1997, 1998) Nominated — American Comedy Award for Funniest Male Performer in a TV Series (1996, 1999) Nominated — Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996) Nominated — Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series[50] (1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998) Nominated — Golden Globe Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (1996) |
1993, 1998 | The Larry Sanders Show | Himself | |
1997 | NewsRadio | Himself | |
2000 | Dilbert | Comp-U-Comp | |
2004 | Curb Your Enthusiasm | Himself | (cameo) |
2007 | 30 Rock | Himself | ("SeinfeldVision") |
2009 | Curb Your Enthusiasm | Himself | |
2010 | The Marriage Ref | Executive Producer |
The list below only includes episodes mainly written by Seinfeld, as he and Larry David rewrote the drafts for each episode.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Jerry Seinfeld |
Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Jerry Seinfeld |
Wikinews has related news: Seinfeld on HBO award: "Awards are stupid" |
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Jimmy Carr | |
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Birth name | James Anthony Patrick Carr |
Born | Limerick, Ireland[1] |
15 September 1972
Medium | Stand-up, Television |
Nationality | British Irish |
Years active | 2000–present |
Influences | George Carlin, Michael Redmond, Denis Leary, Paul Merton, Peter Kay, Will Self, Billy Connolly, Demetri Martin.[2] |
Domestic partner(s) | Karoline Copping (2001-present) |
Notable works and roles | 8 Out of 10 Cats Distraction The Big Fat Quiz of the Year 10 O'Clock Live |
Website | jimmycarr.com |
British Comedy Awards | |
Best Live Stand Up 2006– Gag Reflex |
James Anthony Patrick "Jimmy" Carr (born 15 September 1972) is an Irish-born British comedian and humourist. He is known for his deadpan delivery, dark humour and his use of edgy one-liners. He is also a writer, actor and presenter of radio and television.
Carr moved to a career in comedy in 2000.[3] After becoming established as a stand-up comedian, Carr began to appear in a number of Channel 4 television shows, most notably as the host of the panel show 8 out of 10 Cats. In Ireland he is known for appearances on The Panel and The Late Late Show.
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Carr was born in Limerick, Ireland to parents Patrick James (born March 1945), a Roman Catholic and self-made millionaire who became treasurer for computer company Unisys,[4] and Nora Mary (née Lawlor,[5] 19 September 1943[6] – 7 September 2001), who died of pancreatitis in St Thomas' Hospital, London, aged 57.[4] His parents married in 1970, separated in 1994, but never divorced.[7] His father married Natasha in 2003.[4] Carr has an older brother, Colin, and a younger brother, Patrick.[4] Carr was educated at Royal Grammar School in High Wycombe. he also attended St Bernards's Catholic Grammar School also in Slough. Carr's father was not happy with the school so moved him to Burnham Grammar School
After schooling in Slough he gained a place at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, where he graduated with a 2:1 degree in Political Sciences.[3][8] Carr was a marketing executive for Shell[9][dead link] in the late 1990s.[4] During an appearance on BBC's Would I Lie to You? (Series 1, Episode 3), Carr revealed that he had been a Christian until his mid-twenties, and remained a virgin until the age of 26[10] due to his faith. Carr became aware of the writings of Richard Dawkins and renounced his religion, becoming an atheist. He stated that he felt religion limited people's desires to live their own lives.[11] He also stated that at this time, to help him cope with his loss of faith he did a lot of psychotherapy, and ended up qualifying as a therapist.[12]
Carr lives in North London with his girlfriend, Karoline Copping, a commissioning editor for Five,[3] whom he has been with since 2001.[10]
In March 2004, Carr's father[13] was arrested by the Metropolitan Police after Carr and his brother Colin accused their father of harassment.[clarification needed] The senior Carr was later acquitted of all charges and awarded costs by the Court. His acquittal was followed by a written apology from the CPS. Later the Metropolitan Police apologised and paid him substantial damages in an out of court settlement for the arrest and prosecution.[14][15] Carr holds dual British-Irish citizenship.[citation needed]
Whilst working at JC Productions with his father, Carr made his first television pilot / short film at Pinewood starring Craig Charles, Roy Dotrice and himself. The mockumentary, The Colour of Funny was essentially a vanity project for Carr.[citation needed]
Carr has hosted Channel 4 game shows Distraction and Your Face or Mine?. He has also presented the 100s series of programmes for Channel 4: 100 Worst Pop Records, 100 Worst Britons, 100 Greatest Cartoon Characters, 100 People Who Look Most Like Jimmy Carr (a spoof) and 100 Scary Moments. He has also presented a series of Commercial Breakdown.
From 2004 to 2006, Carr hosted a United States version of Distraction for Comedy Central. He was also nominated for the 2006 Rose d'Or award for Best Game Show Host. Carr presents the Big Fat Quiz of the Year on Channel 4, having presented the first 8 shows each December (2004–2011). He also currently hosts the quiz show 8 out of 10 Cats.
In April 2010, Carr hosted the first British version of a comedy roast show, Channel 4's A Comedy Roast. On 6 May 2010, he was a co-host of Channel 4's Alternative Election Night, along with David Mitchell, Lauren Laverne, and Charlie Brooker. He joined the three presenters again for 10 O'Clock Live, a Channel 4 comedy current affairs show, which started airing on 20 January 2011.[16]
Carr is also a writer as well as performer, with writing credits including Bo' Selecta! (C4), Meet Ricky Gervais (C4) and material for Lily Savage and Frank Skinner.
Carr was a guest presenter for one edition of Have I Got News For You; later he joined Ian Hislop's team in the edition of the show first shown 23 November 2007, chaired by Ann Widdecombe with whom he “flirted” outrageously.[citation needed] Widdecombe later vowed "I will never appear on Have I Got News for You again."[citation needed]
Carr has appeared on Never Mind The Buzzcocks twice, as well as multiple times on QI. He has also been appeared on at least one episode per season of A League of Their Own.
During a guest appearance on the BBC motoring show Top Gear, Carr set a new celebrity test track lap record on the 'Star in a Reasonably Priced Car' segment. He was described as "the worst driver we've ever had" and "the luckiest man alive" by Top Gear's test driver the Stig. His re-appearance on Top Gear in May 2006 placed him last in the brand new Reasonably Priced Car, with the slowest time ever (due to the fact that he spun off on his timed lap). Carr also hosted a highlights edition of the show, and on the Top Gear Live World Tour of 2009/10 he hosted the section 'Carmageddon' in which the Stig successfully attempted a 'gear change'.
In the United States, Carr has appeared on Late Night with Conan O'Brien twice and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno three times. Carr has also appeared on the Irish news comedy show The Panel.
In 2003, Carr was in the music video for the song "Proper Crimbo".
Carr appears at the end credits of Ross Noble's Randomist DVD, where he punches Noble on his way back to the dressing room. Noble had joked in his show that Carr only performed for a "weak" 1 hour 20 minutes, as opposed to Noble's 2 and a half hour show. Carr can also be seen for a few seconds in the audience for Dara Ó Briain's live DVD.
In January 2008, Carr appeared on E4 show Big Brother Celebrity Hijack as a hijacker for the day.
Carr appeared on the Royal Variety Performance in December 2008.
On the gameshow Deal or No Deal, Jimmy was the first ever contestant in the 2012 celebrity editions. After losing the £250,000 box earlier in the game, and turning down an offer from the banker for £14,500, he continued to the end game and his box contained £750.
Carr is a regular guest and interviewer on Loose Ends (BBC Radio 4) and The Fred MacAulay Show (BBC Radio Scotland). In January 2005, Carr hosted 'It's Been a Terrible Year' — a comedy review of 2004, on BBC Radio 2. Up until July 2006, he had a Sunday morning radio show on XFM, with the mercurial comedian Iain Morris. The show had a strong emphasis on toilet humour.
Features, of varying popularity, have included:
In January 2006, Carr made a joke on Radio 4's Loose Ends, the punchline of which implied that Gypsy women smelled.[17] Although the BBC issued an apology, Carr refused to, and continues to use the joke during his acts.
Carr appeared in 2 episodes of the radio series of Flight of the Conchords in 2005.
On 22 January 2009, he covered Zane Lowe's evening show on BBC Radio 1 between 7 and 9pm.
Carr will become the fifth "Curator" of The Museum of Curiosity when the show returns in late 2012, following on from comedians Bill Bailey, Sean Lock, Jon Richardson and Dave Gorman.
Carr does stand-up tours continuously over the course of the year, taking only five weeks off between them.[18] In 2003 he sold out an entire month's performances of his Edinburgh Festival show Charm Offensive by the second day of the festival, and received 5-star reviews from four major newspapers. In 2004 he performed sold out solo shows at Dublin's Vicar Street, Leicester's Comedy Festival, Glasgow Festival, Kilkenny Cat Laughs and the Galway Festival along with appearances at the Bloomsbury Theatre where he filmed his first live DVD. Also in 2004 he threatened to sue fellow comedian Jim Davidson for using a joke that Carr considered 'his'.[19] The matter was dropped when it became apparent that the joke in question was an old one used for decades by many different comedians. He toured the country with his show, A Public Display of Affection, starting on 9 April 2005 at the Gulbenkian Theatre in Canterbury and ending on the 14 January 2006 at the Gielgud Theatre in London's West End. He also appeared at the EICC during the Edinburgh Festival in August 2005 with his Off The Telly show. Later on in the year, in late November, he released his second DVD "Jimmy Carr: Stand Up".
In August 2006, he commenced a new tour, Gag Reflex, for which he won the 2006 British Comedy Award for "Best Live Stand up". He released his third DVD, Jimmy Carr: Comedian in November 2007. He also performed at the 2006 Just for Laughs festival in Montreal, as well as making a return visit to the Newbury Comedy Festival. In 2003, he was listed in the Observer as one of the 50 funniest acts in British comedy. In 2007, a poll on the Channel 4 website for 100 Greatest Stand Ups, Jimmy Carr was the 12th. A new national tour commenced in autumn 2007 named Repeat Offender, which began at the Edinburgh Festival that year. In autumn 2008, Carr began touring his new show, entitled Joke Technician. As with his previous tour, he performed many shows at the Edinburgh Festival, even adding an extra date due to ticket demand.
On 23 April 2009, the dates for Carr's 2009-10 tour, entitled Rapier Wit, were announced. The tour opened on 20 August 2009 with 9 shows at the Edinburgh Festival before touring the country.[20]
On Twitter, Carr released details about his new DVD entitled Jimmy Carr: Telling Jokes. The DVD was released on the 2 November 2009.[21]
In July 2009, Carr revealed that he is currently touring with Las Vegas band the Killers. Killers' frontman Brandon Flowers explained that it was part of his vision for his band’s shows to become more of a Las Vegas-style spectacle. Flowers, who grew up in Vegas, said: “We had met Jimmy before, at a Comic Relief gig, then we bumped into him again at a party a couple of weeks later. “We were just throwing ideas around and having a comedian as part of the show sounded like a Las Vegas thing to do — it used to be common in the '60s and '70s – “Jimmy seemed to like it so we are giving it a go.”
Carr's sixth Live DVD, Jimmy Carr: Making People Laugh, was released on 8 November 2010.[22]
Carr's 2010-11 tour, entitled Laughter Therapy, was announced on 8 April 2010. The tour will start with a run at the Edinburgh Festival before touring the country.[23]
Carr also appeared at the Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal in July 2011. At which he performed his 2010/11 tour show 'Laughter Therapy'.
Carr's latest stand up DVD was released on 21 November 2011 with the title of Jimmy Carr: Being Funny.[24]
Title | Years |
---|---|
Live | 2004–05 |
Stand Up | 2005–06 |
Gag Reflex | 2006–07 |
Repeat Offender | 2007–08 |
Joke Technician | 2008–09 |
Rapier Wit | 2009–10 |
Laughter Therapy | 2010–11 |
Gagging Order | 2012–13 |
Title | Released | Notes |
---|---|---|
Live | 8 November 2004 | Live at London's Bloomsbury Theatre |
Stand Up | 7 November 2005 | Live at London's Bloomsbury Theatre |
Comedian | 5 November 2007 | Live at London's Bloomsbury Theatre |
In Concert | 3 November 2008 | Live at London's Bloomsbury Theatre |
Telling Jokes | 2 November 2009 | Live at London's Bloomsbury Theatre |
Making People Laugh | 8 November 2010 | Live at Glasgow's Clyde Auditorium |
Being Funny[24] | 21 November 2011 | Live at Birmingham's Symphony Hall[24] |
On 21 December 2006, Carr announced plans to become the first major comedian to perform in the virtual reality world of Second Life. This was confirmed on his MySpace webpage on 3 January 2007, and a competition launched to choose a select audience from the list of his MySpace friends.[25]
Carr's Second Life show took place on 3 February 2007 at 7.00pm, at Adam Street Bar and Members' Club in Central London. Fifty MySpace friends made up his live audience, with 100 virtual attendees in Second Life itself. The show was enjoyed by both sets of audiences, with excellent feedback received on both Carr's MySpace profile and within Second Life.[citation needed]
Carr hinted at the show that he may perform future shows in Second Life.
In March 2007, Laura Jackson from the Guinness Book of World Records confirmed that Carr had obtained the world record for being the first comedian to perform a stand-up gig to an audience in cyberspace, following on from his Second Life show.[citation needed]
This article's Criticism or Controversy section may compromise the article's neutral point of view of the subject. Please integrate the section's contents into the article as a whole, or rewrite the material. (March 2011) |
Detractors of Carr's humour include Conservative politician Ann Widdecombe, who — following an appearance with him on BBC One panel show Have I Got News for You — wrote in the Daily Express that "His idea of wit is a barrage of filth and the sort of humour most men grow out of in their teens".[26]
Veteran comedian Arthur Smith was quoted in the Sunday Mirror in 2005 as saying "He has a terrible act. There I've said it and already I feel better".[27] Smith has gone on to criticise Carr on other occasions. In a 2009 interview with The Times he said: "He (Carr) makes jokes like little clocks. He has no interest in their context or meaning, only that they cause an explosion of laughter. I want a comedian to have a hinterland. The best comedians are interested in jazz, poetry, and the world".[28]
In October 2009, Carr received criticism from several Sunday tabloid newspapers for a joke he made about British soldiers who had lost limbs in battle in Iraq and Afghanistan.[29] The newspapers themselves came under criticism for falsely claiming the audience reacted with stunned silence when the joke was told.[30] Carr himself has defended the joke as "totally acceptable" in an interview with The Guardian, in which the interviewer noted his tendencies to make jokes about disabilities and rape.[31] Carr would go on to describe the interview, with Guardian journalist Stephen Moss in the paper's G2 section, on his Twitter account as about "[selling] my DVD to the liberal elite."[32]
Year | Film | Role |
---|---|---|
2006 | Alien Autopsy | Gary's manager |
Confetti | Antony | |
Stormbreaker | John Crawford | |
2007 | I Want Candy | Video Store Guy |
2009 | Telstar | Gentleman |
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