Patton Oswalt faced significant backlash over two pictures he recently shared on social media that features his good friend and comedy legend, Dave Chappelle.
The King of Queens star has both apologized and defended his action.
On New Year’s Eve, Oswalt took to his official page, and he dropped a collection of photos where he is backstage with Chappelle after an epic performance.
In one photo, Patton Oswalt and his longtime pal, Dave Chappelle, stood next to each other and smiled for the camera.
The stand-up comedians and actors could be seen chatting and casually strolling in a large hallway. In the last picture, Oswalt’s wife, Meredith Salenger, also poses with him and Chappelle.
The Goldbergs actor used the caption to reveal that after his performance in Seattle, Washington, Chappelle, who had a show in the arena next door, texted to invite him to do a set with him.
He jumped on the opportunity to perform with his pal.
Patton Oswalt shared: “Finished me set at @mccawhall and got a text from @davechappelle. Come over to the arena he’s performing in next door and do a guest set. Why not? I waved good-bye to this hell-year with a genius I started comedy with 34 years ago. He works an arena like he’s talking to one person and charming their skin off. Anyway, I ended the year with a real friend and a deep laugh. Can’t ask for much more.”
Mr. Oswalt was quickly bombarded by angry fans who reminded him that Dave Chappelle is currently embroiled in a controversy over comments about the transgender community in his Netflix comedy special, The Closer.
During the show, Chappelle made jokes about the transgender community while claiming that he supports them. He announced that he is a “TERF,” an acronym for a trans-exclusionary radical feminist.
While the streaming giant has decided to stand with Chappelle, he has been under fire from critics and supporters who say his insensitive remarks are shameful.
Patton Oswalt has shared a lengthy apology for the photos but refuses to delete them.
He also explained that Chappelle is a dear friend, which will never change even if they do not see eye to eye on some issues.
He said: “I saw a friend I hadn’t seen in a long time this New Year’s Eve. We’ve known each other since we’re teens. He’s a fellow comedian, the funniest I’ve ever met. I wanted to post a pic & an IG story about it — so I did. The friend is Dave Chappelle,”
Oswalt explained that he and Chappelle had known each other for more than 30 years, and he has great admiration for the star.
Oswalt added: “He’s refocused and refined ideas a lot of us took as settled about race & history & Life On Planet Earth and spun them around with a phrase or punchline.”
He said that Chappelle is not done learning and asked for empathy.
He concluded by: “I’m sorry, truly sorry, that I didn’t consider the hurt this would cause. Or the DEPTH of that hurt.”
Oswalt also promised his fans that he would do better in the future.
