Steve Rannazzisi, a star of FXX's "The League" and a pitchman for Buffalo Wild Wings, admitted Wednesday that his tales of being on the scene at the Twin Towers on 9/11 were just that -- tales.
Mr. Rannazzisi now admits that while he was in Manhattan on Sept. 11, 2001, he was working in Midtown, not in the south tower of the Twin Towers. The comedian's admission and his previous fabrications were laid out in detail by The New York Times.
Buffalo Wild Wings said it is reevaluating its relationship with him, as did Comedy Central, which is set to air a comedy special featuring Mr. Rannazzisi this weekend. FX also expressed disappointment with its "The League" star.
Mr. Rannazzisi apologized in a series of messages on Twitter and came clean about his fabrication:
As a young man, I made a mistake that I deeply regret and for which apologies may still not be enough.
— Stephen Rannazzisi (@SteveRannazzisi) September 16, 2015
After I moved with my wife to Los Angeles from New York City in 2001 shortly after 9/11, I told people that I was in one of the World Trade
— Stephen Rannazzisi (@SteveRannazzisi) September 16, 2015
Center towers on 9/11. It wasn't true. I was in Manhattan but working in a building in midtown and I was not at the Trade Center on that day
— Stephen Rannazzisi (@SteveRannazzisi) September 16, 2015
The admission comes before his comedy special "Breaking Dad" is set to debut on Comedy Central on Saturday night. "We just learned about this last night. We are very disappointed to hear about Steve's misrepresentations and are currently determining how we will move forward," a Comedy Central spokesman said in an email.
The comedian, who plays Kevin MacArthur, the commissioner of the fantasy football league portrayed on "The League," has also appeared in advertising for Buffalo Wild Wings.
"We are disappointed to learn of Steve's misrepresentations regarding the events of September 11, 2001," Buffalo Wild Wings said in a statement. "We are currently reevaluating our relationship with Steve pending a review of all the facts."
Here's one of Mr. Rannazzisi's Buffalo Wild Wings spots that aired earlier this year:
"The League" is currently airing its seventh and final season, with production scheduled to wrap in mid-October.
"We are disappointed to learn that Steve Rannazzisi lied about being in the World Trade Center on 9/11," FX Networks said in a statement. "It is upsetting that he would fabricate a story about having survived that horrible tragedy. It is also unfortunate that he did not admit to the truth sooner. That said we believe Steve is sincere in his apology and will do everything he can to make amends moving forward."