Comedian and actor Jamie Kennedy says he was “completely devastated” by the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, even though the two never met.
The Malibu’s Most Wanted and Scream star, who also hosts the podcast Hate to Break It to Ya, told Fox News Digital that the news left him deeply shaken—not only by the tragedy itself, but by the disturbing reactions online.
“It was beyond shocking,” Kennedy said. “And then to see how some people reacted—it was just sick. Evil, even. That really messed me up.”
Kennedy said Kirk’s death on September 10 at Utah Valley University hit him “on the deepest level.”
“I’ve never been so heartbroken and angry over someone I didn’t personally know,” he said. “I was completely devastated.”
He also questioned how such a violent act could happen at a place meant to represent open discussion and free thought.
“Why did this happen? How did it happen at a college—a place for ideas and dialogue—and someone gets gunned down for speaking?”
What disturbed him even more were the people celebrating the killing online, which he described as “a new low” for humanity.
“I’ve never seen anything like this in my 55 years,” Kennedy said. “It made me realize how divided we are. I just don’t want to be around people who think that way.”
Still, the comedian said he found hope in the way others responded—with vigils and memorials held across the U.S. and abroad.
He called the outpouring of compassion “the greatest advertisement for Jesus ever,” praising Kirk’s wife, Erika, for forgiving her husband’s killer at his memorial in Arizona.
“When she forgave the murderer, that was pure Christianity in action,” Kennedy said. “It was one of the most powerful acts of forgiveness I’ve ever seen.”
Kennedy also commented on the controversy surrounding Jimmy Kimmel Live! host Jimmy Kimmel, who was briefly suspended after joking that Kirk’s suspected killer might have been a Trump supporter.
While many in Hollywood called Kimmel’s suspension censorship, Kennedy said it was fair.
“There’s a time and place for jokes,” he explained. “Something horrific just happened. Maybe read the room. There are a trillion other things to joke about.”
He added that while Kimmel shouldn’t be “canceled” for the joke, the incident exposed Hollywood’s hypocrisy.
“Roseanne Barr lost her career over a tweet. Gina Carano too. But Jimmy gets a slap on the wrist,” Kennedy said. “It’s ridiculous.”
Despite his criticism, Kennedy said he believed Kimmel’s apology was heartfelt.
“I think he was genuinely sorry,” he said. “I’ve been on his show many times—he’s always been kind and professional.”
Kennedy’s reflections revealed not only his sorrow over Kirk’s death but also his frustration with what he sees as a culture that has lost both compassion and consistency.
