Disney Star Blasted For Falsely Saying COVID Vaccine Killed His Friend

Zachary Levi first gained prominence in Hollywood with his role as Chuck Bartowski in the NBC series Chuck, which premiered in 2007. The show became a cult hit, showcasing Levi’s charm and acting abilities. His visibility increased significantly when he voiced Flynn Rider in Disney’s animated film Tangled in 2010, a character that endeared him to a younger audience and solidified his place in Hollywood.

Subsequently, Levi transitioned to the superhero genre, playing the titular character in Shazam! (2019) and reprising the role in Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023).

Related: New ‘Tangled’ Show In the Works at Disney!

In recent months, Zachary Levi has made headlines not only for his acting career but also for his political views, particularly following his endorsement of former President Donald Trump. Attending a Trump rally, Levi expressed that his conservative upbringing led him to support the former president, despite Hollywood’s predominantly liberal landscape.

Following his endorsement, reactions from fellow Hollywood figures were mixed. While some supporters praised his courage for voicing his beliefs, others criticized him, claiming that his statements misrepresented the political climate within the entertainment sector.

The View star, Whoopie Goldberg, called Levi out on the show and even named several major Hollywood actors who were well-known Republicans.

Related: Zachary Levi Reveals How a Small Lie Landed Him His ‘Tangled’ Role

And now, Levi is even being called out by those who once considered him to be a friend.

The actor recently went on Instagram Live and claimed that the COVID-19 vaccine had killed his friend, Broadway star Gavin Creel. Creel died on September 30 from a rare and aggressive form of bone and tissue cancer called sarcoma.

“I know that this is going to offend some people and make some people mad, and I wish it didn’t. So, a few weeks ago, my friend Gavin Creel died. He was 48 years old, and he was one of the healthiest people I knew.”

“You better believe that, with everything in me, I believe that if these COVID vaccinations were not forced on the American public, that the theaters weren’t being pushed and leveraged —”

“They knew the cost benefit of these shots, and it was garbage. Guys, it was garbage. They knew that there would be plenty of side effects, including turbo cancers. They knew. And I, without a shadow of a doubt, I believe that Gavin Creel would be alive right now — right f—king now — he would still be alive if that stuff didn’t get put into his body.”

 

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Related: Disney Fans Want to Cancel Flynn Rider from ‘Tangled’

Within the Broadway community, criticism of Levi’s statements was swift and critical. Notable figures, such as Norbert Leo Butz, publicly expressed their disappointment at Levi for politicizing Creel’s death in such a manner. In a heartfelt comment, Butz stated he was “utterly heartbroken” that Levi would use Creel’s legacy for an anti-vaccine narrative.

So incredibly disappointed you would politicize Gavin’s death. Really tried to give you the benefit here. Made it halfway through, which was hard as hell. But Was utterly heartbroken, as he would have been, that you felt the need to use his life and legacy to promote this awful platform. 💔

In response to the controversy surrounding Levi’s comments, health organizations have publicly debunked the myths that link the COVID-19 vaccine to cancer or other serious health complications. Both the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute have issued statements clarifying that there is no evidence to support claims that the vaccine causes cancer or exacerbates existing health conditions.

They emphasize the importance of accurate information in discussions surrounding health and wellness, particularly during a pandemic that has already led to widespread misinformation.

Levi did that he could be wrong in his beliefs but would not be “shamed” into changing them.

What do you think about Zachary Levi’s statements? Should social media sites remove videos and messages that promote false COVID claims? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.