Actor Wil Wheaton blasted Larry David for attacking Elmo on live television earlier this month, explaining to fans in a scorching 900-word Facebook post that the violent behavior triggered memories of abuse he faced as a child.
“What a stupid, self-centered, tone deaf a–hole,” Wheaton wrote of the Curb Your Enthusiasm star.
“All the time, when I was growing up, my dad would grab me by the shoulders and shake me while he screamed in my face,” he continued. “He choked me more than once. He was always out of control, always in a furious rage, and always terrifying. I’m a 51 year-old man and my heart is pounding right now, recalling how I felt when I was a little boy who loved Grover the way today’s kids love Elmo.”
Wheaton, who appeared in “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and “Stand By Me,” went on to describe 76-year-old David’s behavior as “appalling,” “unforgivable,” and “despicable,” adding that it hit “more than one raw nerve for me.” He also slammed the comedian’s apology as “obviously insincere,” and questioned what he was thinking at the time.
“You couldn’t stand that a puppet brought people together in a meaningful way that you can’t? You couldn’t stand that your appearance on national television to promote your wildly successful series was delayed for a few seconds while the adults talked about mental health?”
Wheaton was referring to a social media post shared on X by Elmo on January 30.
“Elmo is just checking in,” he wrote. “How is everybody doing?
The post drew thousands of responses — some of them silly, others sincere and nearly all of them lamenting their current situations. Days later, during an appearance on “Today” to promote the final season of “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” David grabbed the red puppet and gave him shake, saying, “Someone had to do it.”
Elmo called after: “Mr. Larry, Elmo liked you before!”
David went on to apologize to Elmo later on in the segment.
“In the ‘Sesame Street’ universe, ELMO IS A CHILD, who is currently putting mental health and caring for others in the spotlight,” Wheaton said. “Elmo is an avatar for children all over the world. Children who are too small to understand Elmo is a puppet will know that a man attacked someone they love for no reason, and that will frighten and confuse them.”
