Ben Stiller stands by Shaun White amid controversy over Tropic Thunder-themed Halloween costume

By DAILYMAIL.COM REPORTER

Published: | Updated:

Ben Stiller is standing by Shaun White.

The Olympian has been criticized by the Special Olympics and on social media, over his Halloween costume of Simple Jack, an intellectually-disabled character Stiller played - who was referred to by the r-word - in the 2008 film Tropic Thunder.

After a social media user sarcastically suggested a boycott of the film, the 52-year-old actor took to Twitter on Tuesday to remind everyone of the controversy the film generated a decade back.  

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Backup: Ben Stiller Tuesday said he stands by Shaun White, who was being criticized for his Halloween costume of Simple Jack, an intellectually-disabled character Stiller played - who was referred to by the r-word - in the 2008 film Tropic Thunder
Eye of the storm: Shaun White was snapped during the Olympics earlier this year

Backup: Ben Stiller Tuesday said he stands by Shaun White, who was being criticized for his Halloween costume of Simple Jack, an intellectually-disabled character Stiller played - who was referred to by the r-word - in the 2008 film Tropic Thunder

'Actually Tropic Thunder was boycotted 10 years ago when it came out, and I apologized then,' Stiller wrote on Twitter. 'It was always meant to make fun of actors trying to do anything to win awards.'

The backlash included a Rally for Respect conducted by disability groups, ultimately leading to a meeting between the groups and DreamWorks executives to smooth over tensions.

In the storyline of the film, Stiller played an actor named Tugg Speedman who played the role of Simple Jack in hopes of winning an Oscar. The topic was broached in the film in an infamous discussion between Stiller's Speedman and Robert Downey Jr.'s character, Kirk Lazarus.

'I stand by my apology, the movie, Shaun White, And the great people and work of the @SpecialOlympics,' Stiller said. 

Stiller's remarks came after White himself apologized Monday via social media over what he referred to as a 'poor choice of Halloween costume.'

Throwback: The 52-year-old actor took to Twitter on Tuesday to remind everyone of the controversy the film generated a decade back

Throwback: The 52-year-old actor took to Twitter on Tuesday to remind everyone of the controversy the film generated a decade back

Poor choice: White dressed up for Halloween costume as Simple Jack, an intellectually-disabled character Stiller played in the 2008 film
Cop out? Stiller said the film was to poke fun at actors seeking to win awards

Poor choice: White dressed up for Halloween costume as Simple Jack, an intellectually-disabled character Stiller played in the 2008 film 

Said the Olympian: 'I owe everyone in the Special Olympics community an apology ... it was a last minute decision. It was the wrong one. The Special Olympics were right to call me out on it.'

White continued, 'They do great work supporting so many tremendous athletes and I am sorry for being insensitive. Lesson learned.'

His remarks came after the Special Olympics' Soeren Palumbo issued a statement ripping his ensemble.

'We are truly disappointed that Shaun White, an acclaimed Olympian, would choose this costume which is so offensive and causes so much pain,' Palumbo said. 'Disability is not a joke nor should it be a punchline. We hope that Shaun White and others learn that this just continues stigma, stereotypes and discrimination.' 

Mea culpa: White took to social media Monday to apologize for the gaffe 

Mea culpa: White took to social media Monday to apologize for the gaffe 

Ben StillerShaun WhiteHalloween

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