Jenny McCarthy Takes On Denis Leary's Autism Comments

Access Hollywood - October 17, 2008 4:21 AM PDT
Story photo: Jenny McCarthy Takes On Denis Leary's Autism CommentsAccess Hollywood

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Autism activist Jenny McCarthy has a few words for Denis Leary's recent categorization that those diagnosed with autism are, "... stupid. Or lazy. Or both" in his new book, "Why We Suck: A Feel-Good Guide to Staying Fat, Loud, Lazy and Stupid."

"Whoo! First of all, let me tell you, the autism community has received probably 10,000 emails [saying] 'Go kill him!' 'Go yell at him,'" Jenny told Billy Bush for Access Hollywood and "The Billy Bush Show" in an interview earlier today. "[But] it's so hard to even get up enough juice in me or energy in me to even try to fight someone that is obviously stupid."

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On Wednesday, Leary came under fire after the New York Post published an excerpt from the actor/comedian's new book, in which he reportedly claimed autism "diagnoses... help explain away the deficiencies of [parents'] junior morons."

Since his book made headlines yesterday, Leary issued a statement to Us Weekly claiming his comments were taken out of context.

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"I thought I made my feelings about autism very clear: that I not only support the current rational approaches to the diagnoses and treatment of real autism but have witnessed it firsthand while watching very dear old friends raise a functioning autistic child," his statement read.

"The bulk of the chapter deals with grown men who are either self-diagnosing themselves with low-level offshoots of the disease or wishing they could as a way to explain their failed careers and troublesome progeny," Leary's statement continued.

But Jenny told Billy she was unswayed by Denis' defense.

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"This community has been through so much and to compare and use the word 'dumb-a** lazy' with autism, it's just not fair. Mind you, I have not read his chapter that he has said, he has been misunderstood. So I can't comment too much 'cause otherwise I'd be just as bad as Barbara Walters who was commenting without reading my book," Jenny said.

In line with her similar response to radio shock jock Michael Savage, who attacked autism this past July, Jenny suggests Denis gets some autism education before speaking or writing again on the topic.

"These poor moms are just going through so much hell and I don't think Denis is quite educated in the area just like that other DJ," she said. "I wish these people would come sit down and talk to some families before they make comments because we are already suffering so badly... We don't need anymore [comments like that]. We're already in so much pain."

Jenny said she plans to avoid talking about Denis and his comments in the future, but if he doesn't follow her advice and seek out families for autism education, the actress said she believes they'll find him.

"My fight isn't with Denis Leary, my fight is with the government -- a bigger fish to fry. So I'm still gonna work on the vaccines and I'm still working on pediatricians and Denis Leary can go hopefully be more educated by every mother that stops him from this day forward to give him a peace of their mind," she said.

And at least one mother has already issued a public statement condemning Leary's words - autism activist and actress, Holly Robinson Peete.

"Like myself and my husband [Rodney Peete], Denis Leary is a fellow supporter of the Michael J. Fox Foundation which our HollyRod Foundation has supported for years (I lost my dad to Parkinson's disease). So I'm pretty sure he is not desensitized to the seriousness of neurological disorders - especially when it affects kids. I can only deduce that in an attempt to sell his book he tried a tactic of 'shock and rant' in hopes of being funny with the misguided excerpt from the 'Autism Schmautism' (so clever!) chapter of his new book," Holly said in a statement. "If he was trying to be funny he failed miserably... I would counsel him that autism is a very bad punch line."

Related Content from AccessHollywood.com:
PLAY IT NOW: Jenny McCarthy Opens Up About Her Breakdown
PLAY IT NOW: Denis Learys Good Cause

MORE ACCESS ON THESE TOPICS: autism - Jenny McCarthy - Celebrity Feuds

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  • Some Crazy Redhead
    Don't try to make Ms Mcarthy look good. She's a braindead numbskull with no medical expertise.
    report abuseposted September 20, 2009 2:19 AM PDT
  • Chris
    My 10 year old is autistic. If you haven't read Dennis Leary's book, you shouldn't comment. If you don't like him, don't watch him. I don't know Jenny McCarthy, I hope she is the type of parent that focuses on taking care of her child, and doesn't run around pointing out and making a big deal of how it reflects on her. It's about the
    report abuseposted November 19, 2008 10:56 AM PST
  • MJ
    What a hateful world we live in . People calling parents moron and idiots even kids. Who ever goes with out sin cast the first tone. I think everyone as forgot these are children were talking about beautiful children . MJ
    report abuseposted October 26, 2008 1:43 PM PDT
  • Jessica O
    Hi all! I am a mom of a 6 year old Autistic son and I love both Jenny and Denis. My son does have Autism and is non-verbal and gets 35 hours a week of in home therapy. I don't let things that people say about Autism make me upset. Most people still don't know awhole lot about Autism yet so people say things before thinking . It is just words and my son is real so who cares.
    report abuseposted October 23, 2008 10:28 AM PDT
  • Sounds like you're all autistic and or retarded as well. I so love hearing the Joe Plumber on a Soapbox discussions such as these from every anonymous idiot with web access. Here's a suggestion to help out the gene pool - draw a nice warm bath, and hop in with your favorite toaster or other electrical device. Please. Yes, you all suck. Go die.
    report abuseposted October 23, 2008 7:53 AM PDT
  • Carbery
    She is my favorite. Just saw her on milllionaire personals site """" R i c h M i n g l e . c o m"""""" last week. I am wondering what kind of relationship she is looking for on that site.Is she single again now? ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
    report abuseposted October 20, 2008 8:46 PM PDT
  • Budweiserfrogs
    Who cares what he (Leary) said? Whatever happened to stick and stones ...? What is really wrong with the U.S. and pretty much the entire western world is we have removed any real obstacles from our youth's lives. We remove the bullies, the name callers... we have raised a generation of people who are unprepared to face the adversities of real life.
    report abuseposted October 20, 2008 1:26 PM PDT
  • Ms. P
    For an adult to judge a child in that way is evidentally french fries short of a happy meal himself. You know when it comes to people that are so ill mannered ... let's hope none of Leary's kids has children that gets diagnosed with Autism. LOL ... eat his words.
    report abuseposted October 20, 2008 1:13 PM PDT
  • Ms. P
    For Leary to scrutinize children and judge them without truly educating himself on such a disease really shows his true colors. What an idiot.
    report abuseposted October 20, 2008 1:10 PM PDT
  • Lilly H
    Jenny McCarthy is a complete Moron herself. How dare she blame immunization shots for Autism. She has NO evidence for this yet is out there talking to everyone. I think she needs attention so badly that she has to put her son in the spotlight. OH, and now she is saying that his is no longer Autistic. She is sick and should have him taking away from her.
    report abuseposted October 20, 2008 1:08 PM PDT
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