Universal Orlando actor fired for making racist hand gesture in photo
UNIVERSAL CITY, CA - APRIL 11: Gru and his Minion attends Universal Studios Hollywood Celebrates The Premiere Of New 3D Ultra HD digital Animation Adventure "Despicable Me Minion Mayhem" at Universal Studios Hollywood on April 11, 2014 in Universal C
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - A Universal Orlando actor who was dressed as movie character “Gru” has been fired for making an “OK” hand gesture that has been designated a hate symbol used by white supremacists in a photo with a biracial girl.
Universal spokesman Tom Schroder on Wednesday confirmed to The Associated Press in an email that the unidentified actor no longer works for the company. Schroder says what the actor did is unacceptable.
A photo shows the actor fully disguised as “Gru” from the “Despicable Me” movie franchise standing behind the girl with a hand making the “OK” gesture on her shoulder.
The photo was taken at a character breakfast.
The “OK” gesture was added last week to the Anti-Defamation League’s online database of hate symbols.