Hollywood Icon Daryl Hannah Condemns Ryan Murphy's 'Tragedy-Exploiting' Biopic
Television producer Ryan Murphy has ignited a firestorm with his latest glossy biopic, Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette, which delves into the 1990s romance between JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette, both of whom perished in a tragic 1999 plane crash. Based on Elizabeth Beller's book, the series features Hollywood legend Daryl Hannah, portrayed by model-actress Dree Hemingway, but Hannah has launched a scathing critique, labeling the show as "tragedy-exploiting television" that disseminates five "appalling" falsehoods about her life.
Daryl Hannah's Explosive Rebuttal to 'False' Allegations
In a fiery essay for the New York Times, Hannah, renowned for roles in Blade Runner, Splash, and Kill Bill, denounced the series' depiction of her character as "irritating, self-absorbed, whiny, and inappropriate." She argued that the portrayal is "not even remotely accurate" and accused the show of using her as a "narrative device" to elevate Bessette's story, questioning, "Isn't it textbook misogyny to tear down one woman in order to build up another?"
Hannah categorically refuted five specific claims made in the series, asserting:
- "I have never used cocaine in my life or hosted cocaine-fueled parties."
- "I have never pressured anyone into marriage."
- "I have never desecrated any family heirloom or intruded upon anyone's private memorial."
- "I have never planted any story in the press."
- "I never compared Jacqueline Onassis' death to a dog's."
She emphasized that these are "assertions about conduct – and they are false," not mere creative embellishments. Hannah also revealed receiving "hostile" and "threatening" messages since the show aired, amplifying the personal toll of the controversy.
Viewer Backlash and Social Media Outcry
Sympathizing with Hannah's plight, viewers have expressed dismay on social media platforms. One X user, GhostMellie, criticized Murphy for a lack of respect, while SoapsandSciFi described the show as full of "sickness and bitterness." In a pointed comparison, NotMikeHarlow joked, "Jeffrey Dahmer got a more flattering portrayal than they've given her!" Another user, greatestdisease, suggested, "Maybe daryl hannah can finally put a stop to ryan murphy," highlighting growing public support for the actress.
Critical Acclaim Amidst Growing Controversy
Despite the uproar, Love Story has garnered significant critical success, achieving an 80% "fresh" score on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics, including Metro's Rebecca Cook, have praised it as "captivating" and "dazzling." However, this acclaim is overshadowed by condemnation from JFK Jr.'s nephew, Jack Schlossberg, who branded the series "grotesque" in a CBS Sunday Morning interview. Schlossberg, 33, called the show "capital F for fiction" and urged Murphy to donate profits to causes championed by JFK Jr., stating, "The guy knows nothing about what he's talking about, and he's making a ton of money on a grotesque display of someone else's life."
Ryan Murphy's History of Controversial Portrayals
This controversy is not isolated in Murphy's career. In 2017, actress Olivia de Havilland sued over her portrayal in Feud: Bette and Joan, though a judge ruled in Murphy's favor on free speech grounds. More recently, his 2022 Netflix series Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story faced criticism from victims' families for insensitivity and romanticization. Follow-up series on figures like the Menendez brothers and Ed Gein have similarly drawn fire for embellishing real events. In response to the Dahmer backlash, Murphy defended his approach, stating it focused on "who was complicit in making the monster" and tackled issues like systemic racism and homophobia.
As the debate rages on, Love Story continues to stream on Disney Plus with weekly episodes, leaving audiences to grapple with the ethical boundaries of biographical storytelling. Metro has reached out to Ryan Murphy's representatives for comment, underscoring the ongoing nature of this high-profile dispute.
