The family of George Floyd has publicly condemned comedian Tony Hinchcliffe following a controversial joke made during a recent Netflix roast of actor Kevin Hart.
In a statement released through the Gianna and George Floyd Foundation, family representatives described the remark as “sad for the culture” and expressed disappointment in both the comedian and the event’s host. During the comedy special, Hinchcliffe addressed Hart by referencing the 2020 death of Floyd, which occurred after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for nearly 10 minutes.
Hinchcliffe told the audience that the Black community was proud of Hart, adding, “Right now, George Floyd is looking up at us all, laughing so hard he can’t breathe.” The remark played on Floyd’s final words, “I can’t breathe.”
“It is heartbreaking..”
This is not the first time Hinchcliffe has faced scrutiny for using Floyd’s death as a punchline. During the recent roast of former NFL star Tom Brady, the “Kill Tony” host made a similar reference regarding retired player Rob Gronkowski. “It is heartbreaking to see a tragedy that changed the world used for cheap laughs,” the foundation said in a reported statement.
The organization emphasized that while roasts are known for being edgy and offensive, certain boundaries regarding human rights and tragic deaths should remain respected. As of Wednesday, neither Hart nor Hinchcliffe has issued a formal response to the family’s criticism.
Netflix has also remained silent regarding the calls to edit the special. The incident continues to fuel a larger debate within the entertainment industry about the limits of “roast culture” and the responsibility of platforms to moderate content involving victims of violence.
Floyd’s death in May 2020 led to the conviction of former officer Derek Chauvin and served as a catalyst for the Black Lives Matter movement. For the family, the use of his name in a comedic setting remains a painful reminder of the event that stayed in the public consciousness for years.
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