Jamie Lee Curtis expressed deep emotion while reflecting on the recent death of Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot at Utah Valley University on September 10. Curtis’s emotional response highlights the complex feelings surrounding Kirk’s passing and the impact it has had on those mourning him.
Jamie Lee Curtis Shares Her Feelings on Charlie Kirk’s Passing
On September 15, during her appearance on Marc Maron’s WTF podcast, Jamie Lee Curtis opened up about the difficulty she faced in processing Kirk’s death. Despite their political disagreements, Curtis emphasized Kirk’s faith and humanity, saying,
“I believe he was a man of faith, and I hope in that moment when he died that he felt connected to his faith,”
Curtis said, her voice becoming emotional.
“Even though I find what his ideas were abhorrent to me, I still believe he’s a father and a husband and a man of faith, and I hope whatever ‘connection to God’ means, that he felt it.”
She revealed that she sometimes referred to Kirk as “Crist” due to his deeply held religious beliefs, stating,
“I’m going to bring something up with you just because it’s front of mind. Charlie Crist was killed two days ago,”
followed by,
“Sorry, Kirk. I just call him Crist, I think, because of Christ, because of his deep belief.”
Curtis acknowledged their many disagreements but wanted to highlight the spiritual aspect of his character.
Details Surrounding the Shooting and Investigation
Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was speaking at an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, when he was shot and killed on Wednesday, September 10. He was 31 years old and is survived by his wife, Erika Kirk, and their two children. Authorities identified Tyler Robinson as the suspect and arrested him on September 12; he remains in custody at Utah County Jail without bail.
The moment of the shooting was captured on video, which Curtis referenced while discussing the societal impact of repeated exposure to violent imagery. She commented on this alarming trend by saying,
“Today, we as a society are bombarded with imagery,”
and referenced the aftermath of September 11, adding,
“So, we don’t know what the longitudinal effects of seeing those Towers come down over and over and over and over again or watching [Charlie’s] execution over and over and over again.”
Curtis expressed concern about the psychological consequences of such repeated exposure, stating,
“We are numb to them, but they are in there. We don’t know, we don’t know enough psychologically about what that does. What does that do?”
Upcoming Memorial Service Honors Charlie Kirk’s Life
Plans are in motion for a public memorial event titled Building a Legacy, Remembering Charlie Kirk, scheduled for Sunday, September 21, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. This large venue, home to the Arizona Cardinals NFL team, can accommodate up to 73,000 attendees, reflecting the significant impact Kirk had on many people.
In a heartfelt live stream shared via Charlie’s social media account on September 15, Erika Kirk spoke of her late husband’s devotion to their family. She said,
“Charlie loved his children and he loved me with all of his heart and I knew that every day. He made sure I knew that every day.”
She added,
“Every day he would ask me, ‘How can I serve you better? How can I be a better husband? How can I be a better father?’ … He was such a good man. He still is such a good man. He was the perfect father. He was the perfect husband.”
The Broader Impact of Charlie Kirk’s Death
The killing of Charlie Kirk has stirred a wide range of emotions, especially given his role as a public figure and activist. Celebrities such as Chris Martin and Jessie James Decker have publicly mourned the loss, underscoring the wide-reaching effect of this tragedy. The public memorial at a major sports venue also illustrates how Kirk’s life resonated beyond politics, touching families and communities alike.
Jamie Lee Curtis’s emotional reflections add a nuanced layer to the public conversation, showing that even amid disagreement, there can be empathy and hope for spiritual peace. As discussions continue, the psychological toll of witnessing such violent acts through video remains a critical concern, suggesting a need for deeper understanding of the effects on society.
