NewsFlorida News

Actions

Universal Orlando actor dressed as 'Gru' fired for making racist hand gesture

Posted
and last updated

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.

RECOMMENDED: 'OK' is now a hate symbol, the ADL says

Universal spokesman Tom Schroder on Wednesday confirmed in an email that the unidentified actor no longer works for the company. Schroder says what the actor did is unacceptable.

A photo provided by the 6-year-old girl’s parents to Florida Today 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.

Her parents say 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.