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Zachary Levi on Sunday revealed on social media that his father Darrell Pugh has died after a battle with cancer.
The Shazam! Fury Of The Gods star, 42, was also involved in a controversial online stir earlier Sunday after he posted a critical tweet of the pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, quote tweeting a post from an account espousing anti-vaccine views that claimed the company was ‘a real danger to the world.’
Levi on Sunday took to the site with a message informing his followers that his father had tragically passed away a few days earlier, after a battle with cancer.
The latest: Zachary Levi, 42, took to Twitter Monday evening to ask for prayers for his father Darrell Pugh, who he said appears to be in the final stages of a cancer battle
He shared a heartbreaking message titled Papa D and wrote: ‘Many of you have been asking for an update on my dad, Darrell. Though he fought valiantly until the end, my pop passed away peacefully a few days ago, surrounded by friends and family.’
The American Underdog star continued: ‘Watching anyone slowly die of cancer is one of the worst experiences I can attest to. But knowing that he is no longer trapped in his decaying body, and now singing karaoke in heaven, gives me so much peace and joy.’
The star emotionally expressed that all the ‘love’ and ‘prayers’ that were sent to his father has given him’even more faith in humanity. Know that he felt and appreciated it all, as did our whole family.’
In conclusion, Zachary added, ‘Sending you all endless love and light right back.’ Along with the message, the actor additionally added a caption to the post, where he emphasized the importance of family.
Heartbreaking message: The star wrote out in a message that, ‘Though he fought valiantly until the end, my pop passed away peacefully a few days ago, surrounded by friends and family’
Response: The actor received a number of supportive responses from his colleagues in the entertainment industry and beyond
The Lake Charles, Louisiana captioned the post, ‘Hug those you love. Hug ‘em tight. Talk about everything you need to talk about. Say all the things. And when the time comes, release them to journey back to where it all began. Back to paradise. A place we’ll all be so lucky to return to some day.’
The actor received a number of supportive responses from his colleagues in the entertainment industry and beyond.
Among those to send kind messages in response to the announcement included Mandy Moore, James Gunn, Lucy Liu, Chrissy Metz, Yung Pueblo, Jai Courtney, Steven Ogg and Peter Facinelli, among others.
Moore said, ‘Sending you and your family all my love, Zac,’ while Metz said, ‘Praying for a beautiful transition for your Dad. May peace surround you and your family.’
Sunday’s sad news came about two weeks after the actor took to Twitter to ask for prayers for his father in the final stages of a cancer battle.
‘Sittin in my dad’s hospital room with him,’ the actor said. ‘He’s not doin so hot right now. The thyroid cancer just won’t quit, and is slowly overtaking his trachea … Papa D is not long for this world.’
Levi had past posted a clip of his father in late November, ahead of a surgery he was set to undergo in the ongoing cancer battle.
‘Thank you all for your continued and humbling show of love, and light, and thoughts, and prayers, and just overall intentional, positive energy that you have sent his, and our, way,’ he said. ‘It has meant more than any of these words can really say.’
Fighting: In November, Zachary, who was previously married to actress Missy Peregrym, gave an update about his father’s health battle
Tough times: The actor earlier this month told a fan he was with his ailing father who was hospitalized in the late stage of his cancer battle
Levi earlier Sunday was slammed online after he posted a critical tweet of the pharmaceutical giant Pfizer in the early hours of Sunday.
The Shazam! Fury Of The Gods star, 42, set off the controversy after he quote tweeted a post from an account espousing anti-vaccine views that claimed Pfizer was ‘a real danger to the world.’
Levi, whose new DC Comics film is set to hit theaters on March 17, wrote in his retweet: ‘Hardcore agree.’
Although Levi was expressing a personal opinion, he is now a figure within Warner Bros brand – and this latest move could mark the beginning of yet another publicity battle for the film and TV studio.
This is the latest embarrassing feat in a myriad of issues embattled Warner has had in trying to promote films starring controversial characters.
DC Studios, a division of Warner Bros, is the film and television company that oversees the production of various films based on DC comics and material.
Recently the company faced another embarrassing debacle relating to its star Ezra Miller, who was due to appear in its $250m superhero flick The Flash.
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Last week they pleaded guilty to an unlawful trespassing charge for breaking into their neighbor’s home in Vermont and stealing alcohol.
Anti-vax controversy: Zachary Levi, 42, sparked rumors that he may have anti-vaccine views after he posted multiple tweets critical of the pharmaceutical giant Pfizer early on Sunday; seen in December 2021 in Los Angeles
Response: The actor tweeted a post from an account espousing anti-vaccine views that claimed Pfizer was ‘a real danger to the world,’ and added his response, ‘Hardcore agree’
Another tweet: The Chuck actor shared another repost with an ‘example’ from the Justice Department, and penned, ‘Just one example of what I’m referring to…,’ followed by a sad face emoji
Response: The latest tweets from the talented star immediately prompted backlash from social media users who jumped to the comment section
It September an exposé of the actor’s 2022 arrests showed that they ran a secret harem out of their Vermont ranch – a de facto convent where the star asserted themself as a Jesus figure over a number of women.
In December Superman star Henry Cavill was fired by DC just days after the axe fell on Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman 3 and a massive shake-up at DC Studios. Cavill said just months prior in October he had been told by DC bosses to announce that he would be returning as Superman.
After being told by the studio to announce my return back in October, prior to their hire, this news isn’t the easiest, but that’s life,’ he said at the time.
The 29-year-old British actor most recently had a cameo appearance as Superman at the end of Warner Bros’ Black Adam. That came just days before James Gunn and Peter Safran were brought on as the new heads of the studio.
Levi’s potentially problematic comments were made in the early hours on January 29.
The Chuck actor soon followed up with another reposted tweet from a link titled, ‘Justice Department announces largest healthcare fraud settlement in history,’ which was originally shared in 2009.
He then typed out, ‘Just one example of what I’m referring to…,’ followed by a sad face emoji.
The latest tweets from the talented star immediately prompted backlash from social media users who jumped to the comment section to offer their own thoughts.
One follower wrote out, ‘Chuck was good but not good enough for you to be doing all this…’
Another user typed out in the comment section, ‘Blocked for disappointing nonsense,’ while a fan came to the defense of Zachary and wrote, ‘the way people jump to conclusions and assume the worst is the most toxic part of twitter.’
However, another Twitter user penned, ‘Here I was, actually kind of excited for your movie. But nah. I’m not supporting you now.’
Zachary is set to appear on the big screen later this year on March 17 in the sequel, Shazam! Fury Of The Gods, and a new trailer was recently released earlier this week. Alongside the actor, other stars that were cast in the action film include Lucy Liu and Helen Mirren.
When talking about what fans can expect in the second installment, director David F. Sandberg explained to Entertainment Weekly that Zachary, ‘has serious range, and I think it’s nice he gets to show some of that in this one.’
‘It’s not just like, ‘Wow, I get to be a superhero!’ He actually has to take some responsibility and save the world this time.’
Last month in December, Zachary personally responded to rumors that there was a possibility that he would be replaced in the DC Universe, and told fans on Twitter, ‘Oooh, I really wouldn’t go believing everything you see on the internet. I’m Gucci, Ash. We all Gucci,’ referencing to the user’s tweet he reposted.
DailyMail.com has reached out Levi’s representative for comment.
Still in the DC Universe: Last month in December, Zachary personally responded to rumors that there was a possibility that he would be replaced in the DC Universe
Sequel: When talking about what fans can expect in the upcoming Shazam! sequel, director David F. Sandberg explained to Entertainment Weekly that Zachary, ‘has serious range’ and that, ‘He actually has to take some responsibility and save the world this time’; seen in April 2022 in Las Vegas
