Claims of twin towers escape could hit his career

An American comedian has been exposed for lying about escaping the September 11 attacks on New York's World Trade Centre.

Steve Rannazzisi had claimed to have been working for Merrill Lynch on the 54th floor when Al Qaeda terrorists piloted two planes into the buildings in 2001.

On Marc Maron's WTF podcast a few years ago, he claimed the experience led him to move to California to follow his comedy dreams.

Rannazzisi, 37, told how he escaped to the street when he saw a plane hit the tower next to him, despite warnings not to. 'I was there and then the first tower got hit and we were like jostled all over the place,' he said.

He added his wife (then girlfriend) also worked in the building and span a tale of walking home to Brooklyn despite not knowing what had happened to her for several hours afterwards.

He gave a similar account on a Pauly Shore TV show in 2009.

However an investigation by the New York Times exposed the lie – including the fact that Merrill Lynch has no record of his employment and had no offices in either tower.

In a statement to the newspaper he said: 'I was not at the Trade Centre on that day. I don't know why I said this. This was inexcusable. I am truly, truly sorry.'

'It was profoundly disrespectful to those who perished and those who lost loved ones. he stupidity and guilt I have felt for many years has not abated. It was an early taste of having a public persona, and I made a terrible mistake. All I can ask is for forgiveness.'

The revelations that Rannazzisi had lied could have a major impact on his career.

He appears in adverts for Buffalo Wild Wings, who said they were 'disappointed to learn of Steve's misrepresentations' and 'are currently re-evaluating our relationship with Steve.'

His latest stand-up special is due t launch on Comedy Central on Saturday, forcing network executives to re-evaluate their position. A spokesman said they were 'disappointed to hear about Steve's misrepresentations' – although the 9/11 story has never appeared in his stand-up.

Published: 17 Sep 2015