Comedian Tim Dillon made quite the impression at Netflix’s “Torching 2024: A Roast of the Year” when he appeared as the “ghost” of slain UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Just weeks after Thompson was tragically gunned down in Manhattan, Dillon took the stage dressed in a similar outfit to the late executive, complete with ghoulish gray makeup and chains.
As Dillon introduced himself as Thompson, he didn’t hold back, addressing the audience’s mixed reactions to the CEO’s death. With jokes about UnitedHealthcare’s track record of denying claims and poking fun at the accused assassin, Luigi Mangione, Dillon’s set received a mix of shock and laughter.
The comedian’s raunchy material and satirical take on the healthcare industry had the audience groaning and laughing in equal measure. With lines like “Deny, defend, decompose!” as a play on Mangione’s alleged message on his bullet casings, Dillon’s performance was a bold and memorable one.
Hosted by comedian Jeff Ross, the roast also featured actor John Stamos and fellow comics Mark Normand and Sam Morril. Dillon’s set was teased as “as tasteless as it looks,” and he delivered on that promise with his controversial and boundary-pushing material.
Mangione, who allegedly planned Thompson’s murder months in advance, was apprehended in Pennsylvania and received messages of support and admiration while awaiting extradition. The Ivy League graduate from a wealthy family had a grudge against the health insurance industry, leading to his violent actions.
Overall, Dillon’s performance at the roast was a standout moment, blending dark humor with social commentary in a way that both entertained and provoked thought. The event was a mix of shock, laughter, and controversy, with Dillon’s portrayal of Thompson adding a unique and memorable twist to the evening.