Alec Baldwin Tweets his innocence after paparazzi tussle

Jun 19, 2012 2:26 PM by Sean O'Connell

Posted in Entertainment / Celebrity Gossip

"All Paparazzi Should Be Waterboarded"

Alec Baldwin allegedly punched a paparazzi in New York City as he and fiancee Hilaria Thomas were trying to get a marriage license. Now the photog's in the hospital and Baldwin's pleading his case… on Twitter.

Alec Baldwin and Hilaria Thomas

It should have been a happy day for Alec Baldwin. The 30 Rock and Rock of Ages star was in New York City, obtaining a marriage license with fiancée Hilaria Thomas, when the couple was confronted by swarming paparazzi eager for a lucrative shot.

What happened next depends on whom you ask.

The Daily News reported that Baldwin punched Marcus Santos, one of the paper’s photographers, on his way out of the Marriage Bureau. They even have a photo (which you can see if you click here).

“He was looking mad,” said Santos. “He said, ‘Step back, step back.’ I said, ‘We’re moving back.’”

Baldwin, meanwhile, did what he does best: Took to Twitter to plead his case.

“A 'photographer' almost hit me in the face with his camera this morning. ‪#allpaparazzishouldbewaterboarded,” he Tweeted.

Harsh! Baldwin didn’t stop there.

“The photographer who assaulted me has (belatedly) gone to a hospital claiming injuries. Colin Myler and his NOTW scams come to NY,” the actor shared.

But Baldwin might have stepped over the line when he related his photog slap fight with an actual crime, namely the Trayvon Martin case in Florida. Tweeted Baldwin, “I suppose if the offending paparazzi was wearing a hoodie and I shot him, it would all blow over…”

Celebs and Twitter often are a volatile combination. So Baldwin’s rep, Matthew Hiltzik, finally issued a statement claiming there were “no punches thrown” and that “any subsequent physical contact was simply Alec protecting himself."

Self defense. Always a safe way out of a legal jam. So who do you think is at fault: Baldwin, or the newspaper photographer assigned to snap a picture of him on what was supposed to be a memorable day?

Image courtesy of C.Smith/ WENN.com

Tags: alec baldwin

Comments

Comments on "Alec Baldwin Tweets his innocence after paparazzi tussle"

I think we are facinated by cebles because they give us a little relief form our daily grind. Most of them are not perfect and I think we like to see that they are contending with problems. Now, they make way too much money and they have the means to help out so many others who are less fortunate. But the reality is they will do things to promote thier movie or television show or concert. I have met many cebles in my life and like so many others they can be selfish and more than others self centered. WE feed their thirst for being the center of attention. I would hope that one day a teacher or a fire or policeman would get to for one day feel our admiration owned to them.

Come on Alec! You don't have to be a meany pants. Even if it was in self defense, you don't have to land the guy in the hospital. The paparazzi are just doing their job, you don't have to knock them on the pavement. Haven't you been The Famous Alec Baldwin for long enough to know how to deal with them?

I can't imagine how invasive the paparazzi can be, but that is something that you sign up for when you become a celebrity. At his age, Alec should have the sense to just walk away or ignore what is going on. I think that celebrities still deserve some respect, but the paparazzi are just trying to make a dollar too. Either side could be argued!