Surfers Attack Photographer Over Matthew McConaughey

MALIBU, Calif. — A paparazzo trying to photograph Matthew McConaughey at the beach told police he was attacked by a mob of surfers who threw his camera in the ocean.

The 29-year-old photojournalist told sheriff's deputies that a large group of surfers near Paradise Cove in Malibu approached him and other paparazzi about 2 p.m. Saturday and demanded the group stop taking pictures and filming.

"There was apparently a fight, and the photographer gave a statement that he received injuries," Los Angeles County sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore said Sunday. Detectives are investigating, he said.

McConaughey was not involved in the attack, authorities said.

A call to McConaughey's publicist was not immediately returned.

The celebrity Web site TMZ.com posted a video Sunday showing about a dozen young men in swimsuits approaching what appears to be a group of paparazzi and yelling and swearing at them.

A scuffle breaks out after one of the photographers exchanges insults with the group and at first refuses their orders to leave.

"I'll give you a thousand bucks if you leave right now," one of the young men in swimsuits tells the photographers.

Another shoves a photographer filming the scene, and still another says, "We'll draw a line in the beach, and we'll fight for the beach. If you guys win, you can have the beach."

When one member of the group shouts at a photographer, "Get a ... real job," the photographer replies, "This is a real job. What do you do?"

The man replies: "I just drink beer and party."

Comments

[miles120]

Excuse me, but please identify where in the story it says that these photographers were harassing anyone. There are plenty of times when the paparazzi don't act professionally, but the fact of the matter is that if people didn't buy up celebrity rags there wouldn't be a market for those pictures. These people are providing a service and product that is in high demand. To state otherwise is ignorant at best and disingenuous at worst.

[rmetz74]

The existence of tabloids doesn't justify photographers functioning like stalkers. What's ignorant and disingenuous is to assume this photographer just showed up, kept to himself, and got attacked. Those of us who live in LA know how these guys behave. They follow and harass stars - and anyone who happens to be within 50 feet of them - almost 24/7, just to the brink of legality, and then cry foul when someone finally lashes out - as ANY human being would eventually.

I don't condone attacking anyone. But no matter what he was doing in this particular moment, if this guy is professional paparazzo, he's hardly an innocent victim.

[MiraMcB]

Ok, so you are blaming the celebs for it because the dim-bulb American public buys gossip rags?

[miles120]

Where did I say that I blame celebs? All I said was that there's nothing in the story about paparazzi acting unprofessionally. We are, after all, talking about someone assaulting another person. Remember that part?

[Wilburrr]

I quit surfing when it became a contact sport. The beerdrinking? Since then I've gone to tastier microbrews.

[KOisGod]

"Surfers" are under the mistake notion that they are somehow doing something noble by communing with nature and the rythems of the sea. They see themselves as the spokesmen for mothernature and want to preserve her innocence from the spoiling hand of man.

The reality?

They are out in nature, yes, but the spiritual communion ends when they turn self absorbed (THE definition of a surfer, LA style), are drunks and druggies, think that every wave coming in is THEIRS, and they break into other peoples cars to steal their stuff.

Their job description - "they drink and party".

Perfect

[Forester]

I think it might be a viral promo for a reality show, or maybe the inspiration for one. Calling David Hasselhoff and Parker Stevenson!

[Economike]

The man replies: "I just drink beer and party."

Lucky Bastard

[monty]

Scum vs. Lowlifes.

[ibsteve2u]

Over-response by the surfers...but still - the paparazzi seem to have no lines at all to prevent them from invading other people's privacy.

Would you all be so anxious to defend them if the paparazzi were wearing nylon jackets that said NSA and were operating under the orders of George W. Bush - and photographing your house and your activities in your yard and your swimming pool?

I think not...

(P.S. - Don't worry about the NSA hiring paparazzi...they use the new generation of spy satellites - you don't even know that you're being photographed.)

[BlueOnBlue]

Bad analogy.

However, I would defend the right of even skinheads to parade through my hometown. I would protest against them, but as long as they didn't take away someone else's liberties, they should be left alone.

If I can defend a skinhead's rights, I can defend these paparazzi.. The unlawful acts here were by the "surfers."

Although some people on this blog thread are coming very close to inciting others to violence. Some really ugly stuff has been posted. Look in the mirror, folks.

[lisakaz2]

I can't say I blame the surfers. Maybe we'd all benefit if those photogs covered a real story, like Iraq.

[citizenofmars]

He surfs? Where's the proof? That tiny sixteen inch swell he was bobbing around on like a lost cork? Let's see some footage of him ripping up Trestles on a ten-foot day. These modern progeny of such infamous Malibu wildmen as Mickey Dora seem satisfied to play at being surfers. Malibu has always been a geekbeach, full of tourists and Vals on popouts. Real surfers don't touch it under six feet. McConny-hey is just trolling for a new image, and the Paps are his pawns. Malibu is a Hollywood joke and so is M.M.'s 'surfing'. Here's a guy who can afford to surf the best breaks on earth, and he's slopping around in Malibu mush for the Britney Spears groupies.

[InformedSources]

Have you ever surfed in ANY size surf? Based on what you wrote here, I really doubt it. Your narrow-mindedness, lack of awareness, and ill will are so apparent.

Could it be that M.M. is learning how to surf just now? In that case, smaller waves would be the wise choice for him. It takes considerable skill and preparation to surf safely in larger surf. It is only a total kook who goes out in overhead surf when he is not prepared for it, thereby endangering himself and others. A good surfer surfs within his ability.

If Matthew M. paddled out at Maverick's or Pipeline and broke his neck, you'd be sitting here clucking your lips at that. Damned if he does, damned if he doesn't.

I could go on, but I don't want to waste my time on straightening you out. Based on your attitude, I'm quite sure you're just one of those people who...never...learn.

[MiraMcB]

Ditto that. As it happens, Matthew McC. DOES surf. Has for years and does it all over the world. He's in Nicaraugua surfing at the mo. He also has a surfing apparel line, j. k. livin.

http://wellington.morefm.co.nz/Portals/21/Member/matthew-mcconaughey-030508.jpg

[citizenofmars]

I've surfed from Cocoa to Tunnels. Thanks for addressing my points. And you're trying to say..what?? That M.M. is a Grem? A kook? A Texas Val? It was FLAT at Malibu, Dude-O. If MM paddled out at Maverick's that's the last we'd ever see of him. Sorry for my ATTITUDE, but Hollywood phonies like MM crack me up, especially when they cop a new look for the Paps. He's the worst actor ever, just re-watch U-51 or whatever it was called. He was a joke! And I saw him on TMZ treating some poor teenage fan who wanted an autograph like she wasTyphoid Mary. What a self-possessed egomaniac! The girl was in tears. He SUCKS. And have you seen his 'brother', the mentally challenged oil-rig worker? You can really see where the bad genes came from. Maybe MM can cop some surfing lessons from a real surfer, like Sean Penn. Don't laugh! There's more Spicoli in Penn's pinky than in all of MM's wetsuit. And how come Mickey Dora & Corky Carroll never wore a wetsuit?

[Sumocat]

"He surfs? Where's the proof?" -- I think it got tossed into the ocean.

[citizenofmars]

now we'll never really know...

[prattvictory]

Like the only test of manhood is sitting on a surfboard waiting to catch a gnarly wave to shred. That fact that you take it upon yourself to judge someone for not being a pompous as you is laughable.

"Real Surfers" most of the "Real Surfers" I've know growing up in Southern California are real losers. Get a real job and move out of your parents garage.

[citizenofmars]

surfers rule, fratboy scumbags drooool...

[DPonyourset]

This story is not wether or not MM surfs, surfs well, rips it up or sucks. This story is also not about YOU and wether you surf and how well you surf. You sir are the egomaniac here.

[Iago]

Surfers don't share 'their' beach with anyone. Children with sand pails are harassed until they leave. Now if the photographers were pretty girls in bikinis....

[andvoodoo2]

"Surfers don't share 'their' beach with anyone."
Then maybe the next time a surfer nearly drowns, is attacked by a shark or otherwise injured, the surfers can tend to their colleague themselves without the aid of medical personnel. After all, we wouldn't want the rescuers to invade "their" beach.

[citizenofmars]

Surfers have rescued thousands of swimmers in distress. How many swimmers have rescued surfers in distress? Outside of the Lifeguards, probably not even ONE...

[citizenofmars]

Most surfers are friendly. L.A. is a messed up place. I prefer Orange County beaches myself. Nicer crowd.

[Iago]

Surfers are great fun, except don't get in their way or even look like you might get in the way of the surfing and that could mean being on the beach or in the water.

In my beach days, if surfers are there, move along to where they are not. The day goes better that way.

[FZliveson]

Think about it! It is really fun to get rid of some of the emotions we feel about the paparazzi.
But, if "Surfers" are allowed to strong-arm photographers, where does it end...having a private militia to keep people from doing this or saying that? There are some fine lines we need to think about before we cross them. Also...where did a "surfer" get a thousand bucks to bribe a photographer to leave? And why would a "surfer" want to bribe a photographer to leave. I surfed in high school and any chance to see a photo of me on my board was a joy I looked forward to. Something smells here!

[BlueOnBlue]

I'm sort of shocked at the knee-jerk reaction of HuffPost commenters on this. I'm not a paparazzi and I don't like them, but these guys were on a public beach doing nothing but capturing images.

These guys might be your idea of scum, but they have the right to be protected against bodily harm. The greater crimes here - in fact the only crimes - were that the photographes were physically attacked and their property was purposely destroyed.

If you don't defend the rights of people you don't like, you will someday lose your own rights.

[Nader2008]

Why are you suprised? Liberalism has long left what is right or wrong. It is all about power. Liberals now are so myopic with thier own intorelance and bigotry it is now becoming Orwellian. Remember always question authority even if it is the authority you help put in.

[OptimisticMF]

Read your last sentence and tell me where you've been for the last 7+ years, you bozo.

[swingerofbirches]

He just can't keep his shirt on...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuYD2cwMbpw&feature=related

[Durango]

While I admire the surfers who went after the scumbag photographers. And would like to see more of it I do need to comment about Malibu.

I was there once years ago. Many of the house were built not only on the beach, but below the High Water Mark. This struck me as, quite frankly, INSANE. Another instance of people with way more money than sense. And relieves me of any sense of sympathy when their houses are washed into the Pacific Ocean.

But a much greater concern is that these rich people have privitized the beaches of California. And that is just flat wrong (as well as stupid. See above).

Beaches should be public. And should not be built upon.

Of course this is going on all over America. But Malibu may be the worst example. The worst I have seen anyhow.

And then the rich SOB's expect us to subsidize their flood insurance when their houses get washed away. Absolute insanity.

[BlazeKING]

The Pap are stalkers and deserved to be knocked out of the beach.

[andvoodoo2]

And next week, when the surfers decide that they don't want any Mexicans on the beach and attack a Mexican family, will it still be okay with you?

IT'S A FREE COUNTRY! (Or, it was until about 7 and a half years ago.)

McConaughey should have done everything possible to stop the attackers and if he doesn't help with their prosecution, then he is scum and deserves the ultimate worst thing that can happen to a celeb - TO BE IGNORED!

[Nader2008]

Right on!! I guess the HuffPost commenters take a side and never see the others view. McConaughey is handsome and part of the Hollywood, so automatically he good and righteous. Paparazzi is scum and deserve injustice in thier eyes. Talk about knee jerk and makes commenters more noble. Most surfers are cool but many have frat boy mentallity which is dispicable.

[eden4barack08]

That will depend on whether the Mexican family is stalking too!