A longtime SeaWorld mime has alleged that he was unfairly released from his position at SeaWorld after a disagreement with a security guard.
Lynn Frey, known as “Lynn the Mime,” has garnered a huge following on social media after becoming a staple at SeaWorld Orlando.
Last month, Frey's contract with the company was terminated after one security guard reported him to human resources following a verbal dispute, per the New York Post.
The much-loved professional mime has now taken to TikTok to share his heartbreak after losing the job he had for 36 years. Watch the video below:
In his video, the former employee revealed that he is "no longer at SeaWorld," and said: "It was not my decision it was theirs, and I will tell the story."
He explained that last month, he parked his car in the lot and then picked up his bicycle to ride into the amusement park as he would do any other day.
On his way there, he said good morning to "security ladies that I've seen quite a few times over the years," and rode away. However, one man - who was a security guard - yelled "Hey, come here!'" at Frey and claimed: "You’re not allowed to ride your bike in this park."
The veteran recalled replying: "Excuse me? I’ve been riding my bike in and out of this park for years," but was met with another: “You’re not allowed to ride your bike.”
Frey said that he tried to get a better answer from the guard, so he asked to see "some paperwork or a book" but that didn't work.
After a few minutes of back and forth, the mime artist alleged the guard ordered him to park his bike in a corner and walk instead.
According to Frey, the security guard went to Human Resources and reported that Frey swore at him and threw his bike.
The long-time professional has fired back at these allegations, claiming: "I didn’t cuss at him. Everybody out there knows me and knows that I wouldn’t do that."
"I don’t cuss at people. I don’t have that in me. That’s not in my nature. If you push me hard enough, yeah, I might say something. He didn’t push me that hard. The conversation wasn’t that tense," he added.
Frey shared that he went to work for two more days before receiving a call from his boss - a third-party company employed by SeaWorld - saying he had been released. He was informed that he was prohibited from entering the park's property.
The devastated ex-employee said that the HR department never asked him to provide clarification on the minor altercation. "So, SeaWorld never let me tell my side of the story. They just judge, jury, and executioner...that quick," he shared.
"36 years at SeaWorld. Evidently, that means nothing to them," he continued. "I asked them if I could come in and do one last show. They said no. I asked if I could come in and tell my side of the story. They said no. There’s nothing I can do about it. I'm sorry, folks."
Many outraged viewers have flooded the comment section with support and demands for a response from SeaWorld.
"Patrons should start chanting 'Lynn the mime' before every show," one user said, and a second user chimed in: "@SeaWorld @SeaWorld Orlando do better !!! Hire this guy back and give him a raise !!!!"
A third said: "This saddens me! You brought so much joy to a bunch of strangers and I know you will continue to do that even without Seaworld!"
A fourth questioned: "Why did he not get a chance to tell his side? Or did you check the cameras?"
Frey’s daughter Jenna set up a GoFundMe for her father to raise funds for his own road show company. As of this writing, over $600 has been raised of the $10,000 target.
"He has mentioned how he would like to purchase an RV so when he does shows and gigs he does not have to stay at an Airbnb or hotel," Jenna penned.
"And without any income that seems to be a little difficult. I hope you can all help this sweet wonderful man who devoted his life to putting smiles on people's faces," she added.
SeaWorld Orlando did not immediately respond to our request for comment.
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