Cousteau Family Clash Over Croc Hunter
A very public clash of opinions has broken out between Jean-Michel Cousteau and his nephew Philippe over the late naturalist Steve Irwin -- and it's just the latest face-off in the continuing conflict amongst the scions of the life aquatic's first family.
One source who knows the family tells TMZ that Jean-Michel's remarks yesterday, when he slammed the beloved Irwin for his "very misleading" methods on the same day of his public memorial service, may have been an attempt on the part of Jean-Michel to steal PR thunder from his nephew and is not out of character for Jean-Michel. (Philippe was Irwin's partner on the fateful sea voyage that cost him his life.) Other sources say that the seemingly insensitive remarks are the result of "cultural differences" and that Jean-Michel may not have realized how inflammatory his words might be.
Jean-Michel, who is the eldest son of sea-explorer legend Jacques Cousteau, told reporters that he thought Irwin, in his "Crocodile Hunter" shows and beyond, would "interfere with nature, jump on animals, grab them...It appeals to a lot of people, but I think it's very misleading. You don't touch nature, you just look at it. And that's why I'm still alive." (Jean-Michel also said that he found the death "unfortunate" and said he had "a lot of respect" for Irwin.)
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Filed under: Celebrity Feuds
