Here's the one I thought of the morning when I found out Ryan had died: It was on the Europe trip, a bunch of us were having drinks one night in that little lobby bar in the London hotel that was all purple velvet decor—soooo Bammy. Anyway, Dunn was holding court for a bit, talking about all his troubles a few years ago and how f'd up he was, and then how together and happy he was now. Showing us pictures of his new house, talking about how grateful he was for being out here, for Angie, and for everything in his life—just in a really good place. He was in a really good place this whole last movie, and he was just kinda reflecting with everybody for a minute and it was real humble and cool.
"I've accomplished everything I wanted out of life, like way beyond my wildest dreams. Anything from here on is just icing," talking like that. And then for real Dunn says, "Seriously, if you find out that I died tomorrow, I'm fine. Do not be sad for me, 'cause I'm not sad. I died with a smile on my face."
That night stuck with me, 'cause he was always such a genuine guy and you know he really meant everything he was saying—and man, you hope you can say that same thing one day and mean it like he meant it that night. So when I found out that morning, that was the first thing that came to my mind. I'm just glad he said that and glad I heard it and wanted ya'll to hear it too.
—Knate Gwaltney
I love what Knate said about his conversation with Ryan in Europe. I had a similar night with him when we were all on the hotel roof down in San Diego after the Comic Con party. It was a perfect night: it was warm, we were all so happy to almost be done with the movie, the screening of the clips from the movie couldn't have gone better. Trip [Taylor] was talking about how crazy it is that we had been doing it for ten years and telling stories of the first season. I think a lot of us were feeling a little emotional because the movie was coming to an end, and Ryan was sitting there on a stool happy as a bear. He was talking about all the things he was working on and he talked a lot about Angie and how she had stuck with him through his dark years. When he spoke about her, he was so in awe that she was with him. I wish I could remember his exact wording, because he was always so damn funny with how he spoke, but in that great self-deprecating Ryan way he said something to the effect of "What is she doing with an ugly idiot like me?" He laughed and I could feel how much he loved her and how grateful he was that she was in his life. He had a real peace about him.
The other thing I think of when I think of Ryan is how big his heart is and how thoughtful he is. I think he helped give our group and everything we made a lot of its heart, too. When someone was hurt, he was always right there, seeing how he could help. Especially with Bam. You could feel how much love Ryan had for him.
—Spike Jonze
(Bottom photo by Sean Cliver; Hollywood, California 2006)
really beautiful
Posted by: Duende | June 27, 2011 at 07:53 AM
awww.. this really is so sweet...well anyways r.i.p ryan dunn you will always be remembered!!!! <3 and also mch love goes out to the jackass crew.
Posted by: casey allan | June 27, 2011 at 07:53 AM
RIP ryan..we lov you
Posted by: Ralphie | June 27, 2011 at 08:00 AM
thanks so much for sharing those memories. it feels a lot better knowing Ryan felt that way but still is hard to believe. i'm glad you got to hear those words from him. it gives alot of comfort, im guessing.
Posted by: Dani | June 27, 2011 at 08:01 AM
Wow..it was one of the funniest guys on T.V and never complained and seemed so happy on the shows.. R.I.P. Ryan Dunn ( a.k.a- Random Hero)
Posted by: shaun | June 27, 2011 at 08:02 AM
rest in peace ryan you have made so many people laugh and glad u lived a good life
Posted by: chris | June 27, 2011 at 08:02 AM
Thank you to Johnny, Tremaine, Knate and Spike for being so open with us fans and sharing your thoughts and details of moments spent with Sir Ryan of Dunn. Not only does it help you all heal to say a last farewell but it helps those who are feeling your sadness to heal. Reading all of your blogs I had tears in my eyes and laughter in my throat all at the same time. I didn't know Ryan but like most of his dedicated fans he was my favorite. He was so real you could feel his personality come across the screen so much so that it made everyone feel like they knew him. Please Keep the memories coming...Steve-o, Pontius....Bam??
Posted by: Victoria | June 27, 2011 at 08:03 AM
im sad i saw all of there movies i hope u guy make another movie in his honor
Posted by: devon | June 27, 2011 at 08:06 AM
:_( how sad......
Posted by: kelly | June 27, 2011 at 08:09 AM
miss u ryan u were always happy with every one in the show
Posted by: Dominic | June 27, 2011 at 08:14 AM
Guys thanks a lot to share this memories with the fans, that makes us feel more closer to you guys, I know there are a lot to remember with Ryan and It's so hard to cope this, but you have a big part of Ryan now in your hearts. I want to send my best to Angie, and giver her my strenght to continue, is not gonna be easy but now she has an angel by her side.
Posted by: Anitza Lucic | June 27, 2011 at 08:17 AM
to the teachers with love
Panico na TV, Brasil
RIP Ryan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jz7HbPtz8Tg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9Z8xsjt0bs
Posted by: Henrico Sene Pinto | June 27, 2011 at 08:18 AM
Immensely comforting words from Knate and Spike. Thank you for sharing...
Posted by: Laura Z | June 27, 2011 at 08:21 AM
Speechless...completely speechless! R.I.P. Ry <3 <3 <3
Posted by: Kelly B. | June 27, 2011 at 08:21 AM
My love goes out to the people that have been sorely affected by this
Posted by: Graciee | June 27, 2011 at 08:23 AM
Ryan eras uno de los mejores viejo como te extranaremos...<3
Posted by: Billy Fernandez | June 27, 2011 at 08:24 AM
So sad... RIP Ryan and Zach.
Posted by: Sandra | June 27, 2011 at 08:30 AM
We will miss u forever!
Posted by: Shawyu | June 27, 2011 at 08:32 AM
im mexican...and i like your movies...R.I.P bro...you are our hero!!!!
RYAN 4life!!!
Posted by: KHRIZ | June 27, 2011 at 08:36 AM
I hope that yall decide to use his death for good. Its not often that you have a star die while driving... with alcohol involved. Hopefully this will relay to all the jackass fans that alcohol and driving dont mix... no matter who you are or how well you can handle liquor. Hopefully this will keep alot of young (and old) people from making the same mistake and save many lives. R.I.P. Ryan Dunn
Posted by: Heather | June 27, 2011 at 08:38 AM
RIP from BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA.
Posted by: Miralem MiRe Hodžić | June 27, 2011 at 08:42 AM
RIP Ryan dunn will never beforgoten and no one will ever forget his beard
Posted by: skylar humphrey | June 27, 2011 at 08:43 AM
I can't believe it's been a week, yet I'm still crying about my lovely Ryan Dunn.
I don't quite know what to say anymore because I've written my most heartfelt thoughts on the other tributes and posts to him, but I hoe everyone from jackass writes a tribute to him, because then he can really be celebrated and loved. Ryan, I love you and miss you and I want you to know that I won't ever forget how awesome you were and how every scene yu were in lit up in your presence. Rest In Peace Ryan, my sweetheart.
Posted by: Charlotte Johnstone | June 27, 2011 at 08:47 AM
R.I.P random hero! You will be missed dude, i mean fuck! When you died you took a piece of my childhood with ya. But i love these memorials the´re just so beautiful.
Well gone but never forgotten dude! Peace bro, and prank em good up there! Lots of love from sweden <3
Posted by: WeeBz | June 27, 2011 at 08:47 AM
Thanks for sharing that. Great that you guys are allowing us "behind the curtain" so to speak and we see past the dirt and stunts to reveal a genuine and sweet guy. That first story tore me up, again, these are tough to read through as a fan since the early days. Stick together guys, I always admired your family spirit and you need that now more than ever.
Posted by: susan | June 27, 2011 at 08:51 AM
rest in peace ryan ur a great guy ive know
Posted by: Antonio | June 27, 2011 at 09:10 AM
It can never be forgotten ryan dunn
Posted by: lalo | June 27, 2011 at 09:12 AM
O BRASIL SENTE SUA PERDA !!! Ryan dunn DESCANSE EM PAZ , E QUE DEUS O TENHA !!!
Posted by: LEANDRO | June 27, 2011 at 09:24 AM
rip dunn you were funny as hell hope you continue to be funny in the afterlife
Posted by: mark cervik jr | June 27, 2011 at 09:40 AM
rip dun you da shit don't be soon stopes shot up there we all love an miss you man can wat to see the movie
Posted by: chris | June 27, 2011 at 10:05 AM
I can remember watching the cky movies in high school and thinking, Bam had a rock star aura about him, Brandon seemed like he would creep out anyone- but in a good way, but this other guy seemed like he was just a regular guy who could have been any of our friends, he seemed like he was everyones "crazy friend". That person was obviously Ryan and I dont think Ive ever been upset about someone I didnt really know passing away, but this one hurt. It might sound really pathetic for a fan to say something like this, but hearing of his passing was like hearing a good friend passed. I lost my best friend when I was 16, and I can remember my emotions during that time, and my only words of encouragement is it doesnt get better, but with time it becomes easier.
Best wishes to all his loved ones
Posted by: jay brown | June 27, 2011 at 10:07 AM
EVERY TIME I READ SOMETHING ABOUT THAT AMAZING PERSON THAT HE WAS TEARS RUSH IN TO MY EYES AND A KNOT BLOCKS MY TROATH OHH GOD
Posted by: NOLO | June 27, 2011 at 10:07 AM
i am brazilian and i love work ....ryan dunn forever
Posted by: conrado | June 27, 2011 at 10:36 AM
Thanks for sharing. I have tears in my eyes. I didnt know him but i think he was a great and funny buddy! Rest in paradise, Ryan.
Posted by: Mette | June 27, 2011 at 10:46 AM
He is now gone for a week, and today I heard it for the first time that a radiomen said: "its today, that Ryan Dunn is a week gone" I was glad he said it, but I thought also, damn, he is just a week gone, and that was making me sad because if I read this, he was just a great and (be)loved men.
I miss u a lot, and many people does, don't care about the haters, they just jealous!!.
Posted by: Sjoerd | June 27, 2011 at 11:13 AM
Thank you all for sharing this precious memories with us. The more i realize how good he was, the more i miss his presence in this world. At least i believe he is in peace and happy because he can feel the love we´ve been sending him every single moment.
Posted by: Me | June 27, 2011 at 11:16 AM
it's true that it's the quality not quantity of life that counts...
Posted by: JoyJoy | June 27, 2011 at 11:16 AM
"If there woulda been a stick there I woulda come up and kicked em"
I love you Ryan
Posted by: Genno | June 27, 2011 at 11:18 AM
its my dream to meet u guys its really sad knowing that ryan is gone.
Posted by: kyrsten | June 27, 2011 at 11:22 AM
Ryan Dunn.... forever(♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥)
Posted by: Account Deleted | June 27, 2011 at 11:30 AM
That quote about Ryan saying if he died tomorrow don't be sad for him because he is happy is reassuring. I like that quote. I still miss him like I would miss my own brother if he passed though. Again, I wish you all the best of luck on recovering. These were both very good.
Posted by: DrinkMilk | June 27, 2011 at 11:54 AM
ryan dunn may u rest in heaven,my prayers go out 2 ur family and friends
Posted by: don mullens | June 27, 2011 at 11:56 AM
Still can't believe he's gone. Can't even imagine how hard this is for those closest to Ryan. You can tell he just loved to make people laugh, Jackass won't be the same without him. Thanks for sharing your stories. RIP Ryan, you will be truely missed.
Posted by: Orla | June 27, 2011 at 12:49 PM
rest in peace ryan we always remember you
Posted by: David | June 27, 2011 at 12:53 PM
i'm pretty in tune with a person's 'energy' and from the moment i first saw ryan i liked him immediately. he just had a great energy about him and i'm always drawn into people like that. ryan and bam were and always will be my favorites.
it's a little relief to hear that he was in a happy place before he died. wish he could come back one last time and properly say goodbye to all of us before he goes back up again. see ya again one day bro. thank you for everything and may u both rip and may god bless us all.
Posted by: na | June 27, 2011 at 01:06 PM
Thank you spike for sharing I'm still upset about the accident but I feel better thank you
Posted by: Nishia | June 27, 2011 at 01:10 PM
4ever ryan dunn
Posted by: Gustavo | June 27, 2011 at 01:16 PM
I am a geriatric nurse. It's my job to guide people to their deaths.
But again, it hurts me to let someone go.
Death is cruel and mean and unfair.
And when he does arrive then it's too late.
There are one of the things one has not yet said.
Things you thing it is school.
The excuses are gone.
Guys, I know you now going through a shitty time.
And believe me I would do anything for you to take the pain.
Fucking shit I wish I could help you somehow. But I do not know how.
But I will say one thing:
Stay strong guys, and please never gives up.
Keep it together and we are in the 3rd Film've shown!
Ryan Dunn and will always be in your midst, and thus be never forgotten.
Take good care of you all!
Since its the best I know and your friendship with Ryan and among you all is 1000 times stronger than death.
PS: I have a terrible English. Sorry
Posted by: lisa | June 27, 2011 at 01:20 PM
This is the nicest thing you could ever do in his memory. By telling to the world, what was Ryan to you showing a part of him that only close friends as you
knew about it, and this is something that he would appreciated knowing all this things, which I am sure that he already knew most of it.
Sorry again for your lost.Great love for you guys and his beloved Angie and family.
FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS.
Posted by: Marian Andrei Mihai | June 27, 2011 at 01:23 PM
we will miss this dude... R.I.P
Posted by: Jisi Takala | June 27, 2011 at 01:39 PM