I obviously didn’t know Zach as well as I did Ryan Dunn, but it’s important to me that his memory is not forgotten. Ryan first introduced us to Zach in 2006 when we went to West Chester to shoot jackass number two. We ended up hiring him as a production assistant for the two weeks we were there filming. Zach and Ryan hung out all the time and they had similar mannerisms and senses of humor; therefore, I got along with him right away. Here are a few stories from that time ... sorry that they’re kind of gross:
Zach was a war vet and he was pretty hardcore. If you messed with him it was going to come back to you tenfold. I can’t remember exactly what Trip [Taylor] had done to him while we there, but the payback was that Zach got a key to Trip’s hotel room and peed on both of his pillows. It takes balls to do that to Trip—trust me. On another day, I'd done something mean to him, and for that he shit into a Wawa cup during a morning coffee stop and put it on the hood of our car.
We hung out every night after filming and right away it felt like we had been friend’s for a long time. One of these nights we were out shooting pool and I had an impossible shot. I bet Zach that if I made it he would have to drink a glass of pee—mine. I hit the shot and he honored the bet. I know it sounds disgusting, but my pee isn’t that bad. In fact, Knoxville hardly ever notices whenever I pee in his drinks.
Aside from all these pranks, Zach took his job for us seriously and worked really hard. I appreciated him very much and will always consider him my friend.
Rest in peace, brother.
—Jeff Tremaine
I am at a loss for words for the tragic departing of our good friends Ryan and Zach. I felt that I needed to share a quick story about Zach that made me laugh out loud. While at the memorial service for Ryan, we were toasting our friends when everyone reminded me of a story from one of our shoots in Philly for jackass. I cannot remember the reason for Zach's retaliation against me, but knowing me I definitely deserved it. To get back at me, Zach had keyed into my hotel room and decided to piss all over my pillows. By the time I came to the room to sleep, I was surprised to feel that my pillows were soaked and had a pungent smell of urine.
After doing a little bit of investigating or interrogation, I found out it was Zach. I laid into him—people who know me well know I can be an aggressive ass sometimes—but I did it to put up a front. What I was really feeling was a sense of respect for Zach: the kid had balls. How could I really be mad at someone for doing what we have all done as friends to each other for years? In our weird circle, Zach's respect level with me went up 100-percent. I later pulled him aside and told him how funny I thought it was and that I respected his retaliation... "Just don't do that shit again."
I feel so blessed that in the last month before the accident I'd been in contact with Zach. He reached out to ask for my help on a project he was doing. It was a very creative idea and it was focused on doing good things and exposing an industry that takes advantage of the little people. I am so sad that I now will not be able to help Zach finish something that he was so proud of and put so much heart into. It has taken me so long to write this because I well into tears every time my hands hit the keys. I will miss the two of them so much, but they will live inside of me forever until I join them.
Much respect and love for my lost brothers.
(Photo by Shanna Zablow; West Chester, Pennsylvania 2006)
so true that he should also be commmemorated. Thankyou
RIP
Posted by: megan wolstenholme | June 26, 2011 at 09:12 AM
A life lost that was no less important... prayers going out for his loved ones as well. Good on ya, Jeff...
Posted by: Laura Z | June 26, 2011 at 09:36 AM
R.I.P brother by TheCrzyWild crew
Posted by: Nikotina 90 | June 26, 2011 at 10:22 AM
RIP for them.
Posted by: Pablo | June 26, 2011 at 10:40 AM
bye Zach, you seemed like an awesome person. RIP
Posted by: Molly | June 26, 2011 at 11:24 AM
http://bbloghablemosdehoy.blogspot.com/
RIP Ryan Dunn & Zach Hartwell
Posted by: RBecks | June 26, 2011 at 11:40 AM
Great and funny memories to have Jeff! Didnt know much about him but Im sure he was great guy! RIP Zach!
Posted by: annemarie (IRL) | June 26, 2011 at 12:03 PM
A sad ending for the both of them. Condolences.
Posted by: Paul | June 26, 2011 at 12:56 PM
dang ! zach seems freakin hard-core (: r.i.p
Posted by: tatyana | June 26, 2011 at 01:02 PM
Well said, R.I.P Zachary Hartwell- R.I.P Ryan Dunn xoxo
Posted by: Graciee | June 26, 2011 at 01:07 PM
Most of us didn't know Zachary, but he seemed like a stand up guy.
Though they aren't with us anymore, their memories keeps them alive. As long as people remember Jackass, we will honor them.
It's a sad end to an epic chapter, but this isn't the end of the book.
Rest in Peace Ryan and Zachary, random heros.
Posted by: Thomas | June 26, 2011 at 01:47 PM
People forget their is another set of family & friends mourning as well. Godspeed to this young man family & friends. I hope him & Ryan are at peace together!
Godspeed to all the Jackass crew & family. Hearing about Ryan's death was emotional for all the Jackass fans. I think we all feel like we know you guys. And as stramge as it sounds we feel as if we have lost a good friend.
RIP Ryan & Zach!
Posted by: Elizabeth Egers | June 26, 2011 at 01:56 PM
We all feel like we lost a friend! Ryan and Zack will be missed by the whole Dub C family... R.I.P.....
Posted by: Matthew Lake | June 26, 2011 at 02:05 PM
RIP Zach, hope you and Ryan are having a blast up there together x
Posted by: Corinna | June 26, 2011 at 02:05 PM
Thank you for doing this, Jeff. It's nice to have a glimpse of what kind of guy Zach was so we can all honor his memory, as well.
Posted by: Lauren | June 26, 2011 at 02:08 PM
I agree with Lauren. It was very nice. It's so sad we had to lose them.
Posted by: DrinkMilk | June 26, 2011 at 02:23 PM
R.I.P :'(
Posted by: JackassloverfromNORWAY | June 26, 2011 at 02:27 PM
Descansa En paz Ryan! (L)
Posted by: Adrian Sgura | June 26, 2011 at 02:28 PM
zach you made roflmao so many times you will be missed much
Posted by: tony vanatta | June 26, 2011 at 02:28 PM
Descansa em paz , RYAN! R.I.P
Posted by: nuno | June 26, 2011 at 02:30 PM
RIP ZACH ....... I LIKE THE STORIES JEFF!
Posted by: Lloyderino | June 26, 2011 at 02:31 PM
I am so sorry for your losses, they were great people. I didn't know either of them personally, but i am a huge fan. I hope the best for their families and friends. R.I.P Both of you guys. I wish god had chosen to let you two say with us a little longer.
Posted by: Jessicasapp Fisher | June 26, 2011 at 02:32 PM
RIP Zach and Ryan
Posted by: M | June 26, 2011 at 02:33 PM
R.I.P. Ryan And Zach....
Posted by: Christian Nazaruk | June 26, 2011 at 02:35 PM
RIP ='(
Posted by: rtrtr | June 26, 2011 at 02:35 PM
Zach sounds like a brave, great, funny, sick & twisted man who fit right in & will me missed...
Posted by: JoyJoy | June 26, 2011 at 02:37 PM
We will all miss you Ryan Dunn R.I.P
Posted by: Carlos rodriguez | June 26, 2011 at 02:37 PM
RIP Zach and Ryan
Posted by: Dani | June 26, 2011 at 02:38 PM
That was really sweet of you to remember Zack. Rest in peace Zack and Ryan.
Posted by: Emily | June 26, 2011 at 02:39 PM
It is important to remember two lives were lost.
It is tragic, and regrettable.
Rest in peace gorgeous boys. We'll miss you.
No, we already miss you so much.
x
Posted by: Michelle | June 26, 2011 at 02:41 PM
RIP Zachary Hartwell.....
Posted by: Toni | June 26, 2011 at 02:41 PM
rip ryan and zach. u will both be missed.
Posted by: angel | June 26, 2011 at 02:42 PM
this entire event just plain sucks. there's so many douches, cunts and assholes out there who would not be missed in the least. RIP - dunn's beard was legend !
Posted by: Chris Topher | June 26, 2011 at 02:44 PM
I loved the series also love ryan and zach sounds like one hell of a guy, my heart goes to your friends and family, may your souls rest in the heavens in tranquality
Posted by: john | June 26, 2011 at 02:46 PM
Por que pessoas alegres sempre vão...
Posted by: JackassBrazil | June 26, 2011 at 02:47 PM
God Bless
Posted by: Andy Williams - London England | June 26, 2011 at 02:49 PM
We did'nt know Zach as well as we did Ryan but these guys made good entertainment for all us folks out here in the world. I am from Margate, England and have always found Jackass a must see in my life because of it's outstanding cast and hilarity. My heart goes out to these outstanding guys, family and close friends such as Bam and all the Jackass crew. R.I.P RYAN DUNN & ZACHARY HARTWELL you will be missed greatly x
Posted by: Reece | June 26, 2011 at 02:53 PM
RIP!!! We will miss your wild ass!! :)
Posted by: feliz | June 26, 2011 at 02:54 PM
r.i.p the two of u give then hell up there in heaven
Posted by: jeremiah | June 26, 2011 at 02:59 PM
RIP !!! Yall will be missed
Posted by: michael brewington | June 26, 2011 at 03:02 PM
Yes please remember this was devastating for 2 young men and thier family and friends. Greatly missed and loved by many fans.
Posted by: Rebecca oneil | June 26, 2011 at 03:04 PM
rip ryan and zack to cool dudes now are in heaven pissing other people off. we miss the both of them.. jackass forever.
Posted by: jeff | June 26, 2011 at 03:13 PM
RIP Ryan and Zach. Thanks for the stories and the acknowledgment that two fatalities in this tragicty.Thoughts with all the families and friends. May you find peace in time
Posted by: Debbie stojak | June 26, 2011 at 04:12 PM
Not only was Ryan an awesome human being and funnier than shit but he knew how to pick amazing people as friends. Thanx Jeff for giving us a glimpse at who Zach was. I mean we knew he was an American hero but this shows a side of him we didn't know. It sounds like he fit right in with all u sick fucks. RIP Ryan and Zach.
Posted by: Rick S | June 26, 2011 at 04:21 PM
Forever Missed
Posted by: Clayton | June 26, 2011 at 04:42 PM
"if i leave here tomorrow, would you still remember me" (lynard skynard) rip in peace ryan and zach. my heart goes out to all of them. it is so incredibly sad, and painful. i have vowed not to go to youtube to see anymore interviews. i seen bam, and i started crying uncontrollably, i have been there 3yrs ago with my bff; we knew each other since middle school. i don't think it is right. they deserve their privacy to grieve without a camera stuck in front of their face. it just breaks my heart. my hope is that dealing with their loss, they don't engage in self-destructive behavior. it will not bring back ryan, or zach. i urge anyone who goes out somewhere that they are going to drink; call a cab, or designate a driver to be sober. it is a tragedy that shouldn't have happend. I love all of you,remind each other each day how loved,unique, and special each are to one another. you never get over losing someone, but you find a away to make your peace with it, and realize ryan and zach live on in all of you. someday, you will think of them and smile; and your lives have been touched by ryan and zach, may they rest in peace.
Posted by: stacy strickland | June 26, 2011 at 04:47 PM
"I obviously didn’t know Zach as well as I did Ryan Dunn" what the fuck is wrong with you, why wold you say these things about Zac!!! you piece of shit.. no one wants to remember him in this way!!!! geta life jeff tremaain piece of poo... you know nothing about him and your stories are only to justify you as being an asshole!
Posted by: randy | June 26, 2011 at 05:10 PM
Very nice!
Posted by: Jim | June 26, 2011 at 05:13 PM
im growing a Dunn beard, unfortunately my beard takes at least a month to not look like pubes and probably another six months to thicken out so I am retreating to the cave complete with all viva la bam series, cky, jackass, wild boyz, unholy union and every thing else related to the jackass family. love lads, we loved you as fans, we miss you like family. peace.
Posted by: David | June 26, 2011 at 05:44 PM
they're together planning some nice little pranks on the rest of you guys.. look out.. pee from Heaven! (sheesh I hope not poo )
Posted by: annie | June 26, 2011 at 06:33 PM