Joseph Gordon-Levitt Snaps On GQ For Sensationalizing Brother’s Death, Alleging Drug Overdose

Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt proved he’s not just a quirky and talented actor, but also fiercely protective of his family, when he lashed out at magazine GQ for printing an article that said the actor’s brother died in 2010 of an overdose.

JGL’s older brother Dan tragically passed away in 2010, and according to GQ, the 36-year-old artist popularly referred to as “Burning Dan” died of an apparent drug overdose. Though Joseph Gordon-Levitt happens to be the cover boy on this month’s issue of GQ, the Dark Knight Rises and Inception star apparently doesn’t have anything nice to say about the mag thanks to the article, reports TMZ.

“I’m writing this because I have a problem with what their article says about my brother,” writes JGL on his website. “I’ll be honest, it really made me feel terrible. Here’s a quote:

‘…the elder Gordon-Levitt died of an alleged drug overdose in 2010. “It was an accident” is all Joe will say about that.’”

JGL continues, “The ‘allegations’ to which [the writer] must be referring were made by a handful of gossip websites. They are factually incorrect according to the coroner’s office and the police department.” He adds, “I don’t like publicly speaking about my brother’s death, but I’m making an exception to correct this irresponsible claim. By the way, while I asked the writer not to dwell on how he died, I did say quite a bit about how he lived, and how much he means to me. Dan was a brightly positive, genuinely caring, and brilliantly inspiring person, and I liked the idea of such a wide readership learning about him. My parents and I are disappointed with what the article chose to focus on regarding this sensitive subject.”

GQ has not yet responded to JGL’s comments, reports Digital Spy.

JGL and “Burning Dan” were incredibly close, and the latter’s death was unquestionably tragic. The family has respectfully hushed details of Dan’s passing, and for some reason, the media sensationalizes it and feels something sinister must have occurred. Because it’s completely unfathomable why the family would want any privacy whatsoever regarding the subject.

JGL has since focused on his late brother’s life and accomplishments, and rightly so. Is there any better way to remember the dead?

My super hero brother @burningdan 1974-2010.Celebrate his life here ~ he’s fucking awesome.

— Joseph Gordon-Levitt (@hitRECordJoe) October 5, 2010

So shame on GQ. We love you, Joseph Gordon-Levitt!