A much-loved professional mime who entertained SeaWorld visitors for 36 years has shared his heartbreak after being suddenly fired from his job.
Lynn Frey, who is known as Lynn The Mime, has garnered a huge following of his own after his long tenure of performing to crowds visiting the Florida theme park.
But when Lynn arrived at work recently, he says he was scolded by a security guard for riding his bike – as he’d done for many years, a disagreement ensued, which ultimately cost him his job.
Lynn claims he wasn’t given an opportunity to tell Sea World bosses his side of the story, was terminated without consolation from Sea World directly and was denied the opportunity to perform one final time.
His plight has spurred support from thousands online.
‘It was not my decision, it was theirs. And I will tell the story,’ he said.
In May, Lynn says 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.
‘As I ride my bike through the security guard, I see some security ladies that I’ve seen quite a few times over the years, and just said “good morning”,’ he said in a video online.
‘And I got on my bike and rode away. And as I rode away, I heard some gentleman yell at the top of his voice, “Hey, come here!”
The mime artist later revealed that the man who yelled was another security guard who told Frey: ‘You’re not allowed to ride your bike in this park.’
Frey recalled replying: ‘Excuse me? I’ve been riding my bike in and out of this park for years.’
After a few minutes of back and forth, Frey says the security guard ordered him to park his bike in a corner and walk instead.
According to the artist, the security guard went to HR and reported that Frey cussed at him and threw his bike.
But the long-time professional has refuted these allegations and claims he did not swear at the guard or throw his bike.
‘I didn’t cuss at him. Everybody out there knows me and knows that I wouldn’t do that,’ he says.
‘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.’
Lynn says he went to work for two more days, and then received a call from his boss – a third-party company employed by Sea World saying he was fired.
Not only this, but Lynn was told he is banned from Sea World property.
He said the HR department never asked him to provide a clarification on the matter.
‘So, Sea World never let me tell my side of the story. They just judge, jury, and executioner … that quick. 36 years at SeaWorld. Evidently, that means nothing to them,’ he said.
‘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.’
Since being fired, the artist’s daughter has launched a GoFundMe to help support his new company, The Mime Company.
He has also received ample support from his TikTok community – with many demanding a response from Sea World.
One viewer said: ‘My dad worked for Sea World Orlando over 25 years and he rode his bike on the back road. I worked there for 3 years, always enjoyed watching you. you were always kind to everyone. sorry this happened.’
Said another: ‘Maybe Sea World doesn’t realize how important you are to the visitors?’
Someone else begged: ‘Sea World Orlando do better !!! Hire this guy back and give him a raise !!!!’
Lynn says he is devastated, but is trying to look at the bright side.
‘I am sad the way it ended but happy but excited for new adventure,’ he said.
DailyMail.com has approached Sea World for comment.