Bristol Palin's Crude Heckler Apologizes; Says He's Received Death Threats (Video)

10:23 PM PDT 9/28/2011 by THR staff

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"No matter what my feelings are towards Sarah Palin, I should not have expressed them towards her daughter," Hollywood talent manager Stephen Hanks says.

Hollywood talent manager Stephen Hanks has apologized for heckling Bristol Palin last week while she was in the midst of taping a segment of her upcoming reality TV show on the Bio channel.

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Hanks, 47, came under fire for attacking Palin at Saddle Ranch, a West Hollywood bar, where the 20-year-old was riding a mechanical bull.

"Did you ride Levi like that," Hanks shouted during the confrontation, which was caught on tape.

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"Your mother's a whore," he continued, referring to former vp candidate Sarah Palin. "If there were a hell -- which I don't believe there is one -- she will be there."

"Is it because you're a homosexual?" Palin retorted.

Through his lawyer, he issued a statement to E! News on Wednesday expressing regret over his comments.

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"Having had an opportunity to view the camera footage of the incident this past Thursday at the Saddle Ranch Bar & Chop House in West Hollywood, and having reflected on the incident over the weekend, I have come to the conclusion that no matter what my feelings are towards Sarah Palin, I should not have expressed them towards her daughter, Bristol Palin," Hanks said.

His attorney, Michael J. Gulden, said Hanks has shut down his various social media accounts after receiving death threats against him, his family and his dog.

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Hanks also claimed he didn't know the incident was being recorded and does not believe that it was a set-up on the part of Palin's producers.

"I am very passionate about politics, and believe in equality for all Americans," Hanks continued. "I expressed my feelings in an improper manner in the heat of the moment and allowed my emotions to get the better of me. My political views are solely mine, and not those of my friends, colleagues or the establishment for which I work. I apologize to them for my poor judgment that night, and to Bristol for any hurt my actions may have caused her. I wish Bristol success with her television show, and much happiness in the future."

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Meanwhile, Palin's rep called accusations that she is homophobic "completely unfounded" and also denied that the confrontation was a set-up for the show.

"Nobody associated in any way with the production staged this," her spokesperson said. "Nobody would ever place Bristol or her family in such a position."