Dog Daycare Owner Denies Calling Molly Shannon Ugly

A Los Angeles dog daycare owner is pushing back against claims made by actress Molly Shannon that he insulted her appearance during a photography session decades ago.

Andrew Rosenthal, who operates LA Dogworks, responded to Shannon's story after the comedian recounted the alleged incident during her Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in June. Shannon had told attendees that a photographer once called her ugly while shooting her headshots, adding that karma caught up with him because he now picks up dog waste for a living.

Rosenthal confirmed the story was about him but strongly disputed Shannon's account. "I am obnoxious sometimes, but I don't see myself saying 'you're ugly,'" he told TMZ.com. He added that he does not recall ever photographing Shannon.

The former photographer suggested that if any negative comment was made, it would have been intended as a joke between acquaintances. "If I did shoot her and said something negative, it possibly would have been in jest. We were friendly enough where something like that wouldn't have meant to be hurtful," he told TMZ.com.

Rosenthal pointed to what he considers a significant inconsistency in Shannon's narrative. According to him, photographers did not shoot headshots in color during the 1980s, contradicting the comedian's description of the session.

He also characterized their past interactions differently than Shannon suggested. Rosenthal told TMZ.com that Shannon would visit his studio to socialize for extended periods, which he found tiresome. Given the passage of time since the alleged incident, he believes Shannon should move past it.

Addressing Shannon's characterization of his career transition, Rosenthal defended his decision to leave photography. He explained that he exited the industry when it shifted to digital technology, not because he failed as a photographer.

Rosenthal also rejected any suggestion that his current work is demeaning. "I love dogs and every dog owner has to pick up dog s***. The people that don't are not responsible. Picking up poop is not something to be embarrassed about," he told TMZ.com.

The dispute highlights a clash of memories between the two individuals, with Rosenthal calling Shannon's version of events "a fantasy" while she maintains her account of the encounter that allegedly occurred decades ago.