Hollywood actor Ethan Embry, who played Chevy Chase's son in Vegas Vacation, put down the Tropicana on X, saying that staying at the hotel was "unlivable." His comments quickly drew ire from some, with some X users stating that the Tropicana was a historic hotel and even going as far as saying Embry was "tacky".

On Wednesday morning, the iconic Tropicana Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas was reduced to rubble, marking the end of an era. While many residents and tourists mourned the loss of this historic fixture on the Las Vegas Strip, not all memories of the once-glamorous establishment were fondly recalled. Among those offering a more critical perspective was actor Ethan Embry, who posted a less-than-flattering recollection of his time at the Tropicana.

In a tweet on October 9, Embry wrote, "I lived at the Tropicana Hotel for four months while we shot Vegas Vacation. It was an unlivable environment in 1996. Good riddance." Embry's tweet quickly went viral, attracting more than a million reviews and sparking heated debate among fans, former guests, and Las Vegas locals who held their own opinions of the now-imploded resort.

Who is the actor, anyway?

But who exactly is Ethan Embry, and why does his opinion matter in this context? Embry, now 45, was Rusty Griswold, the son of Chevy Chase's character Clark Griswold, in the 1997 comedy Vegas Vacation. At the time, Embry was just 18 years old and had a memorable subplot in the film. His character, Rusty, used a fake ID to gamble underage at the former O'Shea's casino, all while pretending to be a high-roller under the alias "Nick Pappagiorgio."

Despite the comedic tone of the film, Embry's real-life experience at the Tropicana was anything but amusing. His comment about the hotel's "unlivable environment" in 1996 reflected an experience of subpar conditions during an era when the resort was well past its prime. For Embry, the Tropicana was more of a crumbling relic than a celebrated Vegas landmark.

Mixed reactions from the public

Embry's critique didn't sit well with everyone, especially those who cherished the Tropicana's storied history. Many users on X voiced their displeasure with the actor's harsh words, particularly coming so soon after the hotel's demolition.

"Wow really?" responded @AlexisStevens02. "You must say this? Tropicana was a historical hotel, please shush. Really now...Tacky Ethan. Bye."

Another user, @Senteney, added: "That place employed thousands of good people over the years. Sorry it didn't live up to your haughty expectations."

Some users also pointed out moments from Embry's past that seemed to contradict his negative views of the Tropicana. @cesarmiles202 shared a photo of the actor enjoying a dip in a jacuzzi surrounded by bikini-clad women, suggesting that he seemed to be having a great time in Las Vegas. Embry was quick to respond, clarifying that the photo was taken at the Mirage, not the Tropicana. "Even the Tropicana Girls don't go to the Tropicana," he quipped.

Despite the backlash, several users echoed Embry's sentiment. Many who had stayed at the Tropicana in its later years agreed that the resort had struggled to maintain the level of glamour and luxury that once defined its reputation. They described outdated rooms, mediocre amenities, and a general sense of decline that clashed with the high-rolling image of Las Vegas.

Embry's thoughts on Chevy Chase

In addition to critiquing the Tropicana, Embry also took a moment to address rumors surrounding his Vegas Vacation co-star, Chevy Chase. Chase, who has long been notorious for difficult behavior on-set, became a topic of conversation in Embry's Twitter thread.

When one user, @SkipTrollington, speculated that the four-month filming period might have been drawn out due to Chase's alleged temperament, Embry hinted that there could be some truth to that. "I'm sure that didn't speed things up," he replied.

Another user, @luciandavid33, asked whether Chase had ever been rude to Embry personally. The actor responded diplomatically, stating that Chase had not been an 'a-hole' to him directly, but he did witness moments of 'ugly' behavior during the production.

The demolition of the Tropicana has left Las Vegas with one less link to its storied past, but the memories - good and bad - remain. For many, the resort will always symbolize the golden age of Vegas glamour, with its legendary shows and celebrity visitors. For others, including Ethan Embry, the Tropicana represents a more complicated chapter, filled with personal anecdotes that don't always align with the public's nostalgia.