10 Celebrity Interviews That Have Become ICONIC

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today were counting down our picks for the interviews that have turned into moments of media history.

#10: Jack Nicholson Shocks Jennifer Lawrence

Stars: theyre just like us! Especially when it comes to Jennifer Lawrence, whos proven time again that she can be just as awkward as any regular, non-Oscar winner in the right scenario. It was after her Best Actress win in 2013 that this memorable interview moment happened. Nicholson interrupts Lawrences interview with George Stephanopoulos to congratulate the actress on her win, which totally catches her off-guard. Lawrence tries her best to play it cool, but its clear the kind words from an acting legend have her a bit shook. It was an unforgettable first encounter for sure, and were grateful it was forever immortalized by this interview moment.

#9: Robin Williams, King of Improv

More than just a comedian, this was a comedic genius. His talent is on full display in this electrifying interview with Johnny Carson in 1991. Every second is packed with brilliant impressions and lightning fast improvised jokes, covering everything from Shakespeare to Arnold Schwarzenegger. Top-notch interviewer Carson rolls right with Williams, throwing in perfectly timed responses that never interrupt Williams flow. This masterful showcase of wit and humor highlights all the things we miss the most about Robin Williams, who sadly passed in 2014. Thankfully, we have this iconic interview and countless others to remember this industry legend by.

#8: Keke Palmer Doesnt Know This Man

In the name of complete and total honesty, Keke Palmer strapped in for a lie detector test courtesy of Vanity Fair in 2019. Though she was promoting her then-upcoming film Hustlers, the questions delved into her entire acting career. At one point, the former True Jackson, VP star was presented with the photo of another famous VP, Dick Cheney. He served under President George W. Bush, but Palmer didnt recognize the politician in the slightest. Her hilarious response was immediately clipped and memed like crazy, becoming one of Palmers best known viral moments. Years later, when Palmer was asked if she ever looked up who he was, she confessed he didnt seem worth the research, no lie detected.

#7: Danny Pudi Gets Real with Larry King

From Vladimir Putin to Oprah Winfrey, Larry King was used to interviewing some of the most influential cultural figures in the world. In a conversation with Community and Mythic Quest star Danny Pudi, he had a humbling moment. King asked Pudi which luxuries he couldnt live without, and was disappointed by his relatively ordinary answers. Pudis blunt response, while still respectful, reminded King that we cant all be media legends some of us do live quite ordinary lives. The February 2020 interview went largely unnoticed when it first came out, as we were otherwise preoccupied. After Kings unfortunate passing in 2021, the interview resurfaced as a charming moment of intergenerational banter between the DuckTales star and an icon of entertainment.

#6: Mila Kunis Goes Off-Topic

After countless interviews asking the same questions as she promoted her then upcoming film Oz the Great and Powerful, it seemed Mila Kunis was itching for something new. Her wish was granted in the form of rookie interviewer Chris Stark with BBC Radio 1. Kunis decided to flip the script on a starstruck Stark, letting him ramble about pub nights with friends and football matches in this reverse interview. Despite endless distractions, she still delivers answers to standard press questions in rapid-fire fashion to ensure a job well done for her interviewer. Kunis is clearly excited and entertained by this unconventional interview, and we all benefit from it.

#5: Tom Holland Is Unexpectedly Starstruck

While interviewers arent typically awe-inspiring to their movie star interviewees, things can be a little different when youre known as The WatchMojo Lady.Tom Holland and Jacob Batalon were thrilled to find out that they were meeting the voice behind their favorite Top 10 videos, i.e. me what an honor! They even got an exclusive look behind the scenes as I gave them a live intro read. Only Zendaya seemed confused about what was happening and why her co-stars were so excited, but we still love her anyway. This clip is beloved not just by us at WatchMojo it went totally viral after Marvel fans clipped this hilarious and unexpected interview moment.

#4: Do You Wear Wigs?

Originally an Easter egg from the DVD menu of The Return of the King, this prank saw Elijah Wood being interviewed by Hans Jensen, who was actually his co-star Dominic Monaghan. Wood is, of course, completely unaware that the interview is a prank, and he gets increasingly confused and uncomfortable as Jensens questions get weird and weirder. Once uploaded online, the interview quickly went viral, particularly for these hairpiece-related inquiries. At multiple points, Wood cant keep it together and completely breaks, much to the delight of his co-star and prankster friend. Eventually, Monaghan reveals his ruse and Wood unsurprisingly takes this friendly joke well.

#3: Madonna on Letterman

In 1994, the Late Show with David Letterman skyrocketed in viewership thanks to one controversial interview. There was already pre-existing tension between Madonna and Letterman, as the latter had made disparaging comments about her personal life. His introduction was the final straw that set Madonna off on an f-bomb and innuendo-filled interview that made history. It became the most censored episode in American talk show history, but ratings soared to record levels that night thanks to Madonnas attention-grabbing antics. Some saw her behavior as playful, others found it offensive, but both sides were glued to their television sets. The one-named singer later explained her behavior as a statement on television censorship, and she and Letterman publicly made up later that same year.

#2: The Infamous Couch Jumping Interview

It was a kind of strange excitement never seen on television before, and it certainly made a lasting impression. Tom Cruises 2005 appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show began ordinarily enough, with the star receiving a warm welcome from the audience. Cruise began professing his love for his girlfriend, Katie Holmes, his energy and excitement building until he is literally jumping on Oprahs couch. Cruise, with encouragement from the frenzied audience, even brings an unsuspecting Holmes out from backstage to even more applause. Looking back, it seems Cruise was feeding off the energy from an audience overly excited to be in the presence of a mega movie star. Still, there was definitely some bizarre behavior displayed here from Cruise.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Justin Bieber Likes That Laugh

The Pop Stars Reaction to Maria Menounos Laugh Goes Viral

Robert Downey Jr. Walks Out

Prying Questions Cause Iron Man Star to Opt Out

Cher Doesnt Mince Words with Letterman

The Singer Shares Her Honest Opinion to Her Interviewers Face

Marlon Brando on Larry King Live

A Kiss for You, King, from an Eccentric Actor

Ryan Gosling & Harrison Ford Catch a Case of the Giggles

From Gosling to Ford to Interviewer Alison Hammond, No One Here Is Serious

#1: Dakota Johnson Claps Back on Ellen

In 2019, Ellen DeGeneres was still known as the nice, friendly daytime talk show host who dances all the time. This interview was one of the first instances of a crack in Ellens reputation, and the internet ate it up. Dakota Johnsons infamous words caught Ellen in a lie, one meant to put Johnson in an awkward spot on television. Ellen had indeed been invited to Dakotas party! This was confirmed by Ellens team, who reminded her she was out of town and couldnt make it. Ellens joke backfired, and she became the one in an awkward position. The interview doesnt shake the tension afterwards and is a bit of an uncomfortable watch, but we have to admire Johnsons willingness to speak her truth.

Which celeb interview makes you cringe, and which cracks you up? Let us know in the comments!