Top 10 Recent Examples of A List Actor Arrogance

#10: Sean Penn Smokes at Golden Globes

For all the nominations he’s racked up throughout his career, Sean Penn only occasionally attends award shows. Even when he does, the celebrated actor has repeatedly demonstrated that he doesn’t care what others think. Penn lived up to his bad boy reputation at the 83rd Golden Globes, where he was nominated for supporting work in “One Battle After Another.” He didn’t win, but Penn made headlines for reportedly lighting up a cigarette and smoking at his table. Although staff allegedly asked Penn not to smoke inside the venue, the warnings didn’t faze him. He supposedly helped himself to multiple cigs throughout the evening, flicking the old ones into water glasses. As one insider put it, “Rules clearly don’t apply to A-list rebels like Sean Penn.”

#9: Demi Lovato Trigged by Frozen Yogurt

Aside from singing and acting, Demi Lovato’s candiness about eating disorders and mental health struggles has inspired many. Yet, some felt Lovato crossed a line in 2021, waging a viral war against a small froyo shop, The Bigg Chill. In a video, Lovato criticized the store’s “diet food” options like sugar-free cookies, saying this made it “extremely hard” to order. After Lovato accused them of being “diet culture vultures” and insisting that they “do better,” the establishment responded on Instagram, “We carry items for Diabetics, Celiac disease, Vegan and of course have many indulgent items as well.” Lovato was spotted at the shop four years later, apparently settling their differences. Some still side with the store, feeling that Lovato should’ve chilled out.

#8: Quentin Tarantino Critiques Other Actors

In addition to being one of our greatest filmmakers, Quentin Tarantino has acted in several projects… with varying degrees of success. Since Tarantino’s performances are hit or miss, it’s probably not his place to throw shade at other actors. That didn’t stop Tarantino from giving hot takes on actors he doesn’t care for. On a podcast, Tarantino ranked his favorite 21st-century movies, saying that he would’ve placed “There Will Be Blood” higher if it weren’t for Paul Dano. Not only did Tarantino call Dano the film’s weak link, but the “weakest… actor in SAG.” Tarantino also criticized Matthew Lillard and Owen Wilson, intensifying the backlash. He has a right to his opinion, but when you’re in a position like Tarantino’s, maybe avoid broadcasting that opinion.

#7: Jeremy Strong on the Stakes of Acting

Performing is tough, but it’s not like actors risk their lives… unless they’re Tom Cruise. Last we checked, Jeremy Strong hasn’t hung off a plane, even if he is a committed method actor. In a 2021 New Yorker interview, Strong discussed his Emmy-winning role as Kendall Roy on “Succession,” saying, “To me, the stakes are life and death… I take him as seriously as I take my own life.” Method actors often get flak for coming off as pretentious, self-congratulatory, and not nearly as brave as they think they are. Strong didn’t exactly paint a different picture here. Even Strong’s “Succession” co-star Brian Cox has taken issue with his method, commenting, “He would be an even better actor if he just got rid of that.”

#6: Joaquin Phoenix Pulls Out of Movie

Sometimes, a movie doesn’t get made without a big name attached. Such was the case with a then-untitled Todd Haynes picture centered on a romance between two men. The film was to star Danny Ramirez and Joaquin Phoenix, the latter of whom worked on the script with Haynes. Phoenix seemed to be all-in, encouraging Haynes to incorporate material that’d likely result in an NC-17 rating. This made it all the more shocking when Phoenix backed out five days before shooting, reportedly getting “cold feet.” Without Phoenix, the film risked losing financing, leaving the crew out of work and stakeholders unpaid. The film was reportedly revived under the title “De Noche” with Pedro Pascal now in the lead. That doesn’t make Phoenix’s actions any less inconsiderate.

#5: Karla Sofía Gascón Compares Herself to Gandhi

People have mixed thoughts on “Emilia Perez,” to put it mildly. Regardless, star Karla Sofía Gascón made history as the first openly transgender performer to get nominated for an Oscar, achieving A-list status. The goodwill toward Gascón immediately dried up when a series of hateful tweets resurfaced. While this would always be hard to come back from, Gascón could’ve saved face if she had chosen her next words carefully, expressing genuine remorse. Despite technically apologizing, many felt that Gascón made herself out to be the victim in all of this, saying, “I find it totally unfair to be labelled a racist.” What’s more, Gascón said that she was “less racist than Gandhi,” which we’re just going to respond to with this “Simpsons” clip.

#4: James Corden: Bad Customer?

This comedian isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but the “Carpool Karaoke” guy didn’t strike us as someone who’d become synonymous with poor patronage. James Corden’s public image was forever changed in 2022 when New York City restaurateur Keith McNally accused him of being “extremely nasty” to staff members. Corden was supposedly more than a little critical of food errors, leading to a temporary ban. McNally described “The Late Late Show” host as the “most abusive customer” to his servers in nearly two and a half decades. Despite saying, “I haven’t done anything wrong, on any level,” Corden reportedly “apologized profusely.” Corden had already announced that he’d be leaving his show the following year, which might’ve been for the best, with his likability called into question.

#3: Timothée Chalamet Enrages Opera & Ballet Communities

Before even turning 30, Timothée Chalamet was already one of our most accomplished working actors. There are times, though, when it feels like Chalamet is getting in the way of his own success. Not unlike his character in “Marty Supreme," you get the sense that Chalamet wants to be taken seriously as one of the greats. Chalamet didn’t help his case when he implied in an interview that “no one cares” about “ballet or opera.” Well, numerous people do care, from those who work in those industries to patrons of the arts. They didn’t hold back in telling Chalamet how they felt. Chalamet seemed to know his comment would ignite some backlash, but he likely underestimated just how many ballet and opera fans there are.

#2: Pretty Much Everything Ezra Miller Did

From encounters with the authorities in Hawaii, to allegations of harassment in Massachusetts, to burglary charges in Vermont, 2022 was one scandal after another for Ezra Miller. Even the Flash would have trouble keeping up with the headlines. After months of controversy, Miller finally issued an apology, citing “complex mental health issues.” While mental health is an important factor to consider, it doesn’t completely absolve Miller of accountability, especially considering how long their reported misconduct persisted and how many people across the country it impacted. Maybe Miller will make good on their promise to “get back to a healthy, safe, and productive stage in [their] life.” To some, though, their actions are the epitome of a famous person acting as if they’re above the law.

#1: Will Smith Slaps, Cries, & Dances

It’s hard to say what was going through Will Smith’s head at the 94th Academy Awards when he decided to slap Chris Rock over a joke he made about his wife’s shaved head. Smith must’ve known he was heavily favored to win Best Actor, however. This would make it difficult for the Academy to expel Smith from the ceremony, although it was argued they should’ve. Smith was ultimately allowed to stay and accept his Oscar, tearfully saying, “I want to be a vessel for love,” in his speech. Smith apologized to the Academy and his fellow nominees, but Rock’s name didn’t come up. The apology, which already felt weak, was rendered even more hollow when Smith was spotted getting jiggy at the afterparty.

Which actor do you think put the “A” in arrogance? Let us know in the comments.