Top 10 Celebs Who Couldn't Hold Back Tears

Top 10 Celebs Who Couldnt Hold Back Tears

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today were counting down our picks for the most heartbreaking moments when famous people couldnt stop themselves from crying. Be it in interviews or award shows, we saw a raw and emotional side to these celebs, which touched fans, making these instances unforgettable.

Despite the controversy surrounding J. K. Rowling, it is undeniable that for millions of fans around the world, Harry Potter is inextricably linked to their childhood. It is just as significant for the cast, especially Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint, who grew up with each other, right in front of our eyes. So, when they reunited to celebrate the film seriess twentieth anniversary, tears were shed. Emma choked up while expressing her appreciation for Daniel and Rupert, trying but failing to keep her tears from falling. Meanwhile, Daniel pointed out just how crucial each cast and crew member was to him, letting the waterworks run free. Needless to say, fans watching probably used up a tissue box or two as well.

Even one of the mightiest soccer stars in the world is but a little kid in front of his mother. When Cristiano Ronaldo failed to score a penalty against Slovenia during a crucial extra-time match at the Euros in 2024, it left his mum in tears. As CR7s eyes met hers, it hit him where it hurts. Overcome with emotion, he sobbed inconsolably, tugging at our heartstrings. However, the moment must have given him the impetus to ace the penalty shoot-out that followed. The multi-Ballon d'Or winner delivered a fantastic goal, ultimately bringing the win to his team, Portugal.

In 2020, the world lost a great talent and a golden heart. Chadwick Boseman, the one and only T'Challa, passed away after living with colon cancer. However, his legacy lives on through the lives he touched and the hearts he inspired. In an interview with SiriusXM for Black Panther in 2018, he opened up about experiencing the impact of the film on its young audience first-hand. While filming the movie, he had been in touch with two children, Ian and Taylor, who had cancer. He fondly remembered how they had been looking forward to it, and their anticipation motivated him, while he privately managed his own cancer diagnosis. Their passing was a painful memory for the Emmy-winning actor, and he couldnt help but tear up.

When the undisputed G.O.A.T. of tennis decided to hang up her racket, we didnt want to believe her. It was a hard call for Williams, too, who revealed she couldnt stop crying while writing the open letter announcing her retirement. Although she insisted that she only had happy tears streaming down her face, she wasnt so sure about that when bidding farewell to fans at the 2022 U.S. Open. That night, she lost to Ajla Tomljanovic, but walked away a winner, earning the love and respect of tennis fanatics worldwide. She wept again at the National Bank Open, saying her final goodbye to the sport that made her a legend before exiting the court one last time to roaring applause.

The Hacksaw Ridge star shared an incredibly close relationship with his mother, Lynn, until her passing in 2019 after living with pancreatic cancer. Garfield dealt with the grief of her loss, which he called unexpressed love through art and spirituality. Speaking to Stephen Colbert on The Late Show, he opened up about healing through the film Tick, Tick... Boom! In his role as Jonathan Larson, he paid tribute to the Rent playwright, who left the world without being able to see his musicals meteoric rise to fame. In the process, Andrew could also work through his own feelings and celebrate the luminous life of his mother. As he shared this experience, his voice trembled, and the lump in his throat eventually gave way to tears.

Words cannot describe a parents devastation when their child is in pain. Yet, Jimmy Kimmel tried when he spoke about his son Williams heart condition on his show Jimmy Kimmel Live! drawing attention to lapses in the U.S. healthcare system. Kimmel struggled through his words as his voice broke and tears welled up in his eyes, threatening to spill over. He could barely speak about little Billys diagnosis without pausing to hold himself back from crying. However, he also revealed that the kids first open-heart surgery had been a success and managed to sneak in a joke about him unfortunately getting his looks from his dad. As of April 2025, Billy has had his third surgery, and his loving parents hope its his last.

The cutthroat nature of the K-Pop industry is reason enough for anyone to be wary of it. Even BTS member Sugas parents couldnt fully support his artistic aspirations at first. The desire to prove his mettle to them drove him to work harder. Years later, when they showed up at one of BTSs concerts, it was the most precious forms of validation Suga couldve asked for. Spotting them, he fell to his knees in a deep bow, and all we saw next was his shuddering frame as he seemingly let the tears fall. In a similar vein, Jimmy Fallon once revealed that his mum, Gloria, was his biggest fan and teared up when honoring her on The Tonight Show after she passed away.

It is not every day that an actor makes history. At the 74th Academy Awards, Halle Berry became the first African-American woman to be awarded the Best Actress title. Her performance in Monster's Ball earned her the accolade. As she stood on the prestigious platform, with her Oscar in hand, Halle made no attempts at holding her tears back. She emphatically paid tribute to the extraordinary Black actresses who came before her, as well as her contemporaries. She also expressed her gratitude to The Academy for the win, which she hoped would open doors for more women of color in the entertainment industry. However, there hasnt been another Halle since, which, the Catwoman star says, is one of her biggest heartbreaks.

MJ left nothing unsaid when he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009. His iconic speech included throwbacks to his school days, shout-outs to family and friends, and unapologetic digs at rivals. It embodied the ever-competitive, fiery essence of His Airness. Most importantly, though, he gave himself props for his hard-earned success. While it wasnt too surprising to see him shed a few tears on such a special day, this glimpse of vulnerability endeared him to fans even more. The historic moment now lives on as the Crying Jordan meme.

The so-called Queen of All Media dominated the talk show scene on American television for over two decades. So, when she ended her twenty-five-year run as the host of The Oprah Winfrey Show, it was a tearful adieu, to say the least. Her final speech has been dissected by critics for its supposedly preachy tone, while fans celebrated its sentimentality and charisma. Regardless, the fact that Oprah was genuinely overwhelmed with emotion is beyond doubt. The hour-long last episode was a direct address to viewers, a heart-to-heart sans flashy distractions, and it conveyed her gratitude loud and clear.

Have you ever cried because of a celebrity? Tell us in the comments down below!