Top 10 Celebrity Insults That Left Us Stunned
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Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for celebrity insults that left our collective jaws on the floor.
Renowned for her decades-long comedy career and sharp humor, Joan Rivers was no stranger to controversy. And while her bold celebrity critiques on E!’s “Fashion Police” often sparked headlines, it was her 2013 appearance on the “Late Show with David Letterman” that stunned audiences. During a discussion about singer Adele, Rivers referenced her hit song “Rolling in the Deep” and quipped, “She should add Fried Chicken.” The jab at Adele’s weight, preceded by a not-so-subtle arm gesture, led to plenty of online discourse. But, true to her brand of edgy humor, Rivers continued delivering razor-sharp takedowns right up until her passing in 2014.
The internet has birthed countless celebrity burns, but this one might just take the cake. You see, rapper Snoop Dogg set social media ablaze when he compared singer Iggy Azalea’s appearance to the characters from the Wayan’s Brother’s movie “White Chicks.” The post went viral almost instantly, turning Azalea into the punchline of a massive online joke. While the two traded jabs online, the “White Chicks” comparison was undeniably the highlight of this feud. To her credit, Azalea eventually embraced the joke, dressing as a “White Chicks” character for Halloween.
Zach Galifianakis is a master of awkward humor, and while his internet chat show “Between Two Ferns” is all in good fun, the “insulting” jokes still pack a punch. During an episode with Justin Bieber, Galifianakis “struggled” to interview such a young star. After some trademark cringe, the host quipped, "You’ve had three hairstyles, what’s next for your career?" The joke was met with faux annoyance by Bieber, which only amplified its biting edge. It was genuinely unexpected to have Zach reduce Bieber's career to his ever-changing hairstyles, which, to be fair, have always set trends.
The 2015 “Golden Globe Awards” was set to honor George Clooney, with the actor receiving the prestigious Cecil B. DeMille Award. However, Tina Fey pretty much stole the spotlight with a sharp roast in the show’s monologue. Fey spoke of Clooney’s wife, Amal Alamuddin, highlighting her illustrious career as a human rights lawyer and UN collaborator. She then humorously threw out: “So tonight, her husband is getting a lifetime achievement award.” The witty remark offered a welcome critique of celebrity accolades while also celebrating Amal’s independent success. Clooney, ever gracious, took the joke well, nodding in agreement next to his wife.
Eddie Murphy left “Saturday Night Live” in 1984, long before a young David Spade joined the cast of the late-night sketch series. However, tensions arose when, during a 1995 "Hollywood Minute" segment, Spade showed a photo of Murphy and quipped, "Look, children, it's a falling star. Quick, make a wish!" The shocking insult referenced Murphy's career slump at the time, following several poorly received films. Murphy took so much offense to the jab that it led to a years-long feud that didn’t see the funny-man return to the show until 2019. However, the infamous insult remains one of the most talked-about in “SNL” history.
Netflix’s “The Roast of Tom Brady” was packed with memorable takedowns and biting insults. However, comedian Nikki Glaser arguably delivered the most biting remark of the night, targeting both Tom Brady and his former teammate Rob Gronkowski. Referring to Brady’s $30 million crypto loss, Glasser joked, “Even Gronk was like, me know that not real money!’” The line hilariously mocked Brady’s investment choices while playing on the stereotype of Gronk as a lovable but not-so-bright athlete. The audience sure loved it, as did Gronk himself. Here’s hoping Glaser and her ultra-cutting humor is a fixture at all future roasts.
Ricky Gervais hosting an award show will always equal unpredictable roasting. The 2010 “Golden Globe Awards” certainly proved this, as the comedian host took aim at embattled actor Mel Gibson with a scathing introduction. As he prepared to bring Gibson on stage, Gervais said, "I like a drink as much as the next man... unless the next man is Mel Gibson." This remark directly referenced Gibson's well-publicized struggles and his infamous DUI arrest. The audience's shocked reaction only fueled Gervais's mischievous grin. It also set the tone for his controversial hosting style in the years to come – putting the celeb-filled audience on edge every time.
By nature, celebrity roasts often push the limits of insult comedy. And when it came to the “Comedy Central Roast of Charlie Sheen,” comedian Anthony Jeselnik took things to new extremes. Known for his dark humor, Jeselnik left audiences speechless with a single brutal one-liner. "The only reason you got on TV in the first place is because God hates Michael J. Fox." The comment was in reference to Charlie Sheen taking over Michael J. Fox's spot on “Spin City” after Fox stepped down due to his battle with Parkinson’s disease. Jeselnik’s fearless approach to edgy comedy made this moment one of the roast’s most talked-about highlights. It also cemented his reputation for pushing comedic boundaries – to the very edge.
James Cameron is a groundbreaking director with an award-winning body of work. He's also known to be a wee bit difficult to work with. Well, at the “70th Golden Globe Awards,” co-host Amy Poehler delivered a surprising insult aimed squarely at Cameron. While talking about the nominated film “Zero Dark Thirty,” Poehler praised director Kathryn Bigelow by saying, "when it comes to torture, I trust the woman who spent three years married to James Cameron." This unexpected jab, which contrasted Bigelow's resilience with her ex’s challenging personality, left the audience in stunned hysterics. Just look at Jessica Chastain's reaction…
What can we say, celebrity insults can happen anywhere and be delivered by anyone. During the 2015 Republican presidential debate, moderator Megyn Kelly confronted candidate Donald Trump about a history of derogatory remarks toward women. After listing them off, Trump fired back with a line for the ages. “You've called women you don't like fat pigs, dogs, slobs, and disgusting animals.” “Only Rosie O'Donnell.” The remark reignited Trump's long-running feud with the comedian and took the audience down a rollercoaster reaction of shock and laughter. Replayed and dissected on news networks in the weeks that followed, the insult was immediately destined for the history books.
What celebrity insult took you by surprise? Share the shock and awe in the comments below.
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for celebrity insults that left our collective jaws on the floor.
#10: Joan Rivers on Adele
Rolling in the DeepRenowned for her decades-long comedy career and sharp humor, Joan Rivers was no stranger to controversy. And while her bold celebrity critiques on E!’s “Fashion Police” often sparked headlines, it was her 2013 appearance on the “Late Show with David Letterman” that stunned audiences. During a discussion about singer Adele, Rivers referenced her hit song “Rolling in the Deep” and quipped, “She should add Fried Chicken.” The jab at Adele’s weight, preceded by a not-so-subtle arm gesture, led to plenty of online discourse. But, true to her brand of edgy humor, Rivers continued delivering razor-sharp takedowns right up until her passing in 2014.
#9: Snoop Dogg on Iggy Azalea
White Chicks 2The internet has birthed countless celebrity burns, but this one might just take the cake. You see, rapper Snoop Dogg set social media ablaze when he compared singer Iggy Azalea’s appearance to the characters from the Wayan’s Brother’s movie “White Chicks.” The post went viral almost instantly, turning Azalea into the punchline of a massive online joke. While the two traded jabs online, the “White Chicks” comparison was undeniably the highlight of this feud. To her credit, Azalea eventually embraced the joke, dressing as a “White Chicks” character for Halloween.
#8: Zach Galifianakis to Justin Bieber
Three HairstylesZach Galifianakis is a master of awkward humor, and while his internet chat show “Between Two Ferns” is all in good fun, the “insulting” jokes still pack a punch. During an episode with Justin Bieber, Galifianakis “struggled” to interview such a young star. After some trademark cringe, the host quipped, "You’ve had three hairstyles, what’s next for your career?" The joke was met with faux annoyance by Bieber, which only amplified its biting edge. It was genuinely unexpected to have Zach reduce Bieber's career to his ever-changing hairstyles, which, to be fair, have always set trends.
#7: Tina Fey on George Clooney
Lifetime AchievementThe 2015 “Golden Globe Awards” was set to honor George Clooney, with the actor receiving the prestigious Cecil B. DeMille Award. However, Tina Fey pretty much stole the spotlight with a sharp roast in the show’s monologue. Fey spoke of Clooney’s wife, Amal Alamuddin, highlighting her illustrious career as a human rights lawyer and UN collaborator. She then humorously threw out: “So tonight, her husband is getting a lifetime achievement award.” The witty remark offered a welcome critique of celebrity accolades while also celebrating Amal’s independent success. Clooney, ever gracious, took the joke well, nodding in agreement next to his wife.
#6: David Spade on Eddie Murphy
Make a WishEddie Murphy left “Saturday Night Live” in 1984, long before a young David Spade joined the cast of the late-night sketch series. However, tensions arose when, during a 1995 "Hollywood Minute" segment, Spade showed a photo of Murphy and quipped, "Look, children, it's a falling star. Quick, make a wish!" The shocking insult referenced Murphy's career slump at the time, following several poorly received films. Murphy took so much offense to the jab that it led to a years-long feud that didn’t see the funny-man return to the show until 2019. However, the infamous insult remains one of the most talked-about in “SNL” history.
#5: Nikki Glaser on Gronk
Not Real MoneyNetflix’s “The Roast of Tom Brady” was packed with memorable takedowns and biting insults. However, comedian Nikki Glaser arguably delivered the most biting remark of the night, targeting both Tom Brady and his former teammate Rob Gronkowski. Referring to Brady’s $30 million crypto loss, Glasser joked, “Even Gronk was like, me know that not real money!’” The line hilariously mocked Brady’s investment choices while playing on the stereotype of Gronk as a lovable but not-so-bright athlete. The audience sure loved it, as did Gronk himself. Here’s hoping Glaser and her ultra-cutting humor is a fixture at all future roasts.
#4: Ricky Gervais to Mel Gibson
As Much as The Next ManRicky Gervais hosting an award show will always equal unpredictable roasting. The 2010 “Golden Globe Awards” certainly proved this, as the comedian host took aim at embattled actor Mel Gibson with a scathing introduction. As he prepared to bring Gibson on stage, Gervais said, "I like a drink as much as the next man... unless the next man is Mel Gibson." This remark directly referenced Gibson's well-publicized struggles and his infamous DUI arrest. The audience's shocked reaction only fueled Gervais's mischievous grin. It also set the tone for his controversial hosting style in the years to come – putting the celeb-filled audience on edge every time.
#3: Anthony Jeselnik on Michael J. Fox to Charlie Sheen
The Only Reason…By nature, celebrity roasts often push the limits of insult comedy. And when it came to the “Comedy Central Roast of Charlie Sheen,” comedian Anthony Jeselnik took things to new extremes. Known for his dark humor, Jeselnik left audiences speechless with a single brutal one-liner. "The only reason you got on TV in the first place is because God hates Michael J. Fox." The comment was in reference to Charlie Sheen taking over Michael J. Fox's spot on “Spin City” after Fox stepped down due to his battle with Parkinson’s disease. Jeselnik’s fearless approach to edgy comedy made this moment one of the roast’s most talked-about highlights. It also cemented his reputation for pushing comedic boundaries – to the very edge.
#2: Amy Poehler on James Cameron
I Trust the Lady…James Cameron is a groundbreaking director with an award-winning body of work. He's also known to be a wee bit difficult to work with. Well, at the “70th Golden Globe Awards,” co-host Amy Poehler delivered a surprising insult aimed squarely at Cameron. While talking about the nominated film “Zero Dark Thirty,” Poehler praised director Kathryn Bigelow by saying, "when it comes to torture, I trust the woman who spent three years married to James Cameron." This unexpected jab, which contrasted Bigelow's resilience with her ex’s challenging personality, left the audience in stunned hysterics. Just look at Jessica Chastain's reaction…
#1: Donald Trump on Rosie O’Donnell
Only RosieWhat can we say, celebrity insults can happen anywhere and be delivered by anyone. During the 2015 Republican presidential debate, moderator Megyn Kelly confronted candidate Donald Trump about a history of derogatory remarks toward women. After listing them off, Trump fired back with a line for the ages. “You've called women you don't like fat pigs, dogs, slobs, and disgusting animals.” “Only Rosie O'Donnell.” The remark reignited Trump's long-running feud with the comedian and took the audience down a rollercoaster reaction of shock and laughter. Replayed and dissected on news networks in the weeks that followed, the insult was immediately destined for the history books.
What celebrity insult took you by surprise? Share the shock and awe in the comments below.
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