Top 10 Serious Actors Who Are Hilarious in Interviews

Oscar Isaac can immerse himself into tragic everymen and sterling figures alike, with the occasional detour into comic relief. His real-life persona mixes all of that behind surreally self-aware humor. Isaac stays deadpan when creating or perfectly reacting to the weirdest moments in interviews. It’s no surprise to fans that he’s just that cool. Well, maybe not so much when he performed a song about hippos that he wrote for his kids. This viral moment on “Jimmy Fallon” still just made everyone fall more in love with Isaac. You need only see him in interviews to understand his deadpan commitment to a bit, even when nobody else is able to keep a straight face.

Very few can epitomize grace and grit on the screen like Kate Winslet. The Oscar-winning legend bears an exalted reputation, but has always kept it casual in conversation. She’s very bombastic and chatty, with plenty of lively stories to tell. She still knows how to engage an interviewer with fun banter and the perfect response to any question. Oftentimes, that perfect response is a healthy dose of sass. The candid Winslet is nothing if not outspoken and strong-willed. This is surely what makes her such a masterful dramatist and an inspirational public figure. Her many admirers can count on it also making her a riot in interviews.

Hugh Jackman is as great as any showman for his musical chops and visceral acting range. Even his superhero brand is one of the most brooding and tragic out there. But rest assured that Wolverine is a lot fuzzier in-person. Jackman is absurdly charming, to say nothing of friendly. He’s always up for playing around or telling cute jokes in between insights into his dedicated work ethic. As remarkable as anything about this otherworldly talent is how genuinely relatable he seems to be. His chats are like sharing good laughs with a good friend… That good friend just happens to be award-winning dramatic actor Hugh Jackman.

Three-time Oscar winner Meryl Streep is considered the gold standard of a serious actor. She's also nailed comedy roles in recent years, though it was a natural progression from her interview style. The charismatic Streep is a deceptively jovial spirit and expressive storyteller. Her sheer presence is riveting, but her laugh is naturally infectious. And her sharp wit makes any chat more exuberant. If it's true that people told a producer for “The Devil Wears Prada" that Streep wasn't funny enough for her Golden Globe-winning turn, they must not have seen her in interviews. She's earned plenty of laughs in and out of character throughout her incomparable career.

Pedro Pascal has taken on drug kingpins, intergalactic criminals, and zombies. He’s also taken on Shakespeare in the theatre. The truth is that the prolific leading man is kind of a nerd, and proud of it. He’s very earnest and self-aware, but confidently manages even the most awkward of banter. His good-natured interjections in group interviews always steal the spotlight. He’s even mastered wholesome dad jokes, though that isn’t how he got the flattering title of “Daddy”. Pascal brings up the Internet’s crush on him a lot in conversation. Well-founded as it is on his dramatic talents, his polite yet attention-grabbing antics always make for meme-worthy interviews.

Any performance from Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence can be called an event. Even the raunchy comedy “No Hard Feelings” was considered a revelation, though not so much for true fans. Lawrence is a total blast in interviews, with high energy and a brash sense of humor. The glamour icon has no problem getting shockingly candid in her anecdotes. She regularly makes headlines for her outspoken views and relatable quips. Such unpredictability has made her one of the big names to look for in talk shows. While that public image doesn't take away from Lawrence’s esteem in drama, her giddy chats also have to be seen to be believed.

Willem Dafoe has to be one of the most intimidating figures on the screen. It may be hard to believe that he can put people at ease in conversation. The versatile character actor is by all reports a sweetheart, who looks enthusiastic about discussing his craft in interviews. He’s also quick with a one-liner or quirky banter. As blood-curdling as his iconic cackling is, it’s quite infectious when he’s out of character. Certainly, a wide range of roles and accolades suggest how great of an actor Dafoe is. But you really have no idea until you see him light up an interview with his warm, playful humor.

Classic TV dramas like “Deadwood” and “Justified” suggest that Timothy Olymphant is strictly no-nonsense. In interviews, however, he's pretty much all nonsense. He is an off-the-wall personality, hamming up absurd banter and gags in the most delightful way. He makes even the most crass exchanges sound wholesome, especially when playing off of his good friend Conan O’Brien. Some even consider Olymphant to be one of the talk show legend’s funnest recurring guests. Seeing him act that extravagant humor in “Santa Clarita Diet” was probably one of the dark comedy’s biggest shocks to casual viewers. The truth is that Olymphant is always a scream behind that signature steely charisma.

It doesn't get more charismatic than Denzel Washington, a larger-than-life force in dramas and thrillers. And yet, he's an unexpectedly relatable riot to talk to. Known for downplaying his movie star status, Washington keeps interviewers on their toes with folksy charm and wit. When he starts in with a hearty laugh, it's hard to not join in. At least it's on-brand for him to improvise charming one-liners with impeccable delivery. Washington remains a classic professional, who knows when to get down to business with his work and social issues. But in his casual, naturally hilarious moments, one of Hollywood's most commanding leading men becomes one of the most lovable.


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

Jake Gyllenhaal
The Intense Method Actor is Also Committed to Deadpan, Oddball Antics


George Clooney
One of the Suavest Men in Hollywood Can Be Refreshingly Self-Aware


Russell Crowe
The Intimidating Acting Titan Knows How to Entertain with His Wild Anecdotes


Benedict Cumberbatch
A Debonair Dramatist Who Sincerely Tries to Make His Chats Fun


Giancarlo Esposido
When Not Playing Terrifying Villains, He’s a Cordial & Naturally Clever Guest

Harrison Ford’s raw, rugged screen persona perfectly fits any serious genre. At the same time, hilarious self-awareness is part of what makes Han Solo and Indiana Jones such iconic action heroes. It’s definitely what makes Ford so great to interview. He’s effortlessly cool, even when he leans into the absurd. He doesn’t need to ham it up when he’s so strikingly direct. If anything, his grumpy disposition makes the trolling even funnier. His outspoken deadpan shows the difference between playing things straight and playing around. As riveting in-character as he is unpredictable in interviews, Ford himself shows that serious talents don’t have to take their public image too seriously.


Which actors consistently move you to tears, even with laughter during interviews? Share some banter in the comments.