Top 20 Ridiculous Shia LaBeouf Moments
#20: Shia as Spicoli
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The coronavirus pandemic is obviously terrible, but it did provide us with some great virtual reunions and table readings. On September 17, 2020, various celebrities took part in a live table read of “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” for Sean Penn’s charity CORE. Despite hosting a ton of big names, including Matthew McConaughey, Morgan Freeman, Jennifer Aniston, and Brad Pitt, Shia LaBeouf utterly stole the show with his rendition of famed stoner Jeff Spicoli. LaBeouf filmed in a parked car and appeared shirtless, with neon sunglasses and a prop joint we aren’t convinced was a prop. Penn, who played Spicoli in the film, was certainly loving it!
#19: #ELEVATE
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LaBeouf is well known for his bizarre performance art pieces, and #ELEVATE was one of the best. As the title suggests, this art piece saw LaBeouf and fellow artists Luke Turner and Nastja Säde Rönkkö spending 24 hours inside an elevator at Oxford University. The event was live streamed on YouTube, and as per its description, it was meant to “form an extended, expansive and egalitarian Oxford Union address.” Anyone was welcome to join the performance artists inside the elevator, and many did. A wide array of topics were discussed, and LaBeouf was down-to-earth while chatting with visitors. It was actually a good time. Well, as good a time as 24 hours inside an elevator can be.
#18: Cannibal Shia
Actor, director, performing artist and… cannibal? Uploaded onto Soundcloud in 2012, the song “Shia LaBeouf” was written by Rob Cantor, and details a fictional encounter with the actor in the woods at night. The style of the song is reminiscent of early radio drama recordings and its popularity inspired the meme “Actual Cannibal Shia LaBeouf”. Two years later, a music video with an extended version of the song was released and all we can say is… it’s a feast for the eyes. The giant papercraft Shia heads are a delicious addition to the ensemble. Showing himself to be a good sport, Shia even has a cameo in the video.
#17: Walgreens Arrest
Following the success of the first “Transformers” movie, the newly 21 LaBeouf was charged with misdemeanor for criminal trespassing. His mug shots were featured in a number of tabloids and newspapers. The most ridiculous part though was the story behind the arrest: craving cigarettes, the actor made several trips to the drugstore, each time in a different outfit, but kept forgetting to purchase them due to his drunken state. The Walgreens security guard was clearly aware of his intoxication. After refusing to leave the third time, LaBeouf was detained until police arrived.
#16: Maiming Himself for “Fury”
LaBeouf is certainly devoted to his craft. So much so that he was willing to maim himself for “Fury.” In the World War II movie, LaBeouf plays a tank gunner named Bible Swan. During an interview with British GQ, actor Logan Lerman revealed that LaBeouf would cut his own face with a knife to make his character’s war wounds look more realistic. We wonder how the makeup team felt about that. He also had a dentist remove one of his bottom teeth for the role - a fact he proudly shared on Twitter. At least the movie was successful. “Fury” received solid reviews and grossed over $210 million at the worldwide box office.
#15: Biker Staredown
Driving around Burbank, California, must be fun; you never know who you’re going to see in the car next to you! In 2013, a short clip went viral showing LaBeouf intently staring down a biker at a red light. LaBeouf’s Silverado slowly rides up next to the bike, and when the biker finally looks over, he sees LaBeouf staring directly at him. The two exchange brief pleasantries before the light turns green. In a later video, it was revealed that the biker had been driving between two lanes of stopped traffic - a move that LaBeouf seemingly didn’t like too much. Either that or he just enjoys staring at people.
#14: Broadway Arrest
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Shia might have learned not to drink and shop from the Walgreens incident … but not to abstain during other public appearances. In 2014, the actor was arrested for disorderly conduct and criminal trespassing during a performance of “Cabaret” in New York. LaBeouf later gave a detailed account of the events that led up to his arrest on Jimmy Kimmel, describing how he even grabbed the butt of Alan Cumming as the actor was performing in the musical. Cumming gave his own version of the incident on “Conan” and described the sense of unease in the room while also sympathizing with LaBeouf.
#13: Shia, Seagulls, Sardines & the Sea
[broll: “When the seagulls follow the trawler, it is because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea.”] A cryptic message or the ramblings of a troubled man? During a press conference for the movie “Nymphomaniac,” Shia was asked about his decision to star in a movie that featured multiple sex scenes. LaBeouf replied by quoting former footballer, Eric Cantona, who replied with the line about seagulls and sardines during a press conference in 1995. Cantona’s comment was perhaps likening the media to pests, although the meaning of his words is debated. LaBeouf faithfully recreated Cantona’s delivery before leaving his own panel, baffling everyone in attendance.
#12: #METAMARATHON
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On Monday September 8, 2014, LaBeouf tweeted a link to his Nike+ running route, which was in the shape of a hashtag. People immediately assumed that this was some type of stunt, and their theory proved correct the next day when his route took the shape of an “M.” By September 20, the routes spelled out #METAMARATHON. This was in relation to another performance art piece, which saw LaBeouf running around Amsterdam’s Stedelijk Museum in Day-Glo spandex. The piece was run in conjunction with a conference taking place inside the museum, which reflected on how ‘80s kids would perceive the world if they’d had social media.
#11: Sky Writer Apology
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In 2013, Shia LaBeouf was caught plagiarizing another artist’s work … AND subsequent apologies. We’ll go into further detail later, but it all started when LaBeouf ripped off graphic novelist Daniel Clowes’ work “Justin M. Damiano.” On New Years Day 2014, LaBeouf commissioned a skywriting company to fly over Los Angeles with a massive banner reading “I Am Sorry Daniel Clowes.” While it was visible within a ten to fifteen mile radius, Clowes resides in the San Francisco Bay area. A company rep told The Hollywood Reporter that LaBeouf was pleased with the outcome, saying, “He did get a lot of PR from it.”
#10: Refusing to Shower
As it turns out, LaBeouf was none too popular on the set of “Fury.” It wasn’t a personal thing, and it wasn’t all the freaky face-carving - he was just really stinky. An insider with knowledge of the movie’s production told the Daily Mail that LaBeouf had stopped cleaning himself to feel more in tune with his dirty character. This reportedly infuriated much of the cast and crew, including his co-star Brad Pitt and director David Ayer. LaBeouf was continuously warned to clean himself up, and it eventually proved so bad that he was moved and sequestered to a nearby bed and breakfast, away from everyone else.
#9: Freestyling
Just when we thought we’ve seen it all, Shia surprises us with the unexpected. In June 2015, a video of LaBeouf doing a freestyle rap was leaked. While there were viewers who applauded his artistic expression, many others were quick to condemn the actor. Case in point: MC and music producer Pri the Honeydark accused LaBeouf of lifting lyrics from the Anomalies’ song “Perfectionist”. This isn’t the first time that Shia’s been accused of plagiarizing, and even though he never claimed the words to be his own, it’s definitely bad form to be freestyling with another artist’s words.
#8: #IAMSORRY Performance Art Installation
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A few days after strange behaviour at the “Nymphomaniac” press conference and premiere (more on THAT later), LaBeouf staged a performance at an LA gallery titled #IAMSORRY. The art exhibit ran for about 5 days, with people lining up for the opportunity to meet the actor in person. The performance had LaBeouf remaining silent and crying while sitting at a table, dressed in a tuxedo and wearing a paper bag over his head with the words ‘I AM NOT FAMOUS ANYMORE’ on it. Visitors were given the option to use props made available at the art installation, including a ukulele, a bottle of Jack Daniels and an Indiana Jones whip. While many ridiculed LaBeouf’s stunt for being desperate and pretentious, others expressed empathy and admiration.
#7: GoPro #INTERVIEW
Considering all the hectic events in LaBeouf’s life, it’s clear that the actor is on a soul-searching mission. In 2014, he posted this hour-long video titled #INTERVIEW, which features him and Dazed music editor Aimee Cliff sitting in silence – except for a few chuckles - and recording each other with GoPro cameras strapped to their heads. Prior to the interview, LaBeouf and Cliff had corresponded through email and it was the actor’s idea that they meet in person without speaking. At times, the silence is awkward but it’s also openly honest and intriguing to watch. It would probably have been less unnerving if he blinked more often.
#6: Live Trippin’
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To prepare for his upcoming role in “Charlie Countryman”, LaBeouf decided to experiment with LSD. He ALSO decided to document his experience by live tweeting his thoughts and visions while on the drug. The tweets were eventually taken down, but they were recorded by fans for posterity. They included telling a Walgreens security guard that his head was on fire, wanting to juggle the lettuce in his apartment, and not understanding his feet. However, some...experienced people doubt that LaBeouf was actually on acid at the time, as his ramblings seemed too “stereotypical.”
#5: He Will Not Divide Us
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This installation coincided with the inauguration of Donald Trump, and the goal was to have passersby look into a mounted camera and state “he will not divide us.” It was meant to remain outside the Museum of the Moving Image in New York for all four years of Trump’s presidency. It lasted about a month … The museum decided to cancel the project, calling it a flashpoint for violent confrontations, although LaBeouf and his collaborators blamed political pressure. The piece was relocated to New Mexico and again to Tennessee, where it took the form of a flag. However, the flag was taken down by 4chan users who had found it by studying passing flights. Following a nearby fire, the piece was relocated to Europe, with the performers stating “America is simply not safe enough for this artwork to exist.”
#4: Chasing a Homeless Man
Apparently, if LaBeouf isn’t staring down bikers in the streets of Burbank, he’s chasing homeless people through the streets of New York. Before his famous “Cabaret” arrest, LaBeouf was photographed chasing a homeless man, with witnesses reporting that the scuffle was over a hat. LaBeouf allegedly believed that the hat was his and was attempting to get it back. He later appeared on “Jimmy Kimmel” and told the story. He’d been drinking a lot of whiskey, began talking to the homeless Marine. But when a woman took pictures of LaBeouf, the man freaked out and ran away. LaBeouf chased after him, wanting to calm him down … and persisted despite the man continuing to flee.
#3: Just Do It
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A clever Nike ad? Nope, just Shia yelling at you to do whatever it is that you’re putting off and make your dreams come. This viral “Just Do It” motivational speech is actually an excerpt from a collaborative video art project titled #Introductions for a London arts college. The original video contains over thirty short pieces with LaBeouf performing in front of a green screen with props. “Just Do It” is a hit not only for its inspirational message and Shia’s exaggerated body movements, but also for its being cleverly incorporated in YouTube videos and iconic movie scenes after its online release – providing the internet with an entertaining new meme and hours of fun.
#2: Serial Plagiarist
At the 2012 Cannes Film Festival, Shia LaBeouf premiered the short film HowardCantour.com – which he directed – to critical acclaim. But a year later, when it was released online, people noticed a striking similarity to another artist’s work. As it turns out, the premise of the short film was derived from Daniel Clowes' "Justin M. Damiano." The majority of the script and visuals matched the 2007 comic, and while Shia later admitted to being inspired by Clowes, he failed to explain why he didn’t give credit where it was due. The actor apologized through his Twitter account, but some critics noted that the apology itself seemed to have been plagiarized from a Yahoo! Answers post.
#1: I Am Not Famous Anymore
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In February 2014, Shia attended the Berlin premiere of “Nymphomaniac” wearing a tuxedo and covering his head with a paper bag that had the words "I am not famous anymore" written in bold. Just a month prior to all this, and in light of the series of rocky events that saw him labeled as troubled and crazy, LaBeouf had announced his retirement from “public life”. The display on the red carpet happened an hour after he had stormed out of the press conference for the movie. To the public and critics, it seemed clear that Shia was making yet another statement… and surprise, surprise, the paper bag incident would appear in his #IAMSORRY performance art installation two days later. Well played, Shia, well played.
