Pranks can be a fun way to lighten the mood and bring laughter, but sometimes they can go too far, especially when it involves celebrities. Here are some of the most memorable celebrity pranks that crossed the line and caused controversy.
- Sacha Baron Cohen and Eminem: At the 2009 MTV Movie Awards, Sacha Baron Cohen, dressed as his character “Bruno,” descended from the ceiling and landed face-first into Eminem’s lap. The rapper stormed out in outrage, although it later turned out to be a staged moment.
- Ashton Kutcher and Justin Timberlake: Ashton Kutcher’s TV show, “Punk’d,” was known for its elaborate pranks on celebrities. In one episode, Justin Timberlake was led to believe that the IRS was seizing his house and belongings. Timberlake’s emotional distress during the prank raised concerns about the prank’s potentially damaging effects.
- Russell Brand and Andrew Sachs: On a BBC radio show, Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross made prank calls to actor Andrew Sachs, leaving offensive and sexually explicit voicemails about Sachs’ granddaughter. The incident sparked widespread outrage, leading to a public apology from Brand and Ross, and prompting discussions on the boundaries of comedy.
- George Clooney and Brad Pitt: During their promotional tour for “Ocean’s Twelve,” George Clooney convinced a tabloid magazine that Pitt and his then-wife Jennifer Aniston were expecting triplets. The false story caused confusion and upset fans, highlighting the potential negative impact that pranks can have.
- Andrew Dice Clay and Debbie Harry: In the late 1980s, controversial comedian Andrew Dice Clay went on a talk show where he made crude and disrespectful remarks about singer Debbie Harry. The incident sparked public backlash and raised questions about the use of derogatory humor.
- Jamie Kennedy and Joaquin Phoenix: During the 2009 documentary “I’m Still Here,” Joaquin Phoenix faked a career shift from acting to becoming a rap artist. Jamie Kennedy, who played a supporting role in the documentary, was criticized for being complicit in perpetuating the hoax and misleading the audience.
- Tracy Morgan and “30 Rock” Cast Members: While filming an episode of “30 Rock,” Tracy Morgan pretended to collapse and suffer a seizure, causing alarm among his co-stars. The prank upset some cast members who felt it was inappropriate to joke about serious health conditions.
- Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner: In an episode of “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner staged a hoax kidnapping, where Jenner was blindfolded, tied up, and put into the trunk of a car. The family’s attempt at a prank received backlash for making light of a serious issue.
- Justin Bieber and Billboards in Brazil: During his tour in Brazil, Justin Bieber’s team posted unauthorized billboards in São Paulo, implying that Bieber had impregnated a girl named Mariana. The prank caused public outrage and legal consequences for the unauthorized use of images.
- Anna Faris and Chris Pratt: In a harmless yet memorable prank, Anna Faris secretly covered her husband Chris Pratt’s car with explicit male magazines. While it was intended as a light-hearted joke, the public nature of the prank raised questions about privacy boundaries.
These celebrity pranks remind us that although humor can be a valuable tool, it’s important to consider the potential consequences and impact on individuals involved. Sometimes, what seems like harmless fun can escalate into controversy, causing distress and raising ethical concerns.