Colin Jost recently shared a humorous perspective on his wife Scarlett Johansson's career milestone. The actor and writer reacted to news that Zoe Saldana has overtaken Johansson as Hollywood's highest-grossing actress of all time.
SNL Segment Sparks Laughter
During a recent episode of Saturday Night Live, Jost addressed the box office comparison with his trademark wit. A graphic displayed the earnings of both actresses, prompting his comedic commentary.
"Zoe Saldana—who stars in the new Avatar movie—has surpassed Scarlett Johansson to become the highest-grossing actress of all time," Jost announced. He then added a playful twist: "Okay, well let's see what happens if you include the box office from Scarlett's husband's movies."
The audience erupted in laughter as Johansson's reported earnings dropped from $15.4 billion to $15.1 billion with Jost's hypothetical calculation. The comedian himself couldn't contain his amusement, asking through giggles, "It went down?"
Box Office Records Shift
This lighthearted moment followed serious industry reports about changing box office rankings. Saldana's global film earnings now reach approximately $16.8 billion, largely driven by the phenomenal success of James Cameron's Avatar franchise.
Avatar: Fire and Ash reportedly earned $1.23 billion worldwide by January 12, contributing significantly to Saldana's total. Her filmography includes major franchises that have dominated global cinemas for years.
Major Franchise Contributions
- The Avatar series
- Star Trek films
- Avengers: Endgame
- Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Johansson previously held the top position with an estimated $16.4 billion in worldwide box office earnings. The rest of the highest-grossing actors list features several Marvel stars, including Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Downey Jr., and Chris Pratt.
Not Jost's First Hollywood Joke
This isn't the first time Jost has publicly joked about his wife's Hollywood colleagues. In a July 2025 interview, he reacted lightheartedly to Johansson's viral kiss with her Jurassic World Rebirth co-star Jonathan Bailey.
"I guess in Jurassic Park terms, the attack always comes from the raptor you never thought was there," Jost quipped to Entertainment Tonight. "Of all the threats out there, I wasn't thinking it was Jonathan."
He downplayed any controversy surrounding the friendly kiss between co-stars. "People really blew it out of proportion," Jost stated. "Jonathan is an out gay man—it didn't seem like the biggest threat."
The comedian even shared a humorous red carpet moment, recalling: "Jonathan and I were at the red carpet like, 'I guess we have to kiss now? Will that close the loop?'"
Jost continues to balance his comedy career with being married to one of Hollywood's most successful actresses, finding humor in industry milestones and moments that capture public attention.
