Scarlett Johansson Opens Up About Humor, Marriage, and Her New Chapter as a Director
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Los Angeles, May 28 - Hollywood star Scarlett Johansson, best known for her critically acclaimed performances and blockbuster appearances, revealed in a recent interview that humor is central to both her personal and professional life. Speaking candidly about her upbringing, marriage to comedian Colin Jost, and directorial debut, Johansson offered rare insights into the deeper motivations that shape her creative journey.
“I couldn’t imagine being with someone who wasn’t funny”
In an interview with Collider, Johansson described humor as an essential part of her identity. Married to Saturday Night Live writer and comedian Colin Jost since 2020, she admitted that laughter plays a crucial role in their relationship.
“My husband's a comedy writer, and I couldn't imagine ever being with somebody who wasn't funny. I grew up in a very funny household,” said Johansson.
Raised in New York, Johansson spoke about how her family's multicultural background helped shape her unique comedic sensibility.
“My dad is Danish and has a very dry sense of humour, and my mom is Jewish, so that's culturally a big part of our identity. It's certainly a certain kind of humour, and growing up in New York, that's another layer of it, of course.”
She added that she often finds ironic humor even in dark situations — a reflection of how her upbringing taught her to navigate adversity with wit.
A Directorial Debut Rooted in New York Nostalgia
Now stepping behind the camera, Johansson has made her directorial debut with Eleanor the Great, a new drama starring June Squibb and Chiwetel Ejiofor. The film, rooted in themes of resilience and rediscovery, draws heavily from Johansson’s deep love for New York.
“The script reminded me a lot of movies that I love that are specific to independent films from the ‘90s and early aughts that are very New York-centric,” she told Female First. “Whether it's Living Out Loud, Crossing Delancey, or some Woody Allen films, it felt like the potential for that stuff.”
Interestingly, Johansson doesn’t describe herself as someone who came into directing with grand artistic references.
“Some people have great references… I don’t think I had, really, so many references. Not intentionally,” she admitted. Instead, her creative process is grounded in emotional authenticity and intimate storytelling.
Lost in Translation: The Turning Point
While Johansson is now celebrated for her diverse roles, she admits that her career wasn’t always this dynamic. In a recent Vanity Fair interview, the Black Widow star reflected on her breakout role in Sofia Coppola’s Lost in Translation (2003) and how it became a double-edged sword.
“After Lost in Translation, every role that I was offered for years was ‘the girlfriend,’ ‘the other woman,’ a sex object,” she recalled. “It sort of felt like, ‘Oh, I guess this is my identity now as an actor.’ There wasn’t much I could do with that.”
Despite the critical acclaim she received for her performance opposite Bill Murray, Johansson struggled to break free from Hollywood’s tendency to typecast young female actors.
However, over time, she reclaimed control of her career by seeking out roles that challenged conventional tropes. From her performance in Marriage Story to portraying Natasha Romanoff in Marvel’s Avengers franchise, Johansson redefined herself as both a mainstream icon and an independent film powerhouse.
Key Quotes:
- “We see the ironic humour, also, in terrible things.”
- “I couldn’t imagine ever being with somebody who wasn’t funny.”
- “The script reminded me of indie films from the ’90s and early aughts.”
- “After Lost in Translation, every role… was ‘the other woman’ or ‘a sex object’.”
Context: Johansson’s Evolution from Actor to Auteur
Johansson’s move into directing isn’t a surprise to those who’ve followed her journey closely. A lifelong New Yorker, she has always gravitated toward nuanced characters and emotionally complex stories. Her work in films like Her, Under the Skin, and Jojo Rabbit reflected her hunger for depth and experimentation.
With Eleanor the Great, Johansson isn’t just telling a story — she’s reshaping the way women directors are viewed in an industry still struggling with gender parity behind the camera. The film's quiet, character-driven nature reflects a significant shift in her creative voice — one that prioritizes sincerity over spectacle.
Implications: A Personal and Industry Milestone
Scarlett Johansson's personal evolution — from being typecast to becoming a force behind the camera — mirrors broader changes in Hollywood. Her ability to address her past experiences openly, including the frustration of being sexualized early in her career, adds vital nuance to conversations about representation and agency in film.
Moreover, her directorial debut and her reflections on humor and identity also offer an inspiring example for younger artists navigating the complexities of creative expression, gender politics, and personal authenticity in the entertainment world.
Scarlett Johansson’s latest interviews provide a glimpse into a woman redefining success on her own terms. Whether it’s finding humor in hardship, resisting industry stereotypes, or directing her first feature, Johansson continues to grow both as an artist and as a person — on her terms.