Relive the Laughter: The Most Iconic Celebrity Pranks and Scares from The Ellen DeGeneres Show
As The Ellen DeGeneres Show concluded its remarkable 19-season run, it left behind a legacy of heartwarming interviews, incredible acts of generosity, and, perhaps most memorably, an endless stream of hilarious celebrity scares. Host Ellen DeGeneres perfected the art of the on-air prank, turning unexpected jolts into a signature segment that delighted millions of viewers and left some of Hollywood’s biggest stars screaming in their seats. These elaborately staged ambushes often involved costumed characters bursting from behind furniture, popping out of boxes, or even hiding in unexpected places like dressing rooms.
From Oscar winners to music icons, no guest was truly safe from Ellen’s playful torment. The pranks became a beloved tradition, a segment audiences eagerly anticipated with each new episode. It showcased a different, more vulnerable side of celebrities, often leading to genuinely funny and spontaneous reactions that endeared them further to fans. As we look back on nearly two decades of laughter and unexpected screams, we’ve rounded up some of the most unforgettable and epic celebrity scares that defined The Ellen DeGeneres Show and solidified its place in talk show history.
Taylor Swift
Even superstar Taylor Swift wasn’t immune to Ellen’s infamous pranks, experiencing one of her earliest and most memorable scares during a November 2009 appearance. The setup was brilliantly simple yet incredibly effective. Taylor, dressed casually in a white shirt and black pants, was directed to what she thought was a private dressing room. Unbeknownst to her, this room was rigged with hidden cameras, and Ellen herself was lurking just out of sight.
The “Style” singer was instructed to enter the bathroom within the dressing room, believing she was going to see photos of herself and Ellen. However, as she cautiously stepped inside, Ellen burst out from behind the door, unleashing a sudden, high-pitched scream. The surprise was instantaneous and absolute; Taylor let out a shriek and dramatically tumbled to the floor in a fit of genuine hysterics. The sight of the typically poised Grammy winner collapsing in laughter and shock was pure gold. Ellen, equally amused by her own success, also fell to the floor, joining Taylor in a shared moment of comedic relief. After a warm hug, a triumphant Ellen exclaimed, “Oh my god, that was the best one yet.” This bathroom scare became a classic, a testament to Ellen’s ability to catch even the most composed celebrities off guard. While the Miss Americana star would be subjected to Ellen’s pranks multiple times throughout her various appearances, this early incident remains an iconic fan favorite, perfectly encapsulating the delightful chaos of an Ellen scare.
Sterling K. Brown
Sterling K. Brown, known for his dramatic prowess on shows like This Is Us, found himself in a hilariously undignified moment during his May 2018 visit to Ellen. He and his friend and co-star, Brian Tyree Henry, were engaged in a seemingly innocent game of “The Movie Game,” hosted by Ellen herself. The game proceeded for over a minute, lulling Sterling into a false sense of security, focused on the movie titles.
Then, without warning, the segment took a sudden, shocking turn. A man dressed in hospital scrubs dramatically burst out from an opening in the table directly in front of Sterling. The instantaneous fright caused the acclaimed actor to let out a high-pitched scream, launching himself backward and out of his chair. His reaction was pure comedic gold, as he scrambled away in the opposite direction, clearly shaken. Brian, who was in on the elaborate joke, couldn’t contain his laughter, cheering alongside Ellen as Sterling’s panicked escape unfolded. Eventually, Sterling cautiously returned to the table, still processing the shock but now able to laugh at the absurdity of the situation. He playfully threw a piece of cardboard at the prankster, who remained in character for a moment longer. The trio, joined by the studio audience, then watched a replay of the hilarious footage, with Sterling shaking his head and laughing at his own dramatic reaction. It was a perfectly executed scare that truly captured the essence of Ellen’s unique brand of humor.
Sarah Paulson
Poor Sarah Paulson. If there’s one celebrity who could lay claim to being Ellen’s most frequent and arguably most terrified prank victim, it’s the immensely talented American Horror Story actress. Sarah’s reactions to Ellen’s scares became legendary, a recurring segment that always delivered pure comedic gold. One of Ellen’s most iconic pranks on Sarah unfolded in January 2019, during a seemingly innocent game of “Heads Up.”
After a few rounds of the popular game, the atmosphere shifted. Suddenly, a figure dressed as a menacing black ninja dramatically dropped from the studio ceiling, landing with a thump right beside Sarah. Her reaction was instantaneous and explosive: a piercing scream escaped her lips as she recoiled in her chair, then quickly shot up to compose herself, her face a mixture of shock and genuine terror. Ellen and the entire studio audience roared with laughter, reveling in Sarah’s hilariously exaggerated fear. Just as Sarah, still visibly shaken but trying to regain her composure, sat back down to continue her chat with Ellen, the torment wasn’t over. Another prankster, this time concealed within a large box placed right next to her chair, suddenly popped out, unleashing another wave of screams from the actress.
This second scare pushed Sarah to her limits. She remained seated, but her feet shot up onto the table, her body language conveying utter desperation as she practically pleaded, “You guys, what’s gonna happen now?” Her voice was laced with a mix of fear and comedic exasperation, making the moment truly unforgettable. Despite her repeated terrorizations, the Impeachment star always remained a good sport, her dramatic reactions only adding to her charm and cementing her status as a beloved Ellen prank target. These multi-layered scares on Sarah Paulson were nothing short of epic, showcasing Ellen’s commitment to the art of the celebrity jump scare.
John Krasinski
John Krasinski, known for his charm and wit, received a truly memorable scare from Ellen during his February 2018 appearance. The irony was palpable, as he was on the show to promote his critically acclaimed horror film, A Quiet Place. Ellen cleverly integrated this theme into her prank, setting the stage for a silent ambush. The two engaged in a “no-speaking contest,” attempting to make each other laugh without uttering a sound—a perfect setup for a sudden, terrifying interruption.
As the intense silence of the game wore on, Ellen had a major trick up her sleeve. A person dressed as the iconic horror villain Freddy Krueger suddenly lunged out of a strategically placed box next to John, creating an explosive moment of terror. John’s reaction was instantaneous and visceral: he recoiled violently, his face a mask of shock and fright, letting out a gasp that broke the silence. The surprise allowed Ellen to “win” the game, but the real victory was in John’s genuine, hilarious reaction. “That was the worst,” Emily Blunt’s husband exclaimed as he slowly settled back into his chair, still visibly shaking from the unexpected jolt.
He added a lighthearted warning, “Don’t wear light-colored pants on Ellen,” a nod to the potential for a bladder-loosening scare. John also expressed amazement at how long the prankster must have been hidden in the confined space of the box. “That was the worst, I’m still shaking,” he admitted, his honest reaction showcasing the effectiveness of Ellen’s carefully planned scare. The prank brilliantly played on the horror genre John was promoting, turning his visit into an unforgettable segment that perfectly blended promotion with pure comedic chaos.
Aubrey Plaza
Aubrey Plaza, known for her deadpan humor and quirky personality, experienced the scare of a lifetime on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in June 2019. The segment began with a seemingly innocuous game of “Speak Out,” where Aubrey had to wear a mouthpiece and utter phrases for Ellen to guess. The game itself provided plenty of comedic moments as the Parks and Recreation alum struggled hilariously to articulate words through the obstructive device.
However, the real highlight of the segment was a surprise scare perfectly tailored to Aubrey’s recent work. A man dressed as Chucky, the terrifying doll from Aubrey’s film Child’s Play, suddenly burst onto the set. Still wearing the mouthpiece, Aubrey couldn’t let out a full scream, which only added to the humor of the situation. Her muffled shriek and immediate reaction—throwing the game card at the Chucky character—were priceless.
Removing the mouthpiece with a dramatic flair, Aubrey declared, “I hate you!” to Ellen, throwing the mouthpiece to the side. Her reaction quickly escalated into a comedic tantrum, as she dramatically pretended to throw a nearby plant and then her chair, repeatedly yelling, “No!” It was a perfectly over-the-top performance, blending genuine shock with her signature comedic timing. Referring to her experience on set, she then quipped, “I did that for two months with Chuck! No more Chucky!” Her hilarious and exaggerated response, coupled with the thematic tie-in to her film, made this one of Ellen’s most memorable and personalized celebrity scares.
Kristen Bell & Dax Shepard
The beloved Hollywood couple, Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell, became joint victims of Ellen’s prank machine during Dax’s birthday celebration in January 2019. The segment began innocently enough, with Kristen making a surprise appearance on the show to celebrate her husband’s special day. Ellen, with a mischievous glint in her eye, brought out a festive birthday cake while the audience serenaded Dax with a lively “Happy Birthday” sing-a-long. The scene was set for a heartwarming and joyful moment.
However, just as Dax and Kristen stood poised in front of the delicious-looking cake, ready to embrace the celebration, Ellen unleashed her surprise. A terrifying clown suddenly burst out from within the cake, creating a sudden explosion of chaos. Both stars reacted instantly and dramatically, jumping backward in unison, their faces contorted in shock and surprise. Kristen let out a piercing scream that echoed through the studio, while Dax’s initial shock quickly turned into uproarious laughter at the sheer absurdity of the incident.
Dax, always quick with a witty remark, playfully yelled, “Get out of here you little rascal!” as he tried to catch his breath between laughs. He then added, with a wide grin, “Well that made my birthday much better. Now it’s a great birthday.” The synchronized reaction of the couple, Kristen’s high-pitched scream, and Dax’s rapid transition from fear to laughter made this a standout prank. It perfectly captured the playful dynamic between the couple and Ellen, delivering a moment of unforgettable birthday hilarity that delighted everyone watching.
The pranks on The Ellen DeGeneres Show were more than just jump scares; they were a testament to Ellen’s unique comedic timing and her ability to create genuine, unscripted moments of joy and surprise. These elaborate stunts allowed audiences to see their favorite stars in a relatable light, reacting with raw emotion and often collapsing into laughter alongside Ellen. From Taylor Swift’s iconic bathroom scare to Sarah Paulson’s repeated terror, each prank became a cherished memory, contributing significantly to the show’s enduring appeal.
As the final curtain falls on Ellen’s talk show, these hilarious celebrity scares will undoubtedly remain a significant part of its legacy. They offered a refreshing dose of spontaneity and lightheartedness, reminding us that even the biggest stars can be startled and that shared laughter is truly one of life’s greatest pleasures. The memory of these epic moments will continue to bring smiles to faces, proving that Ellen DeGeneres was not only a gifted interviewer and comedian but also a master of the surprise scare.