I have always wanted to be featured on a Jumbotron, but never have been! Whenever I’m at a baseball or hockey game, I scan to see where that mobile camera is to figure out if I have a chance, but alas, I never do! Celebrities, though, are always featured during the big sporting events. During the Super Bowl, 71-year-old Jeff Goldblum was caught by surprise when he was shown on the Jumbotron. His reaction was to really lean in and ham it up, Boomer Grandpa-style. It was dorky and entertaining, so naturally, the clip went viral. While on Jimmy Kimmel Live! this week to promote his new animated film They Shot the Piano Player, Jimmy kicked off the interview by asking Goldblum about that moment. This may shock you, but it turns out that Jeff is a ham who likes attention.
Jeff Goldblum went viral during the Super Bowl for his reaction to being put on the jumbotron by waving and dancing, with some comparing his response to the more sullen reaction of Leonardo DiCaprio. On the jumbotron, Goldblum, 71, smiled and held a thumbs up as soon as he realized he was on the screen, eventually standing up to flash a heart-hand gesture for the crowd.
The “Jurassic Park” actor explained the moment on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Wednesday night, saying he was “just thrilled to be there.”
“I didn’t know they were going to come upon me, as that seems,” he told Kimmel. “I was eating it up.”
He continued: “I was happy to be there. You know I’m an NFL fan. I’m a Steelers fan. But this year I spent a lot of time working and in Europe so I’ve missed every game. So I was actually hungry to see every snap. And I loved seeing that stadium for the first time.
“I had a great, great time,” he added. “So I was happy to be amongst people and see everybody.”
The late-night host offered his own reaction to being filmed at sports events for comparison.
“My first inclination is to hide, and yours is to take it in, perform and really enjoy it. And I think that shows the difference in our personalities,” Kimmel laughed.
Forget about dancing like nobody’s watching. Dance like 100,000 people in a football stadium are cheering you on. I think Jimmy probably says it best, though, that it’s all about an individual’s personality. My older son and I would absolutely be dancing up a storm while there is no world in which my younger son wouldn’t dive under a seat to hide if he saw himself on the big screen.
Jimmy also does a comparison clip to when he was shown on the Jumbotron while sitting next to Kelly Clarkson and Carrot Top. Only Kelly was identified by name on the chyron! Too funny. Beyond the more publicized ones, there were a whole bunch of celebs at the big game, including Paul Rudd, Gwen & Blake, Luke Comb, Martha Stewart, Sir Paul McCartney, and a ton more. I bet Rudd and Martha would have no problem busting a move on the Jumbotron. However, I do feel like it was a missed opportunity not to give us the opportunity to watch Sir Paul show us what he’s got. Your move, Macca.
Jeff Goldblum’s reaction to being on the jumbotron at the big game pic.twitter.com/zieZb0tPfL
— Chicks in the Office (@ChicksInTheOff) February 12, 2024
photos credit: JPI Studios/Robin Platzer/Twin Images/Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/Avalon and via Instagram
This man is a national treasure.
The World According to Jeff Goldblum is such a fun show to watch with the entire family (Disney + though so not universally available). The show highlights what a sweet soul he is.
He really is!
My favorite was when they showed Leo and he was frozen in place unable to glance up from the dark confines of his trademark cap. No judgement, but I’ve never seen such a big celebrity more uncomfortable in the spotlight.
LMFAO 🤣🤣🤣 He’s such a great showman! His reaction was so dorky and funny!
Too cute ! 🥰
Official Zaddy alert.😍🥰😍
That was fun to watch!
What a delightful way to start the day. He’s really a charming person and I’m glad he enjoyed himself at the Super Bowl.
I think as we age, there’s a lot to learn from Jeff. He seems to have an authentically positive attitude about himself and his life and just displays a lot of gratitude towards others. Most importantly, it seems wherever he goes, he’s having fun. I understand he’s lucky to have that privilege but I still think regardless of circumstances, we can all learn a little from Jeff.
Can you imagine how fun he would be to talk to at a dinner party?! He is so engaging. 💗
He guest judged on RuPaul’s Drag Race and he was a GD delight from start to finish!
I met Jeff Goldblum at Calgary Comic Con in 2018. I got a signed autograph from him and when I came up to his table I told him I worked for a Palaeontology and Archaeology company and he was like, “oh, cool, cool”. He was so nice. Super friendly- had a sign that said to post your Jeff Goldblum experience and tag his insta with this hashtag. Then at the panel he read comments and tweets people wrote about him. He read THIS ONE which was so funny.
“That scene in Jurassic Park when in the helicopter where Dr. Malcom pulls the two seatbelts sound him made me feel all warm inside “ lol
Still one of my biggest celebrity crushes to this day. I don’t care that he’s older than my dad (by a decade). He is so carefree and charming!
I love his quirky grandpa style.