Colin Jost Lightheartedly Comments on Scarlett Johansson Losing Her Title as Top-Grossing Actress

Colin Jost and Scarlett Johansson.
Credit :

NBC; Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• Colin Jost cracked a joke about wife Scarlett Johansson on this week’s Weekend Update
• However, the joke backfired when the punchline was turned on the comedian himself
• Jost’s marriage with Johansson is often teased on Saturday Night Live

Colin Jost’s personal life took center stage once again on Saturday Night Live during the show’s Weekend Update segment, where he made a humorous remark involving his wife, Scarlett Johansson.

On the January 17 episode, Jost referenced a recent headline about actress Zoe Saldaña, who recently surpassed Johansson to become the highest-grossing actress of all time. “Zoe Saldaña, who stars in the new Avatar movie, has surpassed Scarlett Johansson to become the highest-grossing actress of all time,” Jost said. He then added, “Okay, well let’s see what happens when you include the box office from Scarlett’s husband’s movies.”

Colin Jost reads joke involving wife Scarlett Johansson on ‘SNL’s’ Weekend Update.

NBC

The accompanying graphic displayed Saldaña’s net worth at $15.5 billion, with Johansson at $15.4 billion, which then decreased to $15.1 billion following Jost’s remark. Amused by the drop, Jost laughed and exclaimed, “It went down?!”

In addition to his role on SNL, Jost has appeared in films including How to Be Single, Tom & Jerry, Coming 2 America, and The Bad Guys 2, alongside a role in the upcoming film Fly Me to the Moon, which stars Johansson.

Back in July 2025, Jost joked to Entertainment Tonight that their combined box office success makes them a formidable couple in Hollywood. “When you think about it, combined, me and her are probably one of the top couples at the box office. Ever,” he said, adding, “She’s probably doing a little more of that lifting, but combined, you know what I mean? That could be a huge record too. … I basically only do number-one movies.”

Both Saldaña and Johansson have made significant contributions to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with Saldaña portraying Gamora and Johansson as Black Widow. Johansson also appeared in major franchises such as Jurassic World and the animated Sing films. However, it is Saldaña’s role as Neytiri in James Cameron’s Avatar films that has secured her top position.

Upon learning about her achievement, Saldaña shared her gratitude on Instagram, stating, “I just want to express my sincerest gratitude for the extraordinary journey that has led me to become the highest-grossing film actor of all time. May the next record breaker be another woman!”

Colin Jost and Scarlett Johansson at a screening of ‘Eleanor the Great’ in Sept. 2025.

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Johansson and Jost, who married in 2020, share a son named Cosmo, 4, and Johansson’s daughter Rose, 11, from a previous relationship. Jost’s marriage to the high-profile actress is a frequent source of playful jabs, particularly from his Weekend Update co-anchor, Michael Che.