Buzz
Actors are much like the rest of us when it comes to seeing themselves on screen or in photos—they can be their harshest critics. We’ve all experienced the moment when someone records a video of us, and upon viewing it, we become hyper-aware of every gesture, expression, or movement. For others, it's often something easily forgotten—or never even noticed. But for us, watching ourselves on camera can amplify every minor imperfection.
It’s a familiar feeling for many actors… or at least for most of them. Many choose to avoid watching the works they appear in, often due to discomfort with their own performance or appearance. Some simply won’t watch because they already know the script, the story, and the themes—after all, they lived through it while filming. Why revisit something they've already experienced firsthand?
However, there are a few rare actors who genuinely enjoy watching their own projects after they've been completed. Whether it's a deep passion for their craft, a hint of narcissism, or perhaps a bit of both, these actors tune in to see their performances on screen. They take pride in seeing the result of their hard work and love rewatching their roles once the cameras stop rolling.
10. John Goodman
John Goodman is known for his remarkable roles on screen, from his larger-than-life physique (which he notably slimmed down) to his deep, resonant voice. It's impossible not to think of his famous role as Dan Conner in *Roseanne*. But even more iconic is his portrayal of Walter, the outspoken Vietnam War veteran and bowler in *The Big Lebowski*. In fact, Goodman himself enjoys rewatching that classic film whenever it airs, although he doesn't hold the same affection for some of his other works.
During a promotional interview for his part in the 2017 film *Kong: Skull Island*, John Goodman shared that he sometimes revisits his old films. However, he made it clear that he doesn't enjoy all of them, describing some as 'irritating and tedious'. He didn't specify which films fit that description, but he did mention that *The Big Lebowski* and *Barton Fink* are two films he always makes time to watch whenever they come on TV. We can't blame him—those are certainly classics worth revisiting.
9. Bryan Cranston
While *Breaking Bad* was airing, many of Bryan Cranston's co-stars didn’t tune in to watch the show. They had already shot the episodes, so they felt no need to watch the final versions. Cranston, however, took a different approach. He made it a point to watch every episode at least once on television. In fact, he plans to rewatch the entire series someday with a close friend or family member who has never seen it, providing them with a first-time experience of the show's brilliance.
Cranston explained in a podcast interview that the idea of watching *Breaking Bad* again, from start to finish, with someone who hasn't seen it, excites him. 'It’s like, 'Well, let’s sit down,’' he said. He even looks forward to reliving the most memorable and impactful moments, over and over, for the first-time viewer. It's a unique way to introduce someone to one of television's most iconic series—especially with the star himself guiding them through it.
8. Terry Crews
Terry Crews has no hesitation when it comes to watching himself on screen. In fact, he goes a step further than most celebrities by enjoying his performances in virtually any medium or format available! This includes revisiting his reality show, The Family Crews, as well as re-watching his older roles in TV series and films. And, he doesn't stop there—he even enjoys checking out the countless memes and GIFs of himself circulating the internet. And as if that wasn't enough, Terry takes it a step further by making his family watch his work too!
During a conversation with Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show, Terry Crews admitted to forcing his family to watch his Lip Sync Battle performance repeatedly whenever he needs a pick-me-up. He shared, 'I could not stop watching my own performance.' He continued, 'You know what I mean? I was like, ‘Y’all want to see ‘Lip Sync’ again?’ and my kids were like, ‘Aw man.’ I was like, ‘No, really, it’s good! Look at this part!’ His wife finally stepped in, saying, 'Give me the remote! I’m going to erase it off the DVR if you don’t stop.' That’s a hilarious moment, but honestly… his wife had the right idea!
7. Samuel L. Jackson
Samuel L. Jackson isn’t one of those actors who dislikes watching himself on the big screen. In fact, he actively seeks out the films he's been a part of and enjoys watching them again and again. But that's not all—he also enjoys buying tickets to his own movies for others! Usually, Jackson spends $1,000 or more on tickets during opening weekends and then gives them away to friends and his church. He prefers to watch his films in theaters filled with regular moviegoers—rather than attending exclusive premieres with other actors and industry folks—so he can truly gauge the audience’s honest reaction to his work.
"I enjoy watching them at home and in the theater," Jackson shared during an appearance on the Graham Norton Show. "I know that whenever one of my movies is released, it’ll make at least $1,000 that weekend, because I buy $1,000 worth of tickets. I donate them to the church or give them to someone, and their kids get to watch it."
He also enjoys catching his films at home when they air on television! He revealed this additional tidbit to Norton: "If I’m at home and nothing else is on TV, I just go into the search bar and type in ‘Samuel Jackson.’ Boom. That’s the reality." That’s quite the interesting admission. But honestly, if we had Samuel L. Jackson's talent, we might do the same!
6. Keanu Reeves
Among all the stars who love revisiting their past roles, Keanu Reeves stands out for his deeply personal and reflective reasons. He doesn’t just watch his old films to admire his own performances; instead, he watches to relive the memories and meaningful moments from behind the scenes. He reflects on where he was in his life at the time and what his world looked like, and often, this trip down memory lane leaves him with a smile.
"Watching old movies really feels like looking through a photo album of sorts," Reeves once mentioned in an interview. "It takes me back to the people I worked with and the experiences I had while making it. And sometimes, especially after some time has passed since the filming, I’ll think, ‘Oh yeah, that was a pretty good movie.’" We agree—he’s been in plenty of films where that’s definitely true!
5. Quentin Tarantino
When radio legend Howard Stern asked Quentin Tarantino to name his favorite film from his own catalog, the iconic director didn’t hesitate to give an answer: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. While Tarantino made his choice quickly, it doesn't mean he's the kind of filmmaker who avoids revisiting his past works. In fact, he often watches his own films. He’s proud of them, enjoys them, and loves seeing them play out on the big screen.
"I love them," Tarantino told Stern. "I love my movies. I make them for myself, but everyone’s welcome to join in. Whenever my films are on TV, I think, ‘Oh, hey! I’m watching Jackie Brown for a bit.’ I’m very happy with my work." Honestly, we’d probably have the same reaction if we made movies. After all, why put all that effort into a project if you can’t enjoy the result? (And let's be real, if YOU don’t enjoy your own movie, how can you expect anyone else to!)
4. Ice Cube
It’s funny, Ice Cube watches all of his old films, but he doesn’t want anyone to know about it! The truth came out when actor Jonah Hill called him out during a flight. Hill, along with their 21 Jump Street co-star Channing Tatum, noticed Ice Cube laughing hysterically at something he was watching. After some curiosity, they walked by and saw that Ice Cube was watching his own film, Friday, and enjoying every second of it!
As they passed by the computer screen on their way to the bathroom, Hill recalled catching a glimpse of Ice Cube watching Friday on the screen. In a conversation with Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show, Hill revealed, 'He was watching his own movie. He couldn’t stop watching it.' Both Jonah and Channing found themselves unable to contain their laughter at the sight of Ice Cube enjoying his own acting from the past.
3. Kaley Cuoco
Although it has been many years since she left the show, and more than two decades since its debut, Kaley Cuoco still enjoys watching 8 Simple Rules regularly. For her, it’s not just about revisiting the show she loved, but also about cherishing the memories of working with the late John Ritter, especially in the early days of the show before his tragic passing. Watching it brings her fond recollections of the time spent with John and the joy he brought to the set.
Kaley Cuoco shared with Us Weekly that she occasionally re-watches old episodes of the show, especially when it's playing in the background. She explained, 'Once in a while, I peek at it, and it brings me a lot of fond memories. Especially the Three’s Company episode. That still gets to me every time.' The emotional impact of seeing John Ritter alive on screen, captured in those moments, remains powerful for her.
2. John Boyega
John Boyega's involvement in the Star Wars franchise may have been a career-defining moment, but his love for rewatching the films extends beyond his own participation. Although he enjoys the films he starred in, he isn’t focused on his performance. Instead, he's fascinated by the scenes he wasn’t part of, and he’s eager to see how the entire movie comes together. For Boyega, the experience of watching the films is about immersing himself in the complete story, especially when those movies premiere in theaters.
In an interview, Boyega shared, 'I’m not just interested in my performance because there’s a whole bunch of the film I actually don’t get to experience. So, I like watching all of it. I like to see the visual effects come together and all that stuff. You judge yourself on the first watch, but I feel like the more and more you watch it… you get to experience it in a much more natural way.' It's clear that there’s so much of a movie actors never get to see when they’re only involved in their own scenes!
1. Jennifer Aniston
Jennifer Aniston, known for her iconic role on Friends for ten years, became one of the most famous faces from the sitcom. Her popularity was so immense during the '90s that women flocked to salons asking for the 'Jennifer Aniston' haircut. It's no surprise that she occasionally revisits her old episodes to relive the fond memories of her time on the show. Every so often, when a rerun airs, she takes a moment to watch and reflect on the experiences she had while filming.
In an interview, Aniston confessed, 'I have to say that when I’m channel surfing, whenever I do watch television, which is not often, but if I land on it, I do stop and watch. Absolutely. It’s very nostalgic. It makes me laugh. It always made me laugh. When we were shooting it, we would laugh; we couldn’t get through it half the time. That was something great to be able to do for 10 years—just laugh.'
In 2020, she truly embodied the phrase 'put your money where your mouth is.' During an interview with Variety, the veteran actress had a small Friends reunion with her former co-star Lisa Kudrow. Together, they ventured onto YouTube to search for old episodes of their beloved sitcom and watch a variety of compilation clips uploaded by fans. It was a moment of deep nostalgia as they revisited their time in the spotlight and their iconic run on primetime television, feeling a great sense of pride throughout the experience.
