One of Ryan Seacrest’s most memorable red carpet interviews became infamous for all the weirdest reasons. At the 2012 Academy Awards, Seacrest interviewed Sacha Baron Cohen, who was in character in the titular role from his film “The Dictator.” Cohen, a notoriously method actor, was dressed in full “Dictator” garb and accompanied by female guards. Things started out normally but turned weird quite quickly when Cohen brought out the “ashes” of former North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Il: “It was his dream to come to the Oscars and to be sprinkled over the red carpet and over Halle Berry’s chest again,” Cohen said in character.
Seacrest, clearly flabbergasted, continued on as he could, but Cohen eventually dumped the “ashes” all over Seacrest live on camera. Security guards quickly pulled Cohen, still in character, away from the scene as Seacrest turned back to the camera. “Have fun this evening,” Seacrest said as he brushed the supposed dust of the North Korean leader off of his suit jacket.
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Seacrest learned a valuable lesson for his future red carpet duties. “And then I [realized], for future incidents, I should pack two jackets,” he confessed to the audience on “Live with Kelly and Ryan.” Cohen had another surprise for Seacrest a few years later at the 2016 Academy Awards. But this time, he was out of character. “Just wanted to give you a hug,” Cohen said as he interrupted Seacrest’s interview with Lady Gaga. “What’s in your hands?” Seacrest joked back.
