BEST KISSERS IN HOLLYWOOD
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Kissing on screen isn’t as easy as it looks. It’s a skill that actors learn over time. You’re not born knowing how to do a perfect kiss — and when you have cameras, bright lights, and a full crew watching you, it can be very uncomfortable. No wonder so many celebrities say their kissing scenes were awkward or just plain bad. Stars like Shailene Woodley, Rupert Grint, and Matt Damon have all spoken about their not-so-great kissing experiences during filming. But hey — maybe they just weren’t paired with the right co-star.
Just like in a high school cafeteria, celebrity gossip spreads fast in Hollywood. People talk about who’s kissing who, who’s amazing at it, and who’s not. A lot of this buzz comes from TV shows — especially from Andy Cohen. The Bravo host has a reputation for asking celebrities about their on-screen kissing partners, and he gets honest answers. From awkward moments to surprisingly good chemistry, his interviews have become a goldmine of juicy details.
So if you’ve ever wondered which celebrities are actually great kissers, we’ve got the answers. Based on real stories from tabloid interviews, late-night talk shows, and casual confessions, here’s a list of the best celebrity kissers in Hollywood — backed by facts, laughs, and a little bit of drama.
Adam Sandler, the unexpected king of kissing scenes
Adam Sandler may not be the first name that comes to mind when you think of romance in Hollywood, but according to several top actresses, he’s one of the most underrated celebrity kissers in the industry. On Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, his Just Go With It co-star Brooklyn Decker revealed she was surprised by how good he was. “He’s a great kisser, and he’s also a gentleman, which I think makes the whole experience just nice,” she said — giving him high marks in the world of Hollywood kissing scenes.
Decker also shared that she’s not the only one saying this. Apparently, other actresses have also told her the same thing. Yes, in a world full of romantic leads and movie heartthrobs, stars are now whispering about Adam Sandler’s kissing skills behind the scenes. “Other actresses who’ve kissed him have come up to me and said, ‘Hey, so, good right?’” Decker told Andy Cohen, making this a top moment in recent celebrity interviews and gossip.
This praise means a lot coming from Decker, who’s also kissed Max Greenfield from New Girl, a well-known sitcom heartthrob. And it turns out, Sandler’s charm even has long-time friend Jennifer Aniston excited. Before filming their kissing scenes for Netflix’s Murder Mystery, she was counting down the days. “She loves it,” Sandler told The Associated Press. “She sends me texts, ‘Nine days to kissing — here it comes.’” Now that’s real on-screen chemistry.
Chace Crawford got a whole article just for his kissing skills
Chace Crawford faded from the spotlight after Gossip Girl ended in 2012, and none of his later roles matched the show’s massive success. That’s a real shame, considering how much talent he had — especially when it comes to kissing. As Nate Archibald, the charming bad boy of the Upper East Side, he had teenage fans swooning and plenty of adults hooked on his romantic storylines. Honestly, does the Upper East Side even have prom, or just endless charity galas?
Even after the show ended, Crawford’s kissing reputation stayed strong. In fact, Intelligencer once published an entire article describing what it would be like to kiss him. The piece said, “His lips were succulent and sweet, like… ripe figs. I gasped with pleasure as his man-bangs caressed my cheek.” Yes — even his man-bangs got a mention. That says a lot in the world of celebrity romance fantasies.
His Gossip Girl co-star Mädchen Amick also praised him. She told People that Crawford is one of the best kissers in Hollywood, saying, “If anyone gets the opportunity to kiss him, he will not disappoint.” Two years later, Katie Cassidy, who played Juliet Sharp — one of Nate’s love interests on the show — echoed the same thought in an interview with E!. “Well, my boyfriend is a good kisser,” she said. Let’s assume she meant her on-screen boyfriend, because Chace clearly left a lasting impression.
Heath Ledger was known as a ‘gentle’ and powerful kisser
Heath Ledger’s legacy goes far beyond his Oscar-winning performance in The Dark Knight. He’s also remembered for one of the most powerful and emotional kissing scenes in Hollywood history. In 2006, Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal won Best Kiss at the MTV Movie Awards for their scene in Brokeback Mountain. The film went on to win several Academy Awards, BAFTAs, and a Golden Globe, but the kiss made history. It became a landmark moment for LGBTQ visibility in mainstream media, helping change how same-sex relationships were portrayed in film.
Even Gyllenhaal spoke about the importance of the scene. In a 2010 interview with NBC New York, he said, “This has been hard for me to explain for years. It was about more than just kissing… We just basically went up and slammed our mouths together. We were the instruments for something that was much bigger than both of us.” His words underline how much that on-screen kiss meant culturally and emotionally.
Outside of Brokeback Mountain, Ledger was also admired for his romantic movie roles. In a 2014 episode of Watch What Happens Live, Kate Hudson named Heath Ledger as her favorite on-screen kisser. “That was pretty excellent,” she told Andy Cohen. “He was just so beautiful and sweet and gentle. I would say that, I look back at all of the …and that was really …he was lovely.” That’s high praise, especially considering Hudson has shared the screen with stars like Matthew McConaughey, Billy Crudup, and Luke Wilson. Ledger’s gentle nature and emotional depth clearly left a lasting impression.
Kirsten Dunst’s kissing confidence is truly impressive
Kirsten Dunst is full of what you might call “big kiss energy.” The Virgin Suicides actress helped create one of the most iconic kisses in movie history — her upside-down kiss with Tobey Maguire in 2002’s Spider-Man. The scene won them the MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss and has been widely referenced in pop culture. It was even parodied in 2008’s Superhero Movie, which shows how legendary the kiss has become. When your scene is spoofed in a comedy, it means you’ve made a lasting mark on Hollywood romance scenes.
But Dunst’s confidence isn’t just limited to her Marvel moment. She’s so bold that she once called kissing Brad Pitt gross. To be fair, she was only 11 years old at the time. In Interview with the Vampire (1994), Dunst had a kissing scene with People’s Sexiest Man Alive, and in a 2019 interview with ET, she stood by her first reaction: “Yeah, it was gross! I stand by that. It would have been so much creepier if an 11-year-old was like, ‘It was great.’ You’d be like, ‘There’s something wrong with this child.’” Her honest comment became a widely shared quote in celebrity interviews and child actor stories.
On top of all that, her kissing scenes are so convincing that they even distracted her co-stars. While filming How to Lose Friends & Alienate People, actor Simon Pegg admitted Dunst’s kiss left a big impression. “I have to remind myself I’m married,” he said (via Digital Spy). Clearly, Kirsten Dunst’s kissing scenes aren’t just famous — they’re unforgettable.
Shia LaBeouf impressed Megan Fox with his kissing skills
Nobody really expected the kid from Disney’s Holes to become one of Hollywood’s best kissers. Shia LaBeouf is better known for celebrity controversies, bar fights, his viral “Just Do It” video, and even live-streaming his own movies. But according to Megan Fox, fans might have overlooked one of his best talents — kissing. The actress, who was rumored to have dated LaBeouf during their Transformers days, had only good things to say.
In an interview with E! News, Megan Fox revealed that LaBeouf gave her the best on-screen kiss of her career. That means she ranks him above Amanda Seyfried (from Jennifer’s Body) and Adam Scott (from Friends With Kids). That’s a big statement coming from one of Hollywood’s most recognized actresses in romantic and action roles. Apparently, Shia’s kissing skills made a major impact — both on and off screen.
His kisses may even have emotional power. In March 2020, Daily Mail published photos of Shia LaBeouf kissing his ex-wife Mia Goth, nearly two years after their separation. By the following month, the couple appeared to be back together. We can’t say for sure that Shia’s kisses are emotionally healing, but based on what we’ve seen, we also can’t say they’re not.
Keira Knightley begged for a kissing scene with Johnny Depp
When you think about the fact that Johnny Depp based Captain Jack Sparrow on Keith Richards, it’s not surprising that many celebrities say he’s one of Hollywood’s best kissers. The Rolling Stones were legendary for their wild lifestyle, and according to The Guardian, they claimed to have slept with 444 women in just two years — though Richards only admitted to six. Still, they say you become like the people around you, and Depp seems to have that same rockstar charm and ability to win people over.
In 2009, Marion Cotillard, Depp’s co-star in Public Enemies, spoke highly of their on-screen kiss. In an interview with Cosmopolitan, she said, “Johnny Depp is a very, very nice guy. I was very nervous but he was very protective of me — and if you really want to know, he is a very, very good kisser.” That praise quickly became a talking point in celebrity interviews and entertainment news.
Keira Knightley shared a similar view. While filming Pirates of the Caribbean, she kissed Depp during a scene, even though her character was mostly involved with Orlando Bloom. According to Cosmopolitan, she actually begged director Gore Verbinski to include a kissing scene with Depp. He agreed — and the result didn’t disappoint. Knightley said, “I am glad I got it. It was good. Really good.” That moment has since become a fan-favorite in romantic movie scene discussions.
Zendaya has one of the best kissing scenes in TV history
Zac Efron, the Disney Channel heartthrob, had something surprising to say about Zendaya — she’s an amazing kisser. In an interview with Filmweb, Efron revealed that his “favorite kiss, I think ever,” came from Zendaya while filming The Greatest Showman. The comment caught fans off guard, especially considering how many famous co-stars Efron has kissed throughout his career. There’s even a YouTube compilation showing all of Efron’s on-screen kisses — and it’s over six minutes long. That’s impressive, especially when you think that a kiss only lasts a second or two. Even more shocking? Efron said Zendaya topped his iconic High School Musical kiss with Vanessa Hudgens, which involved fireworks and sprinklers.
But honestly, we don’t need Efron’s opinion to confirm Zendaya’s talent. In Season 1 of Euphoria, her kiss with co-star Hunter Schafer became one of the most talked-about romantic TV moments. That kiss is now as iconic as Spider-Man’s upside-down kiss. According to Refinery29, Zendaya and Schafer’s scene is officially ranked among the best kissing scenes in TV history — proving that Zendaya’s chemistry is undeniable both on and off screen.
It’s confirmed: Jennifer Aniston has soft lips
Just like Kirsten Dunst, Jennifer Aniston brings serious “big kiss energy” to the screen. According to the Los Angeles Times, she didn’t even attend the 2014 MTV Movie Awards to accept her Best Kiss award for We’re the Millers. The scene itself was awkward — but that’s exactly what made it so memorable and hilarious. It’s a perfect example of comedy meets on-screen chemistry.
We also have solid proof that Aniston deserves a spot among Hollywood’s top kissers. Thank Andy Cohen for that. On Watch What Happens Live, Cohen asked Gerard Butler who the better kisser was: Jennifer Aniston or Angelina Jolie. Butler picked Aniston — and that’s saying a lot, considering Jolie’s reputation. In a separate episode, Ethan Hawke said Jolie was “born to whittle men and make them weak. And when she kisses you, you don’t know your name.” So if Aniston ranks higher, that’s a major win in the battle of Brad Pitt’s famous exes.
To top it off, Ellen DeGeneres gave Aniston a quick kiss on the lips during a 2019 episode of her show and confirmed it herself: Jennifer Aniston’s lips are soft. That moment sealed the deal in the world of celebrity gossip and kiss-worthy rankings.
Leonardo DiCaprio built his career on smooches
Leonardo DiCaprio is one of the biggest names in romantic film history. His role as Jack in Titanic made him a global heartthrob, and that unforgettable scene on the ship’s bow became an iconic moment in pop culture. Parents everywhere rushed to cover their kids’ eyes during some of those scenes — but for millennials, 1997 was the year romance hit the big screen in a major way.
Since Titanic, DiCaprio has earned a reputation as a Hollywood heartthrob with a dating history that even made it into a Taylor Swift song. His famous Saint-Tropez vacations with models and his early days with the so-called “Wolf Pack” have kept him in the spotlight for more than just acting. But beyond the headlines, there’s real proof that Leonardo DiCaprio is one of the best kissers in Hollywood.
In an interview with E! News, Nichole Galicia, his co-star in Django Unchained, said kissing DiCaprio was “everything you would imagine it to be. It was perfect.” Even Maggie Smith of Downton Abbey fame shared a sweet moment with DiCaprio at the BAFTA Awards, telling NPR (via Vanity Fair) that the kiss was “a real thrill.” And then there’s Margot Robbie, who starred opposite DiCaprio in The Wolf of Wall Street. She told People, “All of my girlfriends interrogated me and asked, ‘Is he an amazing kisser?’ I’d sit them down and say, ‘All I know is his screen kissing is great.’” Honestly… when’s our turn?
Tom Cruise has ‘amazing breath,’ say his co-stars
Tom Cruise has had some famously awkward public kissing moments, especially with his ex-wife Katie Holmes. Their red carpet kisses were so uncomfortable that even TV Guide made a list — one most of us never want to revisit. Watching those scenes is enough to make you think kissing Cruise might be worse than surviving War of the Worlds. Add in the memory of him jumping on Oprah’s couch, and it’s easy to assume the worst. But according to several co-stars, Tom Cruise is actually one of the best kissers in Hollywood.
In a 2011 episode of The Rachael Ray Show (via People), Gwyneth Paltrow talked about kissing Cruise during the opening of Austin Powers 3. “He was an amazing kisser!” she said with excitement. That praise didn’t stop there. Paula Patton, who had a steamy kiss with Cruise in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, also spoke about it on Live with Kelly and Ryan. Of course, it was Andy Cohen who got the details. “I will tell you that the kiss from Tom Cruise was a surprise,” Patton said, adding, “He had amazing breath. It wasn’t minty. It was just perfect.” Cohen agreed, saying, “That looks very hot.” Clearly, Cruise’s kissing scenes leave a strong impression — in all the right ways.
John Mayer has had a lot of kissing practice
John Mayer may have a rough reputation when it comes to relationships — especially after Taylor Swift publicly called him out in her music — but that doesn’t mean he’s bad at everything. In fact, Mayer admitted to CBS News in 2013 that he had been a “jerk” in his past, owning up to his bad boy image. But even with all the drama, many still say that John Mayer is one of the best kissers in Hollywood. That might be part of the reason he’s dated so many famous women — though that’s just speculation.
Only a few celebrities have openly talked about kissing Mayer, but the ones who have didn’t hold back. In the early 2000s, he was rumored to be dating Scheana Shay from Vanderpump Rules. Fans of the show know she’s no stranger to dating — or to being honest about attraction. According to Just Jared, she once said, “John Mayer has. F**k. He has really nice lips,” when asked about his kissing skills. That’s a strong endorsement from someone who knows her way around a reality TV love triangle.
Even celebrity blogger Perez Hilton kissed Mayer. Rumors once swirled that the two made out at a club. ExtraTV later confirmed the story when Hilton himself admitted it was true, saying, “He’s a really good kisser and that really happened.” Another win for celebrity kissing gossip — and for Mayer’s lips.
Jessica Simpson has quietly become the best A-list kisser
Jessica Simpson may be a fashion mogul worth over $200 million, with a billion-dollar shoe line, but her pop culture image often gets reduced to an old tuna fish comment and controversial remarks from John Mayer. Still, as uncomfortable as Mayer’s past quotes were, they made one thing very clear — Simpson is one of the best kissers in Hollywood.
In an interview with Rolling Stone, John Mayer praised Simpson’s chemistry in the bedroom. His comments were so over-the-top that Simpson broke up with him, as she later shared in her memoir (via People). In a 2010 interview with Playboy (via Page Six), Mayer said, “Sexually it was crazy. It was like napalm, sexual napalm. Did you ever say, ‘I want to quit my life and just fing snort you? If you charged me $10,000 to f you, I would start selling all my s*** just to keep f***ing you.’” His words shocked fans but confirmed her reputation for intense physical chemistry.
There’s also a long-standing rumor that Mayer’s hit song “Your Body Is a Wonderland” was inspired by Simpson. While he’s never officially confirmed that, and he’s also dated Vanessa Carlton, Jennifer Love Hewitt, and Katy Perry, none of them have received the same kind of attention from Mayer in interviews. That alone speaks volumes about Jessica Simpson’s unforgettable kissing skills.
