When Hollywood met Staten Island, the result was bound to be both heartfelt and hilarious. In a story that perfectly captures the humor at the heart of Scarlett Johansson and Colin Jost’s marriage, a surprising detail has emerged: before the couple tied the knot in 2020, Jost’s mother reportedly drafted a five-page “prenup” that included an unusual clause — a total ban on reruns of Johansson’s 2013 film Don Jon.
The “Don Jon” Clause That Started It All
The anecdote surfaced through Jost’s memoir, A Very Punchable Face: A Memoir, in which the Saturday Night Live writer and Weekend Update co-anchor reflected on his mother’s early apprehension about his relationship with one of the world’s biggest movie stars.
Jost’s mother, a lifelong Staten Island resident known for her grounded sensibility, reportedly expressed her concerns through humor — and in true Jost family fashion, it came in the form of a fake legal document. The mock prenuptial agreement, written in meticulous detail, included one standout section: a five-page addendum demanding that Don Jon be banned from airing in the U.S. and Canada.
The 2013 film, written and directed by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, featured Johansson as Barbara Sugarman, the girlfriend of a man struggling with addiction and relationships. The movie’s tone and subject matter marked a bold departure from Johansson’s blockbuster persona, and apparently, it raised more than a few eyebrows among Jost’s family.
Johansson’s Perfectly Calm Reaction
When asked about the so-called “Don Jon clause,” Johansson’s response was as sharp as it was dismissive:
“It was a private joke.”
In four words, she managed to neutralize the headline, highlight the humor, and show her comfort within her new family dynamic. Far from being offended, Johansson’s remark reflected her ease in navigating both her film legacy and her in-laws’ comedic instincts.
The actress — whose films have grossed over $11.8 billion worldwide — has long balanced confidence with good humor. Her ability to treat even absurd moments with grace has become one of her defining traits, both on and off-screen.
A Marriage Built on Laughter
The “prenup joke” fits neatly into the broader pattern of lighthearted humor that defines Johansson and Jost’s relationship. Their chemistry often spills into public view through Saturday Night Live, where Jost and co-anchor Michael Che famously write embarrassing jokes for each other to read live during their “Joke Swap” segment. Jokes about Johansson frequently make their way into the mix, usually met with Jost’s trademark deadpan delivery.
The couple’s real-life humor has also extended to Johansson’s film promotions. While promoting her 2024 romantic comedy Fly Me to the Moon, Johansson joked that her actual prenup included a clause requiring Jost to make a cameo in every one of her movies — a playful nod to the ongoing “contract” theme in their marriage narrative.
Their 2020 wedding announcement also reflected their mutual affection and down-to-earth values. Rather than a glossy magazine reveal, the pair announced their marriage via the official Meals on Wheels America Instagram account, encouraging fans to donate to charity instead of sending gifts.
Love, Comedy, and the “Don Jon” Legacy
For all its humor, the “Don Jon clause” is more than a tabloid-worthy punchline — it’s emblematic of how Johansson and Jost have merged their very different worlds. The incident underscores what has made their partnership resonate with fans: humility, laughter, and a shared understanding that life — even at its most absurd — is better when you can laugh about it together.
In the end, Johansson’s simple reply says it all:
“It was a private joke.”
And perhaps that’s the secret to their success — knowing when to let the world in on the punchline, and when to keep it in the family.
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