At a Glance
- Elle Fanning received a video message from Jack Black on the Jan. 11, 2026 Golden Globes red carpet
- Black joked about being her “hall pass” and sent greetings to her boyfriend Gus Wenner
- Fanning previously called Black “sex on legs” and “the perfect man”
- Why it matters: The playful exchange highlights Fanning’s long-standing celebrity crush and Black’s good-natured response
Elle Fanning’s celebrity crush on Jack Black took center stage at the 2026 Golden Globes when the actor sent her a surprise video message during her red-carpet interview.
The Red-Carpet Surprise
While speaking with Access Hollywood at the Jan. 11 award show, the Sentimental Value star was caught off guard by a clip from the 56-year-old comedian. Black addressed Fanning’s public declarations of admiration with characteristic humor.
“You make me very embarrassed with all this hall pass talk,” Black said in the video. “Look, I’m very flattered, but I have to keep my eye closed because I am so embarrassed.”
He concluded by blowing her a kiss and adding, “Much love to you and yours.”
Fanning’s Relief
Fanning, 27, expressed relief at Black’s good-natured response to her years of vocal admiration.
“Oh my gosh, I was worried that he was gonna have a restraining order against me,” she told Access Hollywood. “I just love Jack Black. He’s loveable.”
Her sister Dakota Fanning, 31, previously revealed on Vanity Fair‘s Lie Detection Test series in September that the sisters maintain “a group chat dedicated to how hot” Black is.
The Boyfriend Factor
Black also acknowledged Fanning’s boyfriend, Rolling Stone executive Gus Wenner, who accompanied her to the Nikki Glaser-hosted ceremony. The couple has been together for two years.
“Hi to your boyfriend also,” Black added. “Dude, I didn’t do anything.”
Wenner previously met Black at the 2024 Golden Globes and informed him, “You’re her hall pass, by the way,” according to Fanning’s retelling.
The Lie Detector Test
During the September Vanity Fair appearance, Dakota reminded her sister that she once called Black “the perfect man.” The sisters’ discussion turned to a hypothetical scenario.
“Would you leave your boyfriend if Jack Black declared his love for you?” Dakota asked.
Though Fanning answered no, the lie detector indicated “some deception,” causing both sisters to burst into laughter.
“Gus doesn’t care,” Fanning reasoned, suggesting her boyfriend understands her long-standing admiration for the School of Rock actor.
Black’s Family Life
The 56-year-old has been married to wife Tanya Haden since 2006, adding context to his playful but respectful response to Fanning’s crush.
The exchange at the Globes represents a full-circle moment for Fanning, whose public admiration for Black has spanned several years and multiple interviews.
