James Woods has never been one to let an insult slide, and Seth Rogen just found that out the hard way.
The feud started when Rogen, in a podcast appearance, dismissed Woods as “a second-rate B-lister” who people only remember for his posts online. The clip spread fast, and it didn’t take long for Woods to answer.
Sitting down with Greg Gutfeld, Woods said he took the comment in stride, then explained exactly how seriously he took it.
“I sat down with all of my five Oscars and went through Superbad,” Woods said with a grin. “That is the only movie I could watch starring Seth, and it’s safe to say that we were not blown away.”
The studio audience roared. Gutfeld nearly fell out of his chair.
Woods went on to say that the jab itself didn’t bother him much. What did catch his attention, he said, is how quickly certain people in Hollywood decide someone can’t act the moment they find out how that person votes.
“It’s funny,” Woods said. “For thirty years nobody had a problem with my work. Then I said a few things they didn’t like about politics, and suddenly I’m a nobody. That tells you more about them than it does about me.”
The veteran actor, known for intense roles in films like “Salvador,” “Casino,” and “Once Upon a Time in America,” has been one of the most outspoken conservatives in the entertainment world for years. He has spent much of that time trading shots with celebrities online, and he rarely loses an exchange.
He didn’t stop there. When Gutfeld asked whether he thought Rogen would understand the history, Woods leaned back and delivered his final line.
“I have been appreciated as an actor much earlier than this guy was even born and knew about Hollywood,” he said.
Fans of Woods flooded social media afterward, sharing clips of the interview and calling it one of the best comebacks of the year. Many pointed out that Woods has been nominated for major awards several times and won Emmys for his television work, while Rogen built his career largely on stoner comedies.
Rogen’s supporters, meanwhile, argued that the comedian has had plenty of success as a writer, producer, and director, and said Woods was taking the bait a little too eagerly. A few joked that the “five Oscars” line was the best acting Woods had done in years.
Rogen has not responded publicly, though people close to him say he found the whole thing pretty funny. Whether he plans to fire back remains to be seen.
For Woods, the exchange seems to have been more entertaining than anything else. As the interview wrapped, Gutfeld asked if he had any advice for Rogen.
“Sure,” Woods said. “Stick to what you’re good at. I’m still waiting to find out what that is.”