Most Memorable Guest of Oprah
During Oprah Winfrey’s twenty-five year reign as television’s most influential talk show host, the world was introduced to thousands of celebrities, politicians, newsmakers, and ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Oprah interviewed more than twenty-seven thousand people, talking to them about their lives and their work. While it is difficult to pick one guest from all of these interviews, there are some absolute stand-out moments that will forever be a part of pop-culture history.
David Smith, Husband of Susan Smith
Fifteen years ago, the world watched and prayed as Susan and David Smith, of Union, South Carolina, went on national Television to plea with the man Susan said had stolen her car with her children in the back seat. Days later, Susan would make another appearance, confessing that she, herself, had drowned her own children. Oprah made a visit to Union, in order to understand how a thing like this could ever happen.
Her stunning interview with David, five years later, still stands out as one of the most emotionally compelling moments she and an interview subject have shared. As she gets David to talk about his own life after the deaths of his children, he opens up about his feelings of betrayal by his wife, the depression he has suffered, including thoughts of suicide, and the hope he finds in the eyes of his new daughter, and the difficulty he has in trying to explain to his daughter what happened to the brothers she never knew. By the end of this emotional interview, they are both in tears.
Chimp Attack Victim Charla Nash
The world watched in horror of news reports featuring the gruesome mauling of Charla Nash by a friend’s pet chimpanzee. With almost every bone in her face broken, her nose and eyes ripped from her face, it was a miracle that she survived the attack. Although Charla Nash chooses to wear a veil, and even had guards at her house from keeping tabloid photographers from snapping a shot of her, she agreed to unveil her face during her interview with Oprah. Nash then went on to speak about the real dangers of owning exotic, wild animals.
Tom Cruise
Some moments make a career for guests on the Oprah Winfrey show. Other moments create havoc for guest stars. Tom Cruise will be forever remembered as jumping up and down around the set and on Oprah’s couch, proclaiming his love for soon-to-be wife Katie Holmes. Cruise’s antics on that episode forced some in Hollywood to consider his state of mind. To this day, comedy skits and parodies are made about this event.
The Most Memorable Guest of All Time
The most watched episode of the Oprah Winfrey show, and in fact, the fourth most watched moment in television history, was Oprah’s now famous interview with Michael Jackson. The public thirsted for a glimpse into the life of the reclusive, reticent superstar, Michael Jackson, and Oprah offered this glimpse during her interview with him at his Neverland Ranch. This was the first interview Jackson had granted in nearly fifteen years. During the interview, he spoke of his lonely childhood and the love he held for his family. He also dismissed rumors of buying the Elephant Man. Based on viewership statistics, alone, Michael Jackson definitely stands out as Oprah’s most memorable guest.