James Cameron criticises Amy Poehler’s infamous Golden Globes joke as "ignorant", says it "went too far"

Filmmaker James Cameron has publicly addressed a joke made by Amy Poehler during the 2013 Golden Globe Awards, more than a decade after the moment, describing it as an “ignorant dig” that “went too far” for an event meant to celebrate cinema.

The joke occurred during the opening monologue, when Poehler, co-hosting alongside Tina Fey, made a pointed quip about Cameron’s ex-wife, director Kathryn Bigelow. At the time, Bigelow was nominated for Best Director for her film Zero Dark Thirty. Poehler quipped, “When it comes to torture, I trust the lady who spent three years married to James Cameron.”

Cameron, who was not present at the ceremony, reflected on the line in a recent interview, saying, “Amy Poehler’s remark was an ignorant dig, at an event which is supposed to be a celebration of cinema and filmmakers, not a roast.” He added, “I’m pretty thick‑skinned, and happy to be the butt of a good‑natured joke, but that went too far.”

The director also addressed the audience’s reaction at the time, suggesting the laughter revealed misperceptions about him: “The fact that people found it funny shows exactly what they think of me, even though they have no idea who I am or how I work.”

Cameron and Bigelow’s relationship was briefly part of Hollywood history, as they were married from 1989 to 1991 and later faced off in the awards season in 2010. At that year’s Oscars, Bigelow won Best Director for The Hurt Locker while Cameron’s Avatar was also nominated. Cameron noted that he was “the first one on my feet applauding” when Bigelow won, and that both found the media narrative around them initially amusing, though it later became frustrating.

While the joke generated shocked reactions from those watching — including cast members present that night — Cameron’s comments underscore how a single quip at a major awards show can resonate years later, especially when it touches on a filmmaker’s personal life and professional reputation.