Channing Tatum is embracing the humor in his recurring travel experiences. The actor, known for his role in Blink Twice, recently shared how a particular line from his film 22 Jump Street has become a running joke, even affecting his airport experiences. In an interview with CinemaBlend and co-star Naomi Ackie on August 21, Tatum discussed the unexpected viral fame of his line, “My name is Jeff,” from the 2014 comedy.
“It’s funny how pop culture works,” Tatum said, reflecting on the line’s popularity. “It was a minor moment in the film. I remember during the table read, it didn’t seem like much. But then, out of nowhere, it exploded.” Ackie added, “It shows that you can’t force a meme. You just have to be yourself, and if a meme happens, it happens.”
Tatum revealed that his famous quote frequently comes up during airport security. “I’ve never passed through TSA without someone shouting ‘My Name Is Jeff,’” he laughed. “It happens almost every time I go through.”
In addition to this amusing anecdote, Tatum recently shared another humorous travel story, this time involving his 11-year-old daughter, Everly, who is fascinated by the paranormal. During a visit to Salem, Massachusetts, known for its witch trials, Tatum recounted how his daughter’s long-standing interest in witches led them to the historic town.
“She’s been obsessed with Salem for about seven years,” Tatum said of his daughter, whom he shares with ex-wife Jenna Dewan. “I thought maybe she’d be disappointed, like thinking it would be full of mummies in Egypt. But instead, she was even more intrigued.”
Tatum’s predictions were off the mark; Everly was thrilled by the spooky experiences in Salem, including their stay at the “haunted” Hawthorne Hotel. Established in 1925, the historic hotel, featured on the TV show Bewitched, is renowned for its paranormal activity. Reports of moving furniture and sightings of a female figure on the sixth floor are among the ghostly tales associated with the hotel.
“The hotel staff warned us not to visit the third or sixth floors,” Tatum recounted. Despite the warnings, Everly was eager to explore. “She wanted to go up there, even if it was just to peek around and run back down,” he said.
Tatum, however, was less enthusiastic about the idea. “I told her, ‘You go ahead; I’ll stay down here,’” he chuckled, shaking his head as he remembered the experience.
Tatum’s anecdotes highlight his ability to find humor in everyday situations, whether dealing with a viral meme or navigating his daughter’s adventurous spirit.
