Scarlett Johansson and her husband, SNL star Colin Jost, have had very different perspectives on a peculiar investment the couple made in 2022. At the time, Colin, who has been a staff writer on the NBC sketch comedy series since 2005, purchased a decommissioned John F. Kennedy Staten Island Ferry for $280,100 alongside a group of investors and fellow Saturday Night Live cast member Pete Davidson.
The decision was not one that Scarlett immediately supported. Colin later revealed that he and Pete made the purchase while “very stoned,” and he joked that Pete was the wrong person to text with when coming up with such an idea. He recalled the moment he asked Pete, “Should we buy this?” to which Pete reportedly replied, “F*** yeah, we’ve got to do this!”
Now, reflecting on the purchase during a recent episode of the SmartLess podcast, Colin shared how Scarlett reacted when he informed her of the new ownership. In a teaser snippet, he said: “I texted Scarlett, like, ‘Guess what? We own a ferry now.’ And she was like, ‘We?’”
Scarlett’s disapproval was evident during a 2023 appearance on TODAY with Jenna & Friends, where she jokingly suggested that anyone interested in supporting the Staten Island Ferry should start a GoFundMe. She quipped, “All I can say is if anybody out there would like to start a GoFundMe for the Staten Island Ferry, please be my guest.”
She added that she wasn’t sure whether she was speaking “for the Staten Island Ferry or against it,” but hinted that the GoFundMe could help her family — seemingly alluding to the fact that the boat is a financial burden. “This has now become a telethon for Support the Staten Island Ferry,” she concluded.
Colin himself admitted in 2024 that buying the ferry was “absolutely the dumbest and least thought-through purchase I’ve ever made in my life.” This sentiment was even reflected in a Saturday Night Live sketch from last year, where he played a character pleading with a passenger on a ferry, saying, “You said you love ferries? If you love ferries, would you like to buy one? Please buy it!”
Despite the initial skepticism, the ferry has proven to be more than just a money pit. It has transformed into a unique event space, attracting attention from luxury fashion brands and film producers.
In 2024, the ferry hosted the Tommy Hilfiger SS25 fashion show during New York Fashion Week, showcasing its potential as a high-profile venue. It also served as a filming location for the 2025 comedy horror film Screamboat, which follows a late-night New York City boat ride that turns into a survival thriller.
At the time of the purchase, Colin and his partners had hoped to turn the ferry into an entertainment hub. While the project may have started as a quirky idea, it has since evolved into a successful venture that continues to attract attention.
List of key developments related to the ferry:
The ferry was purchased in 2022 for $280,100 by Colin Jost and Pete Davidson.
Scarlett Johansson expressed her disapproval through public comments and jokes.
The ferry has been used for high-profile events, including a fashion show and a film production.
Colin admitted the purchase was a regrettable decision, but the ferry has since found new purpose.
