Everyone's signature, like an inky snowflake, is different. But some signatures tend to garner more attention than your everyday signed check—namely, celebrity autographs. Because there's no formula for perfection—and because these people likely get asked every day to hand over their Hancock—many A-listers have signatures that look more like a toddler's chicken scratch than an adult's namesake.
Authors and artists, actors and actresses, auteurs and athletes—celebrities from all walks of life can't seem to nail down the simply art of writing one's name. For proof, read on. We've rounded up the most egregiously illegible signatures on the planet. You'll never feel bad about your own ever again. And for more hilarious A-lister trivia, don't miss the 30 Wildly Entertaining Photos of Celebrities Using Public Transportation.
1 | Christina Aguilera
Image via Wikimedia CommonsThe pop star might kill it on the stage and in the studio, but, as this toddler-like scribble shows, she's still got a ways to go with a pen and paper.
2 | Michelle Williams
Image via eBayMichelle Williams: Big screen beauty, Dawson's Creek dame, and scribbling extraordinaire.
3 | Mel Gibson
Image via Wikimedia CommonsMel Gibson puts passion into every one of his performances, but the same can't be said of the actor's autographs.
4 | Will Smith
Image via eBayHe might be able to assassinate aliens and survive the apocalypse, but if there's one thing Will Smith can't do, it's write his own name. And for more hilarious celebrity antics, check out these 25 Funny Pranks from the Sets of Your Favorite Movies.
5 | Paris Hilton
Image via Hollywood MemorabiliaGiven how ubiquitous the Hilton name is, you'd think that Paris Hilton would actually know how to write it.
6 | Pablo Picasso
Image via Wikimedia CommonsPablo Picasso is well-known for interpretive artwork that lines the walls of museums and private galleries around the world. It looks like his signature is "interpretive," too.
7 | Robert Pattinson
Image via EbayRobert Pattinson made it big after scoring the lead role in the Twilight series. But despite the sheer amount of autographs the actor had to sign during the franchise's heyday, it seems he still doesn't quite understand the difference between his name and a straight line.
8 | David Bowie
Image via eBayDavid Bowie was one of the best songwriters of a generation—but, though the musician wrote countless timeless hits, he never quite managed to write a legible autograph.
9 | Angelina Jolie
Image via eBayAngelina Jolie may bring an irresistible magnetism to every role—assassin, hacker, tomb raider—but the simple task of writing her own name eludes her. As you can see, this chicken scratch looks like it was unearthed from an ancient tomb.
10 | Tim Cook
Image via Wikimedia CommonsApple executive Tim Cook is a technology whiz, after all, so it figures that using a pen and paper is a skill that he's long forgotten.
11 | Jason Statham
Image via Hollywood MemorabiliaLet's be honest: Action star Jason Statham is far too busy chasing down bad guys to stop and sign legible autographs.
12 | Heath Ledger
Image via eBayHeath Ledger might have given his all to every role he ever undertook—he's arguably the best Joker the world has ever seen—but his signature looks more like a kindergartener's doodles than a once-in-a-generation actor's autograph.
13 | J.K. Rowling
Image via eBayMaybe if J.K. Rowling had a magical wand to sign autographs, then her signature wouldn't be so illegible. And if you love Harry Potter, then check out the 35 Ways Harry Potter Is Still Crazy Relevant.
14 | Sylvester Stallone
Image via eBayTough guys just want to be misunderstood, and, with this mysterious text, actor Sylvester Stallone certainly attained that.
15 | Val Kilmer
Image via EbayThe Top Gun actor didn't even try with this one.
16 | Meryl Streep
Image via eBayMeryl Streep's acting career should speak for itself, so there's no need to decipher this chicken scratch.
17 | Thom Yorke
Image via eBayThom Yorke has managed to leave a serious mark on the music industry, both through his main act, Radiohead; his side gig, Atoms for Peace; and his solo work. Put his name to paper, though, and that seriousness disappears.
18 | Derek Jeter
Image via eBayNow that legendary New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter is retired, he'll have plenty of time to work on his signature.
19 | Mariah Carey
Sure, she can hit the high notes, but can she spell her own name?
20 | Al Pacino
Image via eBayThe Godfather actor's signature conveys a quiet deviousness—similar to what Pacino brought to the screen.
21 | Johnny Depp
Image via eBayThis incredibly accomplished actor is too busy jetting around the world to worry about his penmanship.
22 | Mark Zuckerberg
Image via Wikimedia CommonsThe CEO of Facebook, just like the rest of us, yearns to convey importance in his signature. Though, unfortunately for Mark Zuckerberg, this one conveys nothing more than confusion.
23 | Leonardo Da Vinci
Image via Wikimedia CommonsLike any other great work of art, one must turn their head in every direction to truly see the hidden message in the legendary painter's signature.
24 | Usher
Image via eBayA question: Isn't Usher only one word?
25 | Jack Lew
Image via Wikimedia CommonsGiven that his signature is on every single piece of paper currency in the United States printed from 2013 to 2017, you'd think that former U.S. Secretary Treasury Jack Lew would want his name to be a bit more legible.
26 | Keanu Reeves
Image via eBayWhile Keanu Reeves is skilled on the big screen, displaying impressive driving feats and "gun-fu" skills in films as disparate and groundbreaking as John Wick and The Matrix, his autograph efforts are less than impressive.
27 | Lady Gaga
Image via EbayLady Gaga might be a pop icon that teens everywhere look up to, but nobody should try and copy her chicken scratch signature.
28 | Tom Hanks
Image via eBayActor Tom Hanks' signature is like a box of chocolates: you never know what you're going to get.
29 | John F. Kennedy
Image via Wikimedia CommonsWhile John F. Kennedy may have handled other presidential matters with ease and accuracy, it's clear that perfecting a signature was the least of his worries in the White House.
30 | Wes Anderson
Image via eBayIt's safe to assume that director Wes Anderson doesn't jot down his movie plots in the same handwriting that he writes his signature in—otherwise, there'd be no movie. And calling all film buffs: don't miss the 50 Iconic Movie Roles That Almost Went to Someone Else.
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