Josh Charles finally reveals why he called Travis Kelce a ‘d–k’ on Taylor Swift music video set, lifting lid on the tense moment behind the scenes
Josh Charles had a bone to pick with Travis Kelce.
During an appearance Monday on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” the “Best Medicine” actor touched upon his cameo in Taylor Swift’s 2024 music video for “Fortnight,” where he encountered the pop star’s boyfriend-turned-fiancée, Travis Kelce, on set.
When asked by Fallon about an alleged “fight” between the two — something fellow “Fortnight” star Ethan Hawke called out in a 2025 interview — Charles, 54, expanded on the interaction, citing recent history between Kelce, 36, and his beloved Baltimore Ravens during the Chiefs’ run to Super Bowl 2024.
“No, it wasn’t a fight. It was just, I’ve always liked Travis Kelce, I just thought he was so cool, but that year that they beat us in the AFC Championship game, they beat the Ravens, he was a real jerk that year, and so, I kind of fell off of him. So when I met him I said, ‘You know, I always liked you. And this year you were kind of a d–k,’” Charles recalled, spelling out the four-letter insult.
Josh Charles on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.”
Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift following the Chiefs’ win over the Ravens in the AFC Championship in January 2024.
A stunned Fallon replied, “You said that to Travis Kelce?” to which Charles replied that the 11-time Pro Bowler “laughed.”
“He was like, ‘You know what? You’re right, and I’m going to tell you why, because we marked down that game against your team as the if we could win that game, we were most worried about that game, then I knew,’” Charles said. “So he’s like, ‘I had to come in with some swagger.’ And he did. He got one of our veterans to commit a personal foul, he got in our heads, and it worked for them, and they won the game.”
Before the Chiefs’ 17-10 victory over the Ravens in the 2024 AFC title game, Kelce was involved in a pregame incident with then-Baltimore kicker Justin Tucker, who was cut in 2025 amid sexual misconduct allegations.
As Tucker was stretching in the Chiefs’ area on the field at M&T Bank Stadium, Kelce tossed Tucker’s helmet and balls out of the way as quarterback Patrick Mahomes warmed up.
Kelce then tallied 11 receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown in the game before celebrating on the field with Swift.
The couple shared a similar embrace weeks later when Kansas City topped San Francisco for its second consecutive Super Bowl win in February 2024.
Travis Kelce just completed his 13th NFL season and it remains to be seen if he’ll return.
Charles added Monday that he and Kelce “talked all different kinds of football,” and that he’s “such a good dude.”
Both the Ravens and Chiefs failed to make the postseason this year, with Kelce now staring down a major decision about his football future.
The star tight end has yet to commit to a 14th NFL season, stating Sunday an official call may take some time.
“Either it hits me quick or I’ve got to take some time. Last year was a little bit easier. I think I knew right away I wanted to kind of give this one [year] a shot. We’ll see,” Kelce said.
The Chiefs finished the year at 6-11.
