Julia Louis-Dreyfus Says Kamala Harris Isn’t Like Selina Meyer, but J.D. Vance Reminds Her of One Veep Character

"I played a narcissistic, like, megalomaniac sociopath, and that is not Kamala Harris," the actress said of her past character, before throwing shade at the Republican White House ticket

Julia Louis-Dreyfus; Kamala Harris; J.D. Vance
Julia Louis-Dreyfus; Kamala Harris; J.D. Vance. Photo:

HBO/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock; Slaven Vlasic/Getty; Bill Pugliano/Getty

Julia Louis-Dreyfus is not on board with all of the Veep comparisons during the 2024 presidential election.

The actress, 63, said in her Aug. 19 appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert that Vice President Kamala Harris is nothing like her villainous Veep character, Selina Meyer, who had a similar career trajectory as a senator turned first female vice president turned presidential nominee.

On The Late Show, host Stephen Colbert told Louis-Dreyfus, "I heard that, since Biden dropped out, there has been a 350% spike in viewership of Veep."

After President Joe Biden abandoned his reelection bid in July, he endorsed Harris to take his place on the Democratic ticket. She promptly announced that she would be running for the position against Republican nominee Donald Trump.

"I know, how crazy,” Louis-Dreyfus said of the show's increase in viewership, noting that she thinks it is "a great thing."

Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Julia Louis-Dreyfus poses with her Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for "Veep" in 2016.

FREDERIC J BROWN/AFP via Getty

Colbert suggested that while it's "good" to see Veep, which ended in 2019, get its second act, Americans "might need reminding that Selina Meyer and Kamala Harris are not alike" outside of their résumés.

"Let me explain to you. On Veep, I played a narcissistic, like, megalomaniac sociopath, and that is not Kamala Harris,” she said, before adding a shady remark seemingly directed at Trump. "It might be another candidate in the race…"

The host then asked Louis-Dreyfus which Veep character is most like Trump's running mate, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, to which she answered, "That would be Jonah Ryan."

In the HBO comedy series, Ryan is a power-hungry White House aide who eventually runs for office. His character is notable for being sexually charged, making inappropriate comments and getting under people's skin.

"Can you imagine Jonah being sexually attracted to an ottoman, or something like that?" Colbert asked, in reference to the viral baseless rumor that Vance had sex with a couch. Louis-Dreyfus replied, "I think you mean a couch. And I'm sure he's made love to many a couches."

JD Vance; Timothy C. Simons
JD Vance; Timothy C. Simons.

Anna Moneymaker/Getty; Colleen Hayes / HBO / Courtesy Everett 

Earlier in her Late Show appearance, the Thunderbolts actress expressed her excitement for the upcoming panel she is hosting at the Democratic National Convention.

Her panel, scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 21, is in partnership with Democratic Governors Association to showcase female governors in the United States, according to CNN. It will feature Democratic Govs. Katie Hobbs, Laura Kelly, Janet Mills, Maura Healey, Gretchen Whitmer, Michelle Lujan Grisham, Kathy Hochul and Tina Kotek.

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