Kevin O'Leary, recognized widely for his role as one of the enduring investors on ABC's entrepreneurial reality series 'Shark Tank,' has publicly expressed his desire to see Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk appear as a guest shark on the show. Now in its 17th season, 'Shark Tank' remains a top-rated program appealing to investors, entrepreneurs, and general audiences interested in compelling business ventures and investment opportunities.
Throughout its run, 'Shark Tank' has hosted a number of celebrity guest investors - or 'guest sharks' - alongside a regular lineup of seasoned venture capitalists. While the show has featured various notable personalities, O'Leary singled out Musk as his preferred aspirational guest, highlighting the unique attributes the billionaire entrepreneur could bring to the investment panel.
During a recent interview, O'Leary remarked, "We've had many, many, many, many celebrity sharks," underscoring the show's wide range of guest participants over time. He then added, "Obviously, I'd love to have Elon Musk come in and do it." The investor described himself as a "huge fan" of Musk but also drew attention to Musk's reputedly unfiltered and focused interaction style.
O'Leary elaborated, "He's also 100% signal, so he doesn't suffer fools at all. I think he'd be worse than Mr. Wonderful," referring to his own nickname on the program. Known for his sometimes tough and candid dealings with entrepreneurs pitching their ideas, O'Leary suggested that Musk's straightforward approach might even exceed his own in directness.
When discussing interpersonal dynamics, O'Leary noted Musk could be a "fantastic guy to work with," hinting at the potential synergies as well as the high standards the Tesla and SpaceX CEO might bring to the table. This also implies that Musk's involvement could significantly influence the show's competitive and evaluative atmosphere.
The investor also addressed the possibility of actor Timothée Chalamet, his 'Marty Supreme' co-star, stepping in as a guest shark. O'Leary expressed skepticism about Chalamet's availability, noting the actor's busy schedule, particularly given his recent nomination for an Academy Award. Predictive markets currently assign Chalamet a 74% chance to secure the Best Actor Oscar for his role, well ahead of fellow nominees Leonardo DiCaprio and Michael B. Jordan.
O'Leary suggested that if Chalamet were to win, it would mark a major milestone in his career, potentially increasing any future likelihood of his participation in projects like 'Shark Tank.' However, as of now, O'Leary does not foresee Chalamet joining the show in the near term.
Turning to the current season, 'Shark Tank' began its 17th season on September 24, 2025, with a returning core of experienced sharks including O'Leary, Barbara Corcoran, Lori Greiner, Robert Herjavec, and Daymond John. Daniel Lubetzky, founder of Kind Healthy Snacks, has resumed a regular shark role after his guest appearances and contributions during the 16th season.
New episodes air on Wednesday nights on ABC and are available on streaming platforms like Hulu, both units of The Walt Disney Company. Notably, Mark Cuban, a longtime regular from seasons three through sixteen, has stepped away from the series. Rumors among fans anticipate that Cuban's potential return could be linked to Musk's hypothetical guest appearance, given the sometimes contentious interactions between the two billionaires.
This 17th season of 'Shark Tank' sets a record with the highest number of guest sharks to date, featuring several prominent entrepreneurs and celebrities. Among them are Chip Gaines and Joanna Gaines, renowned TV personalities and founders of Magnolia; Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit and founder of the venture capital firm Seven Seven Six; and Kendra Scott, the creator of the eponymous jewelry brand.
Other guest sharks this season include Fawn Weaver, founder of the spirits company Uncle Nearest; Rashaun Williams, founder of Harbinger Sports Partners; Allison Ellsworth, co-founder of the beverage company Poppi; and Michael Strahan, a former New York Giants Super Bowl champion and television personality on programs like 'Good Morning America.' Notably, Scott and Williams previously appeared in season 16 and return for this installment.
Among these guests, Allison Ellsworth stands out as a former contestant, having appeared on 'Shark Tank' seven years ago pitching Poppi. The beverage company was recently acquired by PepsiCo for $1.95 billion, illustrating the potential long-term success of ventures featured on the show.
Historical notable celebrity guests include Gwyneth Paltrow, Richard Branson, Kevin Hart, Alex Rodriguez, and Ashton Kutcher. Celebrities have also occasionally joined the side pitching investments; in the current season, actor Pete Davidson has contributed by pitching a sock company he invested in.
Musk’s considerable wealth as the world’s richest person means he would be capable of investing in virtually any pitch presented on the program. Yet, his known hands-on management philosophy and intense focus could potentially create friction with other sharks or entrepreneurs less accustomed to his style.
Additionally, Musk currently oversees multiple sizable ventures simultaneously, which might render his schedule too demanding to allow for participation in the show or active engagement with new startups presented therein.
From the corporate perspective, Disney’s shares, under which ABC operates, have recently shown pricing around $110.98 per share with an overall positive momentum. Beneath the entertainment surface, 'Shark Tank' continues to combine the excitement of entrepreneurial storytelling with real-time investment decisions in a competitive format.
Given the evolving lineup of guest sharks and the influence of established personalities like O'Leary, the inclusion of a figure such as Musk would mark a significant evolution in the show’s dynamic. However, no official announcements have been made regarding Musk’s participation, leaving it an interesting prospect among fans and investors alike.