Kevin O'Leary is well-known for many things, including being one of the long-running "Sharks" on the hit investing show "Shark Tank." While the show has had many celebrity guests as sharks over the years, O'Leary has one name on his mind as the perfect investor.
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O'Leary Picks Elon Musk for "Shark Tank"
Now in its 17th season, "Shark Tank" has been a top show for investors, entrepreneurs and viewers hoping for heartwarming stories.
Featuring a regular cast of Sharks who can invest in the pitches offered on the show, episodes also feature celebrity sharks from time to time.
Asked in a recent interview who he would most want as a celebrity shark, O'Leary picked Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk.
"We've had many, many, many, many celebrity sharks," O'Leary said. "Obviously, I'd love to have Elon Musk come in and do it."
O'Leary said he's a "huge fan" of Musk, but also said the investor would be a strong pick for another reason.
"He's also 100% signal, so he doesn't suffer fools at all. I think he'd be worse than Mr. Wonderful," O'Leary said, referencing his nickname.
O'Leary is known for sometimes being tough with the entrepreneurs on the show and brutally honest. The investor said Musk can be a "fantastic guy to work with."
Asked about his "Marty Supreme" co-star Timothee Chalamet being a potential guest shark, O'Leary said he thinks the recent Academy Award nominee is going to be too busy to do the show.
O'Leary said prediction markets favor Chalamet to win the Best Actor Academy Award for his performance. Kalshi odds currently show the "Marty Supreme" star with a 74% chance of winning, ranking ahead of Leonardo DiCaprio (14%) and Michael B. Jordan (9%).
"When he wins that, it's gonna be huge for him."
Past "Shark Tank" Sharks and Guest Sharks
The current 17th season of "Shark Tank," which began airing new episodes on Sept. 24, 2025, features O'Leary and returning sharks Barbara Corcoran, Lori Greiner, Robert Herjavec and Daymond John.
Kind Healthy Snacks founder Daniel Lubetzky also returned as a regular shark after being a guest shark and making regular appearances in the 16th season.
New episodes of "Shark Tank" air on ABC and stream on Hulu, units of Walt Disney Co (NYSE:DIS), on Wednesday nights.
After appearing in seasons three through 16 as a regular shark, Mark Cuban stepped away from the show.
If Musk is ever a guest shark, fans might be hoping that Cuban comes back, given the sometimes-heated relationship between the two billionaires.
The 17th season features the most guest sharks in the history of the show. The list of guest sharks includes:
- Chip Gaines and Joanna Gaines: TV personalities, founders of Magnolia
- Alexis Ohanian: co-founder Reddit, founder Seven Seven Six venture capital firm
- Kendra Scott: creator Kendra Scott Jewelry
- Fawn Weaver: founder Uncle Nearest, spirits company
- Rashaun Williams: founder Harbinger Sports Partners
- Allison Ellsworth: co-founder Poppi
- Michael Strahan: Super Bowl champion (New York Giants), TV personality (“Good Morning America”)
Scott and Williams appeared as guest sharks during season 16 and will make their return this season.
Notably, Ellsworth previously appeared on “Shark Tank” seven years ago pitching her beverage company. Poppi was recently sold to PepsiCo for $1.95 billion.
Other celebrity guest sharks in past seasons include Gwyneth Paltrow, Richard Branson, Kevin Hart, Alex Rodriguez and Ashton Kutcher. Celebrities have also been featured as part of the investment pitching side of things, including this season with actor Pete Davidson helping to pitch a sock company he invested in.
As the world's richest person, Musk would be able to invest in any company that comes on "Shark Tank." The billionaire is known for his hands-on approach with companies he runs, which might clash with some of the entrepreneurs and other sharks.
Musk is also currently running multiple businesses and might not have the time to come on "Shark Tank" or to help provide input for new investments.
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