11 Celebrity Highlights We're Thankful For This Year

In September, we got word that Kate Middleton and Prince William are expecting their second child; the new baby will join big brother Prince George in the palace, and though were not totally sure how George took the news, we're definitely thankful — and excited! — for the next royal birth in April 2015.

Between Dallas Buyers Club, True Detective, and Interstellar, Matthew McConaughey successfully shed his romantic-comedy cocoon and emerged as a tuxedo-wearing, knowledge-dropping Oscar winner this year. He gave us tons of quotable award show speeches in that syrupy Southern drawl, spawning lots of celebrity impressions and spoofs. We can only hope to experience many more McConaughey moments in 2015.

Jimmy Fallon officially took over The Tonight Show back in February and has given us so many hilarious sketches to love. Whether he's chronicling the history of rap with Justin Timberlake or the evolution of hip-hop dancing with Will Smith, playing "Water War" with Lindsay Lohan and Jake Gyllenhaal, challenging Emma Stone to a lip sync battle, or inviting celebrities into Sara's basement for an episode of "Ew!," Jimmy's viral videos have kept us in stitches all year long.

Chris Pratt's Hollywood evolution started more than a decade ago, but thanks to his starring role in Guardians of the Galaxy, his popularity reached an all-time high this year. Along with his buzzed-about performance, there were also plenty of charming and hilarious Chris moments as he promoted the film. Not only did Chris show off his rapping skills and surprise people with his french-braiding talents, but he also made a heartwarming hospital visit, dressing up as his superhero character for young patients. And then, of course, there are all the sexy Chris Pratt pictures from this year. We're grateful for those, too.

— Additional reporting by Laura Marie Meyers

Shia LaBeouf may have gotten lots of negative attention this year because of the plagiarism scandals and paper-bag mask (plus the performance art exhibit and that whole Cabaret arrest), but since he explained the whole debacle in a hilarious sit-down interview with Jimmy Kimmel in October, the tide started to turn for him in the court of public opinion. We're really glad that Shia came back from the brink, and we're looking forward to seeing even more charismatic moments from him.

Let's be real: 2014 was the year of the ass. From the red carpet to social media to magazine covers and music videos, celebrities were baring their butts with a passion. Nicki Minaj, Beyoncé, and Jennifer Lopez all released sexy music videos showing off their assets, while Kim Kardashian flaunted her famous backside more than a few times this year. Rihanna, Amber Rose, and internet personality Jen Selter rose to recognition for her stellar "belfies." It's not like butts are anything new — we all have them, right? — but we are thankful for how big they were this year (pun intended).