Dwayne Johnson and Vin Diesel (the Fast & Furious movies)
In a 2016 interview with Rolling Stone, Dwayne Johnson explained that he has a “fundamental difference in philosophies” with his Fast & Furious co-star Vin Diesel. In other words, they hate each other. There have been multiple reports of the two actors relentlessly bickering on set, with insults like “candy a**” and “chicken s***” apparently routinely hurled.
Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany (WandaVision)
In one of the most bizarre (and revolting) arguments to ever occur on a set, Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany ended up clashing over snot during production for WandaVision. After filming a kiss, the actors discovered they were connected by a string of mucus, with both claiming it belonged to the other. The row apparently got genuinely heated, although harmony was eventually restored when some brought a tissue.
Sophia Loren and Marlon Brando (A Countess from Hong Kong)
In her 1963 autobiography Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow: My Life, Sophia Loren accused Marlon Brando of having groped her on the set of A Countess from Hong Kong. According to Loren, she shut the situation down by blowing on Brando’s face and warning him to never touch her again, adding that the incident made it “very difficult” to continue working with him.
Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey (Dirty Dancing)
While their chemistry onscreen was electric, Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey had a harder time getting along between takes while filming Dirty Dancing. According to Swayze, he snapped at Grey numerous times because of her habit of bursting into tears whenever anyone criticized her, and because she kept messing up scenes with her “silly moods” which caused her to laugh uncontrollably.
Julianna Margulies and Archie Panjabi (The Good Wife)
While the exact details of the fallout remain shrouded in mystery, by the time season six of The Good Wife went into production, Julianna Margulies and Archie Panjabi reportedly couldn’t even be on set together. In fact, the scene in that season’s finale in which their characters say goodbye had to be spliced together, allegedly because the actresses couldn’t be in the same room.
Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep (Kramer vs. Kramer)
In one of the most egregious moments in Hollywood history, Dustin Hoffman slapped Meryl Streep in the face while filming a scene for 1979’s Kramer vs. Kramer. In the understatement of the century, Streep later said that Hoffman “overstepped” the mark, while Hoffman defended literally assaulting his colleague by claiming it’s important to “feel free” when filming a scene.
Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny (The X-Files)
Although they’re now back on good terms, Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny went through stages of absolutely loathing each other when they were working on the X-Files. Duchovny summed it up in a 2008 interview with Metro, stating, “familiarity breeds contempt.” Fortunately, the pair were professional enough to not let their animosity impact the show.
Will Smith and Janet Hubert (The Fresh Prince of Bel Air)
In 2020, Will Smith finally made peace with Janet Hubert, his Fresh Prince of Bel Air co-star who he once labelled as “difficult.” Smith apologized for his past actions, explaining that “everything was a threat” to him at the time. Hubert forgave Smith, but also lambasted him for forcing her out of the show and destroying her reputation.
Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron (Mad Max: Fury Road)
Production of 2015’s Mad Max: Fury Road lived up to the movie’s title, with Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy getting into a heated row. Five years after the film’s release, Theron admitted that she and Hardy “f***ing went at it” after their working relationship broke down, although both stars seem willing to shoulder responsibility for the fallout.
Julia Roberts and Nick Nolte (I Love Trouble)
In a 1993 interview with The New York Times, Julia Roberts had some harsh words for Nick Nolte, with whom she had recently costarred in I Love Trouble. According to Roberts, the pair “got on each other’s nerves” from the moment production began, adding that Nolte is “completely disgusting” and “goes out of his way to repel people.”
Freddie Prinze Jr. and Kiefer Sutherland (24)
Since 24 came to an end in 2014, Freddie Prinze Jr. has had nothing good to say about his experiences working with Kiefer Sutherland, who he has described as “the most unprofessional dude in the world.” Prinze came close to quitting acting thanks to his time on the show, although he eventually reconsidered.
Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams (The Notebook)
While you’d never guess it from their onscreen chemistry, Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams struggled to gel during production of The Notebook. At one point, Gosling even requested that a different actress be brought in, because he was having such a hard time working with McAdams. Tensions eventually died down, and the pair even ended up dating for a few years.
Kim Cattrall and Sarah Jessica Parker (Sex and the City)
In a 2017 interview with Piers Morgan, Kim Cattrall revealed that the four co-stars of Sex and the City have never been friends off-screen. The actress was particularly scathing about Sarah Jessica Parker, labelling her “cruel.” Parker, for her part, has consistently denied that she’s ever fallen out with Cattrall.
William Shatner and George Takei (Star Trek)
William Shatner apparently drove most of his Star Trek co-stars mad with his on-set antics, but George Takei seems to have taken things particularly badly. On numerous occasions, Takei has accused Shatner of being incapable of working with others thanks to his overinflated ego, while Shatner has fired back by stating that Takei is suffering from “a psychosis.”
Dolph Lundgren and Sylvester Stallone (The Expendables)
Dolph Lundgren might have sent Sylvester Stallone to the ICU during production of Rocky 4, but Sly got his own back when the pair were working on The Expendables. Lundgren later revealed that Stallone made him repeat a scene over 20 times, eventually screaming “my grandmother could do it better than that,” a stab which left Lundgren in tears.
Bill Murray and Lucy Liu (Charlie’s Angels)
In stark contrast to the affable characters he frequently portrays, Bill Murray has a reputation for being a difficult actor to work with. While a number of stars have tales of run-ins with Murray, the most dramatic came from Lucy Liu, who claimed that Murray “hurled insults” at her and criticized her acting ability during production for Charlie’s Angels.
Channing Tatum and Alex Pettyfer (Magic Mike)
While Channing Tatum has never commented on the matter, Alex Pettyfer has claimed on numerous occasions that the actor doesn’t like him. During a 2015 appearance on Bret Easton Ellis’ podcast, Pettyfer claimed that his insecurities caused him to act like he was better than his co-stars on the set of Magic Mike, which apparently rubbed Tatum the wrong way.
Nicollette Sheridan and Teri Hatcher (Desperate Housewives)
Nicollette Sheridan rarely minces her words when discussing her Desperate Housewives co-star Teri Hatcher, at one point describing her as “the meanest woman in the world,” according to the show’s writer Marc Cherry. A number of other members of the cast have also subtly indicated that they struggled to get along with Hatcher.
Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross (Black-ish)
The feud between Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross began after the former cracked an immature joke when the pair were co-hosting the 2005 Vibe Awards. The animosity continued for years, with Anderson later revealing that they couldn’t get along during production of Black-ish’s first season. The pair eventually reconciled, and are now best of friends.
Lea Michele and Naya Rivera (Glee)
Before her untimely passing in 2020, Naya Rivera confirmed that reports of a long-running feud with Glee co-star Lea Michele were grounded in reality. Addressing the bad blood in her memoir, Rivera revealed that the relationship deteriorated so badly that – by the show’s sixth season – the actresses wouldn’t even acknowledge each other on set.
Chelsea Handler and Heather McDonald (Chelsea Lately)
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Reminiscing on the seven years she spent working on Chelsea Lately, Heather McDonald revealed that she “lived in fear, 100 percent in fear,” apparently because she was worried Chelsea Handler would kick her off the show. Handler wasn’t moved by the statement, responding “if you’re living in that much fear, go get another job.”
Megan Mullally and Debra Messing (Will & Grace)
Although their characters on Will & Grace are fast friends, relations between Megan Mullally and Debra Messing were strained during the show’s production, with the actresses rarely appearing in press shots together. There have even been reports that the constant tension on set was one of the factors that led to the decision to end the show.
Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey (American Idol)
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Almost as soon as production of American Idol’s 12th season began, sparks began flying on-set between Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj. The judges frequently got into vicious screaming matches, with the feud allegedly culminating when Minaj threatened Carey with a a gun she’d brought to set. Unsurprisingly, both stars left the show after a single season.
Shannen Doherty and Jennie Garth (Beverly Hills, 90210)
While they started Beverly Hills, 90210 on great terms, Shannen Doherty and Jennie Garth began to foster some serious ill-will towards each other as the show progressed. According to Garth, there were times when the actresses wanted to “claw each other’s eyes out,” which she attributed to the sheer amount of time they had to spend on set together.
Steven Seagal and John Leguizamo (Executive Action)
Steven Seagal’s wildly inflated ego is legendary, and John Leguizamo managed to get on the wrong side of it during production for 1996’s Executive Action. After Leguizamo laughed when Seagal insisted “what I say is law” during a rehearsal, he found himself on the receiving end of a sharp elbow to the midsection.
Sylvester Stallone and Richard Gere (The Lords of Flatbush)
Before either actor had become a household name, Sylvester Stallone and Richard Gere were both cast in 1974’s The Lords of Flatbush. There was animosity from the start, but things boiled over when Gere got into Stallone’s car eating fried chicken and proceeded to get grease and mustard everywhere. Stallone elbowed his co-star in the head, and Gere was replaced on the film by another actor.
LL Cool J and Jamie Foxx (Any Given Sunday)
Back in 1999, Jamie Foxx and LL Cool J (real name James Todd Smith) were both young and hotheaded, so it’s not all that surprising that – while filming a scripted argument for 1999’s Any Given Sunday – the conflict turned real. The fight began when Smith lost his cool and punched Foxx in the face for real, leading to a full-blown brawl.
Tom Hardy and Shia LaBeouf (Lawless)
According to Tom Hardy, Shia LaBeouf knocked him out cold on the set of 2012’s Lawless. LaBeouf, meanwhile, claims that Hardy barged into his trailer and tried to wrestle him while he was with his girlfriend, fell down some stairs and knocked himself out. The truth will likely forever remain a mystery, but – during a Reddit AMA – director John Hillcoat did confirm that the actors had fought.
Chevy Chase and Bill Murray (SNL)
Chevy Chase is renowned for aggravating everyone on set, and it seems that Bill Murray wasn’t in a tolerant mood when the pair appeared together on an episode of SNL in 1978. According to director John Landis – who witnessed the incident – the pair got into a heated row backstage, with Murray eventually snapping and punching Chase.
Patrick Dempsey and Isaiah Washington (Grey’s Anatomy)
During production of Grey’s Anatomy in 2007, Patrick Dempsey aggravated co-star Isaiah Washington by arriving late to set. The two got into a heated row which almost became physical, and Washington directed a homophobic slur at Dempsey, getting himself fired from the show in the process.
Faye Dunaway and Roman Polanski (Chinatown)
Back when Roman Polanski could actually make films in the United States, the director clashed repeatedly with Faye Dunaway during production of 1974’s Chinatown. Polanski was reportedly extremely abusive to his star, at one point ripping a stray hair out her head because it was ruining the shot. Dunaway reportedly didn’t take the abuse lying down, and by the time production wrapped a full-blown feud had been born.
Joan Crawford and Bette Davis (Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?)
Two of the biggest actresses of Hollywood’s Golden Age, Joan Crawford and Bette Davis weren’t exactly coy about the fact that they loathed each other. While the pair agreed to co-star in 1962’s Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?, it didn’t take long for the rivalry to turn ugly, with Davis hitting Crawford for real during a fight scene, leaving her co-star needing stitches.
Bryan Cranston and Larry Hankin (Breaking Bad)
Bryan Cranston’s portrayal of chemistry teacher turned drug lord Walter White cemented him as one of the greatest actors of modern times, and he took the role incredibly seriously. When Larry Hankin joined the show as Old Joe, he kept forgetting his lines, leading to an explosive outburst from Cranston, who shouted: “What’s the matter with you? Remember your lines!”
Edward Norton and Tony Kaye (American History X)
The relationship between Tony Kaye and Edward Norton deteriorated extraordinarily quickly during production for American History X, with the director branding Norton “a narcissistic dilettante” and dismissing his acting talent. Kaye was also so enraged by the way Norton edited the movie that he tried to legally change his name to Humpty Dumpty so that the movie would have to be listed as “A Humpty Dumpty Film.”
Brian Cox and Jeremy Strong (Succession)
Jeremy Strong is known as one of the most committed method actors in Hollywood, but not everyone is a fan. Brian Cox reportedly described Strong’s method acting antics as “f***ing annoying” while they were working together on Succession. In particular, Cox was routinely exasperated with Strong’s refusal to drop character in between takes, a technique Cox refers to as “American s**t.”
Tommy Lee Jones and Jim Carrey (Batman Forever)
Although Jim Carrey was reportedly excited to star alongside Tommy Lee Jones in 1995’s Batman Forever, the feeling definitely wasn’t mutual. Director Joel Schumacher later revealed that Jones – who wasn’t a fan of Carrey’s goofy brand of comedy – was “not kind” to his co-star throughout production, telling him in no uncertain terms what he thought about his on-set antics.
Claire Danes and Leonardo DiCaprio (Romeo + Juliet)
They might have been playing the most iconic lovers of all time, but there was no love lost between Claire Danes and Leonardo DiCaprio during production of 1996’s Romeo + Juliet. Danes was irritated by DiCaprio’s constant pranks and general mischief-making, while DiCaprio reportedly described his co-star as “annoyingly uptight and reserved.”
Val Kilmer and Joel Schumacher (Batman Forever)
Val Kilmer’s tenure as the Caped Crusader was cut short after the actor almost got into a fight with director Joel Schumacher during production of 1995’s Batman Forever. Kilmer later claimed the altercation was the result of Schumacher being “badly behaved… rude and inappropriate.” An argument led to a shoving match, and Kilmer was replaced by George Clooney for the sequel.
George Clooney and David O. Russell (Three Kings)
According to Charles Raven – one of the producers of 1999’s Three Kings – George Clooney and director David O. Russell nearly got into a physical altercation during production. Raven explained that both Clooney and Russell were under a lot of pressure, and when Clooney saw Russell shouting at a member of the crew he lost it, with the pair engaging in a “tussle.”
David O. Russell and Lily Tomlin (I Heart Huckabees)
Five years after getting into a scuffle with George Clooney, David O. Russell got into another altercation with an actor, although this time it was only verbal. While filming 2004’s I Heart Huckabees, Russell reacted extremely badly when Lily Tomlin complained about his constant rewriting of scenes, going on an expletive-laden rant and knocking over props on the set.
Val Kilmer and Tom Sizemore (Red Planet)
While more known for clashing with directors, Val Kilmer has proved multiple times that he’s equally capable of falling out with his co-stars. During production of 2000’s Red Planet, Kilmer and Tom Sizemore continued their history of bad blood by getting into a physical altercation. Advised by the director to avoid hitting each other in the face, Kilmer punched his co-star in the chest instead, leading to a brawl.
Rob Lowe and Tom Cruise (The Outsiders)
Rob Lowe and Tom Cruise were both superstars in the making when they signed on to 1983’s The Outsiders, and it wasn’t long before their egos began to clash. While rehearsing for a fight scene, Lowe hit Cruise harder than was strictly necessary, leading to a completely genuine fight that the rest of the cast had to hastily break up.
Thomas Gibson and unnamed writer (Criminal Minds)
In contrast to his cool and collected character on the show, Thomas Gibson’s legendary temper eventually led to his removal from Criminal Minds. The straw that broke the camel’s back was a 2016 incident in which Gibson kicked a writer after a raging argument over a script. Gibson has barely worked since.
Tony Bellow and his corner coach (Creed)
While the exact details are unclear, there are reports that boxer Tony Bellow – who plays Pretty Ricky Conlan in 2015’s Creed – got into a fight with his corner coach during production. While Bellow has denied the rumor, other cast-members have claimed that they witnessed the fight, with Sylvester Stallone apparently stepping in to break it up.
Eric Braeden and Michael Muhney (The Young and the Restless)
After years of brewing tensions, The Young and the Restless co-stars Eric Braeden and Michael Muhney reportedly came to blows on set before Muhney’s eventual 2013 firing. The cause of the scrap was apparently Muhney’s long-held belief that Braeden wanted him fired from the show, and both actors later admitted to frequently shouting at each other whenever the cameras weren’t rolling.
Hunter King and Michael Muhney (The Young and the Restless)
While the clashes between Eric Braeden and Michael Muhney on the set of The Young and the Restless nearly got both actors fired multiple times, it was an incident involving Hunter King – who plays Summer Newman Abbott on the show – that ultimately led to Muhney’s departure. King accused Muhney of groping her between takes, leading to Muhney’s firing.
Rip Torn and Norman Mailer (Maidstone)
During production of 1970’s Maidstone, Rip Torn and Norman Mailer got into a brutal scuffle on set. The fight started when Torn hit Mailer in the head with a hammer, leading to a flurried exchange of punches, kicks and bites. The brawl was captured on camera, and the violent footage ended up making it into the film.
Dustin Hoffman and Sydney Pollack (Tootsie)
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After getting stuck in development hell for a few years and cycling through a number of directors, production for Tootsie finally got underway, with Dustin Hoffman starring and Sydney Pollack at the helm. The two had completely different visions for the film, however, reportedly leading to near-daily clashes that constantly held up production.
Christian Bale and Shane Hurlbut (Terminator Salvation)
In 2009, an audio clip of Christian Bale screaming at a crew member on the set of Terminator Salvation was leaked to the press. The crew member in question was Shane Hurlbut – the movie’s director of photography – who had walked onto set while Bale was filming a scene. During an expletive laden rant, Bale threatened to physically assault Hurlbut and trash his lights.
Corey Feldman and Corey Haim (The Two Coreys)
While filming their reality TV show The Two Coreys, Corey Feldman and Corey Haim got into a genuinely heated exchange that ended in a shoving match. The incident was sparked when Haim made a comment about Feldman’s wife, although it was defused again fairly quickly.
Ed Harris and James Cameron (The Abyss)
Production of 1989’s The Abyss was infamously brutal, with multiple underwater stunts going wrong. One of these stunts nearly led to Ed Harris drowning, and the actor was understandably more than a little upset. Harris felt that director James Cameron didn’t do enough to help, leading to a heated confrontation which reportedly ended with Harris punching Cameron in the face.
Sean Penn and Oliver Stone (U-Turn)
Production of 1997’s U-Turn was reportedly a complete nightmare for everyone involved, mostly due to the constant bickering between Sean Penn and Oliver Stone. Penn later described his time on set as “hellacious,” and likened the experience of working with Stone to “communicating with a pig.”
James Franco and Tyrese Gibson (Annapolis)
In an interview with Playboy after the release of 2006’s Annapolis, Tyrese Gibson stated that he never wanted to work with James Franco again. Franco, for his part, has acknowledged that he was incredibly difficult to work with during the production, owning responsibility for the feud and admitting he was “probably a jerk.”
Jason London and Shawn Andrews (Dazed and Confused)
Shawn Andrews’ standoffish attitude reportedly alienated most of his Dazed and Confused co-stars, and he clashed particularly badly with Jason London. Although the actors were supposed to be playing best friends in the movie, they were continually getting into arguments – and one reported fistfight – whenever the cameras weren’t rolling.
Edward G. Robinson and George Raft (Manpower)
During production of 1941’s Manpower, George Raft felt that Edward G. Robinson was constantly trying to upstage him, leading to growing resentment. This resentment eventually spilled into violence, with photos of the fight leaking to the media and making headline news.
Anthony Daniels and Kenny Baker (Star Wars)
While R2-D2 and C-3PO have an endearing onscreen relationship, the actors behind the characters have hated each other since the production of A New Hope. Kenny Baker – the man controlling R2 – has accused Baker of snobbery and aloofness, while Baker has dismissed the notion that his co-star is even an actor, stating “he might as well be a bucket.”
Christopher Reeve and Jack O’Halloran (Superman II)
In a 2014 interview with TMZ, Jack O’Halloran recounted his experience starring alongside Christopher Reeve in 1980’s Superman II. According to O’Halloran, Reeve was unbearably arrogant on set, which strained their working relationship and nearly resulted in O’Halloran punching his co-star in the face.
Sean Penn and Esai Morales (Bad Boys)
When Sean Penn and Esai Morales agreed to co-star in 1983’s Bad Boys, both actors were young and had a reputation for being hotheaded. This reportedly led to frequent on-set clashes as both actors tried to assert their dominance, with tensions almost erupting into physical violence a number of times.
Debra Winger and Shirley MacLaine (Terms of Endearment)
1983’s Terms of Endearment saw Debra Winger and Shirley Maclaine star as a mother and daughter with a tumultuous relationship. The tension didn’t end when the cameras stopped rolling, however, as the actresses quickly developed a real-life hatred of each other, with MacLaine reportedly taking issue with Winger’s volatile behavior on set.
Robert Shaw and Richard Dreyfuss (Jaws)
Robert Shaw’s bad behavior during the production of Jaws is the stuff of legend, with the actor frequently too drunk to remember his lines. Richard Dreyfuss – who plays Hooper in the movie – found Shaw’s antics infuriating, and the pair clashed so much while making the movie that they ended up feuding for years.
Dennis Hopper and Rip Torn (Easy Rider)
During a 1999 appearance on The Tonight Show, Dennis Hopper finally revealed why Rip Torn had been replaced by Jack Nicholson in 1969’s Easy Rider. According to Hopper, Torn’s erratic behavior during production led to frequent clashes between the pair, with Torn finally getting fired after he pulled a knife during one such row.
Klaus Kinski and Werner Herzog (Fitzcarraldo)
Pretty much every film involving diagnosed psychopath Klaus Kinski has plenty of wild production stories, but 1989’s Fitzcarraldo takes the cake for sheer level of insanity. Kinski’s unhinged behavior on set led to non-stop conflict, culminating in an incident in which Werner Herzog earnestly threatened to kill his star after he tried to abandon the project.
Helen Mirren and Nicol Williamson (Excalibur)
After co-starring in a disastrous production of Macbeth, Helen Mirren and Nicol Williamson developed a mutual animosity. When he was casting actors for 1981’s Excalibur, John Boorman specifically chose the pair for this reason, hoping their dislike of each other would bleed into their performances. While the pair did clash several times, by the end of production they had resolved their differences.
Chevy Chase and Donald Glover (Community)
Chevy Chase’s appaling behavior towards the entire cast and crew of Community eventually led to his exit from the show, and Donald Glover arguably had it worst. Chase was apparently deeply jealous of Glover’s talent, frequently making snide comments, and at one point outright stating that people only find him funny because he’s Black.
Bill Murray and Richard Dreyfuss (What About Bob)
In a 2019 interview with Role Recall, Richard Dreyfuss joined the ranks of celebrities who have publicly aired their grievances with Bill Murray. According to Dreyfuss, Murray treated him terribly during production of 1991’s What About Bob, which Dreyfuss put down to his co-star being “a drunken Irish bully.”
Will Ferrell and James Caan (Elf)
While Will Ferrell has stated that he treasures the time he spent working with James Caan on 2003’s Elf, it seems that the feeling wasn’t always mutual. Caan was apparently unimpressed with Ferrell’s brand of humor, and – according to reports – wasn’t shy about sharing his opinions with his co-star.
Jonah Hill and Christopher Mintz-Plasse (Superbad)
According to Judd Apatow, Jonah Hill developed an instant dislike of Christopher Mintz-Plasse after the latter auditioned for Superbad. Hill tried to prevent Mintz-Plasse from getting cast, but was ultimately overruled. While the animosity persisted throughout the early stages of production, the actors eventually became close friends.
Jim Carrey and Jerry Lawler (Man on the Moon)
Jim Carrey’s antics during production of 1999’s Man on the Moon – a biopic about legendary comedian Andy Kaufman – are so infamous that they even spawned a documentary. At one point, while filming a reenactment of a wrestling match between Kaufman and Jerry Lawler, Carrey spat on the pro-wrestler, which nearly led to a full-blown brawl.
Uma Thurman and Daryl Hannah (Kill Bill Volume 2)
While Quentin Tarantino has mused about the possibility of a third Kill Bill film involving Elle Driver, the prospect seems unlikely on the grounds that Daryl Hannah – who plays Elle – and Uma Thurman absolutely hate each other. The bad blood began during production of Kill Bill Volume 2, with the two actresses unable to even be near each other at press events.
Harrison Ford and Sean Young (Blade Runner)
Blade Runner had a notoriously challenging production, which apparently left Harrison Ford in a bad mood much of the time. This caused tensions with other members of the cast, particularly Sean Young. The actors’ mutual disdain for each affected their performances, with the crew even referring to their love scene as a “hate scene.”
