Actors Who Are Hated By Their Co-Stars

Filming a movie or television show often requires long hours in close quarters which can lead to intense friction between cast members. While many actors form lifelong friendships on set there are numerous instances where creative differences or personality clashes result in deep resentment. Some performers are notorious for their difficult behavior and have earned a reputation that makes others hesitant to work with them. This list explores the male actors who reportedly faced significant animosity from the people they worked alongside.

Chevy Chase

Chevy Chase developed a reputation for being difficult during his time on the set of ‘Community’. His co-stars often complained about his insensitive remarks and disruptive behavior between takes. Joel McHale and Donald Glover were among the cast members who reportedly struggled with his presence on set. This tension eventually led to his departure from the show after several seasons of conflict. He has faced similar accusations regarding his behavior from his time on ‘Saturday Night Live’ decades prior.

Bill Murray

Bill Murray allegedly clashed with Lucy Liu while filming the action comedy ‘Charlie’s Angels’. Reports suggest that Murray criticized Liu regarding her acting ability which led to a physical confrontation on the set. The production team had to intervene to separate the two actors during the heated argument. Liu later addressed the incident and stated she stood up for herself against the unwarranted attacks. Murray did not return for the sequel and was replaced by Bernie Mac.

Steven Seagal

Steven Seagal is often cited by fellow actors as one of the most challenging people to work with in Hollywood. John Leguizamo claimed that Seagal physically attacked him during a rehearsal for ‘Executive Decision’ after he laughed at a command. Cast members from ‘Saturday Night Live’ also described him as the worst host in the history of the show due to his arrogance. His refusal to collaborate or rehearse sketches made the week incredibly difficult for the comedy troupe. Many stunt performers have also accused him of being unnecessarily rough during fight scenes.

William Shatner

William Shatner has a well-documented history of friction with his co-stars from ‘Star Trek’. George Takei has frequently spoken about the alienation he felt from Shatner during the production of the original series and subsequent films. James Doohan also expressed significant dislike for Shatner and refused to speak to him for long periods. The cast often felt that Shatner tried to steal the spotlight and undermine their contributions to the show. This feud has persisted for decades and remains a topic of conversation at conventions.

Wesley Snipes

Wesley Snipes reportedly caused major issues on the set of ‘Blade: Trinity’ due to his refusal to communicate with the director and co-stars. Patton Oswalt claimed that Snipes would stay in his trailer and only interact with the cast through post-it notes. Ryan Reynolds had to improvise many of his lines because Snipes was rarely present for their shared scenes. The tension on set was palpable and resulted in a disjointed production process. Snipes later sued the studio and the director over his treatment during the filming.

Tom Hardy

Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron had a notoriously difficult working relationship on the set of ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’. Theron stated that she felt threatened by Hardy due to his volatile behavior and intensity during filming. The production was grueling and the lack of trust between the two leads added to the stress of the shoot. They barely spoke to each other when the cameras were not rolling. Both actors have since acknowledged the tension but admitted that it may have fueled their on-screen performances.

Vin Diesel

Vin Diesel engaged in a highly public feud with Dwayne Johnson during the filming of the ‘Fast & Furious’ franchise. Johnson referred to unnamed male co-stars as unprofessional and candy-asses in a social media post that was widely believed to be about Diesel. The two actors reportedly refused to film scenes together for the eighth installment of the series. Their conflict stemmed from differences in work philosophy and producing approaches. Diesel later claimed he was using tough love to get a better performance out of Johnson.

Dwayne Johnson

Dwayne Johnson faced backlash from Vin Diesel who claimed the wrestler-turned-actor was difficult to manage on set. Diesel suggested that Johnson tried to take over the franchise and did not respect the original vision of the films. Tyrese Gibson also publicly criticized Johnson for delaying the production of the ninth film to pursue a spin-off. The cast appeared divided with some supporting Diesel and others remaining neutral. Johnson eventually left the main franchise to focus on his own projects within the universe.

Jared Leto

Jared Leto alienated his co-stars on ‘Suicide Squad’ with his extreme method acting techniques. He sent bizarre and disturbing gifts to cast members such as a live rat to Margot Robbie and a dead pig to the rehearsal room. Will Smith noted that he never actually met Leto on set because the actor remained in character as the Joker the entire time. Many of his fellow actors found his behavior unnecessary and uncomfortable rather than artistically impressive. This approach created a strange atmosphere that some cast members found hindering.

Shia LaBeouf

Shia LaBeouf has a history of conflict with co-stars including a physical altercation with Tom Hardy on the set of ‘Lawless’. He was also fired from a Broadway production of ‘Orphans’ after clashing with Alec Baldwin during rehearsals. Baldwin claimed that LaBeouf was intense and lacked the proper stage etiquette required for the production. Brad Pitt also reportedly had to mediate tensions between LaBeouf and Scott Eastwood on the set of ‘Fury’. His intense dedication to method acting often crosses the line for those working around him.

Freddie Prinze Jr.

Freddie Prinze Jr. hated his experience working with Kiefer Sutherland on the hit show ’24’ so much that he almost quit acting. Prinze described Sutherland as the most unprofessional person he had ever worked with in his career. He claimed that Sutherland would often show up to set in a state that made filming difficult. The experience left Prinze disillusioned with the industry for a significant period. Sutherland’s representatives later stated the actor was unaware of Prinze’s grievances.

Kiefer Sutherland

Kiefer Sutherland was criticized heavily by Freddie Prinze Jr. for his on-set behavior during the filming of ’24’. While Sutherland is respected for his performance as Jack Bauer his leadership on set was questioned by his co-star. The specific allegations involved punctuality and general professionalism during the long shooting hours. Sutherland seemingly had no idea there was animosity until Prinze spoke out years later. The clash highlights how different work ethics can lead to silent resentment.

Sylvester Stallone

Sylvester Stallone and Richard Gere had a famous feud on the set of ‘The Lords of Flatbush’ that resulted in a physical fight. Stallone claimed that Gere was arrogant and spilled grease on him during a lunch break which led to an elbow to the head. The director eventually had to choose between the two actors and Gere was replaced. Stallone also had a long-standing professional rivalry with Arnold Schwarzenegger that involved sabotaging each other’s careers. These conflicts were fueled by intense competition for action movie roles.

Richard Gere

Richard Gere was fired from ‘The Lords of Flatbush’ after failing to get along with Sylvester Stallone. Reports suggest that Gere took his role too seriously and annoyed Stallone with his method acting and attitude. The incident with the chicken grease was the breaking point that forced the production to let him go. This early career clash became a legendary story in Hollywood about personality mismatches. Gere went on to a successful career but the animosity with Stallone lasted for years.

Nick Nolte

Nick Nolte and Julia Roberts famously despised each other while filming the romantic comedy ‘I Love Trouble’. Roberts described Nolte as completely disgusting and he countered by calling her not a nice person. They reportedly refused to film scenes together and used body doubles whenever possible. The lack of chemistry was evident in the final film and critics noted the disconnect between the leads. The feud remains one of the most well-known examples of co-stars failing to fake affection.

Harrison Ford

Harrison Ford and Josh Hartnett struggled to find common ground while filming the action comedy ‘Hollywood Homicide’. Hartnett admitted that they spent long periods sitting in cars without speaking to each other. Ford reportedly called Hartnett a punk while Hartnett referred to Ford as an old fart during promotional tours. The generational gap and different acting styles contributed to the friction on set. Despite the tension they managed to complete the film although it was not a commercial success.

Josh Hartnett

Josh Hartnett clashed with the veteran actor Harrison Ford during the production of ‘Hollywood Homicide’. Hartnett felt that Ford was dismissive of him and unwilling to build any rapport. The tension was so high that it became difficult to promote the film together effectively. Hartnett has since spoken about the experience as a learning curve in dealing with established stars. The lack of camaraderie on set unfortunately translated to a lack of chemistry on screen.

Channing Tatum

Channing Tatum reportedly had a serious conflict with Alex Pettyfer on the set of ‘Magic Mike’. Tatum who was a producer on the film did not appreciate Pettyfer’s attitude or lack of engagement with the rest of the cast. Pettyfer admitted that he was insecure and kept to himself which Tatum interpreted as arrogance. The tension escalated when Pettyfer failed to pay rent to a friend of Tatum’s. This confirmed Tatum’s negative opinion and Pettyfer was not asked to return for the sequel.

Alex Pettyfer

Alex Pettyfer has admitted that Channing Tatum did not like him during the filming of ‘Magic Mike’. Pettyfer claimed his own fear of speaking up made him appear snobbish to the other actors. He also failed to resolve a financial dispute with a mutual friend which infuriated Tatum. The resulting tension made the set uncomfortable and effectively ended his involvement in the franchise. Pettyfer has since taken responsibility for his poor handling of the situation.

Dustin Hoffman

Dustin Hoffman pushed Meryl Streep too far during the filming of the divorce drama ‘Kramer vs. Kramer’. Hoffman slapped Streep during a scene without warning to elicit a genuine reaction. He also taunted her about the recent death of her partner John Cazale to provoke emotional distress. Streep later criticized his methods as abusive and unnecessary for the performance. The tension resulted in powerful acting but left a lasting negative impression on Streep.

Anthony Daniels

Anthony Daniels is known for his decades-long feud with Kenny Baker who played R2-D2 in the ‘Star Wars’ films. Daniels reportedly refused to socialize with the cast and looked down on Baker. Baker claimed that Daniels was rude and dismissed him whenever he tried to say hello. The man inside the C-3PO suit maintained that he simply did not have much in common with Baker. This droid rivalry is infamous among the fandom of the franchise.

Kenny Baker

Kenny Baker was frequently vocal about his dislike for Anthony Daniels during their time working on ‘Star Wars’. Baker felt that Daniels was unsociable and treated him like a prop rather than a fellow actor. He stated that he would not attend conventions if Daniels was present because of the bad blood. The physical constraints of their costumes made interaction difficult but the personal animosity was real. Baker remained bitter about the treatment until his passing.

Alec Baldwin

Alec Baldwin has had numerous conflicts with co-stars throughout his career including Shia LaBeouf on Broadway. He famously clashed with the production team and cast of ’30 Rock’ at times due to creative differences. Baldwin’s temper has often led to outbursts that alienate those working around him. His dismissal of LaBeouf from ‘Orphans’ showed his unwillingness to tolerate what he perceived as unprofessionalism. However his own intense behavior has often been the source of on-set drama.

Jamie Foxx

Jamie Foxx and LL Cool J got into a physical altercation while filming the football movie ‘Any Given Sunday’. The script called for a heated argument but the actors continued to fight after the director called cut. Police reportedly had to be called to the set to resolve the situation. Foxx claimed that LL Cool J took the physical nature of the scene too far and actually hit him. They eventually reconciled but the moment remains a notable instance of on-set violence.

LL Cool J

LL Cool J was involved in a fistfight with Jamie Foxx on the set of ‘Any Given Sunday’. He struck Foxx in the helmet during a scene and the aggression escalated into a real brawl. The rapper-turned-actor was known for his intensity and refused to back down when Foxx confronted him. This incident halted production temporarily while the actors cooled off. Both men have since downplayed the event as heat of the moment passion.

Tyrese Gibson

Tyrese Gibson publicly feuded with James Franco during the filming of ‘Annapolis’. Gibson claimed that Franco was actually hitting him during the boxing scenes and refused to lighten up. He stated that he would never work with Franco again due to his method acting approach. Gibson felt that Franco was being unnecessarily cruel and disrespectful to his co-stars. The animosity was purely one-sided as Franco claimed he was just trying to stay in character.

James Franco

James Franco alienated Tyrese Gibson on the set of ‘Annapolis’ by taking his role as a boxer too literally. Franco reportedly refused to break character and treated Gibson with hostility even when cameras were off. This method approach resulted in actual physical pain for his co-star during fight sequences. Franco has faced similar criticisms from others who find his immersion techniques isolating. His dedication to the craft often comes at the expense of set harmony.

Charlie Sheen

Charlie Sheen was fired from ‘Two and a Half Men’ after publicly insulting the creator Chuck Lorre. However he also had friction with co-star Selma Blair on the set of his later show ‘Anger Management’. Sheen reportedly fired Blair via text message after she complained about his work ethic. Blair had raised concerns about his punctuality and preparedness which enraged Sheen. This pattern of behavior made him a liability for the studios that employed him.

Isaiah Washington

Isaiah Washington was fired from ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ after using a homophobic slur during an argument with Patrick Dempsey. The slur was directed at co-star T.R. Knight and caused a massive controversy on the set. Dempsey and Washington had a physical altercation that precipitated the verbal outburst. The cast was deeply divided and the environment became toxic. Washington later claimed he was unfairly targeted and blacklisted by the industry.

Val Kilmer

Val Kilmer was notorious for his behavior on the set of ‘The Island of Dr. Moreau’. The original director was fired and Kilmer reportedly burned a crew member with a cigarette. He feuded constantly with Marlon Brando who eventually told him that his problem was that he confused the size of his paycheck with the size of his talent. Kilmer also refused to come out of his trailer for ‘Batman Forever’ leading director Joel Schumacher to call him psychotic. His difficult reputation significantly impacted his career trajectory in the late nineties.

Marlon Brando

Marlon Brando made life miserable for everyone involved in the production of ‘The Island of Dr. Moreau’. He refused to learn his lines and insisted on having them fed to him through an earpiece. Brando frequently clashed with Val Kilmer and the directors trying to salvage the film. He also arrived on set refusing to remove an ice bucket from his head during scenes. His chaotic behavior is often cited as the primary reason for the film’s critical failure.

Gene Hackman

Gene Hackman terrified the cast and crew of ‘The Royal Tenenbaums’ according to director Wes Anderson and co-star Anjelica Huston. Hackman was reportedly aggressive and verbally abusive toward Anderson throughout the shoot. Bill Murray had to serve as a protector for the director and frequently stepped in to manage Hackman. Huston admitted she was scared of Hackman and found working with him stressful. Despite the hostility he delivered an award-winning performance.

Klaus Kinski

Klaus Kinski had a legendary and violent love-hate relationship with director Werner Herzog. While not a traditional co-star dynamic Kinski terrified fellow actors on films like ‘Aguirre, the Wrath of God’. He once fired a gun into a tent where extras were sleeping because they were being too loud. On the set of ‘Fitzcarraldo’ the native extras reportedly offered to kill Kinski for Herzog. His erratic and dangerous behavior is unparalleled in film history.

Brad Pitt

Brad Pitt had a miserable time working with Tom Cruise on ‘Interview with the Vampire’. Pitt described the experience as oppressive and felt there was an underlying competition between them. He claimed that Cruise was intense and hyper-focused while he was more laid back creating a personality clash. Pitt famously wanted to buy his way out of the contract to leave the film. The lack of friendship off-screen added to the cold dynamic seen in the movie.

Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise annoyed Brad Pitt during the filming of ‘Interview with the Vampire’ with his perfectionism. Cruise reportedly micromanaged aspects of the production and maintained a high level of intensity that exhausted his co-star. Rob Lowe also mentioned that Cruise went ballistic when they were forced to share a room during ‘The Outsiders’. Cruise creates a high-pressure environment that some actors find inspiring and others find draining. His dedication to the final product often overrides personal pleasantries.

Russell Crowe

Russell Crowe clashed with the legendary Oliver Reed on the set of ‘Gladiator’. Reed reportedly disliked Crowe and challenged him to drinking contests and fights. Crowe found Reed to be a distraction and a difficult presence to manage during the shoot. The tension was cut short by Reed’s untimely death during production. Crowe has also faced accusations of being difficult from other colleagues early in his career.

Jim Carrey

Jim Carrey tried to be friendly with Tommy Lee Jones on the set of ‘Batman Forever’ but was met with hostility. Jones famously told Carrey that he hated him and could not sanction his buffoonery. Carrey believed that Jones was insecure about being upstaged by the high-energy comedic style. The tension made their shared scenes awkward to film. Carrey has spoken about the incident multiple times as a confusing moment in his career.

Ryan Reynolds

Ryan Reynolds bore the brunt of Wesley Snipes’ frustration on the set of ‘Blade: Trinity’. Snipes refused to break character and treated Reynolds with disdain calling him a cracker. Reynolds used the tension to fuel his character’s constant joking which further annoyed Snipes. The hostility forced the director to shoot their close-ups separately. Reynolds has since joked about the experience but admitted it was a challenging working environment.

George Takei

George Takei has spent decades criticizing William Shatner for his behavior on ‘Star Trek’. Takei claims Shatner was self-centered and ignored the supporting cast. He felt that Shatner actively tried to prevent other characters from getting screen time or development. The feud has played out in the media with both actors taking shots at each other. Takei’s resentment stems from a feeling of being undervalued and disrespected by the series lead.

Jerome Flynn

Jerome Flynn and Lena Headey starred in ‘Game of Thrones’ but refused to be in the same room together. The two had a prior romantic relationship that ended on very bad terms. The production team had to carefully schedule their scenes to ensure they never crossed paths. This restriction meant that their characters Bronn and Cersei never shared the screen despite the ensemble nature of the show. Their personal history dictated the logistics of a massive production.

Nathan Fillion

Nathan Fillion reportedly did not get along with his co-star Stana Katic on the crime procedural ‘Castle’. Sources claimed the two stopped speaking to each other off-camera for several seasons. The friction eventually led to Katic not being asked to return for a planned ninth season before the show was cancelled. Rumors suggested Fillion bullied Katic on set although neither has confirmed the specifics publicly. The show was abruptly ended as the chemistry between the leads evaporated.

Vince Vaughn

Vince Vaughn clashed with Reese Witherspoon on the set of the holiday comedy ‘Four Christmases’. Witherspoon wanted to rehearse extensively while Vaughn preferred to improvise and keep things loose. This difference in work styles caused significant friction and delays in production. They reportedly refused to walk the red carpet together for the film’s premiere. The lack of cohesion was noticeable to critics who felt the movie lacked romantic spark.

Patrick Swayze

Patrick Swayze found it difficult to work with Jennifer Grey on the classic film ‘Dirty Dancing’. He became frustrated with her tendency to laugh during serious takes and her emotional fragility. Swayze wrote in his memoir that he felt she was unprofessional and wasted time. The frustration seen in the film during the rehearsal scenes was genuine irritation from Swayze. Despite the conflict they managed to create one of the most iconic on-screen romances.

Leonardo DiCaprio

Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes did not get along while filming the romantic tragedy ‘Romeo + Juliet’. Danes allegedly called DiCaprio immature while he found her to be uptight. They barely spoke to each other when the cameras weren’t rolling despite playing star-crossed lovers. The intensity of the shoot and their young ages likely contributed to the friction. Danes famously turned down a role in ‘Titanic’ to avoid working with him again.

Robert Downey Jr.

Robert Downey Jr. had a falling out with Terrence Howard after the first ‘Iron Man’ film. Howard claimed that Downey took the money that was supposed to go to him for the sequel. The studio offered Howard a massive pay cut which he blamed Downey for not fighting against. Howard was subsequently replaced by Don Cheadle in the franchise. The dispute over salary ended their professional relationship and friendship.

Terrence Howard

Terrence Howard blamed Robert Downey Jr. for his exit from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Howard was the highest-paid actor in the first ‘Iron Man’ but was offered a fraction of that for the sequel. He felt betrayed that Downey did not stand up for him during negotiations. Howard has spoken publicly about the hurt he felt over the situation. This financial dispute led to one of the most high-profile recasts in superhero movie history.

Let us know which of these on-set rivalries surprised you the most in the comments.