Actors Who Hated Their On-Screen Partners

The world of Hollywood often presents a facade of seamless collaboration and perfect chemistry between leading stars. Behind the scenes the reality can be much more complicated as high stakes environments and clashing personalities lead to intense friction. Some actors find themselves in professional partnerships that are marked by mutual dislike or open hostility. These conflicts can stem from differences in acting methods personal grievances or simple behavioral disagreements. Despite these challenges many of these performers managed to deliver iconic performances while barely being able to stand their counterparts.

Bill Murray

Bill Murray had a well publicized disagreement with Lucy Liu while filming the movie ‘Charlie’s Angels’. The actor allegedly interrupted a scene to critique Liu’s performance which led to a verbal altercation. This conflict reportedly caused a temporary halt in production while the actors were separated. Murray did not return for the sequel and was replaced by another actor.

Harrison Ford

Harrison Ford and Josh Hartnett reportedly struggled to get along during the production of ‘Hollywood Homicide’. The two actors were often seen sitting in silence between takes and rarely engaged in conversation. Ford reportedly referred to Hartnett as a punk while Hartnett called Ford an old guy. Their lack of chemistry was noted by critics when the film was released in theaters.

Tom Hardy

Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron experienced significant tension while working on ‘Mad Max Fury Road’. The difficult filming conditions in the desert added to the friction between the two lead performers. Theron later admitted that the pair struggled to function together during the long production schedule. They eventually found a way to respect each other after the filming process concluded.

Shia LaBeouf

Shia LaBeouf had a physical altercation with Tom Hardy on the set of ‘Lawless’. The younger actor reportedly knocked Hardy unconscious during a backstage scuffle. While some reports suggested it was just playful sparring it created an awkward atmosphere for the rest of the crew. Both actors have since spoken about the incident with varying accounts of what actually happened.

Ryan Gosling

Ryan Gosling initially found it difficult to work with Rachel McAdams on the set of ‘The Notebook’. The actor reportedly asked the director to remove McAdams from the set and bring in another actress for a private rehearsal. Gosling felt that they lacked the necessary chemistry to make the romance believable at the time. Ironically the two actors began a real life relationship shortly after the movie was finished.

Pierce Brosnan

Pierce Brosnan expressed frustration with Teri Hatcher during the filming of ‘Tomorrow Never Dies’. Hatcher was often late to the set which caused delays for the rest of the cast and crew. Brosnan admitted to using some choice words when she finally arrived for one of their scenes. He later learned that she was pregnant at the time which explained her morning sickness and tardiness.

Dwayne Johnson

Dwayne Johnson used social media to voice his frustrations with certain male co stars on the set of ‘The Fate of the Furious’. The actor referred to some of his colleagues as candy asses which sparked a public feud with Vin Diesel. Their disagreement became so intense that they filmed most of their scenes separately to avoid conflict. Johnson eventually moved on to a spin off franchise while Diesel remained with the main series.

Vin Diesel

Vin Diesel reportedly had a difficult working relationship with Dwayne Johnson during their time in the ‘Fast and Furious’ franchise. Diesel allegedly exercised his power as a producer to critique the performance of Johnson which led to a breakdown in communication. The two stars shared very little screen time in their final film together due to their ongoing personal issues. Diesel later claimed he was trying to provide tough love to help Johnson achieve a better performance.

Wesley Snipes

Wesley Snipes reportedly made life difficult for Ryan Reynolds and other cast members on the set of ‘Blade Trinity’. The actor allegedly stayed in his trailer for most of the production and only communicated via sticky notes. Reynolds had to improvise many of his lines because Snipes would not engage with him during takes. This behavior created a challenging environment for everyone involved in the final film of the trilogy.

Chad Michael Murray

Chad Michael Murray and Sophia Bush had to continue working together on ‘One Tree Hill’ after their real life marriage ended in divorce. The situation was incredibly uncomfortable for both actors as their characters remained love interests on the show. Working in close proximity every day for several years required a high level of professional discipline. Both performers have since moved on to other projects and rarely speak about their time on the series.

Charlie Sheen

Charlie Sheen famously clashed with Selma Blair on the set of the sitcom ‘Anger Management’. Blair reportedly complained about the work ethic and punctuality of Sheen to the producers of the show. When Sheen found out about her comments he allegedly fired her via a series of angry text messages. The actress was written out of the series and her character was never seen again.

Sylvester Stallone

Sylvester Stallone and Richard Gere developed a legendary rivalry while preparing for the film ‘The Lords of Flatbush’. The two actors were involved in a physical scuffle over a shared lunch space in a car. Stallone claimed that Gere intentionally dropped grease on his pants during a break in filming. The tension was so high that Gere was eventually replaced in the movie by another actor.

Richard Gere

Richard Gere was removed from the cast of ‘The Lords of Flatbush’ after a confrontation with Sylvester Stallone. The disagreement started over minor issues but escalated quickly on the set. Stallone told the director that one of them had to go and the production chose to keep Stallone. This incident started a decades long cold war between the two famous Hollywood stars.

Vince Vaughn

Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon had very different approaches to their work on the set of ‘Four Christmases’. Vaughn preferred a loose and improvisational style while Witherspoon favored a structured and rehearsed environment. Their conflicting methods reportedly led to several arguments throughout the production of the holiday comedy. Despite their off screen issues they managed to finish the film which became a commercial success.

Tommy Lee Jones

Tommy Lee Jones did not enjoy working with Jim Carrey on the set of ‘Batman Forever’. Carrey recalled a moment at a restaurant where Jones told him directly that he could not sanction his buffoonery. The serious acting style of Jones clashed with the high energy and improvisational comedy of Carrey. Their lack of rapport was well known among the crew during the filming of the superhero movie.

Josh Hartnett

Josh Hartnett found it challenging to build a professional relationship with Harrison Ford on ‘Hollywood Homicide’. The younger actor felt that Ford was overly critical and dismissive of his presence on set. They rarely looked at each other during promotional events and interviews for the film. Hartnett later described the experience as one of the most difficult periods of his early career.

Will Smith

Will Smith had a long standing feud with Janet Hubert who played Aunt Viv on ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel Air’. Hubert claimed that Smith used his influence to have her fired from the show after three seasons. Smith countered by saying that Hubert wanted the show to revolve around her character instead of his. The two did not speak for over twenty years before finally reconciling during a televised reunion special.

Dustin Hoffman

Dustin Hoffman famously used aggressive methods to elicit a performance from Meryl Streep in ‘Kramer vs. Kramer’. He reportedly slapped her across the face during the filming of a scene without warning. Streep found his behavior unprofessional and unnecessarily cruel throughout the production. Hoffman later admitted that he was going through a difficult divorce at the time and took his frustrations out on his co star.

Patrick Swayze

Patrick Swayze struggled with the professional behavior of Jennifer Grey on the set of ‘Dirty Dancing’. He found her tendency to break into laughter or emotional outbursts during takes to be very frustrating. Swayze wrote in his autobiography that they had a few moments of friction when she was tired or irritable. They eventually put their differences aside to create one of the most iconic dance films in history.

Tony Curtis

Tony Curtis famously compared kissing Marilyn Monroe to kissing Hitler during the production of ‘Some Like It Hot’. He was reportedly frustrated with her constant delays and the number of takes required to finish a single scene. The actress often struggled to remember her lines which kept the entire cast on set for long hours. Despite these harsh comments Curtis later clarified that he was joking when he made the comparison.

Val Kilmer

Val Kilmer and Tom Sizemore had a major falling out on the set of the science fiction film ‘Red Planet’. The two actors reportedly got into a physical fight that required the intervention of security personnel. Their dislike for each other was so intense that they refused to be on set at the same time for certain scenes. Kilmer also had a reputation for being difficult with directors and other cast members during that era.

Tom Sizemore

Tom Sizemore refused to work with Val Kilmer on several scenes for ‘Red Planet’ after their relationship soured. The actor was reportedly angered by the behavior and demands of Kilmer during the production in Australia. Their mutual animosity made the filming process a nightmare for the director and the supporting cast. Both actors have since acknowledged the toxicity of the environment on that specific film set.

Kevin Smith

Kevin Smith found working with Bruce Willis on the movie ‘Cop Out’ to be a soul crushing experience. The director claimed that Willis refused to cooperate with his vision and was generally unpleasant to the crew. Smith even made a public speech at the wrap party where he thanked everyone except for Willis. The actor did not respond to the criticisms and the two have not worked together since.

Chevy Chase

Chevy Chase got into a physical fight with Bill Murray when the latter joined the cast of ‘Saturday Night Live’. The confrontation happened in a dressing room just minutes before the show went live on television. Chase felt threatened by the arrival of a new star while Murray was defending his fellow cast members. They eventually reconciled years later but the initial encounter was famously hostile.

Isaiah Washington

Isaiah Washington was involved in an on set altercation with Patrick Dempsey during the filming of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’. Washington reportedly used a homophobic slur during the argument which was directed at another cast member. This incident led to a public scandal and the eventual dismissal of Washington from the popular medical drama. The tension between the two lead actors was palpable to everyone working on the show at the time.

Jason Lee

Jason Lee reportedly did not get along with Shannen Doherty while filming the cult classic ‘Mallrats’. The actor found her attitude to be difficult and unprofessional during their scenes together. Director Kevin Smith has since confirmed that there was significant friction between the two performers on the set. Lee has generally avoided speaking about Doherty in the years following the release of the film.

James Franco

James Franco and Tyrese Gibson had a very real conflict while filming the boxing movie ‘Annapolis’. Gibson claimed that Franco was actually hitting him during their sparring scenes and refused to lighten his punches. Franco insisted that he was simply staying in character and practicing method acting. The experience left Gibson with a lasting dislike for Franco and he has publicly criticized him in interviews.

Tyrese Gibson

Tyrese Gibson expressed his extreme dislike for James Franco after their experience on ‘Annapolis’. He felt that Franco was intentionally disrespectful and unnecessarily aggressive during the production. Gibson stated that he never wanted to work with the actor again and even suggested that he would avoid him in social settings. This feud remains one of the more famous examples of male co stars clashing on a film set.

Jamie Dornan

Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson reportedly had no natural chemistry on the set of ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’. This lack of connection made the filming of intimate scenes very awkward and difficult for both performers. Media reports frequently mentioned that the two actors seemed cold toward each other during the promotional tour. They eventually developed a better working relationship for the subsequent sequels in the trilogy.

William Shatner

William Shatner has had a decades long feud with many of his co stars from ‘Star Trek’. George Takei in particular has been very vocal about his dislike for the lead actor of the series. Shatner was accused of being self centered and ignoring the contributions of the rest of the cast. The rift between the former colleagues continues to be a topic of discussion among fans of the franchise.

Nathan Fillion

Nathan Fillion and Stana Katic reportedly had such a bad relationship on the set of ‘Castle’ that they were forced to attend counseling. The tension between the two leads eventually reached a point where they would not speak to each other outside of their scenes. This conflict was a major factor in the decision to end the show after eight seasons. Katic was reportedly blindsided when she was told her contract would not be renewed for a potential ninth season.

Kelsey Grammer

Kelsey Grammer admitted that he found working with Shelley Long on the sitcom ‘Cheers’ to be very difficult. He felt that Long was often condescending and difficult to collaborate with during rehearsals. Grammer even claimed in his autobiography that she tried to have his character removed from the show. Despite their issues they managed to produce many classic episodes of television together.

Jerome Flynn

Jerome Flynn and Lena Headey had a previous romantic relationship that ended on very bad terms before they were cast in ‘Game of Thrones’. Their history was so contentious that their contracts reportedly included a clause stating they could never be in the same room. Fans noticed that their characters Bronn and Cersei never shared a single scene throughout the entire series. The crew had to carefully schedule filming to ensure the two actors never crossed paths.

Kirk Cameron

Kirk Cameron reportedly had Julie McCullough fired from the sitcom ‘Growing Pains’ because of her past work. Cameron had become a born again Christian and objected to her appearing in a specific adult magazine. He felt that her presence on the family show was inappropriate and used his influence to have her character written out. McCullough was devastated by the decision and the rest of the cast was shocked by the sudden change.

Terrence Howard

Terrence Howard blamed Robert Downey Jr. for his departure from the ‘Iron Man’ franchise. Howard claimed that Downey took the money that was supposed to go to him for the sequel which led to his replacement. He felt betrayed because he had helped Downey secure the lead role in the first place. The two actors did not speak for many years following the public falling out over the salary dispute.

Freddie Prinze Jr.

Freddie Prinze Jr. had a miserable experience working with Kiefer Sutherland on the television series ’24’. He found Sutherland to be highly unprofessional and claimed that the actor would often show up late. Prinze was so unhappy that he almost quit the acting profession entirely after his season on the show concluded. He later stated that he hated every moment of working with the veteran star.

Robert De Niro

Robert De Niro reportedly refused to speak to Mickey Rourke on the set of the film ‘Angel Heart’. De Niro felt that Rourke was too unpredictable and chose to maintain a distance to preserve his own process. Rourke was deeply offended by this treatment and has carried a grudge against De Niro for several decades. The tension between the two legends was palpable throughout the entire production.

Channing Tatum

Channing Tatum did not get along with Alex Pettyfer during the filming of ‘Magic Mike’. Tatum reportedly felt that Pettyfer was arrogant and had a bad attitude on the set. As a producer of the film Tatum had significant influence over the casting and chose not to bring Pettyfer back for the sequel. Pettyfer later confirmed that Tatum did not like him and that they had multiple confrontations.

Alex Pettyfer

Alex Pettyfer admitted that Channing Tatum was not a fan of his while they worked on ‘Magic Mike’. The actor explained that his own insecurities led him to be quiet on set which was misinterpreted as being aloof. He also failed to pay rent on an apartment owned by a friend of Tatum which further damaged their relationship. Pettyfer expressed regret over the situation but confirmed the two have not reconciled.

Mickey Rourke

Mickey Rourke has frequently criticized Robert De Niro in public interviews following their work on ‘Angel Heart’. Rourke claimed that De Niro told him they should not talk because of their characters in the movie. This perceived slight stayed with Rourke for years and led to further insults directed at the veteran actor. Rourke even claimed that De Niro blocked him from appearing in the movie ‘The Irishman’.

Alec Baldwin

Alec Baldwin had a very public disagreement with Shia LaBeouf during rehearsals for a Broadway play called ‘Orphans’. Baldwin felt that the younger actor was disrespectful and difficult to work with in a professional setting. The friction led to LaBeouf being fired from the production before it even opened. Baldwin later described the experience as exhausting and unnecessary.

Luke Wilson

Luke Wilson reportedly had a difficult time working with Kate Beckinsale on the thriller ‘Vacancy’. Rumors from the set suggested that the two actors did not get along and often retreated to their trailers between takes. Wilson was reportedly frustrated with the behavior of his co star during the long night shoots. They maintained a professional front during the press tour but did not work together again.

Robert Pattinson

Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon had a less than ideal experience while filming ‘Water for Elephants’. Pattinson was suffering from a severe cold during their romantic scenes which made the process unpleasant for Witherspoon. The actress reportedly complained about the hygiene of her co star during those difficult days of filming. Pattinson later joked about the awkwardness of the situation in several interviews.

Gene Hackman

Gene Hackman was known for being incredibly difficult toward his co stars and director on the set of ‘The Royal Tenenbaums’. Anjelica Huston and Gwyneth Paltrow both expressed that they were intimidated and frustrated by his behavior. Hackman reportedly told the director to pull up his pants and act like a man during a heated exchange. The tension on set was so high that several cast members avoided him whenever possible.

George Takei

George Takei has maintained a very public feud with William Shatner since their time on the original ‘Star Trek’ series. Takei has accused Shatner of having a massive ego and being difficult to work with on a daily basis. He claimed that Shatner would often try to steal scenes or change the dialogue to favor himself. The two former co stars continue to trade insults in the media to this day.

Bruce Willis

Bruce Willis was famously difficult to work with on the set of ‘Cop Out’ according to director Kevin Smith. The actor reportedly refused to follow directions and was often argumentative with the production staff. This behavior led to a toxic environment that Smith described as the most challenging of his career. Willis has not commented on the specific allegations made by the director.

Marlon Brando

Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra did not enjoy their time together on the set of ‘Guys and Dolls’. Sinatra reportedly grew tired of the method acting approach of Brando which required many takes for a single scene. Brando allegedly ate cheesecake during a scene multiple times just to force Sinatra to eat it too. The two stars remained distant and hostile toward each other for the duration of the shoot.

Frank Sinatra

Frank Sinatra found it nearly impossible to work with Marlon Brando during the production of ‘Guys and Dolls’. The singer preferred to finish scenes in one take and became enraged by the constant delays caused by Brando. Sinatra reportedly referred to Brando as the most over rated actor in the world. Their mutual dislike for each other was evident to everyone working on the musical film.

John Leguizamo

John Leguizamo had a very negative experience working with Steven Seagal on the film ‘Executive Decision’. Leguizamo claimed that Seagal was physically aggressive and pushed him against a wall during a rehearsal. The actor was shocked by the behavior of the action star and felt that it was completely unprovoked. He has since recounted the story in his stage shows as an example of difficult Hollywood behavior.

Steven Seagal

Steven Seagal has been accused of being difficult by many of his former co stars and stunt performers. His physical confrontation with John Leguizamo on the set of ‘Executive Decision’ is one of his most infamous encounters. Seagal reportedly used his martial arts background to intimidate others during the production process. Many of his fellow actors have expressed that they would never work with him again due to his volatile nature.

Tell us which of these famous Hollywood feuds surprised you the most by sharing your thoughts in the comments.