Actors Who Secretly Demanded Their Co-Stars Be Fired

The world of high stakes entertainment often involves massive egos and intense professional pressure that can lead to significant behind the scenes conflicts. When major stars find themselves at odds with their colleagues they sometimes use their considerable influence to dictate casting decisions. These power plays are often kept secret from the public until years after the production has concluded. This list explores the instances where leading men reportedly demanded the removal of their costars to maintain control over their projects.

Sylvester Stallone

During the production of ‘The Lords of Flatbush’ the lead actor famously clashed with Richard Gere. The tension began over small disagreements including a spilled sandwich in a car and general personality friction. Stallone eventually gave the director an ultimatum to choose between the two of them. Richard Gere was subsequently replaced by another actor and the film moved forward without him. This incident became a famous example of behind the scenes power plays in Hollywood.

Charlie Sheen

While working on the sitcom ‘Anger Management’ the lead actor had a major falling out with Selma Blair. She reportedly voiced concerns about his work ethic and punctuality to the show producers. Sheen reacted by demanding her immediate removal and threatened to quit the show himself if she stayed. He allegedly informed her of her firing through a harsh text message. The character was quickly written out of the series to accommodate his demands.

Alec Baldwin

The production of the Broadway play ‘Orphans’ saw a significant clash between this veteran actor and Shia LaBeouf. Baldwin felt that the younger actor rehearsal style was disruptive and confrontational. He reportedly told the production team that he would leave the project if LaBeouf remained in the cast. The producers eventually chose to terminate the contract of the younger actor to keep their lead star. This public feud highlighted the intense pressures of high stakes stage performances.

Patrick Dempsey

Reports from the set of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ indicated that this lead actor was central to the departure of Isaiah Washington. An onset altercation between the two men created a toxic environment for the rest of the cast and crew. Dempsey allegedly pressured the network to take action regarding Washington behavior and comments. The show eventually fired Washington after the controversy became public knowledge. This event significantly changed the direction of the popular medical drama.

Robert Downey Jr.

The casting change for the role of Rhodey in ‘Iron Man 2’ remains a topic of much discussion among fans. Reports suggested that the lead actor was involved in the decision to replace Terrence Howard with Don Cheadle. Disputes over salary and creative differences were cited as the primary reasons for the shift in the cast. Howard later claimed that his costar did not support him during the difficult negotiations with the studio. The franchise continued with a new actor in the role for all subsequent films.

Wesley Snipes

The filming of ‘Blade: Trinity’ was reportedly plagued by intense friction between the lead star and Ryan Reynolds. Snipes was said to be unhappy with the comedic direction of the film and the presence of his younger costars. He allegedly communicated with the director primarily through sticky notes and stayed in his trailer for long periods. Rumors suggested he wanted more control over the cast and frequently clashed with everyone on set. The production eventually had to film scenes separately to keep the actors apart.

Bill Murray

During the production of ‘Charlie’s Angels’ a famous confrontation occurred between this actor and Lucy Liu. Murray reportedly told his costar that she could not act which led to a heated verbal exchange on set. The conflict became so severe that production had to be halted for the day to let tensions simmer down. He did not return for the sequel and was replaced by a different actor in the role of Bosley. This incident remains one of the most cited examples of Murray difficult professional reputation.

Kevin Spacey

Before his career faced major legal challenges this actor was known for having a high level of influence on ‘House of Cards’. He reportedly had a hand in many creative decisions including the casting and removal of various characters. Several reports suggested he used his power as an executive producer to manage the cast according to his preferences. This created a complex dynamic on set where many actors felt their positions depended on his favor. The show eventually continued without him after widespread allegations changed his professional standing.

Bruce Willis

This action star earned a reputation for being difficult to work with on several high profile film sets. He reportedly had frequent clashes with directors and costars who did not follow his specific vision for a scene. During the filming of ‘Cop Out’ his behavior led to a public feud with the director. Willis often used his box office status to demand changes in the supporting cast or script. These demands sometimes led to actors being sidelined or removed from the final production.

Steven Seagal

The martial arts star was known for having a volatile presence on movie sets throughout the 1990s. He frequently clashed with stunt performers and fellow actors which often led to physical altercations. During the filming of ‘Executive Decision’ he reportedly had a major disagreement with John Leguizamo that turned physical. Seagal often demanded that certain actors be kept away from him or removed from projects entirely if they challenged him. His career was marked by numerous reports of difficult behavior and workplace intimidation.

Chevy Chase

The comedian had a long history of conflicts with his fellow cast members on ‘Saturday Night Live’ and ‘Community’. On the set of the sitcom he frequently insulted the creator and his younger costars during filming. His behavior became so disruptive that the cast reportedly looked for ways to have him removed from the show. Chase eventually left the series after a series of heated arguments and professional failures. His departure was seen as a necessary step to save the working environment for the remaining actors.

William Shatner

The original star of ‘Star Trek’ had a notoriously difficult relationship with many of his fellow bridge crew members. James Doohan and George Takei both spoke publicly about how Shatner would attempt to minimize their roles on the show. He was accused of taking lines from other actors and using his influence to remain the sole focus of the series. These tensions lasted for decades and prevented many of the original cast from ever reconciling. Shatner focus on his own career often came at the expense of his colleagues professional happiness.

Val Kilmer

This actor was known for his intense method acting and difficult personality on sets like ‘Red Planet’. He had a massive falling out with Tom Sizemore that resulted in a physical fight over a piece of exercise equipment. The two actors eventually refused to speak to each other and had to have their scenes filmed separately using body doubles. Kilmer reportedly used his influence to demand that Sizemore be kept at a distance at all times. This toxic environment made the production of the science fiction film extremely difficult for the crew.

Tommy Lee Jones

While filming ‘Batman Forever’ this veteran actor made it very clear that he did not like Jim Carrey. He famously told his costar during a dinner that he could not sanction his buffoonery. The tension on set was palpable and affected the performance of everyone involved in the production. Jones reportedly used his seniority to make the working environment uncomfortable for the younger comedian. Carrey later recalled the experience as one of the most challenging professional encounters of his career.

Dustin Hoffman

The production of ‘Kramer vs Kramer’ was marked by the intense and often controversial behavior of its lead actor. Hoffman was known for pushing his costars to their limits to get a more authentic reaction for the cameras. He famously slapped Meryl Streep and whispered personal insults to her to provoke an emotional response. His demanding nature often led to friction with the rest of the cast who found his methods excessive. While the film was a critical success the personal cost to his colleagues was significant.

Marlon Brando

The legendary actor was famous for his eccentric behavior and his habit of ignoring scripts entirely. On the set of ‘The Island of Dr Moreau’ he made numerous unusual demands that disrupted the entire production. He reportedly had a poor relationship with Val Kilmer and the two actors spent much of their time trying to outdo each other. Brando frequently demanded that the cast and crew follow his spontaneous ideas regardless of the schedule. His power in the industry allowed him to get away with behavior that would have seen any other actor fired.

Kirk Douglas

This Golden Age star was known for his fierce professional drive and his desire to control every aspect of his films. He frequently clashed with directors and had them replaced if they did not agree with his vision for a project. Douglas also held high standards for his costars and was not shy about requesting replacements if he felt an actor was underperforming. His production company gave him the power to shape casts according to his personal preferences. This led to a career filled with both legendary performances and notable behind the scenes conflicts.

Edward Norton

The actor has a reputation for being heavily involved in the writing and editing of the films he stars in. This desire for creative control led to major clashes with the director of ‘American History X’ during post production. On the set of ‘The Incredible Hulk’ his insistence on rewriting the script caused tension with the studio and his fellow actors. Norton hands on approach often made his colleagues feel like they were working for him rather than with him. This reputation eventually led to him being replaced in the Marvel Cinematic Universe by Mark Ruffalo.

Tom Sizemore

His career was often overshadowed by his personal struggles and his difficult behavior on film sets. He had a particularly volatile relationship with Val Kilmer that nearly derailed the production of ‘Red Planet’. Sizemore reportedly felt that his costar was being unfairly demanding and reacted with his own set of requirements. The two men had to be physically separated by production staff on multiple occasions to avoid violence. This conflict remains a classic example of how ego can disrupt a multi million dollar film project.

James Franco

Reports from the set of ‘Tristan & Isolde’ suggested that there was significant animosity between the lead actor and Henry Cavill. Franco later admitted that he was not in a good place mentally during the filming and was difficult to be around. He reportedly ignored Cavill and other cast members which created a very awkward and cold atmosphere on set. The tension between the two leads was apparent to everyone involved in the production of the period drama. This experience reportedly made the filming process miserable for many of the supporting actors.

Vin Diesel

The ‘Fast and Furious’ franchise has been marked by a very public feud between this star and Dwayne Johnson. Diesel reportedly used his position as a producer to control the set and influence the screen time of his costars. His management style was described as unprofessional by Johnson in a famous social media post. This friction eventually led to the two stars refusing to film scenes together for the eighth installment of the series. The conflict resulted in a major shift in the franchise casting and story direction.

Dwayne Johnson

After years of clashing with Vin Diesel the actor eventually decided to take his character into a separate spinoff series. Johnson reportedly found the environment on the main franchise sets to be unprofessional and frustrating. He used his immense star power to negotiate a path that allowed him to continue in the universe without working with Diesel. This move was seen as a strategic way to avoid further workplace conflict while maintaining his box office appeal. The public nature of their dispute highlighted the power dynamics at play in modern Hollywood blockbusters.

LL Cool J

During the filming of the football drama ‘Any Given Sunday’ a physical fight broke out between this actor and Jamie Foxx. The script called for a tense confrontation but the actors took the scene too far and actually began hitting each other. LL Cool J reportedly refused to stop even after the director called for an end to the scene. The police had to be called to the set to handle the situation and resolve the conflict. This event led to a long standing grudge between the two stars that lasted for many years.

Jamie Foxx

The actor experience filming with LL Cool J was one of the most publicized set conflicts of the late 1990s. Foxx claimed that he was acting in self defense during their physical altercation on the set of ‘Any Given Sunday’. Following the fight there were reports that both actors requested changes to the production to keep them apart. They eventually reconciled years later but the incident remains a major part of their professional histories. This clash showed how quickly intensity on screen can turn into a real world demand for distance.

Jerry Seinfeld

The creator and star of the legendary sitcom ‘Seinfeld’ was involved in the decision to kill off the character of Susan Ross. The main cast reportedly found it very difficult to find a comedic rhythm with the actress during her scenes. Jason Alexander later revealed that the group felt her timing did not match theirs and they struggled to work with her. Seinfeld eventually agreed that the character should be written out of the show in a permanent way. This led to one of the most controversial plot twists in the history of television comedy.

Kelsey Grammer

As the central star of ‘Frasier’ this actor had a significant amount of influence over the show production. He reportedly had several disagreements with guest stars and recurring actors who did not meet his professional expectations. Grammer was known for his quick work style and had little patience for those who struggled with the complex dialogue of the show. His demands for a high level of performance often created a stressful environment for newcomers to the set. This focus on excellence helped the show win many awards but occasionally led to cast turnover.

Jason Lee

During the production of ‘My Name Is Earl’ there were rumors of internal friction regarding the direction of the series. Lee was the face of the show and held a great deal of sway with the network and the producers. Some reports suggested that he was involved in decisions that impacted the roles and screen time of his fellow cast members. The working dynamic on the show was described as being heavily influenced by his personal vision and professional preferences. While the show was successful the behind the scenes atmosphere was sometimes described as tense.

Kiefer Sutherland

The intense schedule of the show ’24’ meant that the lead actor was under a massive amount of pressure. Sutherland reportedly had a reputation for being difficult with cast members who could not keep up with the fast paced production. Freddie Prinze Jr famously described working with him as a terrible experience that almost made him quit acting. Sutherland influence as the primary star meant that his satisfaction was the top priority for the showrunners. This power dynamic often dictated which actors remained on the show for multiple seasons.

David Duchovny

The relationship between the two leads of ‘The X-Files’ was notoriously icy during the original run of the series. Duchovny and Gillian Anderson reportedly went long periods without speaking to each other when the cameras were not rolling. There were rumors that the lead actor requested changes to the filming schedule that would minimize their time together. This professional distance was a major challenge for the production team who had to maintain the onscreen chemistry of the characters. Despite the friction they eventually reconciled for the later revival of the series.

Mandy Patinkin

The actor is known for his incredible talent but also for his tendency to leave projects abruptly when he is unhappy. He famously walked away from ‘Criminal Minds’ citing the violent nature of the show as a reason for his departure. Reports suggested that he also had a very difficult time collaborating with the rest of the ensemble cast. Patinkin high standards and personal convictions often led to clashes with producers and fellow actors alike. His exit forced the show to undergo a major creative overhaul to fill the void he left behind.

Thomas Gibson

This veteran television actor was a mainstay of ‘Criminal Minds’ for over a decade before his sudden firing. His dismissal followed a physical altercation with a producer but he had a history of conflicts with his costars. Reports indicated that his behavior had been a source of tension on the set for a long time before the final incident. Several of his colleagues reportedly felt relieved when he was finally removed from the production. This event served as a reminder that even long term stars can be replaced if their behavior becomes too disruptive.

Shemar Moore

The conflict between this actor and Thomas Gibson was a poorly kept secret among fans of ‘Criminal Minds’. Moore reportedly felt that Gibson behavior on set was unprofessional and created a negative environment for the crew. Their disagreements often spilled over into their social media posts and public comments. When Gibson was eventually fired Moore posted a cryptic video that many interpreted as a response to the news. The departure of his rival allowed for a new dynamic to emerge among the remaining cast members.

Henry Cavill

Reports regarding his departure from ‘The Witcher’ suggested significant creative differences between the actor and the production team. Cavill was reportedly very vocal about his desire to stay true to the original books which caused friction with the writers. Some rumors indicated that his insistence on certain creative choices made the working relationship difficult for his colleagues. His departure led to the role being recast for future seasons. This situation highlighted how a lead actor vision can sometimes clash with the broader goals of a television production.

Frank Sinatra

The legendary singer and actor was one of the most powerful men in Hollywood during his prime. He was known for his ability to have people blacklisted or removed from films if they crossed him or his friends. Sinatra famously demanded that his costars follow his lead and often insisted on filming scenes in a single take. If an actor could not meet his demands they were often replaced before production could get very far. His influence extended far beyond the screen and into the very foundations of the entertainment industry.

Harrison Ford

While generally respected for his professionalism the legendary star has been known to be very demanding on set. During the filming of ‘Hollywood Homicide’ he and Josh Hartnett reportedly had a very difficult working relationship. The two actors allegedly refused to look each other in the eye during scenes and bickered constantly between takes. Ford status as a cinematic icon meant that his preferences usually took priority over the needs of his younger costars. This friction was apparent in the final film which struggled to find its footing with audiences.

Gene Hackman

The production of ‘The Royal Tenenbaums’ was famously difficult due to the behavior of its lead star. Hackman was reportedly very hostile toward the director and several of his fellow actors. He was known for making cutting remarks and creating an atmosphere of fear on the set. Bill Murray eventually stepped in to act as a protector for the rest of the cast against Hackman outbursts. This role was one of the last major performances for the actor before he retired from the industry.

Richard Dreyfuss

The filming of the classic movie ‘Jaws’ featured a legendary rivalry between this actor and Robert Shaw. The two men were constantly at odds and their verbal sparring matches became a regular part of the production. Dreyfuss reportedly found Shaw behavior to be intimidating and unprofessional especially when alcohol was involved. The tension between them actually helped to fuel the onscreen dynamics of their characters but made life difficult for the crew. This feud remains one of the most famous examples of professional animosity in cinema history.

Isaiah Washington

Following his high profile exit from ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ the actor made several claims about the motivations of his former cast members. He suggested that other stars had worked together to ensure his removal from the show. The controversy surrounding his comments on set had created a massive public relations problem for the network. Washington felt that he was unfairly targeted while other cast members were protected by the studio. His departure was a turning point for the show and led to years of legal and professional fallout.

Burt Reynolds

The iconic actor was known for his charm but also for his intense disagreements with the people he worked with. On the set of ‘Boogie Nights’ he famously almost came to blows with the director. Reynolds also had a history of clashing with his costars when he felt his position as the lead was being challenged. He was not afraid to use his influence to demand changes to the script or the cast to suit his style. Despite his difficult reputation he remained one of the biggest stars in the world for several decades.

George Clooney

Known as one of the most professional actors in the industry he has also been willing to take a stand against difficult behavior. During the filming of ‘Three Kings’ he had a legendary physical fight with the director to protect the crew from verbal abuse. While he rarely demands the firing of actors he has been vocal about his refusal to work with certain individuals again. Clooney influence in Hollywood means that his word carries a great deal of weight with studios and casting directors. His commitment to a positive set environment has made him a leader among his peers.

Share which of these famous Hollywood feuds surprised you the most in the comments.