Actresses Who Accused Co-Stars of Sabotaging Their Careers

Behind the glitz and glamour of Hollywood productions lie complicated dynamics that sometimes escalate into full-blown conflicts. Many actresses have come forward with allegations that their co-stars made working conditions unbearable or actively worked to undermine their professional standing. These stories range from personality clashes to serious accusations of harassment that altered the trajectory of television shows and films. The following list highlights performers who spoke out about the challenges they faced while sharing the screen with difficult colleagues.

Janet Hubert

The original Aunt Vivian on ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ left the hit sitcom under controversial circumstances that affected her reputation for decades. Hubert blamed Will Smith for labeling her as difficult and using his influence to alienate her from the rest of the cast. She maintained that his branding of her personality effectively blacklisted her from major roles in the industry. The two actors finally addressed their long-standing feud during a reunion special where Hubert explained how his words cost her everything.

Eliza Dushku

This actress joined the drama ‘Bull’ with plans for a long-term role that would eventually become a series regular spot. Dushku accused lead actor Michael Weatherly of constant harassment and inappropriate comments that made the set uncomfortable. She alleged that her character was written out of the show shortly after she complained to the network about his behavior. The situation resulted in a significant settlement and sparked a wider conversation about the treatment of women on procedural dramas.

Pauley Perrette

Fans were shocked when this fan-favorite actress announced her departure from the long-running series ‘NCIS’ after fifteen seasons. Perrette alluded to multiple physical assaults and a general feeling of being unsafe on the set involving lead actor Mark Harmon. Reports surfaced regarding tension caused by Harmon bringing his dog to work after it bit a crew member. She vowed never to return to the show and stated that she was terrified of her former co-star.

Kim Cattrall

The dynamic between the four leading ladies of ‘Sex and the City’ was central to the show but the reality was much colder. Cattrall publicly accused Sarah Jessica Parker of being cruel and fostering a toxic environment that left her feeling isolated. She refused to participate in a third film installment because she felt the pay disparity and treatment were unfair. Cattrall has been adamant that she and Parker were never friends and that the professional relationship was damaging.

Rose McGowan

The set of ‘Charmed’ became a battleground for its leading actresses during the height of its popularity. McGowan claimed that Alyssa Milano made the working environment toxic and difficult for everyone involved in the production. She described the experience as traumatizing and alleged that Milano built a hostile structure around herself. These accusations shed light on why the on-screen sisterhood felt so different from the backstage reality.

Shannen Doherty

Before Rose McGowan joined the cast of ‘Charmed’ the show saw the departure of original lead Shannen Doherty. Doherty reportedly clashed heavily with Alyssa Milano and the tension eventually forced the network to choose between them. She felt that the drama on set overshadowed her work and led to her premature exit from the hit series. This was the second time Doherty left a major Aaron Spelling show due to conflicts with co-stars.

Naya Rivera

The late actress wrote candidly about her time on ‘Glee’ and her strained relationship with Lea Michele. Rivera claimed that Michele did not like sharing the spotlight and would ignore her as her character Santana gained popularity. She described instances where Michele would threaten to call the union or producers about minor inconveniences. Rivera felt that her co-star struggled to separate her own personality from her demanding character.

Samantha Marie Ware

Another actress from ‘Glee’ came forward with serious allegations against Lea Michele regarding her behavior on set. Ware accused Michele of traumatic microaggressions that made her question a future in Hollywood. She stated that the lead actress threatened to defecate in her wig and made her first television job a living hell. These revelations prompted other cast members to support Ware and share their own negative experiences.

Lucy Liu

Filming ‘Charlie’s Angels’ involved a notorious altercation between Lucy Liu and comedy legend Bill Murray. Liu revealed that Murray began hurling insults at her during a scene rehearsal that he deemed unacceptable. She stood up for herself during the barrage of attacks which she described as inexcusable and unacceptable language. The conflict was severe enough that Murray did not return for the sequel and was replaced by Bernie Mac.

Thandiwe Newton

The production of ‘Mission: Impossible 2’ proved to be a nightmare for Thandiwe Newton due to her interactions with Tom Cruise. She described a specific balcony scene where Cruise grew frustrated and tried to switch roles to show her how to act. Newton felt terrorized by his dominance and said the experience made her feel insecure and incompetent. She admitted that the stress from the film derailed her confidence for a significant period.

Charlize Theron

The filming of ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ was grueling and made worse by the animosity between Theron and Tom Hardy. Theron felt unsafe due to Hardy’s volatile behavior and chronic lateness which often left the cast and crew waiting for hours. She requested protection on set because she felt threatened by his aggressive nature during their confrontations. The actress later admitted that the survival instinct she portrayed in the film was genuine fear.

Julia Roberts

Romantic comedy ‘I Love Trouble’ suffered greatly from the utter lack of chemistry between Julia Roberts and Nick Nolte. Roberts made no secret of her disdain for Nolte and described him as completely disgusting. They reportedly filmed many of their scenes separately because they could not stand to be in the same room. The feud became public when Roberts discussed his bad behavior in interviews while the film was still in theaters.

Sean Young

This actress saw her career suffer after a tumultuous experience with James Woods on the film ‘The Boost’. Young was sued by Woods for harassment in a high-profile legal battle that painted her as unstable. She claimed that Woods was vindictive and that the industry blackballed her based on his accusations. Young has consistently maintained that she was the victim of a smear campaign that ruined her reputation.

Selma Blair

The sitcom ‘Anger Management’ lived up to its name when Selma Blair clashed with lead actor Charlie Sheen. Blair reportedly complained about Sheen’s lack of professionalism and his delays in learning lines. Sheen retaliated by firing her via a text message that included offensive epithets. The dismissal abruptly ended her steady role on the series and highlighted the power dynamics at play.

Stana Katic

Fans of the procedural ‘Castle’ were stunned when it was announced that the female lead would not return for a potential ninth season. Reports circulated that Katic and Nathan Fillion despised each other and would not speak unless the cameras were rolling. Katic was reportedly bullied on set and eventually let go due to the budget and the toxic friction. The show was cancelled shortly after the news of her forced departure broke.

Sharon Stone

Filming the thriller ‘Sliver’ was a miserable experience for Sharon Stone due to her co-star William Baldwin. Stone allegedly found Baldwin so intolerable that she bit his tongue during a kissing scene which caused him unable to speak clearly for days. She later described the production as a loss of innocence and criticized the casting choices. The lack of chemistry and behind-the-scenes hatred contributed to the film being a critical failure.

Rebecca Ferguson

The ‘Dune’ actress recently revealed that she refused to work with an unnamed co-star who screamed at her on set. She described an incident where the absolute idiot of a co-star berated her in front of the crew until she broke down. Ferguson eventually demanded that the actor turn around so she could act to the back of their head. She asserted her boundaries and refused to let the abuse continue despite the lack of support from producers.

Cybill Shepherd

The chemistry on ‘Moonlighting’ was legendary but the relationship between Cybill Shepherd and Bruce Willis was fraught with jealousy. Shepherd struggled as Willis became a breakout movie star and their filming schedule became erratic. She felt that the production accommodated his new fame while she was left to deal with the delays. The tension became so thick that the crew reportedly measured the distance between their trailers to ensure equality.

Halle Berry

During the filming of ‘Jungle Fever’ Halle Berry reportedly had a physical altercation with Wesley Snipes. Reports suggest that Snipes struck her during an argument which resulted in significant hearing loss in one of her ears. Berry has mostly kept the details private but has mentioned an abusive partner from her past in Hollywood. The incident remains one of the darker rumors regarding on-set violence in the nineties.

Betty White

The late television icon was beloved by the world but apparently not by her ‘The Golden Girls’ co-star Bea Arthur. White admitted that her positive attitude often infuriated Arthur who preferred a more somber approach to work. She revealed that Arthur would be visibly annoyed by her presence and that the tension was palpable. The friction was a constant underlying current throughout the filming of the classic sitcom.

Shirley MacLaine

While filming ‘A Change of Seasons’ Shirley MacLaine found herself at odds with Anthony Hopkins. She famously stated that she did not like him and that he was the most unpleasant co-star she had ever worked with. Hopkins reportedly found her overbearing and the two barely spoke unless required by the script. The mutual dislike made the romantic drama difficult to watch and difficult to film.

Joan Crawford

The feud between Joan Crawford and Bette Davis during ‘What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?’ is the stuff of Hollywood legend. Crawford felt that Davis actively tried to sabotage her performance and physically hurt her during fight scenes. She accused Davis of kicking her in the head and mocking her appearance to the crew. Crawford retaliated by weighing down her pockets during a scene where Davis had to drag her body.

Bette Davis

On the other side of the famous feud Bette Davis had plenty of accusations against Joan Crawford. Davis claimed that Crawford was a product of the studio system who cared more about vanity than acting. She famously installed a Coca-Cola machine on set to spite Crawford who was on the board of Pepsi. Davis felt that her co-star manipulated the press to paint her as the villain of the production.

Debbie Reynolds

The classic musical ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ was a torture test for a young Debbie Reynolds due to Gene Kelly. She claimed that Kelly criticized her dancing constantly and made her feel completely inadequate. Reynolds recounted crying under a piano because of his harsh teaching methods and cold demeanor. She later stated that surviving that production was one of the hardest things she ever did.

Chloë Grace Moretz

This young actress revealed that she was fat-shamed by an older male co-star playing her love interest. Moretz stated that the actor told her he would never date her in real life because she was too big for him. She described going back to her trailer and crying before having to return to the set and pretend to be in love. The cruel comment shattered her confidence at a vulnerable age in her career.

Julianna Margulies

Tension on ‘The Good Wife’ grew so thick that Julianna Margulies and Archie Panjabi ceased filming scenes together. Margulies was accused of using her producer credit to marginalize Panjabi as her character grew in popularity. Their final scene together was famously shot using split-screen technology because they were not in the room at the same time. The disconnect created a jarring finale for fans who had followed their on-screen friendship.

Lena Headey

The production of ‘Game of Thrones’ had to navigate the real-life breakup of Lena Headey and Jerome Flynn. Headey reportedly refused to be in the same room as Flynn due to their bad history. The writers and crew had to carefully structure scenes to ensure the two characters never interacted directly. This logistical constraint impacted the flow of the story in King’s Landing.

Tisha Campbell

The hit sitcom ‘Martin’ ended in a lawsuit when Tisha Campbell accused Martin Lawrence of sexual harassment and verbal abuse. She refused to film the final season on the same set as Lawrence due to her fear of his volatile behavior. The writers had to create contrived storylines to keep the two leads apart until the series finale. Campbell settled the lawsuit but the chemistry that built the show was destroyed.

Mischa Barton

The teen drama ‘The O.C.’ made Mischa Barton a star but she claimed the on-set environment was not supportive. Barton described feeling bullied by some men on set and felt unprotected by the powers that be. She stated that the fame and the internal politics contributed to her mental health struggles and eventual exit. Her character was killed off in a twist that she later said was a relief.

Debra Winger

The production of ‘Terms of Endearment’ was marked by erratic behavior from Debra Winger that targeted Shirley MacLaine. Winger reportedly lifted her skirt and passed gas in MacLaine’s direction to show her disrespect. MacLaine wrote about the incident and claimed Winger was unpredictable and possibly using substances. The hostility was intense despite them playing a loving mother and daughter on screen.

Tell us which of these on-set feuds surprised you the most in the comments.