TV Stars Who Hated Their Co-Stars In Real Life

The glitz and glamour of a television set often mask deep-seated animosity between lead actors once the cameras stop rolling. While audiences tune in for the onscreen chemistry and believable friendships, the reality behind the scenes can involve heated arguments, dressing room standoffs, and years of icy silence. Professionalism usually keeps these feuds under wraps during production, but many stars have since opened up about the genuine dislike they felt for their colleagues. These rivalries frequently stem from clashing egos, differences in work ethic, or pay disparities that eventually boiled over into the public eye.

Sarah Jessica Parker

The tension between this ‘Sex and the City’ lead and her co-star Kim Cattrall became public knowledge after years of rumors regarding their strained relationship. Cattrall famously declined to participate in a third film, later stating that she and her castmates were never actually friends. Sarah Jessica Parker expressed disappointment over these comments, maintaining that her experience on set was different and professional. The feud escalated on social media when Cattrall explicitly told Parker she was not her friend following a family tragedy. Their fractured relationship resulted in Cattrall only appearing in a brief, isolated cameo for the revival series ‘And Just Like That…’.

Shannen Doherty

During the filming of ‘Charmed’, the relationship between Shannen Doherty and Alyssa Milano reportedly became so toxic that a mediator was brought in to assist. Milano later admitted that there were days when she and Doherty would not speak to one another while on set. The friction eventually led to Doherty’s character being written off the show at the end of the third season. Years later, both actresses acknowledged the competitive environment of their youth contributed to the fallout. Despite a brief period of reconciliation in later years, the depth of their original resentment remains a well-documented part of television history.

Nathan Fillion

The procedural drama ‘Castle’ was defined by the romantic tension between its leads, but Nathan Fillion and Stana Katic allegedly could not stand each other in person. Reports surfaced that the friction was so intense that the two stars were sent to couple’s counseling to improve their working relationship. Tensions reached a breaking point when it was announced Katic would not return for a ninth season, which was subsequently canceled. Insiders claimed the actors refused to speak to one another outside of their scripted lines for several years. Neither actor has fully detailed the cause of the rift, though the lack of communication was widely reported.

Julianna Margulies

Fans of ‘The Good Wife’ noticed a strange shift when Julianna Margulies and Archie Panjabi stopped appearing in scenes together for several seasons. The feud became undeniable when their final scene together was filmed using split-screen technology and body doubles to avoid physical proximity. Panjabi later confirmed on social media that she was available and present to film the scene, contradicting claims that the separation was due to scheduling. The specific origin of their fallout has remained a closely guarded secret among the production crew. This remains one of the most prominent examples of a behind-the-scenes rivalry dictating the visual narrative of a show.

Isaiah Washington

The set of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ faced a major scandal when Isaiah Washington and Patrick Dempsey engaged in a physical altercation during filming. During the argument, Washington used a homophobic slur in reference to another cast member, T.R. Knight. This incident created a massive rift among the cast and led to Washington’s eventual dismissal from the hit medical drama. Dempsey later described the set environment as “toxic” during that specific period of the show’s history. Although Washington returned for a guest appearance years later, the original conflict remains a defining moment of behind-the-scenes drama.

Bea Arthur

Despite playing best friends on ‘The Golden Girls’, Bea Arthur and Betty White had a notoriously difficult relationship. Arthur, who was trained in the theater, reportedly found White’s habit of breaking character to joke with the live audience highly unprofessional. White noted in her autobiography that Arthur was often unhappy and that her positive attitude sometimes irritated her co-star. Their different approaches to acting and personal temperaments created a permanent chill between them throughout the show’s seven-season run. While they remained professional enough to win multiple Emmys together, they never formed a bond outside of work.

Bill Murray

The early days of ‘Saturday Night Live’ were marked by a legendary physical brawl between Bill Murray and Chevy Chase in John Belushi’s dressing room. The fight occurred when Chase returned to host the show after having left to pursue a film career, causing resentment among the remaining cast. Murray reportedly made personal comments about Chase’s marriage, which triggered the violent confrontation just minutes before airtime. Though the two eventually reconciled to film the movie ‘Caddyshack’, the initial animosity was a product of intense ego clashes in the late 1970s. Both actors have since looked back on the event as a youthful explosion of competitive energy.

Sophia Bush

The lead actors of ‘One Tree Hill’ famously married and divorced while their characters were still romantically involved on the show. Following her split from Chad Michael Murray after only five months of marriage, Sophia Bush had to continue working closely with him for several years. Bush has since spoken about how difficult it was to remain professional while production exploited their real-life breakup for promotional purposes. She described the situation as unpleasant and noted that their personal history made for a challenging work environment. Despite the internal awkwardness, they maintained their roles until Murray eventually departed the series.

Lea Michele

The set of ‘Glee’ was reportedly a hotbed of tension between Lea Michele and the late Naya Rivera as their characters’ storylines began to compete. Rivera wrote in her memoir that Michele struggled with sharing the spotlight as the show evolved into an ensemble piece. The friction escalated to the point where the two actresses reportedly ignored each other entirely on set during the later seasons. Rivera noted that while they weren’t necessarily “best friends,” the competitive nature of the production exacerbated their personality differences. Michele has since faced broader allegations regarding her behavior on set, which many former castmates have corroborated.

Charlie Sheen

Selma Blair was abruptly written off the sitcom ‘Anger Management’ after she reportedly complained about Charlie Sheen’s work ethic to the show’s producers. Upon hearing about her grievances, Sheen allegedly sent Blair a series of heated text messages and refused to return to work unless she was fired. The production company subsequently released a statement confirming Blair would not be returning to the series. Sheen’s history of volatility was already well-documented, but this specific exit highlighted the power dynamics on his set. Blair later filed a significant legal threat against the production regarding her dismissal and unpaid wages.

Pierce Brosnan

During the filming of the Bond entry ‘Tomorrow Never Dies’, Pierce Brosnan became frustrated with Teri Hatcher’s frequent lateness to the set. Brosnan admitted to being “very upset” with her and reportedly used harsh language when she finally arrived for work one morning. It was later revealed that Hatcher was suffering from severe morning sickness due to an early pregnancy, which she had not yet made public. Brosnan eventually apologized for his reaction once he learned the truth about her condition. However, the initial friction created a strained atmosphere during their shared scenes in the film.

William Shatner

The rivalry between ‘Star Trek’ icons William Shatner and George Takei has lasted for over five decades. Takei has frequently accused Shatner of being self-centered and ignoring his castmates during the production of the original series. Shatner has countered these claims by stating that Takei has used their supposed feud to gain publicity for his own projects. The animosity famously extended to Takei’s wedding, to which Shatner claimed he was not invited, while Takei insisted the invitation was sent. This public back-and-forth has made them one of the most enduring examples of co-star friction in television history.

James Gandolfini

While they shared an incredible onscreen chemistry as Tony and Carmela Soprano, Edie Falco revealed that she and James Gandolfini had a complicated dynamic. She noted that Gandolfini’s process of staying in character often made him distant and difficult to approach on the set of ‘The Sopranos’. While she held immense respect for his talent, she admitted their real-life relationship was far from the intimacy portrayed on screen. The intense nature of the subject matter and Gandolfini’s personal struggles sometimes created a heavy, strained environment during long filming days. They remained professional, but Falco has described their bond as one rooted in work rather than personal friendship.

Roseanne Barr

During the second season of ‘Roseanne’, Julia Duffy joined the cast and reportedly clashed immediately with the show’s titular star. Roseanne Barr was known for maintaining a high level of control over the series, and she reportedly found Duffy’s acting style and personality a poor fit for the show. Duffy was eventually let go from the series, and Barr was vocal about her dissatisfaction with the actress’s contribution. The environment on the ‘Roseanne’ set was notoriously difficult for many guest stars and recurring actors due to the central power dynamic. This exit was one of several high-profile cast changes that occurred during the show’s long run.

Bruce Willis

The 1980s hit ‘Moonlighting’ was famous for its witty banter, but the reality for Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd was an atmosphere of intense loathing. The production was frequently delayed because the two stars refused to be on set at the same time, leading to scripted “bottleneck” episodes. Their animosity grew as Willis’s film career took off with ‘Die Hard’, creating an imbalance in their professional standing. Shepherd later remarked that the tension was palpable to everyone involved in the production and contributed to the show’s early demise. The two have rarely spoken about each other in the years since the show ended.

Teri Hatcher

The cast of ‘Desperate Housewives’ famously excluded Teri Hatcher from a farewell gift to the crew at the end of the series. Rumors of Hatcher’s isolation from her co-stars, including Eva Longoria, Marcia Cross, and Felicity Huffman, persisted throughout the show’s eight-year run. Nicollette Sheridan reportedly referred to Hatcher as the “meanest woman in the world” during a legal dispute with the show’s creator. The other lead actresses often appeared together in public and in photoshoots while Hatcher remained noticeably absent. While Hatcher has generally remained quiet about the rift, her castmates have hinted at a deep lack of camaraderie.

George Clooney

On the set of ‘ER’, George Clooney famously clashed with executive producer and director David Axelrod over the treatment of the crew. Clooney reportedly took issue with Axelrod’s demanding directing style and what he perceived as a lack of respect for the background actors and staff. The confrontation nearly became physical, with Clooney standing his ground against the show’s leadership to protect the working environment. This incident established Clooney’s reputation as a “player-coach” on sets, but it created significant friction during his early years on the show. Despite the internal conflict, Clooney remained with the series until his transition to a full-time film career.

LL Cool J

The filming of ‘Any Given Sunday’ saw a real-life boxing match break out between LL Cool J and Jamie Foxx. During a scene where their characters were supposed to argue, LL Cool J reportedly hit Foxx for real, prompting a retaliation that required police intervention. Foxx later claimed that his co-star took the “method acting” approach far too seriously and ignored his requests to back off. The two eventually settled their differences years later and even collaborated on musical projects, but the set was described as incredibly tense during production. This incident remains a classic example of on-set intensity crossing the line into physical violence.

David Duchovny

For a significant portion of the original run of ‘The X-Files’, David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson were reportedly not on speaking terms. Anderson has stated that they could go for long periods without talking to each other while filming in the damp, stressful conditions of Vancouver. Duchovny admitted that their shared success and the grueling hours led to an environment where they “couldn’t stand the sight of each other.” It wasn’t until the show had been off the air for several years that they were able to repair their friendship. Today, they are close friends, but they are honest about the years of resentment they harbored during the show’s peak.

Kirstie Alley

While filming the miniseries ‘North and South’, Kirstie Alley reportedly developed an intense attraction to Patrick Swayze that was not reciprocated in a way that led to a relationship. Alley later admitted in her memoir that she fell in love with Swayze, but his devotion to his wife created a barrier between them. This emotional tension made the working environment awkward, as Alley struggled with her feelings throughout the production. While they remained professional enough to complete the project, Alley has been open about the pain and friction caused by the unrequited situation. The two did not maintain a close relationship after the filming concluded.

Jerome Flynn

Fans of ‘Game of Thrones’ may have noticed that Bronn and Cersei Lannister never shared a single scene together throughout the entire series. This was reportedly due to a clause in the contracts of Jerome Flynn and Lena Headey stemming from a very bad breakup years prior to the show’s casting. The two actors were involved in a relationship in the early 2000s that ended on such poor terms they refused to be in the same room. Production staff were allegedly instructed to keep them apart at all costs during filming and promotional events. This real-world animosity effectively dictated the geography of the characters within the world of Westeros.

Lauren Graham

Despite the beloved “will-they-won’t-they” chemistry of Lorelai and Luke on ‘Gilmore Girls’, Lauren Graham and Scott Patterson were not close in real life. When asked if they were best friends, Graham once gave a blunt “no” in an interview, clarifying that they had a strictly professional working relationship. While there was no public “blow-up,” the lack of personal warmth between the two was a surprise to many fans of the series. They maintained a high level of professionalism that allowed the onscreen romance to thrive for seven seasons and a revival. However, they did not socialize outside of their required scenes and press obligations.

Ryan Gosling

Although they are the stars of the iconic romance ‘The Notebook’, Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams initially hated each other on set. Director Nick Cassavetes revealed that Gosling once asked him to remove McAdams from the set and bring in another actress to read lines with him because he couldn’t work with her. The two engaged in a shouting match in a private room to vent their frustrations, which reportedly helped clear the air for the rest of production. In a bizarre twist of fate, the two ended up dating for several years after the film was completed. Their initial friction is now a famous anecdote about the fine line between hate and passion.

Janet Hubert

The original Aunt Viv on ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’, Janet Hubert, maintained a bitter feud with Will Smith for nearly three decades. Hubert blamed Smith for her departure from the show, claiming he used his influence to have her replaced after she refused to kowtow to his rising stardom. Smith countered at the time by saying Hubert wanted the show to be “The Aunt Viv of Bel-Air Show.” The animosity was so deep that Hubert vowed she would never work with him again and frequently criticized him in the media. The two finally reconciled in a televised 2020 reunion, where they discussed the pain the feud had caused both of them.

Faye Dunaway

The filming of ‘Chinatown’ was marred by a legendary lack of respect between Faye Dunaway and director Roman Polanski. Polanski famously plucked a stray hair from Dunaway’s head during a take because it was catching the light, which led to a screaming match on set. Rumors also persisted of an incident where Dunaway allegedly threw a cup of urine at the director after he refused to let her take a bathroom break. Dunaway has remained largely silent about the specific rumors but has acknowledged that the set was an incredibly difficult environment. Polanski, in turn, described her as a “giant pain in the neck” in his autobiography.

Claire Danes

During the filming of ‘Romeo + Juliet’, a young Claire Danes reportedly found Leonardo DiCaprio’s onset pranks and immaturity incredibly annoying. Despite being younger than him, Danes was seen as more professional and focused, leading to a disconnect between the two leads. DiCaprio allegedly found Danes “uptight,” while she felt he hadn’t learned how to turn off his playfulness when the cameras were ready to roll. This personality clash led to the actors avoiding each other as much as possible when they weren’t filming their romantic scenes. Ironically, their lack of offscreen rapport didn’t stop them from delivering performances that defined a generation.

Debra Messing

Rumors of a rift between Debra Messing and Megan Mullally began to circulate during the filming of the ‘Will & Grace’ revival seasons. Fans noticed that the two actresses stopped following each other on social media and were rarely seen together in promotional material. The tension reportedly became so severe that Mullally took a temporary leave of absence from the final season, missing several episodes. While neither actress has explicitly detailed the cause of the falling out, the sudden shift in their decade-long public friendship was apparent to the crew. The show eventually concluded with an atmosphere that many described as significantly different from its original run.

Hilarie Burton

While the female leads of ‘One Tree Hill’ are incredibly close today, Hilarie Burton and Sophia Bush shared a collective hatred for showrunner Mark Schwahn. In 2017, Burton, Bush, and other female cast members signed an open letter detailing years of sexual harassment and emotional manipulation by Schwahn. They described a “toxic” work environment where they were pitted against each other and made to feel unsafe. This shared trauma eventually bonded the actresses together in a lifelong friendship, but it made the actual years of filming a grueling psychological experience. Their revelation was part of a broader movement to expose systemic abuse in the television industry.

Thomas Gibson

The set of ‘Criminal Minds’ was the site of a long-standing tension between Thomas Gibson and Shemar Moore. Gibson reportedly took issue with Moore’s habit of arriving late to the set, which Gibson felt showed a lack of respect for the rest of the cast. The friction was further highlighted when Gibson was fired from the show following a separate physical altercation with a producer. After Gibson’s dismissal, Moore posted a cryptic video about “karma” that many fans interpreted as a direct response to his former co-star’s exit. The two actors had very different approaches to their professional lives, which ultimately prevented any real bond from forming.

Kim Basinger

The filming of the erotic drama ‘9 1/2 Weeks’ was intentionally designed by the director to be a miserable experience for Kim Basinger to elicit a specific performance. Mickey Rourke was encouraged to stay away from Basinger and treat her coldly to keep her on edge throughout the production. Basinger later described the process as “psychological torture” and noted that Rourke was often uncooperative and difficult on set. The lack of rapport was a deliberate production choice, but it resulted in a genuine and lasting dislike between the two actors. Rourke has since spoken about his own difficult behavior during that period of his career, while Basinger has moved on from the experience.

Please share your thoughts on these behind-the-scenes rivalries in the comments.