Actors Who Couldn’t Stand Their Co-Workers

On some sets, personality clashes turn long days into even longer ones, and a few stories have become part of Hollywood lore. These accounts come from interviews, memoirs, and reports from people who were there, and they involve disagreements that spilled beyond simple creative differences. The examples below focus on well documented tensions where an actor made it clear they could not work smoothly with a colleague. You will see conflicts from film and television sets that show how hard it can be to keep the show running when tempers flare.

Dwayne Johnson

Dwayne Johnson publicly referenced serious tensions with a male co star during the production of a later entry in the ‘Fast and Furious’ franchise. He posted about unprofessional behavior on set and later confirmed they filmed scenes separately to avoid further problems. The dispute affected scheduling and marketing, with separate press paths used during the rollout. Johnson later described a private meeting that eased tensions enough to continue working within the franchise.

Vin Diesel

Vin Diesel acknowledged a rift with a co star on the ‘Fast and Furious’ series during a period when the films were expanding. He discussed giving a co star what he called tough love to get a stronger performance, which the other party rejected. Reports from the production noted closed door meetings to address the disagreement. The two sides eventually arranged appearances and scenes to minimize direct interaction.

Tom Hardy

Tom Hardy and Shia LaBeouf clashed during the making of ‘Lawless’ according to multiple accounts from the set. Crew members described a physical altercation that forced producers to separate the actors. The tension required adjustments to call sheets and scene pairings to keep shooting on track. After filming, both actors downplayed the incident but did not work together again on similar projects.

Shia LaBeouf

Shia LaBeouf exited the Broadway play ‘Orphans’ after disputes with Alec Baldwin during rehearsals. Production notes and statements from the creative team cited incompatible working styles. LaBeouf released emails showing concerns about rehearsal dynamics and the pace of preparation. The show continued with a replacement, and the episode became a reference point in later interviews about rehearsal etiquette.

Jim Carrey

Jim Carrey’s experience on ‘Batman Forever’ included a well known clash with Tommy Lee Jones. Carrey recounted a restaurant encounter where Jones told him he could not support his work, which colored their time on set. Crew members remembered minimal off camera interaction and a strict separation of preparation routines. The production proceeded by staging their scenes efficiently to reduce downtime together.

Tommy Lee Jones

Tommy Lee Jones maintained a formal distance from Jim Carrey during ‘Batman Forever’ and made his disapproval clear in private and public comments. Accounts from the era describe Jones preferring quiet and control over his space while Carrey worked improvisationally. The crew scheduled rehearsals that limited overlap between their methods. The film’s producers focused on keeping the set calm by channeling each actor’s work into short, focused takes.

Bill Murray

Bill Murray and Chevy Chase had a backstage fight at ‘Saturday Night Live’ that became a long running sore spot. Cast recollections describe harsh words followed by a brief physical confrontation before a live show. Murray also had a difficult relationship with Richard Dreyfuss during ‘What About Bob’ that both men later described. In both cases, the productions relied on strict blocking and limited downtime together.

Chevy Chase

Chevy Chase’s clashes extended beyond ‘Saturday Night Live’ into later television work on ‘Community’. Cast and crew spoke about on set arguments and uncomfortable table reads. Show leadership adjusted scripts and limited certain group scenes after tense incidents. Eventually, Chase’s involvement with the series ended before its conclusion.

Richard Dreyfuss

Richard Dreyfuss said he felt harassed by Bill Murray during the shoot of ‘What About Bob’. He described specific moments where verbal jabs escalated to prop throwing, which disrupted rehearsals. Production staff stepped in to separate the actors between takes. The director managed coverage so the pair spent less time together off camera.

Wesley Snipes

Wesley Snipes had a notorious conflict with colleagues during ‘Blade: Trinity’. Crew accounts described communication through notes rather than direct conversation and a preference for remaining in character away from castmates. Co stars and the director recalled difficulties that affected scene setups and pickup shots. Editors later worked around limited shared coverage in post production.

Val Kilmer

Val Kilmer’s on set reputation included a serious dispute on ‘Red Planet’ with Tom Sizemore. Reports from the production cited an altercation that led to security involvement and new protocols. Kilmer also clashed with creative leadership on ‘The Island of Dr. Moreau’, which led to schedule shuffles and second unit solutions. The productions continued by reassigning certain scenes and minimizing joint rehearsals.

Kiefer Sutherland

Kiefer Sutherland’s work on ’24’ coincided with public complaints from Freddie Prinze Jr. about set behavior and professionalism. Prinze Jr. said the experience made him reconsider television work for a time. The production kept focus by maintaining standard call times and clear chain of command for notes. Sutherland’s team issued statements emphasizing the demands of the show’s pace and format.

William Shatner

William Shatner’s relationships with ‘Star Trek’ castmates, especially George Takei, remained strained for decades. Cast members described disputes over screen time and credit during the original series and subsequent projects. Public comments and memoirs from both sides kept the feud in the spotlight. Reunion events and documentaries often navigated seating and interview schedules to avoid direct confrontations.

Isaiah Washington

Isaiah Washington’s time on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ ended after conflicts with cast members, including a widely reported incident involving T. R. Knight. Production leaders addressed the situation with public statements and disciplinary steps. Washington later issued an apology, but the show moved on without him. The situation became a case study in how networks respond to on set conduct issues.

Christian Bale

Christian Bale’s outburst on the ‘Terminator Salvation’ set targeted a crew member during a late night shoot. Audio of the incident circulated widely and prompted a public apology from Bale. The production adopted stricter set etiquette guidelines after the incident. Bale later discussed the pressure of intense scenes and the need to protect focus while acknowledging the impact on colleagues.

Bruce Willis

Bruce Willis had a difficult partnership with Kevin Smith on ‘Cop Out’ according to the director and crew accounts. Smith described trouble getting cooperation on set which complicated coverage and improvisation. Willis also had a long running tense dynamic with Cybill Shepherd during ‘Moonlighting’ as the schedule grew demanding. Production teams often rearranged shooting days and leaned on stand ins to keep scenes moving.

Sylvester Stallone

Sylvester Stallone and Richard Gere fell out during an early project on ‘The Lords of Flatbush’ which ended with Gere leaving the film. Reports from the set described arguments over behavior during rehearsals and costume choices. The production recast to stabilize the schedule and tone. Stallone later referenced the clash when discussing early career lessons about on set conduct.

Richard Gere

Richard Gere’s brief tenure on ‘The Lords of Flatbush’ collapsed after escalating friction with Sylvester Stallone. Accounts from producers noted constant tension that disrupted blocking and camera setups. Gere exited and the team reshot scenes to match the new cast member. The incident is often cited in retrospectives about the film’s bumpy production.

Ryan Gosling

Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams struggled during the shoot of ‘The Notebook’ at first according to the director. A now famous closed door argument was arranged to clear the air and recalibrate their rhythms. The crew scheduled intimate scenes carefully and limited downtime together early on. The production later reported smoother days after expectations were reset.

Harrison Ford

Harrison Ford and Josh Hartnett did not mesh during ‘Hollywood Homicide’ by their own later comments. Set visitors and crew described separate work styles that rarely overlapped between takes. Publicity events were staged with careful seating and limited joint interviews. Both actors later acknowledged the mismatch while noting the film finished on time.

Charlie Sheen

Charlie Sheen clashed with Chuck Lorre and colleagues during ‘Two and a Half Men’ which led to a public split. Studio statements and production memos documented missed call times and disputes about scripts. The show continued with a retooled cast and storyline after Sheen’s exit. Sheen later worked on ‘Anger Management’ where fresh tensions surfaced with a co star that triggered a departure.

Tyrese Gibson

Tyrese Gibson openly criticized Dwayne Johnson during a later period of the ‘Fast and Furious’ saga. He posted about schedule changes he believed harmed the ensemble which deepened personal rifts. Studio plans separated certain spin off activity from the mainline films to keep dates intact. Gibson and Johnson avoided joint appearances while the franchise moved forward.

Nick Nolte

Nick Nolte and Eddie Murphy had a rough start on ’48 Hrs’ by Nolte’s own account. Nolte said he was difficult during early days which strained the partnership. The production leaned on separate setups and careful coverage until the dynamic improved. Later interviews noted that the initial hostility gave way to a workable rhythm on set.

Gene Hackman

Gene Hackman’s presence on ‘The Royal Tenenbaums’ created friction with cast and the director according to multiple recollections. Crew members described tense exchanges that forced quiet sets and limited rehearsals. Bill Murray and others supported the director while scenes were reorganized to keep momentum. The film completed with strict schedules that minimized off camera interaction.

Patrick Swayze

Patrick Swayze wrote about clashes with Jennifer Grey during ‘Dirty Dancing’ especially in early rehearsal periods. He described repeated takes due to inconsistent approaches to scenes. The choreographers separated practice blocks to reduce friction and protect the timeline. As shooting progressed the pair found a professional groove that stabilized the schedule.

Marlon Brando

Marlon Brando locked horns with Frank Sinatra during ‘Guys and Dolls’ over acting methods and musical preparation. Reports say Sinatra disliked Brando’s approach while Brando pushed for multiple takes. The crew adjusted shot plans to reduce resets and kept the stars apart between set ups. The production finished by relying on coverage that minimized the need for extended joint rehearsals.

Steven Seagal

Steven Seagal and John Leguizamo argued during ‘Executive Decision’ with Leguizamo later describing a physical incident. The tension led to increased security presence during interior scenes. Assistant directors split rehearsals and called actors in at separate times. The crew focused on quick lighting changes to limit idle periods.

Terrence Howard

Terrence Howard said conflicts during the transition from ‘Iron Man’ to its sequel involved money and respect with a colleague at the center of the dispute. He described efforts to renegotiate that collapsed which removed him from the role. Public statements from the studio offered a different framing while the part was recast. Howard later discussed the fallout in interviews and described strained relationships that followed.

Peter Sellers

Peter Sellers refused to work with Orson Welles on ‘Casino Royale’ at one point which forced creative rewrites. Accounts from the production state they avoided sharing the set and filmed separately. Editors stitched performances using doubles and clever blocking. The disunity contributed to a fragmented shoot that stretched far beyond initial plans.

Andy Kaufman

Andy Kaufman’s behavior on ‘Taxi’ irritated several cast members who felt his stunts disrupted the workday. Producers implemented rules about unannounced personas and surprise bits. Colleagues recalled closed door meetings to reset expectations for table reads. The series kept pace by isolating rehearsal blocks and shortening Kaufman’s time on non essential setups.

George Clooney

George Clooney confronted director David O. Russell on the set of ‘Three Kings’ after crew members described tense behavior during difficult desert shoots. Reports from the time say the confrontation ended with a truce that kept production moving. The studio supported a strict chain of communication to prevent further flare ups. Publicity for the film emphasized its scale while keeping discussion of the dispute to a minimum.

Edward Norton

Edward Norton’s collaboration with Marvel on ‘The Incredible Hulk’ unraveled over script control and the final cut. Negotiations failed to align expectations, and the role was recast for the next ensemble project. Norton also fought for edits on ‘American History X’ which created a prolonged standoff with the director. Both situations led to carefully worded statements and limited joint appearances.

Rami Malek

Rami Malek described serious problems working with Bryan Singer during ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’. Studio representatives documented repeated absences that eventually led to a directorial change. Malek continued filming under a new leader while production managers reworked the schedule. Award season interviews focused on the music and the performance while skirting the turmoil.

James Franco

James Franco trained intensely for ‘Annapolis’ and clashed with Tyrese Gibson over the realism of fight scenes. Gibson later said repeated hard contact crossed agreed boundaries. The team adjusted choreography and placed safety coordinators closer to camera. Press materials later framed the training as rigorous while acknowledging tempers in the ring.

Tobey Maguire

Tobey Maguire’s partnership with James Franco on ‘Spider-Man’ had off camera strain according to later comments and profiles. The crew kept rehearsals efficient and avoided unnecessary downtime when both actors were present. Public events seated them with other cast members to diffuse attention. The franchise continued with clear protocols that kept the set calm.

Dustin Hoffman

Dustin Hoffman’s approach on ‘Kramer vs. Kramer’ clashed with Meryl Streep’s boundaries in several reported incidents. Production staff mediated rehearsals to maintain a safe environment. The director relied on limited takes and separate preparation to keep the schedule. After release, participants spoke about lessons learned regarding process and respect.

David Caruso

David Caruso’s exit from ‘NYPD Blue’ followed months of tension with producers over workload and set expectations. The writers engineered a fast transition to a new lead to stabilize morale. Crew notes recorded tighter call times and a firmer hierarchy for approvals. The series recovered ratings by focusing on consistent procedures.

Thomas Gibson

Thomas Gibson was removed from ‘Criminal Minds’ after an altercation with a producer during a disagreement about a scene. The company opened an internal review and issued discipline that ended with his departure. Scripts were rewritten to close his character’s arc quickly. Cast and crew continued under enhanced safety and conduct guidelines.

Hugh Grant

Hugh Grant and Robert Downey Jr. worked together on ‘Restoration’ and later acknowledged a period of mutual dislike. The two traded public barbs that referenced clashes during the shoot. Their teams organized separate press opportunities to avoid friction. Years later they both remarked that the feud had cooled but it shaped the film’s publicity at the time.

Robert Downey Jr.

Robert Downey Jr. recalled tension with Hugh Grant from their collaboration on ‘Restoration’ and joked about it in later interviews. Accounts from the production mention sharp exchanges that disrupted rehearsals. The unit production manager kept the day on track by limiting ad libbing and sticking to the shot list. Marketing prioritized ensemble images instead of pairing the two in interviews.

George Takei

George Takei has described a long standing feud with William Shatner that began during ‘Star Trek’ and carried through later projects. Takei cited disputes over credit and treatment during the original run. Reunion events were carefully organized to keep interactions brief. Documentaries and convention panels addressed the history while keeping both participants on separate segments.

William Baldwin

William Baldwin and Sharon Stone struggled through ‘Sliver’ with reports of hostility that affected romantic scenes. The director used doubles and tight coverage to complete key moments. Production diaries noted frequent resets and limited joint rehearsals. The movie’s press tour placed them apart at major stops.

Gene Kelly

Gene Kelly’s perfectionism on ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ led to clashes with Debbie Reynolds during demanding dance shoots. Assistants scheduled extra rehearsal blocks and medical support for long tap sessions. Kelly’s team insisted on precise timing that required dozens of takes. Studio leaders visited the stage to reinforce schedule protection and morale.

Mike Myers

Mike Myers and Dana Carvey rode the success of ‘Wayne’s World’ while carrying a private dispute over creative credit. Crew members recalled tense moments during rewrites and character work. Producers mediated joke ownership and moved some material to alternate versions. Interviews from the era kept the focus on the movie’s surprise box office.

Jared Leto

Jared Leto’s extreme preparation for ‘Suicide Squad’ unsettled several colleagues who described unwanted interactions. Warner Bros. coordinated boundaries and clarified what would be allowed during rehearsals. Scenes were staged with added oversight to reduce disruption. Cast members later said the ensemble worked more smoothly once clearer rules were in place.

Share who you think had the most difficult on set clash in the comments.