Hollywood Actors Who Abruptly Walked Out Of Interviews

Hollywood press junkets and media tours are designed to generate positive buzz, but they occasionally descend into awkward confrontations. While most actors are trained to handle difficult questions with grace, certain topics or interview styles can push even the most seasoned professionals to their limit. These incidents often involve a clash between a journalist’s search for a headline and an actor’s desire for privacy or professional respect. The following list features male actors who reached their breaking point and chose to walk away from the microphone.

Robert Downey Jr.

During a 2015 promotional interview for ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’, Robert Downey Jr. sat down with Channel 4 News journalist Krishnan Guru-Murthy. The conversation took a turn when Guru-Murthy began asking personal questions about the actor’s past struggles with substance abuse and his relationship with his father. After visible discomfort, Downey Jr. signaled to his team and exited the room, stating that things were getting “a little Kerouac.” He later described the interviewer as a “bottom-feeding muckraker” during an appearance on ‘The Howard Stern Show’.

Adam Driver

While promoting the film ‘Marriage Story’ in 2019, Adam Driver walked out of an interview with Terry Gross on the NPR show ‘Fresh Air’. The actor, who has a well-known aversion to hearing or watching his own performances, exited the studio while a clip of him singing was being played. Producers had been informed of Driver’s discomfort beforehand and suggested he remove his headphones during the audio playback. Despite these preparations, Driver chose to leave the building entirely, leaving the interview unfinished.

Joaquin Phoenix

While promoting ‘Joker’ in 2019, Joaquin Phoenix walked out of an interview with Robbie Collin of The Telegraph. The journalist asked if the film might inspire the very kind of violence it depicts, causing Phoenix to stand up and leave the room. He reportedly spoke with a press agent from Warner Bros. to resolve the situation before returning to finish the session. Phoenix later explained that the question caught him off guard because he had not considered that specific perspective during production.

Jean-Claude Van Damme

During a 2016 interview on the Australian morning show ‘Sunrise’, Jean-Claude Van Damme became frustrated with the line of questioning. He was asked about his training regimen and his past relationship with Kylie Minogue, which he found repetitive and boring. The actor expressed that he had been answering the same questions for 25 years and felt the interview was professionaly stagnant. He eventually stood up, announced he needed to go to the restroom, and abandoned the live satellite feed entirely.

Russell Crowe

In 2010, Russell Crowe walked out of a BBC Radio 4 interview with Mark Lawson while discussing the film ‘Robin Hood’. Lawson suggested that Crowe’s accent in the movie sounded somewhat Irish, which the actor took as an insult to his preparation for the role. Crowe defended his performance by stating it was intended to be a specific English regional accent before abruptly leaving the studio. He muttered further frustrations about the interviewer’s perception as he exited the recording area.

Robert Pattinson

Robert Pattinson ended an interview with Ryan Seacrest during ‘The Twilight Saga: New Moon’ press tour in 2009. The conversation was going smoothly until Seacrest asked about Pattinson’s rumored off-screen relationship with co-star Kristen Stewart. Pattinson’s publicist stepped in immediately, but the actor decided to cut the segment short and walked away from the microphone. He has since been known for maintaining strict boundaries regarding his private life during media appearances.

Mel Gibson

Mel Gibson ended an interview with WGN-TV entertainment reporter Dean Richards in 2010 while promoting ‘Edge of Darkness’. The conversation shifted toward Gibson’s past public outbursts and legal issues, which the actor felt were irrelevant to his current project. After a tense exchange, Gibson signaled that the interview was over and began to remove his microphone. As the cameras were still rolling, he was captured using a derogatory term directed toward the interviewer under his breath.

Peter Fonda

Peter Fonda abruptly ended an interview while promoting the film ‘Ghost Rider’ in 2007. The actor became irritated when the interviewer asked about his sister, Jane Fonda, and her political history. He stated that he was there to talk about his work and not his family members’ personal lives. Fonda stood up and left the press suite, leaving the journalist and the camera crew behind.

Tell us which of these interview moments surprised you the most by sharing your thoughts in the comments.