Foreign Actresses Who Are Hard To Work With

Reports of difficult behavior on film sets often circulate within the entertainment industry and offer a glimpse into the high-pressure world of production. While some actresses gain reputations for perfectionism or method acting, others are known for clashes with co-stars and directors that disrupt filming schedules. This list explores foreign actresses from the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Europe who have faced allegations of being challenging collaborators.

Charlize Theron

This South African actress reportedly clashed severely with co-star Tom Hardy during the filming of ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’. Reports suggest the two leads struggled to get along due to their different approaches to acting and the grueling shooting conditions in the desert. Theron admitted in later interviews that they functioned like oil and water while on set. The tension was so palpable that production members often felt uncomfortable during their scenes together.

Kim Cattrall

Born in the United Kingdom and raised in Canada, Cattrall is infamous for her feud with Sarah Jessica Parker on the set of ‘Sex and the City’. The friction reportedly stemmed from salary disputes and Cattrall feeling isolated from the other main cast members. These internal conflicts allegedly caused significant delays in the production of potential film sequels. Cattrall has since publicly stated that she never wishes to return to the franchise.

Rachel McAdams

The Canadian star of ‘The Notebook’ had a volatile start with her co-star Ryan Gosling during the early days of production. Director Nick Cassavetes revealed that Gosling once asked him to remove McAdams from the set because he could not work with her. The two actors frequently engaged in screaming matches that halted filming temporarily. Surprisingly, they managed to channel this aggression into their performance and later started a real-life relationship.

Stana Katic

During her time on the hit series ‘Castle’, this Canadian actress reportedly had a deteriorating relationship with lead actor Nathan Fillion. Sources from the set claimed the two stopped speaking to each other and required couples therapy to continue working together. The tension allegedly became so thick that producers eventually chose not to renew her contract for the final abbreviated season. Katic maintained professionalism in public statements despite the abrupt exit.

Mischa Barton

Born in London, Barton faced heavy criticism for her behavior while filming the teen drama ‘The O.C.’. Reports indicated she was often late to set and difficult for the crew to manage as her fame skyrocketed. Her character was eventually written off the show in a dramatic fashion that many attributed to her desire to leave. Co-stars have since hinted at the chaotic atmosphere surrounding her final season.

Vivien Leigh

The legendary British actress suffered from undiagnosed bipolar disorder which made her behavior on sets like ‘Gone with the Wind’ unpredictable. Co-stars often complained about her manic episodes and verbally abusive tirades during stressful shooting days. Laurence Olivier, her husband and frequent collaborator, noted the immense difficulty she had in separating her real life from her intense dramatic roles. Her condition made long production schedules extremely taxing for everyone involved.

Elizabeth Taylor

Although born in London, Taylor was a global superstar known for her demanding nature on massive productions like ‘Cleopatra’. Her recurring illnesses and personal dramas caused production delays that cost the studio millions of dollars. She famously engaged in a public affair with Richard Burton during filming which drew constant paparazzi interference. Her power was so great that she could dictate shooting schedules to fit her personal needs.

Marlene Dietrich

The German screen icon was a notorious perfectionist who demanded absolute control over her lighting and camera angles. She would often stop production to adjust mirrors and lights to ensure she looked flawless on screen. Directors found her intimidation tactics difficult to navigate as she knew more about cinematography than many crew members. Her specific requirements for costumes and makeup often extended filming days significantly.

Greta Garbo

This Swedish enigma was famous for demanding a closed set where no unauthorized personnel were allowed to watch her work. She required absolute silence and would stop acting if she noticed anyone observing her from the sidelines. Her reclusive nature made her difficult for studio executives to manage or promote. Garbo eventually retired early because she grew tired of the industry and its intrusive demands.

Björk

The Icelandic singer turned actress had a tumultuous experience filming ‘Dancer in the Dark’ with director Lars von Trier. She reportedly despised the filming process and would vanish from the set for days at a time to escape the stress. Feuds between her and the director became legendary, with accusations of emotional cruelty thrown from both sides. She vowed never to make another film after the production wrapped.

Geneviève Bujold

This Canadian actress was originally cast as Captain Janeway in ‘Star Trek: Voyager’ but quit just two days into filming. She reportedly found the rigorous television schedule and alien dialogue too demanding and refused to continue. Her sudden departure forced the studio to scramble and eventually hire Kate Mulgrew as her replacement. Bujold later expressed relief at leaving the high-pressure environment of network television.

Naomi Campbell

The British model and actress has a well-documented history of temper tantrums that have resulted in legal issues. On various film and television sets, she has been accused of showing up hours late and verbally abusing assistants. Her reputation for volatility often precedes her and makes casting directors hesitant to hire her for long-term projects. Several former employees have spoken out about the walking-on-eggshells atmosphere she creates.

Isabelle Adjani

Renowned French actress Isabelle Adjani is known for her intense method acting which can isolate her from cast and crew. During the filming of ‘Ishtar’, she reportedly locked herself in her trailer and refused to speak to her co-stars for extended periods. Her demands for privacy and specific working conditions have frustrated many American and European directors. She maintains that her process is necessary to achieve her acclaimed dramatic performances.

Brigitte Bardot

The French sex symbol was notoriously difficult to manage due to her disdain for the film industry and frequent clashes with directors. She often arrived late to set or refused to perform scenes she felt were unnecessary or exploitative. Her volatile relationship with the press also caused security headaches for production teams attempting to shoot on location. Bardot eventually quit acting entirely to focus on animal rights activism.

Sophia Loren

This Italian superstar had a fierce professional rivalry with Jayne Mansfield and other contemporaries that created tension on sets. She was known to be extremely protective of her image and would argue with cinematographers about lighting setups. During the filming of ‘Boy on a Dolphin’, her specific demands regarding her wardrobe and camera angles tested the patience of the crew. Loren knew her worth and refused to settle for anything less than top billing and treatment.

Gina Lollobrigida

Another Italian legend, Lollobrigida was famous for her feuds with Sophia Loren and her combative relationship with the press. She was known to be demanding regarding her contracts and often threatened to walk away if her conditions were not met. Directors found her strong-willed personality challenging when trying to provide direction she disagreed with. Her rivalry with Loren forced studios to carefully navigate casting to avoid putting them in the same projects.

Asia Argento

The Italian actress and director reportedly caused issues on the set of the action film ‘xXx’ due to her erratic behavior. Reports surfaced that she did not get along with the American production team and found the Hollywood blockbuster style stifling. Her outspoken nature and refusal to conform to studio expectations have made her a polarizing figure. She has frequently criticized the mainstream industry for its treatment of women.

Archie Panjabi

British actress Archie Panjabi had a widely publicized falling out with Julianna Margulies on ‘The Good Wife’. The tension became so unmanageable that the writers stopped putting their characters in scenes together for dozens of episodes. Their final scene together was reportedly filmed using green screen technology so they did not have to be in the same room. Panjabi left the show shortly after the storyline concluded.

Lena Headey

While filming ‘Game of Thrones’, the British actress had a strict stipulation regarding her ex-boyfriend and co-star Jerome Flynn. The two were reportedly kept apart at all times and refused to be in the same room due to a bad breakup. This logistical nightmare forced the production team to carefully schedule their scenes to ensure paths never crossed. Neither actor has publicly discussed the details of their arrangement.

Thandiwe Newton

British actress Thandiwe Newton described her experience filming ‘Mission: Impossible 2’ as a nightmare due to Tom Cruise. She recounted a specific day where Cruise grew frustrated with her performance and forced them to switch roles during rehearsal. The high-pressure environment and his intense management style left her feeling terrorized and insecure. She admitted that the stress of that production made her question her future in blockbuster films.

Samantha Morton

This British actress is known for her intense approach to roles which can sometimes alienate her from the rest of the crew. On the set of ‘River Queen’, the director Vincent Ward was eventually fired, and rumors circulated that Morton’s difficult relationship with him played a part. She allegedly refused to come out of her trailer on certain days due to creative disagreements. Her commitment to realism is praised by critics but feared by production managers.

Rebel Wilson

The Australian comedian recently made headlines with claims regarding her negative experience filming ‘The Brothers Grimsby’. She alleged that Sacha Baron Cohen asked her to perform scenes she found degrading and contrary to her contract. The dispute escalated into a public feud with legal threats exchanged between the two parties. Wilson has stated she will no longer work with people who do not respect her boundaries.

Keira Knightley

Director John Carney publicly criticized the British actress after working with her on ‘Begin Again’. He claimed her massive entourage made it impossible to get any real work done and questioned her authenticity as a performer. Carney later apologized for his harsh words, but the comments fueled rumors about her being high-maintenance. Knightley’s other collaborators have largely defended her professionalism since the incident.

Florence Pugh

British star Florence Pugh was at the center of media speculation regarding tension on the set of ‘Don’t Worry Darling’. She notably skipped the majority of the press tour and avoided interacting with director Olivia Wilde at the film festival premiere. Reports suggested she was unhappy with the on-set dynamic and the focus on her co-star Harry Styles. Her silence during the promotional campaign spoke volumes to industry insiders.

Milla Jovovich

Born in Ukraine, Jovovich had a rocky start in the industry during the filming of ‘Dazed and Confused’. She was reportedly upset that her role was significantly cut down in the editing room and felt misled by the production team. She also had conflicts regarding her musical contributions to the film which led to a hiatus from acting. She eventually returned to become a major action star in the ‘Resident Evil’ franchise.

Lupe Vélez

The Mexican actress known as the “Mexican Spitfire” had a temper that matched her screen persona. She was known for getting into physical altercations at Hollywood parties and challenging studio executives who tried to control her. Her volatile relationships with co-stars often spilled over into production and caused delays. Vélez refused to be typecast without a fight and demanded respect in an era that rarely gave it.

Miriam Margolyes

This British character actress is beloved for her candor but can be difficult for co-stars who are sensitive to blunt criticism. She famously claimed she did not care for Arnold Schwarzenegger after he allegedly was rude to her on the set of ‘End of Days’. Margolyes has admitted in interviews that she has no patience for movie star egos and will speak her mind regardless of consequences. Her honesty makes her a favorite on talk shows but a wildcard on set.

Grace Jones

Jamaican singer and actress Grace Jones terrified her co-stars on the set of ‘A View to a Kill’. Roger Moore wrote in his memoir that her intensity and genuine aggression during fight scenes made him nervous. She reportedly played loud music at all hours and maintained a fierce demeanor that kept the crew at a distance. Her larger-than-life personality was perfect for the screen but exhausting for those working long hours with her.

Zsa Zsa Gabor

The Hungarian socialite and actress was more famous for her personality than her film roles, often causing headaches for directors. She was known to slap police officers and throw tantrums if she felt she was not being treated like royalty. On set, she required constant attention and would hold up production for minor cosmetic adjustments. Her legacy is defined by her glamour and her refusal to follow the rules of others.

Pola Negri

This Polish film star of the silent era was one of the first true Hollywood divas. She famously demanded that the studio provide her with petals to walk on and engaged in highly publicized feuds with rival Gloria Swanson. Her behavior set the template for the difficult starlet archetype in the 1920s. Negri expected her life off-screen to be as dramatic and serviced as the roles she played.

Carmen Miranda

The Portuguese-Brazilian star famously clashed with studio heads who refused to let her break out of the stereotypical roles she was assigned. She fought constantly for more dialogue and less caricature but was often overruled by executives. Her frustration with the studio system led to tense negotiations and threats to return to Brazil. Despite the conflicts, she remained a consummate professional when the cameras were rolling.

Maria Schneider

French actress Maria Schneider was permanently traumatized by her experience filming ‘Last Tango in Paris’. She felt exploited by director Bernardo Bertolucci and co-star Marlon Brando during the infamous butter scene. She refused to promote the film properly and spent years speaking out against the abusive practices of the filmmakers. Her “difficulty” was a direct response to the violation of her trust on set.

Jeanne Moreau

A titan of French cinema, Moreau was known for her intimidating intelligence and refusal to suffer fools. She had a competitive relationship with Brigitte Bardot when they worked together which fueled tabloid gossip. Directors had to be extremely prepared when working with her as she would challenge any creative decision she found lacking. Her exacting standards raised the quality of her films but exhausted those who could not keep up.

Anita Ekberg

The Swedish star of ‘La Dolce Vita’ had a combative relationship with the aggressive paparazzi in Rome. She once famously attacked photographers with a bow and arrow to get them to leave her property. On film sets, she was known to be stubborn and unyielding if she felt uncomfortable with a scene. Her strong personality made her an icon but also a challenge for the male-dominated Italian film industry.

Charlotte Gainsbourg

The British-French actress is known for taking on incredibly demanding and controversial roles for directors like Lars von Trier. While she is praised for her bravery, the intensity she brings to sets like ‘Antichrist’ can be draining for the crew. She immerses herself so deeply in trauma-based performances that the atmosphere on set becomes heavy and difficult to navigate. She pushes boundaries that many other actresses refuse to approach.

Anna Magnani

This Italian neorealist icon was known for her fiery temper and passionate outbursts on and off set. She refused to be made up to look traditionally glamorous and fought directors who tried to hide her dark circles or age lines. Her authenticity came at the price of frequent arguments with producers who wanted a more polished product. Magnani remains respected for forcing the industry to accept her on her own terms.

Tell us which of these actresses you think was the most justified in their behavior in the comments.