Gay Actors Who Are Hard To Work With

Talent does not always equate to a pleasant personality on a film set. Many actors are known for their brilliant performances but also for the chaos or difficulty they bring to a production. This can range from demanding perfectionism and creative differences to erratic behavior that disrupts the entire filming schedule. The following list highlights gay and bisexual male actors who have garnered reputations for being challenging colleagues.

Kevin Spacey

Spacey was once revered as one of the most talented actors in Hollywood before his career collapsed due to serious allegations. Reports from the set of ‘House of Cards’ suggest he created a toxic environment long before his legal issues made headlines. Production on the hit show was suspended and eventually retooled to remove him entirely. His on-set behavior often involved power plays that made cast and crew members uncomfortable.

Robert Reed

Reed is best known as the wholesome father Mike Brady in ‘The Brady Bunch’ but he despised the role. He constantly argued with the show creator Sherwood Schwartz about the quality of the scripts. Reed felt the show was beneath his serious Shakespearean training and often refused to say lines he found ridiculous. His disdain for the material created significant tension on the set for years.

Paul Lynde

Lynde was a comedic genius known for his role on ‘Bewitched’ and ‘Hollywood Squares’ but he struggled with alcoholism. His drinking often made him mean and unpredictable when the cameras were not rolling. He was known to lash out at directors and fellow performers with biting insults. This erratic behavior made him a liability despite his popularity with audiences.

Jussie Smollett

Smollett starred in the musical drama ‘Empire’ before a high-profile legal scandal derailed his career. He orchestrated a hate crime hoax that disrupted production and cast a negative light on the show. The cast and crew were reportedly furious about the deception and the subsequent media circus. His actions ultimately led to his character being written out of the series.

Andy Dick

The comedian and actor has a long history of chaotic behavior that has resulted in him being fired from multiple projects. His substance abuse issues often spilled over into his professional life and caused delays or conflicts on set. He was notably removed from the film ‘Raising Buchanan’ following accusations of misconduct and harassment. Dick has admitted that his personal struggles have made him a liability in the industry.

John Barrowman

Barrowman is a beloved figure in the ‘Doctor Who’ and ‘Torchwood’ fandoms but faced backlash for his on-set antics. He admitted to exposing himself to cast and crew members as a form of practical joke during filming. While he claimed it was high-spirited fun, the behavior was later condemned as inappropriate workplace conduct. He was reprimanded by producers and has since apologized for his past actions.

Rupert Everett

Everett has openly admitted that his own attitude and outspoken nature damaged his Hollywood career. He wrote memoirs that ruthlessly criticized former co-stars and industry figures. His labeling of certain colleagues as untalented or difficult burned many bridges in the entertainment world. He has since reflected that his arrogance during his younger years prevented him from achieving greater stardom.

Zachary Quinto

Quinto gained fame as Spock in the ‘Star Trek’ reboot but has faced accusations of entitled behavior. He was recently banned from a Toronto restaurant after staff claimed he yelled at them and reduced a host to tears. This incident fueled existing rumors that he can be demanding and rude to service workers and lower-level crew. Such behavior has tarnished his public image as a professional.

Todrick Hall

Hall is a multi-talented performer who has faced numerous allegations from former dancers and employees. Many have accused him of failing to pay them for their work in his elaborate music videos. His time on ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ also revealed a manipulative side that turned many viewers and housemates against him. These controversies have made many industry professionals wary of collaborating with him.

Helmut Berger

Berger was a muse for director Luchino Visconti and was known for his incredible beauty and volatile temper. He frequently threw tantrums on set and demanded constant attention from the crew. His erratic behavior was often fueled by substance abuse and a narcissistic need for validation. Directors found him exhausting to manage despite his magnetic screen presence.

Montgomery Clift

Clift was a method acting pioneer who delivered intense performances in films like ‘A Place in the Sun’. His struggles with drug and alcohol addiction made him increasingly unreliable as his career progressed. Universal Studios famously sued him for causing production delays on the film ‘Freud’ due to his health issues. His inability to remember lines and frequent absences frustrated directors and costars alike.

Marlon Brando

Brando was openly bisexual and is widely considered one of the greatest actors of all time. He was also notoriously difficult and often refused to memorize his lines. He forced production teams to use cue cards or earpieces to feed him dialogue during filming. His behavior on the set of ‘The Island of Dr. Moreau’ was particularly chaotic and disrupted the entire shoot.

James Dean

Dean became a cultural icon with only three major film roles before his untimely death. He was known for clashing with directors and refusing to follow blocking instructions. His desire for realism often led him to go off-script or behave recklessly during scenes. This intensity made him a brilliant performer but a headache for the filmmakers trying to keep a schedule.

Laurence Olivier

Olivier was a titan of the stage and screen who could be intimidating to those he considered less talented. He was known for being particularly hard on Marilyn Monroe during the filming of ‘The Prince and the Showgirl’. His perfectionism and disdain for method acting created friction with co-stars like Dustin Hoffman. He expected absolute discipline and had little patience for insecurity in others.

Kenneth Williams

Williams was a staple of the ‘Carry On’ films but his diaries revealed a deep contempt for his work and colleagues. He was often moody and distant on set while hiding behind his camp public persona. He frequently complained about the writing and the incompetence of those around him. This internal misery manifested as a prickly and unapproachable demeanor during production.

George Takei

Takei is a ‘Star Trek’ legend who has been involved in a decades-long feud with co-star William Shatner. While Shatner is often cited as the difficult one, Takei has kept the conflict alive in the press for years. Their inability to get along created a tense atmosphere on the set of the original series and subsequent movies. Takei remains vocal about his dislike for his former captain.

Billy Porter

Porter is a Tony and Emmy winner known for his bold fashion and strong opinions. He has faced criticism for his diva-like behavior and harsh comments about other artists. He publicly critiqued Harry Styles appearing on the cover of ‘Vogue’ in a dress. Some industry insiders suggest his demand for perfection can make him challenging to please.

Ben Platt

Platt received acclaim for the Broadway production of ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ but the film adaptation brought significant backlash. He was defensive regarding criticism of his casting as a high schooler. Reports suggested a tense atmosphere during the press tour as he refused to answer questions about his nepotism connections. This defensiveness alienated some fans and critics.

Alec Guinness

Guinness famously hated his role as Obi-Wan Kenobi in ‘Star Wars’ and thought the dialogue was rubbish. He made George Lucas’s life difficult by constantly critiquing the script and threatening to quit. He refused to do promotional work for the film and resented its massive success. His disdain for the project cast a shadow over his involvement in the franchise.

Rudolf Nureyev

The ballet legend turned actor was known for his fiery temper and arrogant attitude. He would throw tantrums if things did not go exactly his way during a performance or shoot. He was known to physically lash out at partners or crew members who displeased him. His genius was often overshadowed by his inability to control his anger.

Charles Laughton

Laughton was a brilliant character actor who struggled with self-loathing regarding his sexuality. This internal conflict often made him moody and difficult to direct. He could be stubborn about his interpretation of a character and would hold up production until he was satisfied. His perfectionism resulted in brilliant performances but an exhausting process for everyone else.

Nicol Williamson

Williamson was a bisexual actor known for his volatile nature and “bad boy” reputation. He famously walked off stage during a performance of ‘Hamlet’ and apologized to the audience for his boredom. He threatened co-star Paul Scofield on the set of ‘The Wilby Conspiracy’. His unpredictable behavior made hiring him a gamble for producers.

Richard Harris

Harris was a legendary hellraiser who was known for his heavy drinking and brawling. His behavior on set could be chaotic and he was often difficult to manage when intoxicated. He lived a wild life that frequently bled into his professional commitments. Directors had to work around his unpredictable moods and lifestyle.

Clifton Webb

Webb was an unlikely Hollywood star who played prickly and snobbish characters that mirrored his real personality. He was known for being demanding and requiring specific treatment on set. He lived with his mother until her death and his attachment to her influenced his work choices. His rigid demeanor made him excellent for certain roles but inflexible as a collaborator.

Truman Capote

The celebrated writer acted in the film ‘Murder by Death’ and proved to be a nightmare for the production. He was in poor health and struggled with substance abuse during the filming. He frequently clashed with the director and other cast members due to his ego. His lack of acting experience combined with his demanding nature caused significant delays.

Anthony Perkins

Perkins is best known as Norman Bates in ‘Psycho’ and lived a very guarded life. He was often tense and insecure on set due to the pressure of hiding his homosexuality. This anxiety could manifest as aloofness or difficulty connecting with co-stars. He was protective of his privacy to a degree that made collaboration difficult.

Dirk Bogarde

Bogarde was a British matinee idol who carefully curated his image to hide his long-term relationship with a man. He was known for being cold and aloof to those he worked with. He despised the “heartthrob” label and fought against the studio system that tried to control him. His desire for privacy often made him seem arrogant or unapproachable.

Michael Redgrave

Redgrave was a member of a famous acting dynasty but struggled with his bisexual identity. His internal guilt often made him a nervous and difficult presence on set. He could be obsessive about his craft and demanding of his fellow actors. This intensity resulted in great performances but a strained working environment.

Frank Thring

Thring was an Australian actor known for playing villains in epics like ‘Ben-Hur’. He was a flamboyant figure who could be overbearing and scene-stealing. He often wore his costumes everywhere and demanded to be the center of attention. His larger-than-life personality was entertaining but exhausting for those trying to work seriously.

Ivor Novello

Novello was a silent film star and composer who was incredibly vain about his appearance. He required specific lighting setups to ensure he always looked perfect on camera. He would halt production if he felt his best side was not being captured. This vanity made filming with him a slow and tedious process.

Perez Hilton

Hilton appeared in reality shows like ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ where his behavior was widely criticized. He acted in a provocative and antagonistic manner that alienated his housemates. He frequently engaged in screaming matches and personal attacks to create drama. His conduct on the show solidified his reputation as a difficult personality.

Colton Haynes

Haynes abruptly left hit shows like ‘Teen Wolf’ and ‘Arrow’ due to severe anxiety and contract disputes. While his reasons were tied to mental health, his sudden departures caused logistical headaches for production. Writers had to scramble to explain his absence from ongoing storylines. He has since been open about how his personal struggles impacted his ability to work professionally at that time.

Nathan Lane

Lane is a Broadway legend who is known for his incredible work ethic and high standards. He has a reputation for being an old-school perfectionist who expects the same level of commitment from everyone. This can be intimidating for younger actors or those who are less experienced. He can be prickly if he feels the work is not being taken seriously enough.

Gore Vidal

Vidal appeared in films like ‘Gattaca’ but was primarily a writer known for his intellectual arrogance. He had legendary feuds with other public figures that often overshadowed his professional work. He was known to be condescending to those he felt were intellectually inferior. His sharp tongue and ego made him a formidable and difficult collaborator.

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