Culture

28 Co-Stars Who Clashed On Set

Hollywood is all about making magic on screen, but behind the scenes, not all relationships are picture-perfect.

By Carmen Schober4 min read
Getty/Frederick M. Brown

Behind the glamour of Hollywood lies a world where on-screen chemistry sometimes hides off-screen tensions. Some actors manage to fake it for the cameras; others let their disputes spill into public view. And while many stars reconcile, others remain estranged, adding an extra layer of intrigue to their performances.

Ashley Tisdale and Lucas Grabeel 

Despite portraying the inseparable sibling duo in High School Musical, Ashley Tisdale and Lucas Grabeel didn’t get along during filming. In a candid 2017 YouTube video, they revealed that they "hated" each other at first. Tisdale admitted she was much like her character Sharpay, which rubbed Grabeel the wrong way, leading to tension. However, they eventually overcame their differences and now share a close friendship, often joking about their rocky start​.

Ashley Benson and Lucy Hale 

Ashley Benson and Lucy Hale were best friends before they starred in Pretty Little Liars, but things soured during filming. The two reportedly had a falling out for unknown reasons, which led to Benson unfollowing Hale on social media. While the details are scarce, their friendship is clearly strained.

The Cast of Charmed vs. Alyssa Milano 

Alyssa Milano had a rocky relationship with her Charmed co-stars, particularly with Shannen Doherty. The tensions were so significant that Doherty eventually left the show. The drama continues to be a topic at conventions and in podcasts.

Nina Dobrev and Paul Wesley 

Despite portraying one of TV’s most beloved couples on The Vampire Diaries, Nina Dobrev and Paul Wesley could barely stand each other in the early days of the show. Nina revealed on a podcast that they had such a strong dislike for each other that it was mistaken for romantic chemistry. However, over time, they grew to appreciate each other, and they are now close friends.

Debby Ryan and Skai Jackson 

Jessie co-stars Debby Ryan and Skai Jackson were not as close as their characters. Skai accused Debby of bullying her during filming, claims that were made on a burner Twitter account. Debby chose not to respond publicly, simply stating that it was unprofessional to slander coworkers online.

The Cast of Glee vs. Lea Michele 

Lea Michele has a reputation for being difficult to work with, and her Glee co-stars were no exception. Several cast members have spoken out about how Michele made their lives miserable during filming.

Lea Michele and Naya Rivera 

The drama between Glee stars Lea Michele and Naya Rivera was particularly intense. Rivera confirmed in her memoir that they clashed frequently on set, largely due to competition and Michele’s need to be the center of attention. Their relationship deteriorated to the point where they barely spoke during the final season.

The Cast of Desperate Housewives vs. Teri Hatcher 

Tensions simmered on Wisteria Lane, particularly between Teri Hatcher and her Desperate Housewives co-stars. During a 2005 Vanity Fair photoshoot, Marcia Cross and Eva Longoria refused to pose with Hatcher, and years later, Hatcher’s name was conspicuously missing from a farewell card signed by the rest of the cast. The drama became so well-known that writer Marc Cherry dubbed Hatcher "the meanest woman in the world."

Megan Fox and Lindsay Lohan 

On the set of Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen, Megan Fox and Lindsay Lohan didn’t see eye to eye. Lohan later admitted that she was envious of some of the things Fox’s character got to do, leading to tension between them.

America Ferrera and Lindsay Lohan 

More LL Drama. During Lindsay Lohan’s guest appearance on Ugly Betty, she and America Ferrera reportedly didn’t get along. Ferrera was allegedly unhappy with the attention Lohan was getting, leading to Lohan’s early exit from the show.

Nikki Reed and Evan Rachel Wood 

Nikki Reed and Evan Rachel Wood were pitted against each other while filming Thirteen, leading to a rivalry. However, they later became close friends after resolving their differences, with Wood even admitting she had a crush on Reed.

Nikki Reed and Kristen Stewart 

Nikki Reed clashed with Kristen Stewart, too. They were initially close friends on the set of Twilight, but their relationship soured after rumors of a love triangle involving Robert Pattinson arose. The two eventually grew apart.

Will Smith and Janet Hubert 

The feud between Will Smith and Janet Hubert, the original Aunt Viv on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, was one of Hollywood’s most talked-about. Hubert accused Smith of making the set a difficult place to work, leading to her departure from the show. They finally reconciled in 2020 during a reunion special.

Miley Cyrus and Emily Osment 

Miley Cyrus and Emily Osment portrayed best friends in Hannah Montana, but their real-life relationship was more complicated. Miley admitted that there was a lot of competition between them during the first two seasons, often leading to disagreements. However, they later resolved their differences and are now friends.

Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy 

Tensions flared between Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy during the grueling shoot of Mad Max: Fury Road. Their differing approaches and the harsh filming conditions led to frequent clashes. Theron later requested a female producer on set to help mediate their interactions. Both actors have since acknowledged that their off-screen tensions may have enhanced their on-screen performances.

Sarah Jessica Parker and Kim Cattrall 

The feud between Sarah Jessica Parker and Kim Cattrall is legendary. It started during their time on Sex and the City and escalated when Cattrall declined to participate in a third movie. Cattrall accused Parker of being unkind, and their relationship soured further after Parker publicly expressed condolences over the death of Cattrall's brother, prompting Cattrall to call out Parker on social media.

Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling 

While they created one of the most iconic romantic films in The Notebook, Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling didn’t always see eye to eye. Director Nick Cassavetes revealed that Gosling once asked to have McAdams removed from the set because he wasn’t “getting anything” from her in their scenes. After a heated argument, the two managed to continue filming, and the result speaks for itself.

Freddie Prinze Jr. and Kiefer Sutherland 

Freddie Prinze Jr. didn’t mince words when describing his experience on 24 with Kiefer Sutherland. Prinze called Sutherland “the most unprofessional dude in the world” and said the experience made him want to quit acting altogether. Sutherland was reportedly shocked by the comments and said he enjoyed working with Prinze.

Julia Roberts and Nick Nolte 

The tension between Julia Roberts and Nick Nolte on the set of I Love Trouble was palpable. Roberts reportedly found Nolte’s machismo unbearable, leading to constant bickering. Their animosity was so intense that they filmed many of their scenes separately, using stand-ins.

Tommy Lee Jones and Jim Carrey 

On the set of Batman Forever, Tommy Lee Jones made it clear that he did not like Jim Carrey. Jones reportedly told Carrey, “I hate you. I really don’t like you,” which led to a strained working relationship.

Leighton Meester and Blake Lively 

Though they played best friends on Gossip Girl, Leighton Meester and Blake Lively weren’t close off-screen. Reports suggest that the two were just very different people who didn’t spend time together outside work. While there was no major feud, their relationship was strictly professional.

Annalynne McCord and Shenae Grimes 

The tension between Annalynne McCord and Shenae Grimes on the set of 90210 was so intense that they were known to have explosive fights. However, they have since reconciled and even discussed their past issues on a podcast.

Abigail Breslin and Ariana Grande 

While working together on Scream Queens, fans noticed tension between Abigail Breslin and Ariana Grande. The drama became more apparent when Breslin liked a questionable comment about Grande on Twitter.

Bruce Willis and Kevin Smith 

Director Kevin Smith and Bruce Willis clashed while filming Cop Out. Smith has since spoken openly about how difficult Willis was to work with, describing him as uncooperative and dismissive on set. The experience was so bad that Smith vowed never to work with Willis again.

George Takei and William Shatner 

Star Trek co-stars George Takei and William Shatner have a feud that has spanned decades. Takei has frequently criticized Shatner for being self-centered and difficult to work with. Shatner, in turn, has accused Takei of using his name to gain publicity. Despite appearing together at conventions, their animosity has never truly subsided.

Bill Murray and Lucy Liu 

During the filming of Charlie’s Angels, Bill Murray and Lucy Liu had a major on-set altercation. Murray allegedly criticized Liu’s acting abilities, leading to a heated exchange where Liu reportedly threw punches. The two did not work together again after this incident.

Bill Murray and Chevy Chase

Despite their comedic chemistry, Chevy Chase and Bill Murray (again) had a brief but intense fight on the set of Saturday Night Live. The altercation was reportedly sparked by Chase’s arrogance and Murray’s quick temper, leading to a physical confrontation. They later patched things up, but their relationship remained tense.

Bill Murray and Harold Ramis 

Bill Murray makes the list yet again, but this one has a happy ending. He and Harold Ramis were a comedy dream team until they had a falling out during the filming of Groundhog Day. The rift was so deep that they didn’t speak for 21 years, only reconciling shortly before Ramis’s death in 2014.

Evie deserves to be heard. Support our cause and help women reclaim their femininity by subscribing today.