Celebrity
31 On-Screen Couples Who Didn’t Get Along In Real Life
Initial Entertainment Group
It's important in any working environment to get along with your coworkers. It's even more important if your entire job is convincing the world that you and your coworker are undyingly in love. Thus, the chemistry read was born. This is how so many celebrity couples get together because some casting director somewhere did their job a little too well. In spite of rounds of auditions meant solely to ensure that a central couple will get along in front of the cameras, some onscreen couples grow to really, really dislike each other off-screen.
Some actors are so talented, we would never guess that they couldn't be in the same room with each other. For others, it's a little more clear, even in their films. In the most extreme cases, actors have left well-paying gigs because they just could not stand the sight of their costar any longer. We live for drama. Take a look at some of the on-screen couples who didn't like each other IRL.
Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, The Notebook
New Line Cinema
Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams might be the two most attractive people on the planet, which is probably why The Notebook will live on in history of one of the best romance movies of all time. Their characters didn't originally get along (who can forget Noah Jr. hanging from that ferris wheel while Allie screams that Fine, she'll go out with him!! Ugh, wow.) and apparently, neither did the actors. Director Nick Cassavetes recalls screaming matches between the two, and Ryan asking for a stand-in to read Rachel's lines so that he wouldn't have to try to act while looking at Rachel's face. A bit dramatic, but okay. The pair wound up dating for three years after filming completed, showing that sometimes those chemistry reads know more about you than you do.
Clare Danes and Leonardo DiCaprio, Romeo + Juliet
New Line Cinema
So maybe casting a sixteen year old and a twenty-two year old as lovers wasn't, like, the best idea. Clare Danes and Leonardo DiCaprio barely spoke when they weren't filming. She found him immature, which is ironic considering he was six years her senior. He found her "too uptight," which is a little unfair considering she was literally a sixteen year old girl, but we'll forgive him because he's literally pre-JUUL Leonardo DiCaprio and can do no wrong.
Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey, Dirty Dancing
Great American Films Ltd
We think Patrick Swayze would have been totally fine with putting baby in a corner during the filming of Dirty Dancing. While they would later become great friends, Patrick has written about how Jennifer Grey would go into "silly moods" on set and become very emotional during filming. Apparently, that didn't really jive with his vibe.
Marilyn Monroe and Tony Curtis, Some Like It Hot
Mirisch Company
It looks like Tony Curtis didn't take his breakup with Marilyn Monroe well. Their animosity behind the scenes was well-documented, with Tony describing kissing Marilyn like he was "kissing Hitler," which was like, way harsh, Tai. He also made digs about her mental health while filming. Just a good reminder to avoid working with your exes!
David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson, The X-Files
FOX
David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson are either consummate professionals or really, really like The X-Files and its fans because the pair have gone along with multiple series reboots despite rumors of on-set quarrels. David had explained this away as a part of his sisterly bond with Gillian, but that's a little hard to believe considering the characters' palpable on-screen chemistry.
Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan, Fifty Shades of Grey
Focus Features
There haven't been any confirmed reports of tension on set of Fifty Shades, but Dakota and Christian have about as much chemistry in real life as they do portraying Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey. That is to say, they have so little chemistry that it's practically negative chemistry. The pair look awkward and forced in interviews and on-screen, but there's always the option that they're simply awkward people.
Pierce Brosnan and Teri Hatcher, Tomorrow Never Dies
MGM
They'll always have Paris. Paris Carver, that is. Teri Hatcher's character in the James Bond film may have gotten along swimmingly with the iconic spy, but Teri's constant tardiness annoyed Pierce Brosnan to the extent that he apparently said some unkind things to Teri during filming. Teri's co-stars on Desperate Housewives weren't quite her biggest fans either - maybe she was late on set of the ABC show as well?
Shirley MacLaine and Anthony Hopkins, A Change Of Seasons
20th Century Fox
This 1980s film about a married couple who are both having affairs was definitely steamy, especially the iconic shower scene. It's possible that the couple's on-screen issues were fueled by some off-screen antagonism. Rumor has it that Anthony Hopkins described Shirley MacLaine as "the most obnoxious actress [he's] ever worked with," so it's safe to assume the pair doesn't keep in touch.
Meryl Streep and Dustin Hoffman, Kramer vs. Kramer
Columbia Pictures
How dare anyone ever be rude to the living legend that is Mamma Mia star Meryl Streep. Apparently, due to some method acting techniques, Dustin Hoffman thought it would be okay to comment on her personal life at work. He also literally slapped her in the face during filming without her permission, and has since been accused of sexually harassing a minor, so it's possible that Dustin is just a jerk and there wasn't any method acting going on to begin with.
Richard Gere and Debra Winger, An Officer and A Gentleman
Paramount Pictures
There's a fine line between love and hate. Unfortunately for the cast and crew of An Officer and A Gentleman, Debra Winger and Richard Gere seem to have fallen solidly on the "hate" side of that line. The two were constantly arguing behind the scenes, and it looks like Richard won't be carrying Debra off into the sunset anytime soon. Maybe they should've cast Julia Roberts and saved the creative team a few headaches.
Julia Roberts and Nick Nolte, I Love Trouble
Touchstone Pictures
Speaking of Julia Roberts, the significant age gap between her costar Nick Nolte and her was rumored to be the cause of tension on the set of I Love Trouble. The name may have been a self-fulfilling prophecy, in hindsight. Julia called Nick "disgusting" in an interview, and Nick clarified that Julia "wasn't a nice person, and everyone knew that."
William Baldwin and Sharon Stone, Sliver
Paramount Pictures
Okay, be honest. Has anyone even heard of this 1993 rip off of Basic Instinct? William Baldwin and Sharon Stone's chemistry was the only redeeming quality of this otherwise mediocre film, but off-camera Sharon was said to enjoy "torturing" William with antics such as biting his tongue so hard during a kissing scene that he couldn't talk afterwards.
Kate Beckinsale and Luke Wilson, Vacancy
Screen Gems
The 2007 movie Vacancy wasn't exactly a romantic comedy. The film follows Amy and Luke Fox as they try to escape from a terrifying motel, but even though the focus wasn't on the couple's love story, it's still unfortunate that Kate Beckinsale and Luke Wilson didn't get along. It's a bummer to fight with your coworkers! Their personalities clashed and the two refused to stand off-camera to read lines to their partner, much like Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams in The Notebook.
Vivian Vance and William Frawley, I Love Lucy
CBS
Yet another example of a significant age difference causing tension between costars, the 22-year gap between Vivian Vance and William Frawley left a sour undercurrent hiding beneath the sweet friends and neighbors of Lucy Ricky Ricardo, Ethel and Fred Mertz. Maybe they could have used a Vitameatavegamin, the answer to all of our problems.
Stana Katic and Nathan Fillion, Castle
ABC
The feud between Stana Katic and Nathan Fillion got so real that the pair had to go to couples' counseling after years of icy silences and on-set tears. It's no wonder that Stana left the show early after eight seasons, fueling the rumors and possibly being one of the underlying causes of the show's eventual cancellation. Without the will-they-or-won't-they couple, Castle was just another procedural cop drama, but with no cop.
Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp, The Tourist
Initial Entertainment Group
Despite its A-List cast, The Tourist performed poorly at box offices, in part due to the issues between Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp. Johnny found Angelina stuck up, and she took issue with the fact that he didn't get in better shape for the film. To be fair, this film is the least of Johnny's issues now, considering he's broke and surrounded by rumors he domestically abused ex-wife Amber Heard and has a substance abuse habit spiralling out of control.
Shannen Doherty and Jason Lee, Mallrats
View Askew Productions
Mallrats is a cult classic in this farce romantic film genre. Behind the scenes, Jason Lee found Shannen Doherty difficult to work with due to what he interpreted as diva behavior and her acting spoiled. These are similar claims to rumors that were swirlling at the time of Shannen's departure from Beverly Hills 90210, where she was feuding with cast members Tori Spelling and Jennie Garth. However, she's seemed to made up with her former co-stars from the TV show - so what's up with Jason?
Lauren Graham and Scott Patterson, Gilmore Girls
The CW
While Alexis Bledel dated not one but two of her on-screen beaux on Gilmore Girls, there were always whispers that Lauren Graham and Scott Patterson were bitter rivals due to their constant insistence that they weren't friends off-screen. Making matters more confusing, in interviews, Scott has said he would have easily dated Lauren during the early days of the show if they hadn't been coworkers, and the two have been perfectly happy to participate in cast reunions and the Netflix revival of the show.
Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn, Four Christmases
Warner Bros.
It was not all comfort and joy on the set of Four Christmases, the 2008 romantic comedy following a couple visiting their four divorced parents during the holidays. Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn were said to have chemistry issues off set and Reese apparently didn't like Vince's constant improv. This isn't all too shocking, TBH.
Sean Young and Harrison Ford, Blade Runner
Warner Bros.
So, we can all agree to forget about the new Blade Runner from now in perpetuity, right? As for the classic 1982 sci-fi film, the love scene between Harrison Ford and Sean Young was nicknamed their "hate scene" by the cast and crew because the pair so famously did not get along. Luckily, the romance was only a small, small part of what makes Blade Runner a cult classic.
Jason Alexander and Heidi Swedberg, Seinfeld
NBC
Seinfeld has achieved legendary status for its 1989 to 1998 run. A planned storyline where George Costanza married Susan Ross was terminated before they could walk down the alter because the actress Heidi Swedberg was so difficult to work with that her character was written off of the show. At least that's what the rumors state.
Sophia Loren and Marlon Brando, A Countess From Hong Kong
Universal Pictures
It makes sense that Sophia Loren and Marlon Brando had some tension during the filming of A Countess From Hong Kong. If someone told us that he could see our nose hairs during our first meeting, we'd hold a bit of a grudge too. Things only deteriorated from there, with Sophia claiming that Marlon was completely fine with ruining their working relationship because she rejected his advances.
Marilyn Monroe and Sir Laurence Olivier, The Prince and The Showgirl
Warner Bros.
Another example of an Old Hollywood movie heartthrob being rude to his costar and making life hard for everyone: Laurence Olivier called Marilyn Monroe the b-word to the movie's cinematographer. Laurence's hatred came from Marilyn's refusal to socialize with the crew and her insistence on method acting. He once simply told her to "try and be sexy" instead of giving acting advice, and the film's cinematographer insists that Marilyn's issues came from a place of deep seeded insecurity and mental illness.
Chad Michael Murray and Sophia Bush, One Tree Hill
The CW
If you are a women between the ages of 16 and 28, you're probably in love with Chad Michael Murray, heartthrob of the early '00s. Chad and Sophia Bush started on great terms. By that, we mean they fell in love and got married in real life. Then, the pair divorced very quickly and Chad supposedly cheated with Paris Hilton on set of House of Wax, which makes sense considering it was the early '00s. The former couple had to continue working together for years following their split, causing for what must have been an awkward working environment.
Jennifer Aniston and Jay Mohr, Picture Perfect
20th Century Fox
In Picture Perfect, a mid-Friends Jennifer Aniston played a single woman working at an advertising firm who fakes an engagement to get promoted. Unfortunately for Jay Mohr, Jennifer didn't keep her distaste for his casting choice a secret on set and it led to a bit of a bad relationship between the two on-screen lovers.
Charlie Sheen and Selma Blair, Anger Management
FOX
If you're surprised that Charlie Sheen had drama with one of his costars, you're not paying attention. If you're confused that Charlie is in a show called Anger Management instead of being in an actual anger management program, then we completely agree. Charlie sent costar Selma Blair derogatory text messages, which somehow led to Selma getting fired from the show because life isn't fair and the world is - spoiler alert - hugely sexist.
Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy, Mad Max: Fury Road
Warner Bros.
Technically, Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy weren't a romantic leading couple in Mad Max, but that 2015 action film was unconventional at every turn and the pair formed a singular bond during the film. So, it still counts. Unfortunately, Charlize admitted that she and Tom had their struggles and were NOT friendly on set.
Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher, That '70s Show
FOX
We think it's time to stop casting couple with significant age differences as romantic partners, because yet again, we have a couple with a six year age difference that didn't get along during filming. Mila Kunis was only 15 when the show began filming and Ashton Kutcher was 21. (Mila did lie about her age to audition, though.) The future lovebirds couldn't stand each other at first, but once they grew and matured as adults, they fell in love and are now happily married with two kids. Goes to show that the issues had more to do with their ages rather than being incompatible as people.
Woody Allen and Mia Farrow, Husbands and Wives
TriStar Pictures
This goes so far beyond an on-set feud that this former couple should probably not even be on this list but here it goes: Husbands and Wives was filming right around the time that Woody Allen decided it would be okay to take nude photographs of the daughter he adopted with Mia Farrow, Soon-Yi Previn. Prior to this, Mia and Woody had been together for twelve years and adopted multiple children in addition to having one biological child. Two weeks before taking the photographs in question, Woody had begun an affair with his adopted daughter. They are now married with two children, and that's really just the tip of the iceburg, with added allegations of sexual abuse against daughter Dylan Farrow in the mix.
Mel Gibson and Julia Roberts, Conspiracy Theory
Clearly, Mel Gibson has had a lot of issues. In this particular instance, however, his feud with Julia Roberts came from his delight in pranking his costars and sending them random things, which Julia didn't appreciate. Thus, the main couple in this film were pretty icy when the cameras weren't rolling. We probably wouldn't get along with Mel Gibson, either.
Johnny Galecki and Kaley Cuoco, The Big Bang Theory
CBS
The central character behind The Big Bang Theory also dated in real life for two years before Kaley Cuoco went on to have a few high-profile romances, get married and unfortunately, get divorced before getting married again. Working with an ex while they date (and marry) other people is a recipe for some weird vibes.
