18 of the most notorious feuds between actors and directors

Gabbi ShawJun 16, 2020, 22:24 IST

Burt Reynolds thought Paul Thomas Anderson was "full of himself."Tim Mosenfelder/FilmMagic via Getty Images and Ron Davis/Getty Images

These Hollywood feuds offer a glimpse into the sometimes-fraught world of entertainment.
From George Clooney and David O. Russell to Katherine Heigl and Judd Apatow, stars can throw punches, literal and figurative, on and off their sets.
Though some make up after spats, other Hollywood celebs never quite get over their friction.

It's no secret that Hollywood can be catty.

Making a film is a stressful experience, and tensions are bound to arise. Many times, the stress of filmmaking comes to a head between lead actors and their directors.

From name-calling to mind games, from hair-pulling all the way to fist-fighting, notorious actor/director feuds have been going on for decades.

Melina Glusac contributed to a previous version of this story.

Director Kevin Smith said that working with Bruce Willis on the film "Cop Out" was "soul-crushing."

Co-stars Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan with director Kevin Smith. CHANCE YEH/Patrick McMullan/Getty Images

Val Kilmer has had problems with many directors, including "Batman Forever" director Joel Schumacher.

Val Kilmer and Joel Schumacher. Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc/Getty Images

George Clooney and David O. Russell are said to have physically fought while filming "Three Kings."

George Clooney and David O. Russell. Steve Granitz/WireImage/Getty Images

Roman Polanski allegedly yanked a hair straight out of Faye Dunaway's head on the set of "Chinatown."

Faye Dunaway and Roman Polanski on the set of "Chinatown" in 1974. Steve Schapiro/Corbis via Getty Images

Director Henri-Georges Clouzot slipped Brigitte Bardot sleeping pills for a scene, and she had to get her stomach pumped.

Brigitte Bardot and Henri-Georges Clouzot on the set of "La Verite." Sunset Boulevard/Corbis/Getty Images

Stanley Kubrick reportedly terrorized Shelley Duvall in order to make "The Shining."

Stanley Kubrick and Shelley Duvall. Keith Hamshere/Getty Images and Michael Childers/Sygma/Sygma via Getty Images

Tony Kaye didn't want Edward Norton and the studio to edit "American History X."

Edward Norton and Tony Kaye. Ronald Siemoneit/Sygma/Sygma via Getty Images and Frazer Harrison/BAFTA LA/Getty Images for BAFTA LA

Megan Fox compared "Transformers" director Michael Bay to Hitler.

Michael Bay and Megan Fox in 2014. Michael Buckner/WireImage via Getty Images

Alfred Hitchcock reportedly made unwanted sexual advances towards Tippi Hedren during the filming of "The Birds" and "Marnie."

Tippi Hedren and Alfred Hitchcock at Cannes in 1963. Getty Images

Katherine Heigl slammed her "Knocked Up" director Judd Apatow, calling the film "sexist."

Katherine Heigl and Judd Apatow. Jim Spellman/WireImage via Getty Images and Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

Bill Murray and director Harold Ramis had beef that spanned decades, after years of frequently working together.

Bill Murray and Harold Ramis on set of "Stripes." Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

David O. Russell hollered obscenities at Lily Tomlin on the set of "I Heart Huckabees" in 2004.

Lily Tomlin and David O. Russell in 2016. Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic via Getty Images

Klaus Kinski and Werner Herzog almost killed each other on the set of "Aguirre: The Wrath of God."

Klaus Kinski and Werner Herzog. The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

Björk accused "Dancer in the Dark" director Lars von Trier of sexual harassment, though he denies the claims.

Lars von Trier and Björk in Cannes in 2000. Pool BENAINOUS/DUCLOS/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

After working with Keira Knightley on "Begin Again," director John Carney said he'd "never work with supermodels again."

Keira Knightley and John Carney at a press conference for "Begin Again." Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for HBO

Burt Reynolds thought Paul Thomas Anderson was "full of himself," and never worked with him again.

Paul Thomas Anderson and Burt Reynolds. Tim Mosenfelder/FilmMagic via Getty Images and Ron Davis/Getty Images

Adrian Lyne reportedly played mind games on the set of "9 1/2 Weeks" in order to get an "authentic" performance out of Kim Basinger.

Kim Basinger in "9 1/2 Weeks" and director Adrian Lyne. Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images and David Livingston/Getty Images

Director Bernardo Bertolucci demeaned Maria Schneider on the set of "Last Tango in Paris."

Bernardo Bertolucci directing Marlon Brando and Maria Schneider on the set of "Last Tango in Paris." George Rinhart/Corbis via Getty Images

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