Lights, camera, conflict: 10 times Hollywood actors clashed with co-stars on set

Egos are known to fester in Hollywood, and the wrong combination of actors behind the camera often leads to nasty on-set drama
PUBLISHED MAY 12, 2024
(L-R) From Bill Murray and Lucy Liu to Sylvester Stallone and Richard Gere, several Hollywood A-listers have been part of occasional fights behind the scenes (Getty Images)
(L-R) From Bill Murray and Lucy Liu to Sylvester Stallone and Richard Gere, several Hollywood A-listers have been part of occasional fights behind the scenes (Getty Images)

Clashes in Tinseltown: 10 times stars got into fights during production

(Getty Images)
Tom Hardy, Tom Cruise and Michael B Jordan are some of the stars who have engaged in real-life fights during Hollywood productions (Getty Images)

In the glitzy world of Hollywood, where lights shimmer and cameras capture every moment, tensions among co-stars occasionally boil over into full-blown conflicts. Behind the scenes of movie sets and television studios, personalities clash, egos flare, and disagreements escalate. From heated arguments to physical altercations, these behind-the-scenes incidents provide a glimpse into the intense dynamics that unfold when creative forces collide.

1. Bill Murray and Lucy Liu in 'Charlie's Angels'

(Getty Images)
Bill Murray and Lucy Liu had a confrontation that resulted in the former's replacement (Getty Images)

During the making of 'Charlie's Angels', tensions flared between Bill Murray and Lucy Liu. Murray, who was set to play John Bosley, clashed with Liu, leading to a confrontation that resulted in Murray's replacement. Allegedly, Murray criticized Liu's acting abilities, sparking a heated exchange. Liu later recounted the incident, emphasizing her refusal to tolerate such behavior, as per Deadline.

2. David O Russell and George Clooney in 'Three Kings'

(Vanity Fair/YouTube, Getty Images)
Director David O Russell and lead actor George Clooney had a notable altercation during the filming of 'Three Kings' (Vanity Fair/YouTube, Getty Images)

During the filming of 'Three Kings', director David O Russell and lead actor George Clooney had a notable altercation. The dispute arose from an incident involving extras, escalating into a physical confrontation on set. Producer Charles Roven recalled Clooney intervening in defense of an assistant director, prompting a heated exchange between him and Russell. The altercation concluded with Roven separating the two, as per Vulture.

3. Eric Braeden and Michael Muhney on 'The Young and the Restless'

(Getty Images)
Michael Muhney (R) allegedly tried to oust Eric Braeden from 'The Young and the Restless' (Getty Images)

On the set of 'The Young and the Restless', tensions brewed between Eric Braeden and Michael Muhney, escalating into a heated argument and Muhney allegedly attempting to oust Braeden from the show. Braeden recounted the altercation, highlighting Muhney's purported campaign against him. The conflict ultimately led to Muhney's departure from the series, as per Daily Mail.

4. Lea Michele and Naya Rivera on 'Glee'

(Getty Images)
Lea Michele and Naya Rivera were involved in a feud during their time on 'Glee' (Getty Images)

Reports surfaced of a feud between Lea Michele and Naya Rivera during their time on 'Glee'. While some speculated that Rivera's behavior led to her firing, both her representative and the show's creator denied these claims. Rivera attributed their discord to their contrasting personalities, describing their relationship as filled with competition and stubbornness, as per New York Post.

5. Jamie Foxx and LL Cool J in 'Any Given Sunday'

(Getty Images)
Jamie Foxx and LL Cool J's fight prompted intervention from Al Pacino (Getty Images)

While filming of 'Any Given Sunday', Jamie Foxx and LL Cool J found themselves in a real-life altercation. What began as a scripted argument escalated into a physical fight, prompting intervention from Al Pacino. Cinematographer Sal Totino recalled the intense exchange, detailing punches thrown and chaos ensuing. Despite Foxx's call to the police, no charges were filed, as per Vibe.

6. Jennie Garth and Shannen Doherty on 'Beverly Hills, 90210'

(Getty Images)
Jennie Garth admittedly clashed with Shannen Doherty on the set of 'Beverly Hills, 90210' (Getty Images)

Jennie Garth admitted to clashes with Shannen Doherty during their time on 'Beverly Hills, 90210'. While they shared moments of friendship, their relationship was marked by episodes of tension. Garth recounted an incident where Doherty allegedly lifted her skirt, leading to a physical altercation, as per The Hollywood Reporter.

7. Joel Edgerton and Tom Hardy in 'Warrior'

(Getty Images)
Joel Edgerton and Tom Hardy's roles as MMA fighters took a real-life twist as they engaged in an altercation (Getty Images)

On the sets of 'Warrior', Joel Edgerton and Tom Hardy found themselves immersed in their roles to the point of physical injury. Portraying MMA fighters, the intensity of their scenes spilled over into real-life altercations, resulting in injuries for both actors, as per The Guardian.

8. Sylvester Stallone and Richard Gere in 'The Lords of Flatbush'

(Getty Images)
A clash between Sylvester Stallone and Richard Gere led to Gere's dismissal from 'The Lords of Flatbush' (Getty Images)

A clash between Sylvester Stallone and Richard Gere during rehearsals for 'The Lords of Flatbush' led to Gere's dismissal from the film. Stallone recounted a confrontation that turned physical after Gere accidentally spilled food on him. The incident resulted in Gere's termination from the project, fueling long-standing tension between the two actors, as per Daily Express.

9. Tom Cruise and Rob Lowe in 'The Outsiders'

(Getty Images)
Tom Cruise and Rob Lowe apparently 'beat the living s**t' out of each other (Getty Images)

While rehearsing a fight scene for 'The Outsiders', Tom Cruise and Rob Lowe's on-screen rivalry spilled into real life. Lowe recalled a physical altercation where they "beat the living s**t" out of each other. Despite their competitive spirits, Lowe expressed concern over Cruise's intensity, likening their dynamic to geopolitical tensions, as per Deadline.

10. Tony Bellew and Michael B Jordan in 'Creed'

(Tony Bellew/Instagram, Getty Images)
Michael B Jordan received a real punch from co-star Tony Bellew, not once, but twice (Tony Bellew/Instagram, Getty Images)

During the filming of 'Creed,' Michael B Jordan received a real punch from co-star Tony Bellew, not once, but twice. Jordan explained the necessity of authentic punches for realistic slow-motion shots in the film. Despite the physical toll, Jordan embraced the challenge, considering it a badge of honor in the tradition of the 'Rocky' films, as per Daily Mail.

MORE STORIES

The post Khloe Kardashian liked featured Charlie Kirk speaking with a fan at an event about his devout Christian faith
Sep 13, 2025
Whitney Cummings sparked widespread outrage after posting a controversial tweet about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk
Sep 13, 2025
Prince Harry was spotted entering King Charles’s London residence, months after saying his father had ignored his calls
Sep 11, 2025
Rosie O'Donnell said Ellen DeGeneres’ friendship denial hurt so much she printed T-shirts for her staff reading, 'I don’t know Rosie, we’re not friends'
Sep 10, 2025
A post alleged that Karoline Leavitt called Patti LaBelle 'just a singer,' leading LaBelle to deliver a seven-word response that froze the studio
Sep 10, 2025
Jennifer Lopez feels free channeling emotions into music, but Ben Affleck is embarrassed and sees it as crossing a line, according to the source
Sep 9, 2025
Howard Stern added that he missed last week’s show due to illness, not contract talks, and addressed rumors of being fired from his own show
Sep 9, 2025
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement in August 2025 triggered a wave of pregnancy chatter after an ultrasound photo went viral
Sep 9, 2025
Ed Sheeran, 34, revealed that he was leaving Suffolk with his wife Cherry Seaborn and their two daughters, Lyra and Jupiter
Sep 9, 2025
From Ice Spice’s chaotic corset to Paris Hilton’s flame dress, see the celebs who landed on the worst-dressed list at the 2025 VMAs
Sep 8, 2025