Feuds in the Film Industry: Actors Who Hated Each Other Yet Worked Together

Diverting from the on-screen charm and camaraderie that only the movies can bring, the backstage dramas and personal animosities among actors can often be equally fascinating. Here are some historical instances where actors hated each other yet managed to work together on the same film sets. These tales highlight the grit and counterbalance to the glamorous facade of Hollywood.

James Cagney vs Humphrey Bogart: The Jealousy and Disrespect

James Cagney and Humphrey Bogart, two of the greatest screen legends, had a complicated professional relationship. Cagney was known for his street smarts and natural charisma, while Bogart was the iconic, well-mannered hero of countless films. Their personal animosity was so intense that Cagney's own brother, Bill Cagney, got physically involved by beating up Bogart after the latter made unpleasant remarks about his brother.

Bogart was notoriously dismissive of Cagney, often trying to tarnish his reputation: "He is not in the same league as Cagney, not even as a person!" Their clash on the set was so palpable that it influenced not just their on-screen portrayals but also their personal lives.

Wallace Beery and Jackie Cooper: Dislike on Multiple Levels

Wallace Beery, the 'Big Old Teddy Bear,' was a huge star in the 1930s but faced animosity from young co-star Jackie Cooper. They worked together on a series of successful films, most notably The Champ (1931), which grossed record amounts. Jackie Cooper bared his grievances, stating, 'Beery repeatedly attempted to steal scenes and essentially treated young Jackie like a trainee. My mother had to steal back our lunch boxes that he would attempt to pinch. He did not like children, and their mutual disdain did not prevent them from working on film sets together.'

However, upon closer analysis, it wasn't all bad. Jackie Cooper also admired Beery's talent: 'But he was a great great actor. Because when I did a scene with him, he looked like he loved me so much, and I believed it was just an act.'

James Garner and Bruce Willis: A Clash of Identities

James Garner and Bruce Willis had a similarly contentious working relationship. Garner, a seasoned actor with a rich history in Westerns, found Willis' performance at Sunset, a Western/Mystery film set in 1920s Hollywood, to be less than impressive. Garner felt that Willis was not only dismissive of traditional cowboy fashion but also amateurish in his approach to acting. Willis, a burgeoning talent at the time, believed he could ad-lib and add lines on his own, often disregarding the script and ignoring Garner's advice: 'He didn’t even know how to wear a hat. He’d pull it way down over his ears. I told him, “Bruce, no cowboy does that unless he’s riding a bronco.” But he didn’t listen.'

Garner's frustration eventually led him to discontinue working with Bruce Willis ever again, marking the end of their professional collaboration.

Bette Davis and Miriam Hopkins: A Tale of Two Tempestuous Stars

Bette Davis and Miriam Hopkins had a notorious feud that spanned their acting careers. This playful rivalry began when Davis was cast in Jezebel, the role Hopkins originally envisioned herself playing. Miriam was devastated when Warner Bros. offered the role to Bette Davis. Their mutual disdain continued even when they worked together in 1939 in The Old Maid. Warner's studio chief, Hal Wallis, recalled, 'It was an incredible feud, just fantastic.' Hopkins' director, Edmund Goulding, added, 'Whatever respect they had for each other as professionals was quickly thrown out of the window when one or the other didn’t get her way. If it wasn’t lighting, it was costuming or camera angles or lines. There were times they behaved like perfect little bitches but I loved them both.'

Despite their animosity, they both managed to deliver memorable performances in subsequent films like Old Acquaintance (1942). Miriam and Bette demonstrated that even intense off-screen feelings could be set aside for the sake of creating captivating on-screen performances.

Conclusion

These stories of feuds among actors have a lot to offer. They demonstrate the human side of the movie industry, showcasing the untold drama behind the scenes. Despite their personal animosities and disagreements, these actors' versatility and professional drive allowed them to push through challenges and deliver masterful performances.