Actors Who Made Their Co-Stars Cry On Set

Professional movie sets are usually filled with pressure and a lot of creative energy. While most actors try to work well with others, some use intense methods that can really impact their colleagues. This can range from fully immersing themselves in a role to causing personal conflicts that genuinely upset people. These kinds of moments are well-known in Hollywood and show how complicated acting can be. This article looks at several male actors whose behavior or intensity made their co-stars cry during filming.

Dustin Hoffman

During filming of ‘Kramer vs. Kramer,’ Dustin Hoffman used extreme method acting to try and elicit a strong emotional response from Meryl Streep. Accounts suggest he slapped her and shared private, hurtful information about her personal life right before scenes. This caused Streep to become deeply upset and cry during production. She later said this behavior felt like harassment and went beyond what was acceptable on set. Hoffman defended his actions, stating he wanted to make the drama feel as realistic as possible.

Marlon Brando

During the filming of ‘Last Tango in Paris,’ Marlon Brando and the director included a deeply upsetting scene with Maria Schneider without her full knowledge or agreement. Schneider wasn’t told the specifics of the scene until just before filming, which left her feeling humiliated and caused real distress during the shoot. She later said the experience stayed with her for the rest of her life. Despite the emotional pain he caused his co-star, Brando prioritized the artistic effect of the scene.

Gene Hackman

The experienced actor was known for being quite imposing on the set of ‘The Royal Tenenbaums’ in the early 2000s. He was said to have made critical and unkind remarks to his fellow actors, including Anjelica Huston and Gwyneth Paltrow. This created a fearful atmosphere, leaving many cast members feeling very uncomfortable. Huston later confessed she was genuinely frightened of him when they filmed scenes together. The resulting tension made the production a challenging experience for a lot of people involved.

Bill Murray

On the set of ‘Charlie’s Angels,’ Bill Murray and Lucy Liu had a well-known disagreement during a rehearsal. He publicly criticized her performance in front of everyone, which led to a strong argument and visibly upset Liu. The issue was serious enough that Murray didn’t participate in the film’s sequel. Those present described the incident as a regrettable lapse in professional behavior on a large-scale movie production.

James Franco

While filming ‘Freaks and Geeks,’ the actor got into a physical fight with Busy Philipps. He allegedly pushed her to the ground during a scene after she playfully touched him, and this frustrated him. Philipps was very upset, bursting into tears and turning to her co-stars for support. She later described the event as a deeply upsetting experience early in her career. Years later, the actor publicly apologized for his actions.

Jared Leto

To get into character as the Joker for ‘Suicide Squad,’ the actor stayed in character the whole time during filming. He sent strange and unsettling gifts to his co-stars, hoping to make them feel as uneasy as his character. These gifts, which included live rats and other inappropriate items, upset and disturbed some of the cast. His intense dedication to method acting created a lot of tension on set. While some admired his commitment, others found the experience emotionally draining.

Tommy Lee Jones

While filming ‘Batman Forever,’ Val Kilmer expressed his disapproval to Jim Carrey, reportedly telling him during a private dinner that he didn’t appreciate Carrey’s comedic style. This direct criticism and Kilmer’s generally distant behavior created tension between the two actors. Carrey later described feeling hurt and unwelcome as a result. Although Kilmer remained composed and professional, his lack of friendliness was noticeable to everyone on set.

Robert Shaw

The making of ‘Jaws’ was difficult due to ongoing conflict between seasoned actor Robert Shaw and his younger co-star, Richard Dreyfuss. Shaw often teased and put down Dreyfuss, both about his acting and personal life, seemingly to provoke a response. This constant negativity caused Dreyfuss real emotional pain and led to several upset moments. Interestingly, the animosity between the actors reflected the conflict their characters had on screen. Even though the film was a hit, Shaw and Dreyfuss never truly resolved their issues.

Jason Isaacs

While filming the ‘Harry Potter’ movies, Jason Isaacs, who played Lucius Malfoy, unintentionally hurt Tom Felton. During a scene in ‘Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,’ Isaacs struck Felton’s hand with his prop cane, not realizing the cane had hidden, sharp edges. The cane actually cut Felton, bringing him to tears. Isaacs was immediately very upset and apologized repeatedly. The incident became a memorable moment for both actors, and they later became close friends.

Ralph Fiennes

Ralph Fiennes delivered a truly frightening performance as Lord Voldemort in the ‘Harry Potter’ films. His complete transformation with makeup and dedication to the villainous role often genuinely scared the young actors he worked with. During the filming of ‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,’ his intimidating presence even brought some of them to tears. While he felt sympathy for the children, Fiennes considered their fear a testament to how well he was playing the part. Much of the fear audiences see on screen was due to his believable and compelling portrayal.

William Shatner

The classic ‘Star Trek’ series wasn’t always harmonious behind the scenes. Both Nichelle Nichols and George Takei have described challenges working with the show’s lead actor. He was reportedly very focused on getting the most screen time and lines, which led to several tense and emotional arguments with the rest of the cast. Nichols, in particular, remembered feeling hurt and upset by his behavior. These disagreements continued even long after the show had finished airing.

Chevy Chase

This actor has a pattern of difficult behavior with coworkers, dating back to his days on ‘Saturday Night Live’ and continuing through his time on ‘Community’. He was known for using hurtful language and making personal attacks during rehearsals, which often left his fellow actors feeling upset and exhausted. On ‘Community’ in particular, his behavior created a lot of tension and became a major source of stress for the entire cast.

Wesley Snipes

Let me tell you, covering ‘Blade Trinity’ meant wading through stories of on-set chaos. The lead actor was…difficult, to say the least. Apparently, he mostly stayed locked in his trailer and communicated with the crew using sticky notes – signed as his character! It created a really tense and bizarre atmosphere. Patton Oswalt, who was in the film, described it as incredibly hostile and confusing for everyone. Honestly, a lot of the cast felt genuinely overwhelmed and uncomfortable due to the lack of cooperation. It’s no surprise the movie didn’t land well with audiences, considering all the behind-the-scenes drama.

Val Kilmer

Filming ‘The Island of Dr. Moreau’ was notoriously difficult, largely due to one actor’s constant conflicts with the director and other cast members. His demanding personality and erratic behavior created a tense and upsetting environment on set. Both director Richard Stanley and co-star Marlon Brando struggled to work with him, and the movie is now infamous as one of Hollywood’s biggest failures. This experience cemented the actor’s reputation for being challenging to work with.

Steven Seagal

The actor, known for his action roles, has faced accusations of being physically and verbally abusive towards colleagues, including fellow actors and stunt people. His behavior on ‘Saturday Night Live’ was so problematic that he was never invited back. Those who worked with him on the show say he disrespected the established cast and created a hostile work environment. Multiple people involved in various productions have described feeling belittled and hurt by his dismissive behavior, and similar accounts have emerged from other film sets.

Alec Baldwin

During the filming of ’30 Rock,’ the actor was known for being a perfectionist, and he sometimes had a quick temper. He expected a lot from everyone on set – both the crew and other actors – and this occasionally led to him raising his voice. These outbursts could be frightening, especially for newer staff and co-stars who were on the receiving end. Several people remembered colleagues being upset and even crying after he sharply criticized their work. He would typically apologize afterward, but those intense moments often stuck with people.

Jim Carrey

During the making of the movie ‘Man on the Moon,’ the actor stayed completely in character as Andy Kaufman throughout the entire filming process. He acted unpredictably and often irritated those around him, mirroring Kaufman’s own behavior – sometimes even staging incidents like car crashes or starting arguments with crew members. This constant disruption and dedication to staying in character left many of his coworkers feeling drained and emotionally exhausted. A documentary about the film’s production showed the real frustration and tears of those who worked alongside him.

Klaus Kinski

This actor’s work with director Werner Herzog was famous for creating chaotic and often frightening filming environments. During the making of ‘Aguirre, the Wrath of God,’ Kinski had several angry and violent episodes that scared the cast and local crew. There are reports he even fired a gun near a tent where crew members were, because he thought they were being too noisy. This unpredictable and dangerous behavior caused a lot of fear and distress on set. Herzog had to take drastic steps just to prevent Kinski from quitting the film.

Lawrence Tierney

The actor had a reputation for being a tough guy, and this often came through in his work. He famously clashed with director Quentin Tarantino on the set of ‘Reservoir Dogs,’ even getting into a physical fight. His confrontational attitude and unwillingness to take direction made things very uncomfortable for everyone involved. Many on set were disturbed by his quick temper and tendency to resort to violence. Tarantino later said Tierney was the most challenging actor he’d ever worked with.

Mike Myers

Filming ‘The Cat in the Hat’ was reportedly a difficult experience due to the lead actor’s controlling behavior. He frequently asked for multiple retakes and would often change his decisions right before shooting scenes. Actress Amy Hill described the atmosphere as incredibly tense, with everyone feeling like they had to be extremely careful around him. The pressure of trying to satisfy his requests apparently caused several crew members and extras to become visibly distressed. Since then, the actor has become known in the industry as someone who is very demanding to work with.

Shia LaBeouf

To convincingly play his part in the movie ‘Fury,’ the actor went to great lengths to be realistic. He supposedly didn’t shower for weeks and even cut his own face to create genuine scars. This intense commitment to his role often bothered and disturbed his co-stars. Scott Eastwood remembered an instance where LaBeouf became hostile due to a miscommunication on set. The actor’s extreme and unusual behavior put a significant emotional strain on everyone involved in the film.

Tom Cruise

During the filming of ‘Mission: Impossible 2’, Tom Cruise was said to be incredibly demanding, creating a stressful environment on set. Thandiwe Newton described the experience as difficult, explaining that his pursuit of perfection was overwhelming. She remembered one instance where he became frustrated with her during a rehearsal and unexpectedly switched roles with her to show her how he wanted the scene performed. This made her feel insecure and upset, and she admitted to being afraid of him for much of the film’s production.

Russell Crowe

The actor is famous for being completely committed to his work, but he’s also known for sometimes butting heads with colleagues. On the set of ‘Gladiator,’ he apparently argued with the producer about the script, and his strong personality and insistence on changes made things stressful for other actors. Some on the production team found his direct and challenging approach during disagreements difficult to handle. Despite the film’s huge success, making it was a tough experience for many involved.

Tom Sizemore

Filming the science fiction movie ‘Red Planet’ was difficult due to a major conflict between one actor and Val Kilmer. They reportedly got into a physical fight on set, and security had to step in. Sizemore’s unpredictable behavior also upset and frightened other cast members. The constant arguments and potential for violence led to several emotional breakdowns on set. Ultimately, the actors had to be filmed separately to prevent further problems.

Rip Torn

During the filming of the movie ‘Maidstone,’ actor Rip Torn got into a real fight with the director and co-star, Norman Mailer. Accounts say Torn hit Mailer in the head with a hammer during an unplanned moment. The fight was captured on camera and included real blood and shouting, shocking everyone present. The on-set violence between the two men was genuinely terrifying and remains one of the most infamous incidents of on-set conflict in film history.

Bruce Willis

Director Kevin Smith has often talked about how difficult it was working with Bruce Willis on the movie ‘Cop Out’. Reports suggest Willis wasn’t willing to collaborate with Smith’s ideas and often treated his co-stars poorly. This created a very unpleasant work environment for everyone involved. Smith has said Willis’s behavior was so challenging it nearly made him stop directing. Other actors on set also felt affected by his negative attitude while filming.

Mickey Rourke

While filming ‘Iron Man 2’, the actor had a clear vision for his character that differed from what the studio wanted. He grew upset when his ideas weren’t used and scenes he filmed were removed. This led to him being difficult to work with for his fellow actors and the film crew, creating a tense atmosphere on set. After the movie came out, Rourke publicly shared his dissatisfaction.

Sean Penn

To prepare for his role in ‘Fast Times at Ridgemont High,’ the actor fully immersed himself in the character of a stoner, taking his method acting to an extreme. He insisted on being called his character’s name and deliberately kept his distance from the other actors. This intense dedication was unsettling and isolating for his young co-stars, some of whom felt intimidated by his constant commitment to the role and lack of social interaction. Although his performance became legendary, it created a difficult atmosphere on set for those around him.

Mel Gibson

In his first films as a director, such as ‘The Man Without a Face,’ Mel Gibson was known as a very energetic and demanding leader. He often challenged his young actors to deliver powerful performances, sometimes pushing them to the point of tears. While he was reportedly supportive after filming, the intense pressure on set created a difficult atmosphere for everyone involved, as he prioritized achieving the best possible results.

Jeremy Piven

While filming the TV series ‘Entourage’, the actor sometimes seemed to really become his intense, energetic character, even off-camera. This could be difficult for both guest stars and the main cast, as he often came across as pushy and spoke very quickly. There were stories of him being short with people or losing patience during rehearsals, which made some performers feel insecure. The show’s atmosphere was often very competitive and emotionally draining, and it was sometimes hard to tell where the actor ended and his character began, especially after long filming days.

Edward Norton

The actor is known for wanting a strong say in how his movies are made, including ‘American History X’. He allegedly took control of the editing for that film and disagreed with the director about the final version. This tendency to get heavily involved often caused problems with his fellow actors, who felt stuck in the middle of a power struggle. The atmosphere on set was often very tense, making things difficult for everyone involved. The actor’s pursuit of perfection frequently came at the cost of creating a comfortable working environment for his colleagues.

Richard Dreyfuss

Despite often feeling like he was on the receiving end of difficult behavior from Robert Shaw, the actor also caused some friction on the set of ‘Jaws’. Being young and outspoken, he sometimes clashed with the experienced crew. His frequent arguments with Shaw created a tense and uncomfortable environment for everyone involved. The production was already under pressure due to technical problems, and Dreyfuss’s own anxiety only added to the stress. He later confessed that he felt almost constantly panicked throughout filming.

Sacha Baron Cohen

This actor is known for creating awkward and embarrassing situations for real people in his films, often without their knowledge. His movie ‘Borat’ famously left many participants upset and in tears after they discovered they’d been pranked. These hidden-camera antics have resulted in legal issues and public criticism. Though audiences often find it humorous, those who are tricked often feel deeply humiliated and violated. Despite the negative impact on individuals, the actor continues to use this controversial and provocative style of comedy.

Joaquin Phoenix

While filming ‘Joker,’ the actor intentionally acted unpredictably, which often unsettled his fellow actors. He would abruptly leave scenes mid-take if he wasn’t feeling the right emotions, creating confusion and frustration for those trying to stay focused. The film’s dark themes, combined with his dramatic physical changes, contributed to a tense atmosphere on set. Several performers said his intense performance lingered with them even after filming ended.

Robert De Niro

Let me tell you, watching Robert De Niro work is something else. He’s a total believer in method acting – he becomes the character, and not just on camera. On the set of ‘The Fan,’ he was genuinely terrifying as this obsessed stalker. I heard stories from people on set about how he used his presence, his physicality, to really make them feel unsafe, to create actual fear. Apparently, there were moments where his co-stars were genuinely distressed while filming scenes with him. De Niro feels this complete immersion is what it takes to deliver a truly compelling performance, and honestly, after seeing his work, it’s hard to argue with him.

Burt Reynolds

As a film buff, I’ve always been fascinated by the stories behind the scenes, and the making of ‘Boogie Nights’ is a prime example of that. Apparently, the relationship between the actor and director Paul Thomas Anderson was incredibly strained. They clashed constantly over the film’s direction, which created a really tense and unpleasant atmosphere for everyone. I’ve heard stories about one argument nearly turning physical! It was so distracting that it really impacted the rest of the cast, and left a lot of people on set completely exhausted by the time filming wrapped.

George Clooney

While filming ‘Three Kings’, George Clooney famously stood up for the crew when he saw director David O. Russell being overly aggressive. Clooney confronted Russell after witnessing him mistreating extras and staff, which led to a physical fight. The incident caused a major scandal and created a very negative atmosphere on set, leaving many people upset and considering leaving the film. Though Clooney finished the movie, he decided he would never work with Russell again.

F. Murray Abraham

A well-known actor left the show ‘Mythic Quest’ after multiple complaints about his behavior. Reports suggest he acted inappropriately towards younger colleagues and crew members, creating an uncomfortable and negative atmosphere on set. This led to an internal investigation, and ultimately, his removal from the show. The production team hoped his departure would create a safer and more respectful work environment.

Christian Bale

A leaked recording from the set of ‘Terminator Salvation’ revealed the actor’s intense dedication to his craft, but also a volatile temper. He angrily confronted the cinematographer after they briefly stepped into his view during a take, delivering a string of harsh language. The outburst was so forceful that it startled the entire crew. Afterward, the actor publicly apologized, acknowledging he had overreacted.

Vin Diesel

The later ‘Fast and Furious’ movies were plagued by a well-known conflict between Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson. Diesel was reportedly often late to set and critical of his co-stars, which caused significant tension among the cast. This led to the two actors refusing to appear in scenes together for multiple films. The rest of the cast felt stuck in the middle of their rivalry, creating a challenging and uncomfortable work environment. Their public dispute made the stress and strain on everyone involved very clear.

Share your thoughts on these intense behind the scenes stories in the comments.

2026-02-13 07:19