While many of them have received accolades for their critically-acclaimed performances, these actors have also earned bad reputations for their alleged diva behavior or narcissism.
- Feb 5, 2023
AceShowbiz - The key to success is often a combination of attitude and talent. Such traits are what celebrities, whom many consider as role models, have usually demonstrated. However, not everyone is able to maintain perfect scores on their reports.
Despite being known for their critically-acclaimed performances, some actors have earned bad reputations for their alleged diva behavior or narcissism among other things. While some of them are still able to continue working in the industry, a few others barely survive the bad press. Below are ten actors who have been branded difficult to work with.
1. Christian Bale
Christian Bale is undoubtedly one of actors with glowing resume. He has received various accolades, including an Academy Award and two Golden Globe Awards, the epitome of his hard work. However, his critically-acclaimed performances can only be rivaled by his hot temper. He had an on-set meltdown during the filming of "Terminator Salvation", reportedly berating and dropping F-bomb on the director of photography for walking through his line of vision during an important acting sequence. His publicist Harrison Cheung has explained that the actor suffers from a post-traumatic stress disorder.
2. Katherine Heigl
Katherine Heigl was once Hollywood's "It girl", landing lead roles in romantic comedies and even winning an Emmy Award for her role on "Grey's Anatomy" in 2007. However, her reputation was forever ruined following her comments on "Knocked Up" and her dispute with "Grey's" producers. She called the movie "sexist" and claimed that she "had a hard time" on the set. She also criticized the writing of her "Grey's" character, calling it weak. She was eventually let go from the series, with her claiming that she wanted to devote more time for her family. Her hiatus went on for a long time as she has barely gotten cast in leading lady roles ever since.
3. Edward Norton
Edward Norton takes his job very seriously, so much that it makes those around him uncomfortable. Known for wanting creative control over his projects, he created tension with director Louis Leterrier on "The Incredible Hulk" set. He rewrote the script every day of filming, which insulted screenwriter Zak Penn. He did not participate in the film's promotion, leading Marvel to recast the role of Hulk though the film received favorable reviews. Director Tony Kaye, who worked with him on "American History X", branded him a "narcissistic dilettante."
4. Bruce Willis
Bruce Willis' clash with Kevin Smith wasn't the only evidence of his difficult nature. For years, he has been known for his hard as nails personality. After working with him on "Cop Out", Smith said the actor was "soul crushing." He is notoriously poor interview subject as well, while Sylvester Stallone called him "greedy and lazy." The "Die Hard" star was dropped from the third "The Expendables" movie for demanding a higher fee, prompting Sly to air out his feeling working with Willis as saying, "GREEDY AND LAZY …… A SURE FORMULA FOR CAREER FAILURE."
5. Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez has achieved success both as a music and movie star. That's probably what drove her to become a diva on set. The Bronx star is said to be very vocal about her opinions, want to prove people wrong and won't admit when she's wrong. The "Marry Me" star has a pretty lengthy list of backstage demands for each project she works on including some elaborate requests like keeping a helicopter on standby and blocking off entire hotel floors. She allegedly also doesn't mingle with crew and requires them to communicate with her through her assistants.
6. Steven Seagal
Steven Seagal's demure demeanor on screen is nothing compared to what he's like in real life. He once kicked his "Executive Decision" co-star John Leguizamo in the chest for downplaying his demand for total respect and loyalty. There have been various reports of his on-set cruelties and abuses toward his co-stars. He has also been sued multiple times for various accusations such as sexual harassment and breach of contract.
7. Sharon Stone
Sharon Stone is perhaps best known for her role in erotic thriller "Basic Instinct", but those who have worked with her may remember her for her difficult nature and unprofessionalism. "Golden Boy" director Pupi Avati slammed the actress for making demands bordering on ridiculous. The filmmaker claimed she would leave set unannounced and have her manager call them with more demands. After getting a hold of her, she demanded certain people leave the set before she would return.
8. Lea Michele
Lea Michele isn't as lovable as her "Glee" character is. While Ryan Murphy is seemingly fond of her, having cast her on the FOX musical drama series and "Scream Queens", she irritated her co-star Naya Rivera, who called her a diva and a "nightmare to work with." In 2020, more actors came forward with their similar experiences while working with Michele, accusing her of being hostile and rude to others on set. She has apologized for the way she treated her co-stars, but continued to lay low until she landed a role in musical revival "Funny Girl" in 2022.
9. Jennifer Aniston
Jennifer Aniston may be known to be warm and easy-going to her best friends, but she isn't that sociable on set. She has been known for years as a diva who isn't approachable and likes to be alone. The "Friends" alum reportedly had her trailer a mile away from the set and would got eat lunch there alone every day. "Her behavior is a clear indicator to everyone that she's not approachable," a so-called insider once spilled. "And it's just unnecessary. There's no reason why she has to act any better than anyone else on that movie set."
10. Johnny Depp
Another actor whose bad reputation precedes his acting skills is Johnny Depp. His diva behavior was evident during the filming of "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales", during which he was constantly late and needed his lines fed to him through earpieces. His former agent Tracy Jacobs testified during the defamation trial that she flew to Australia twice in an attempt to intervene. The 59-year-old was also accused of assault by a location manager of 2018's crime thriller "City of Lies".
