Top 10 Most Infamous Hollywood Feuds

In 1998, the WB debuted “Charmed,” a supernatural drama following the lives of the witchy Halliwell sisters, starring Shannen Doherty as Prue, Holly Marie Combs as Piper, and Alyssa Milano as Phoebe. Doherty, who previously had off-screen disputes with her “90210” costars, exited the show in 2001 and Prue was killed off after the season 3 finale. Whether the actress was fired or left on her own is unclear but rumors spread that behind-the-scenes tension with Milano led to her departure. For years, the two actresses traded shade in the media. But in 2017, Milano confirmed that the former castmates buried the hatchet and in 2021, she revealed that the pair were friendly. As of 2023, all seems to be well.

Beginning in the early 1950s, Marilyn Monroe was the quintessential blonde bombshell with an enviable body and sex symbol status. But, she had competition, including the up-and-coming starlet Jayne Mansfield who, after years of trying to make it in the industry, finally saw success in mid-‘50s. While she admired Monroe, the latter felt insulted by what she felt were vulgar imitations of her persona, once declaring she’d take legal action if she could. As seen in the iconic photo of Sophia Loren at a party in her honor serving major side-eye, Monroe wasn’t the only one who disliked the actress.

When HBO’s hit series “Sex and the City” ended in 2004 after six seasons, rumors swirled that it was due to Samantha actress Kim Cattrall’s salary “demands.” Sarah Jessica Parker, who became a producer in later seasons, was reportedly paid more per episode, which Cattrall was said to be unhappy with. Since 2017, around the time she declined to participate in a third movie, the actress has been vocal about her feelings toward her former castmates, namely Parker. SJP Continues to claim the two aren’t fighting, but Cattrall was the only OG cast member not to reprise their role in the 2021 SATC reboot, “And Just like That…”. She eventually agreed to a cameo in the second season, but apparently with some strict guidelines.

Throughout her career, Academy Award-winning actress Faye Dunaway earned a reputation in Hollywood for being unpleasant to work with, which may or may not have been true. Roman Polanski claimed she was difficult when he directed Dunaway in the 1974 noir classic “Chinatown,” going as far as to call her a “maniac.” According to the actress, it was the temperamental Polanski who was the source of conflict during the production, treating her poorly and denying her bathroom breaks. In “Easy Riders, Raging Bulls”, author Peter Biskind recounted alleged on-set incidents between the two including a time when Dunaway inquired about her character’s motive in a scene, to which Polanski replied, “Your salary is your motivation.” It’s not much of a surprise that they never worked together again.

Back in February of 1965, when comedian Joan Rivers was starting out in showbiz, she made her first appearance on “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.” Soon, she became a regular guest and occasionally took over hosting duties while Carson was on vacation. But their friendship came crashing down in the ‘80s when Rivers didn’t even make NBC’s list of possible hosts to step in after his retirement. So, she made a lucrative deal with Fox to host her own talk show. According to Rivers, her pal Johnny was the first person she told, and he didn’t take the news well, feeling betrayed that she left and became his professional competition. Carson didn’t speak to her again, and sadly, he passed away before they could make amends.

Raquel Welch solidified her icon and sex symbol status after starring in 1966’s “One Million Years B.C.” While she had a long, successful career, Hollywood’s ageism made those types of roles scarce as Welch got older. In 1980, the 40-year-old actress was cast in MGM’s film adaptation of John Steinbeck’s novel “Cannery Row” with Nick Nolte. Early on in the film’s production, Welsh was fired and replaced by 25-year-old Debra Winger. The studio cited her alleged unreliability and demands as the cause for budget issues and subsequent dismissal but Welsh believed it was their plan to recast her all along. She sued MGM for contract violation and defamation and a court awarded $10.8 million in 1986. However, Welch’s career took a hit in the process.

The animosity between Frank Sinatra and Marlon Brando began with the former’s disdain for the latter before they even met. Sinatra was salty for a number of reasons. He was originally cast as the lead in Elia Kazan’s 1954 film “On the Waterfront” but was booted when the director got Brando, his first choice, to come aboard. Then the star lost out on the role of Sky Masterson in “Guys and Dolls”, again to Brando. Sinatra instead ended up sharing the screen with him as Nathan Detroit, the second lead. From day one, the two actors didn’t get along on-set, with Sinatra reportedly rejecting Brando’s request to run lines. And, years later, Brando nabbed yet another part Sinatra purportedly sought out: Vito Corleone in “The Godfather.”

Making friends in Tinsel town can be hard but keeping them may be even harder. As young starlets, Elizabeth Taylor and Debbie Reynolds formed a bond while they both attended school on the MGM lot. In 1955, Reynolds married famous singer Eddie Fisher. Two years later, the couple acted as Matron of Honor and Best Man, respectively, at the wedding of Taylor and producer Mike Todd. Things would get messy after Todd’s tragic death in 1958. He left his wife and kids, and married his new love just a year later. Naturally, this love triangle became an epic tabloid scandal. Decades later, after they’d both remarried, Reynolds and Taylor reconciled.

These Academy Award-winning actresses and sisters had a life-long feud that went beyond just sibling rivalry. With only a 15-month age difference between them, Olivia de Havilland and Joan Fontaine seemed to always be in competition. Olivia was the first in everything including birth order. As children, some of their spats got physical which sometimes resulted in injuries. In Hollywood, they battled it out at the 1942 Oscars when both were nominated for Best Actress. Joan ultimately took home the golden statue that night but Olivia would win her own in 1946. But, perhaps their biggest rift occurred in 1975 when rumors circulated that Olivia failed to contact her younger sister as their mother was dying and did not send her an invitation to the memorial service.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson vs. Vin Diesel
Two Adult Movie Stars Name-Calling via Passive-Aggressive Instagram Posts Is Not a Good Look

Jerry Lewis vs. Dean Martin
The 10-Year Comedy Duo Went Their Separate Ways When Martin Felt Overshadowed by Lewis

Jay Leno vs. David Letterman
Bad Blood Between Two Late-Night Icons Over Helming “The Tonight Show” After Johnny Carson’s Exit

Will Smith vs. Janet Hubert
Though They’ve Since Cleared the Air, OG Aunt Viv Was Allegedly Fired After Butting Heads with the “Fresh Prince”

It’s no surprise this legendary feud comes out on top. The highly publicized bitterness between Bette Davis and Joan Crawford seemingly began in 1933 when Crawford’s divorce from her first husband, Douglas Fairbanks Jr. dominated the headlines. Davis’ new film “Ex-Lady”, released the same day, was considered less noteworthy in comparison and didn’t do well at the box office. Two years later, Davis fell head over heels for her “Dangerous” co-star Franchot Tone but the actor married Crawford. The actresses maintained their mutual hatred for decades throwing shade and trying to upstage each other. Several notable instances of one antagonizing the other went down during their only project together: 1962’s “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?” In the end, Davis and Crawford took this infamous rivalry to the grave.