Audience members are often surprised and, quite strangely, delighted to hear that a hot and steamy romance on screen could not have been further from the truth. There are many couples in Hollywood who have made waves on screen with undeniable chemistry, but as soon as the shout of “cut” went out, they could not have been less interested in one another. The question remains: what is the connection between the ten couples on the list below? They all put in some very convincing work, but clashed in real life and could not wait for filming to be complete.
10. Shirley MacLaine & Anthony Hopkins
In A Change of Seasons, the two played a troubled married couple-and apparently, the tension didn’t stop when the cameras did. Hopkins was openly critical, once describing MacLaine as the most difficult co-star he’d ever had. MacLaine later claimed the feeling was mutual, and that Hopkins’ sobriety and personal issues at the time contributed to the tension between them. Though the movie itself bombed, their mutual dislike proved far more long-lasting.
9. Gillian Anderson & David Duchovny
Mulder and Scully provided The X-Files with its soul, but off-camera, the two leads did not see eye to eye. Duchovny once confessed, “We couldn’t stand the sight of each other. We argued about nothing.” Anderson similarly related that there were days they didn’t say a word to one another. Although they’ve long since mended their friendship, those early days were as frosty as the show’s supernatural storylines.
8. Lauren Graham & Scott Patterson
Viewers loved Lorelai and Luke’s coffee-brewed romance on Gilmore Girls, but in real life, their relationship was purely professional. Graham called their professional relationship “fine” and “functional,” explaining that although they shared wonderful chemistry on screen, they weren’t buddies in real life. Translation: no last-minute late-night coffee orders once cameras stopped rolling.
7. Armie Hammer & Blake Lively
Hammer’s Gossip Girl stint was short-lived—and gossip claims it was due to Lively. He would later imply that tensions were high on set, confessing that producers appeared keen on writing him out. Asked if the issue was Lively, Hammer’s smile answered. Based on what we now know about Hammer, the majority of fans have no difficulty with her being in the right.
6. Richard Gere & Debra Winger
In An Officer and a Gentleman, they were unforgettable on-screen lovebirds—but they didn’t possess the same sparks. Winger reportedly called Gere “a brick wall,” while co-star Louis Gossett Jr. described how the two of them kept to themselves whenever they could. Winger later confessed they had a rocky patch, but the chemistry was palpable enough to last long after the camera stopped rolling.
5. Ryan Gosling & Rachel McAdams
It’s difficult to envision The Notebook without their charged chemistry, but initially, Gosling hated working with McAdams. Director Nick Cassavetes dropped a bombshell that Gosling had asked if she could be replaced in the middle of one of her scenes. After a screaming argument, things cooled down—and ultimately turned into a real-life romance. Their romance off-camera was as epic as the one they acted out.
4. Kim Basinger & Mickey Rourke
Steamy on screen, icy off. In 9 1/2 Weeks, Basinger has said she “hated him” sometimes, particularly as director Adrian Lyne pushed Rourke to get a reaction out of her. Lyne would later admit he even instructed Rourke to “break her down,” resulting in real tears and a slapped face. The on-screen passion was undeniable—but so was the emotional residue.
3. Julia Roberts & Nick Nolte
Their own romantic comedy, I Love Trouble le became a misnomer, as the stars did not get along. Roberts acknowledged that Nolte was charming but also “disgusting,” and Nolte retorted that Roberts was not a nice person. Their back-and-forth insults were front-page news, and the only thing they could agree on was that they didn’t like each other.
2. Patrick Swayze & Jennifer Grey
Dirty Dancing could be the greatest love story of all time, but the two stars weren’t exactly on the same page. Swayze characterized Grey as moody and sensitive, and Grey had already butted heads with him on Red Dawn and didn’t wish to repeat the experience. Their bristly dynamic, though, produced the very tension that made Baby and Johnny’s affair so electric.
1. Dustin Hoffman & Meryl Streep
Headlining the list: Hoffman and Streep in Kramer vs. Kramer. Although their acting earned them Oscars, filming was by no means a harmonious experience. Hoffman reportedly slapped Streep without provocation in her first scene, describing it as over the line and inappropriate. It is claimed that he also taunted her with derogatory personal comments, even mentioning the name of her deceased partner. It was savage, age, but the raw emotion delivered unforgettable performances.
From cringe-worthy silence to all-out feuds, these tales demonstrate that great on-screen chemistry doesn’t always result from actual affection. In Hollywood, love and hate are sometimes co-starring in the same set—and fans benefit.