15 Celebrities Known for Causing Drama on Set

15 Celebrities Known for Causing Drama on Set

Hollywood may seem like all glitz and glamour from the outside, but sometimes things get messy behind the scenes. When big personalities clash with directors, crew members, or fellow actors, production can quickly turn chaotic. These stars have gained reputations not just for their talents, but also for causing major headaches during filming.

1. Lindsay Lohan

Tardiness became Lindsay’s trademark during the peak of her career. Directors frequently complained about her showing up hours late to set, costing productions thousands of dollars per minute.

Her behavior on the 2006 film “Georgia Rule” was so problematic that studio executive James G. Robinson wrote her a scathing letter calling her actions “irresponsible and unprofessional.” The letter was leaked to the press.

Co-stars from various projects have shared stories about scheduled shooting days being completely canceled because Lindsay simply didn’t show up.

2. Charlie Sheen

Few meltdowns compare to Charlie’s infamous departure from “Two and a Half Men.” After eight successful seasons, his erratic behavior and public feud with creator Chuck Lorre resulted in his firing in 2011.

Before the firing, production frequently halted due to Charlie’s absences and inability to perform. His $1.8 million per episode salary made these delays extraordinarily expensive.

Crew members reported walking on eggshells around him during his final season. His replacement by Ashton Kutcher allowed the show to continue, but the behind-the-scenes drama became legendary in television history.

3. Shia LaBeouf

Method acting took an extreme turn with Shia on the set of “Fury.” To prepare for his role as a World War II soldier, he reportedly refused to shower for weeks and pulled out his own tooth.

His intensity created tension with co-stars, particularly during the filming of “Lawless,” where he consumed moonshine to stay in character and got into physical altercations. Director David Ayer of “Fury” had to intervene when Shia’s commitment to authenticity began disrupting the production schedule.

Cast members from multiple films have described his approach as both dedicated and difficult to work alongside.

4. Megan Fox

A career-altering moment happened when Megan compared director Michael Bay to Hitler in a 2009 interview. This comment got her fired from the third “Transformers” film, as executive producer Steven Spielberg reportedly demanded her removal.

Before this incident, crew members had complained about her attitude on set. An open letter from anonymous crew members described her as “unfriendly” and “ungrateful.”

Years later, Megan addressed the situation, acknowledging she was young and spoke without thinking. The drama significantly impacted her career trajectory in Hollywood.

5. Gwyneth Paltrow

Behind Gwyneth’s polished public image lies a reputation for making demanding requests on set. Crew members have shared stories about her insistence that no one make eye contact with her during filming.

Her perfectionism extends to having assistants wipe down her shower before use and demanding specific bottled water brands. During the filming of “Iron Man 2,” reports emerged about tensions with co-star Scarlett Johansson due to Gwyneth’s behavior.

Despite these stories, directors continue casting her for her undeniable talent, suggesting they find ways to accommodate her particular working style.

6. Russell Crowe

Throughout his career, Russell’s legendary outbursts have made headlines. During Gladiator’s production, tensions escalated when he reportedly threatened producer Branko Lustig with physical violence over assistant payment issues.

His perfectionism often manifests as anger when scenes don’t meet his standards. On the set of “Robin Hood,” he stormed off multiple times when unhappy with the script, causing expensive delays.

Despite his difficult reputation, directors like Ridley Scott repeatedly work with him because his intensity often translates into powerful performances that elevate the entire project.

7. Edward Norton

Control issues have defined Edward’s on-set reputation throughout his career. During the production of “American History X,” he battled with director Tony Kaye over the final cut, eventually taking editing control himself.

His perfectionism reached new heights on “The Incredible Hulk,” where he reportedly rewrote scripts daily without authorization. This behavior led Marvel to replace him with Mark Ruffalo in future projects.

Directors acknowledge his brilliance but struggle with his need to control every aspect of production. Some filmmakers now avoid working with him despite his undeniable talent.

8. Christian Bale

An audio recording of Christian’s infamous rant on the set of “Terminator Salvation” shocked fans worldwide. His four-minute tirade against cinematographer Shane Hurlbut for walking into his eyeline during filming became viral evidence of his intensity.

Co-stars from multiple films describe his complete transformation during method acting. On “American Hustle,” he reportedly got so into character that he insisted Amy Adams stay in character even between takes.

Despite his intensity, Christian later apologized for the outburst, showing a rare moment of public accountability that many difficult celebrities never demonstrate.

9. Sean Penn

Notorious for his combative approach, Sean once hung a photographer over a ninth-floor hotel balcony for trying to take his picture. This aggressive temperament has followed him onto movie sets throughout his career.

During the filming of “The Thin Red Line,” his clashes with director Terrence Malick became so intense that much of his performance was cut from the final film. His perfectionism often manifests as hostility toward anyone he feels is compromising his artistic vision.

Despite these challenges, directors continue seeking him out for his transformative performances that frequently earn critical acclaim.

10. Nicki Minaj

Diva behavior reached new heights during Nicki’s time as a judge on “American Idol.” Her frequent tardiness to live tapings caused production delays that frustrated everyone from crew members to fellow judge Mariah Carey.

Their feud became so intense that security had to be increased on set. Leaked footage showed Nicki threatening, “If I had a gun, I would shoot her,” creating a toxic work environment.

Production assistants reported having to follow unusual demands, including specific lighting requirements and rules about not making eye contact. These behaviors earned her a difficult reputation that extended beyond music into her television appearances.

11. Roseanne Barr

Long before her controversial tweet ended the “Roseanne” revival, she had established herself as difficult on the original series. Writers frequently quit due to her unpredictable behavior and last-minute script changes.

Cast members described walking on eggshells around her volatile moods. During the original run, she would sometimes refuse to come out of her trailer if displeased with scripts or working conditions.

Her controlling nature extended to firing writers who didn’t meet her standards and demanding creative control that exceeded her role as an actress. This behavior created a challenging environment despite the show’s massive success.

12. Russell Brand

Unpredictability became Russell’s trademark on film sets. During the production of “Arthur,” his improvisational style frequently derailed scheduled scenes, causing frustration among crew members trying to maintain the shooting schedule.

His habit of changing dialogue without warning left co-stars struggling to respond appropriately. Directors have noted his resistance to direction, preferring to follow his comedic instincts regardless of the script.

Despite these challenges, some directors appreciate his unique energy and willingness to take risks. His unconventional approach sometimes creates memorable moments that wouldn’t exist with a more disciplined performer.

13. Shannen Doherty

Few television stars have been fired from multiple hit shows like Shannen. Her departure from “Beverly Hills, 90210” came after reported fistfights with co-star Jennie Garth and frequent clashes with producers over creative decisions.

History repeated itself on “Charmed” when tensions with co-star Alyssa Milano became so severe that producers chose to kill off Shannen’s character rather than continue managing the conflict. Crew members from both shows described an atmosphere of tension whenever she arrived on set.

Years later, Shannen acknowledged some responsibility for her behavior, attributing it to youth and the pressures of sudden fame.

14. Armie Hammer

Before personal scandals derailed his career, Armie developed a reputation for unprofessional behavior on set. During the filming of “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.,” crew members reported his frequent tardiness and disregard for shooting schedules.

His method acting approaches sometimes crossed boundaries with co-stars. On the set of “Call Me By Your Name,” director Luca Guadagnino had to intervene when Armie’s intensity made younger co-star Timothée Chalamet uncomfortable during certain scenes.

Production assistants described his demanding nature and tendency to question director decisions, creating tension during filming.

15. Bella Thorne

Reliability issues have plagued Bella’s transition from Disney star to adult actress. Directors from multiple projects report her arriving hours late to set or sometimes not showing up at all.

Her approach to preparation has frustrated co-stars who find themselves unable to complete scenes due to her unfamiliarity with scripts. During one independent film, production reportedly had to shut down for an entire day when she disappeared without notice.

Makeup artists have shared stories about her refusing to sit still for necessary preparation, creating cascading delays that impact the entire shooting schedule and budget.