There are on-screen couples who have chemistry that is so hot that you can practically feel the heat coming off the screen. Just thinking about some of them can cause us to start perspiring. They’re the sort of couples who you know are going to end up together IRL because having all of that chemistry and not having it go anywhere just wouldn’t make sense.
Of course, what we sometimes forget to realize is that these are actors and actresses we’re talking about. Sometimes super-hot chemistry on screen can be nothing more than very good acting. Off-screen the situation might be very different. In fact, there are couples who have had amazing on-screen chemistry but hated each other off-screen. Then there are the ones who couldn’t even fake it for the money because they disliked each other that much. Have a look at the on-screen couples who legit didn’t like each other IRL.
Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, The Notebook
The Notebook might be considered one of the most romantic movies of the 2000s, but the chemistry Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams shared as Noah Jr. and Allie Hamilton didn’t exactly translate in real life (at first). In fact, the director the film, Nick Cassavetes, even admitted that the pair did not get along. It’s said there was fighting, screaming and Ryan even asked for a different actress to read Rachel’s lines so he could react to that as opposed to Rachel. The feelings were more complicated than that because the pair ended up dating for about three years.
Claire Danes and Leonardo DiCaprio, Romeo + Juliet
We can practically hear the hearts breaking over this one, but it’s true. Claire Danes and Leonardo DiCaprio might have been star-crossed lovers in the re-imaging of William Shakespeare‘s most romantic tale, but things were far from that in real life. It’s said the pair avoided speaking to each other when the cameras weren’t rolling. Claire was irritated by Leo’s penchant for pranks and his immaturity while it’s reported that he found her to be “too uptight.” FYI: Claire was 16 and Leo was 22 when they filmed the movie.
Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey, Dirty Dancing
We’re not sure if Patrick Swayze would have been uttering his classic line, “Nobody puts baby in a corner” in real life in reference to co-star Jennifer Grey. Patrick and Jennifer had some sizzling chemistry (and dance moves) as Johnny Castle and Frances Houseman, but what went on behind the scenes was a different story. Patrick even wrote in his memoir about how Jennifer was very emotional on set and would get into “silly moods.” It wasn’t all hate because the pair did eventually become good friends.
Marilyn Monroe and Tony Curtis, Some Like It Hot
Things weren’t exactly fire on the set of the 1959 movie Some Like It Hot. Tony Curtis and Marilyn Monroe were undoubtedly great together on-screen, but the fact that they didn’t get along was pretty well known. It’s reported that Tony said that kissing Marilyn was like “kissing Hitler” and he also supposedly made comments about her mental health while they were filming. Tony and Marilyn did previously have a relationship, so there were probably some hard feelings about that.
David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson, The X-Files
It’s actually pretty surprising that The X-Files has gotten several reboots considering the relationship between David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson off-screen wasn’t exactly peachy keen. Fox Mulder and Dana Schully are an inseparable duo in the show, with the whole will-they-hook-up-or-won’t-they thing, but David himself has said that his relationship with Gillian was more of a sisterly bond. And like siblings, the pair apparently had their quarrels.
Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan, Fifty Shades of Grey
Yes, really. Some critics of the massive movie franchise say that Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan have absolutely no chemistry as Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey. Fans will of course fervently deny this, but if the gossip is to be believed, things aren’t exactly fifty shades of fun when they’re filming. Neither co-star has ever really criticized the other, but people say that they can appear awkward or forced when they’re together in interviews.
Pierce Brosnan and Teri Hatcher, Tomorrow Never Dies
James Bond has a way with women, and most people in general, but there were some issues on the Tomorrow Never Dies set between James Bond himself, Pierce Brosnan and Teri Hatcher, aka Paris Carver. There were apparently some problems with Teri not showing up on time, and Pierce even admitted that he got upset about it. It’s said that it resulted in him saying a few choice words that weren’t the kindest. Wonder what James Bond would have done in the situation.
Shirley McLaine and Anthony Hopkins, A Change of Seasons
In the 1980 movie A Change of Seasons, a change of co-stars might have been in order. While things were literally steamy on-screen (remember the shower scene?) things with Shirley McLaine and Anthony Hopkins were, erm, not exactly civil when the cameras weren’t rolling. It’s rumored that Anthony said Shirley was “the most obnoxious actress I’ve ever worked with.” We guess the tension did pay off considering the duo played a married couple who were both having affairs…
Meryl Streep and Dustin Hoffman, Kramer vs. Kramer
Meryl Streep is a legend. You would think that someone like her would be immune to pesky co-stars, but that turned out not to be the case on the set of the 1979 movie Kramer vs. Kramer. It’s said that Dustin Hoffman got very into method acting in the role and may have pushed things too far by trying to get a rise out of her by commenting on her personal life. Of course some wondered whether it was method acting at all.
Richard Gere and Debra Winger, An Officer and a Gentleman
Why is it that even the most romantic movies seem to have some problems off-screen? You might think that the love would continue, but it sometimes doesn’t work out that way. Just see the 1982 film An Officer and a Gentleman. Richard Gere may have carried Debra Winger off into the sunset when they played Zack Mayo and Paula Pokrifki but nothing like that would probably have ever happened in real life. When they weren’t filming, it’s reported that the two were constantly arguing.
Julia Roberts and Nick Nolte, I Love Trouble
We could say that the title I Love Trouble was appropriate given what happened behind the scenes on the set of the 1994 action-romance movie. Co-stars Julia Roberts and Nick Nolte are rumored to have not gotten along. There was a significant age gap between the pair that could have been part of the problem. However, it didn’t help much that Julia called Nick “disgusting” in an interview. He retaliated by saying she “wasn’t a nice person and everyone knew that.” Ouch.
William Baldwin and Sharon Stone, Sliver
Sliver hasn’t exactly gone down in history as one of the best films. In fact, we won’t blame you if you’ve never even heard of the film. The 1993 movie was dubbed an “erotic thriller” and was seen as an attempt to cash in on Basic Instinct. The production and script of the movie may have been lacking, but the chemistry was pretty steamy between William Baldwin‘s Zeke Hawkins and Sharon Stone‘s Carly Norris. The feelings weren’t there off-camera where it’s claimed Sharon enjoyed “torturing” William. There’s one rumor about how she injured his tongue during a kissing scene so he couldn’t talk afterwards.
Kate Beckinsale and Luke Wilson, Vacancy
Do you remember the 2007 film Vacancy? It wasn’t exactly brimming with romance given that it was about a couple, Amy Fox (Kate Beckinsale) and David Fox (Luke Wilson), stranded in a very creepy motel. Despite the circumstances, there was still some love there. But off camera? It’s said that the two didn’t get along. It’s reported that they both refused to stand off-camera to read lines to the other one and that their personalities clashed.
Vivian Vance and William Frawley, I Love Lucy
Co-star couples not getting along off-screen is nothing new. Case in point: The story of Vivian Vance and William Frawley. The pair played Lucy and Ricky Ricardo‘s sweet friends and neighbors Ethel and Fred Mertz in I Love Lucy. The fun-loving show seemed to have camouflaged some tension. It’s said that they both weren’t fond of the other. There was a 22 year age difference between them so that might have had something to do with it.
Stana Katic and Nathan Fillion, Castle
Stana Katic and Nathan Fillion played a couple, Kate Beckett and Richard Castle, on ABC’s Castle, but it seems that they were anything but couple-y off-set. There are reports that things were so bad between the pair that they had to attend couple’s counselling together. Really. It’s said there were tears and icy silences on set. Stana left the show after eight seasons which fueled more rumors, but Castle ended up getting cancelled shortly after the announcement.
Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp, The Tourist
Angelina Jolie plus Johnny Depp should have equaled an amazing combination. However, the A-list pairing left some wanting more in their roles as Chiara Manzoni and Frank Tupelo in 2010’s The Tourist. Part of the problem could have been that the pair didn’t exactly get on like a house on fire. It’s reported that Johnny thought Ang was a bit stuck up while she was upset he didn’t get in better shape for the movie.
Shannen Doherty and Jason Lee, Mallrats
Mallrats is considered a cult movie to those who love farce romantic films. The 1995 film had Shannen Doherty as Rene Mosier with Jason Lee as Brodie Bruce. They were cute indie darlings on-screen, but things weren’t exactly happy-go-lucky behind the scenes. Jason apparently found Shannen difficult to work and there were hints he thought she had diva behavior and acted spoiled.
Lauren Graham and Scott Patterson, Gilmore Girls
I can hear all of the Gilmore Girls fans screaming at this one. We could maybe see Alexis Bledel not getting along with some of the actors who played Rory Gilmore‘s exes IRL, but Lauren Graham and Scott Patterson, are Lorelai Gilmore and Luke, aka the rock couple. However, things weren’t always so steady in their relationship. The two didn’t loathe each other, but in interviews they were quick to dismiss the idea they were best friends. Thankfully, it appears as if they’ve gotten past that point in their relationship.
Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn, Four Christmases
You would think that the set of a Christmas movie would be filled with festive joy, but that wasn’t exactly the case on the set of the 2008 comedy Four Christmases. Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughan played Kate and Brad, a couple who struggled to visit their four divorced families on Christmas. There were apparently struggles off screen, too, with the couple having chemistry issues. Plus, it’s reported that Reese was not happy with Vince’s penchant for deviating from the script and doing his own thing.
Sean Young and Harrison Ford, Blade Runner
Forget about the latest version of Blade Runner with Ryan Gosling for a moment. We’re talking about the 1982 movie with Harrison Ford as Rick Deckard and Sean Young as Rachael. The romance between the characters added a new dimension to the movie, but things stopped when the cameras weren’t rolling. The pair allegedly didn’t get along at all. It’s said that the crew in the movie actually nicknamed the love scene in the movie their “hate scene.”
Jason Alexander and Heidi Swedberg, Seinfeld
Seinfeld received tons of love during its run from 1989 to 1998. However, things didn’t seem to always be so happy on set. Do you remember Susan Ross? She was played by Heidi Swedberg. *Spoiler alert* The character ended up getting written off of the show. It’s reported that creators had to do it because Heidi was allegedly impossible to work with, according to other actors like Jason Alexander. Jason’s character, George Costanza, actually almost ended up marrying Susan. That is until that unfortunate ending…
Sophia Loren and Marlon Brando, A Countess From Hong Kong
It seems that the drama between co-stars is always there. Take A Countess from Hong Kong. The movie was released back in 1967 and it’s said that co-stars Sophia Loren and Marlon Brando weren’t exactly into each other. The film’s poster might show Sophia in bed with a laughing Marlon at the side, but their relationship was tense. Things were strained from the beginning when Marlon allegedly told Sophia he could see her nose hairs. Things seemed to only decline from there. Sophia even said in her autobiography that Marlon had no qualms about ruining their working relationship.
Marilyn Monroe and Sir Laurence Olivier, The Prince and the Showgirl
Here’s another throwback one for you. Marilyn Monroe makes it onto the list again. This time it has to do with the 1957 film The Prince and the Showgirl. In it, she played Elsie, the showgirl, while Sir Laurence Olivier, played The Regent. There was an unlikely love story on screen, but that is where it ended. There were reports of feuds when the cameras weren’t rolling. The movie’s cinematographer later admitted that Sir Olivier even called Marilyn the B-word.
Chad Michael Murray and Sophia Bush, One Tree Hill
Chad Michael Murray and Sophia Bush went from being one of our dream couples on and off-screen, to being the source of some major awkwardness. If you can think back to the 2000’s, Chad was basketball player-and-sometimes-troublemaker Lucas Scott on One Tree Hill. Sophia played Brooke Davis. The duo hooked up on the show and ended up getting married IRL. Sadly, things didn’t end great. They divorced shortly after and rumors swirled that Chad cheated with his House of Wax co-star Paris Hilton. Then Sophia and Chad had to continue working together for years. Not the best environment, eh?
Jennifer Aniston and Jay Mohr, Picture Perfect
Picture Perfect is a Jennifer Aniston movie from 1997 that was admittedly eclipsed by Friends. If you do remember the film, you will know that Jennifer played Kate Mosley, a single lady wanting to get ahead at her advertising firm despite the boss usually promoting married people. (Really.) The movie also starred Jay Mohr as Nick, Kate’s fake fiancé. The film had relationship drama, but there seemed to be some off-set, too. Jay said in interviews that Jen made it rather clear on set that she wasn’t happy with his casting choice.
Charlie Sheen and Selma Blair, Anger Management
Yeah, we all know how Charlie Sheen had some major issues with people he worked with on Two and a Half Men. You might have thought he would have left that behind when he went on to do 2012’s Anger Management. He played Charlie Goodson while Selma Blair played Kate Wales. The two had some sexy scenes, but Selma ended up getting fired from the show after some drama with Charlie. He reportedly sent her texts calling her derogatory names. Ironic, considering the show is called Anger Management and Charlie’s character had a last name with “good” in it.
Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy, Mad Max: Fury Road
If we’re getting technical, Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy didn’t play the typical romantic leading couple in Mad Max: Fury Road. But, nothing in the 2015 action movie was really conventional and the duo did form their own unique bond in the film. Therefore, they make it onto the list. Tom’s Max Rockatansky may have seen a different side of Charlize’s Imperator Furiosa, but there was apparently some dramz off-screen. The actress even admitted that she and Tom “struggled” with each other and weren’t exactly chummy.
Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher, That ’70s Show
Admittedly, Jackie Burkhart (Mila Kunis) and Michael Kelso (Ashton Kutcher) weren’t the best couple on That ’70s Show. There was the bickering, the bossing around and the cheating. There also was some trouble between Ashton and Mila on set. It was said they couldn’t stand each other at first. Mila was 15 when the show started filming while Ashton was 21, so that may have had something to do with it. Time does change things because they’re now happily married with two kids.
Woody Allen and Mia Farrow, Husbands and Wives
There was a lot of stuff going on with Husbands and Wives, the 1992 mockumentary drama about failed relationships. It featured Mia Farrow as Judy Roth and Woody Allen as Gabe Roth. There was tension in the script, but it was actually worse in real life. The real life couple were separating after Mia allegedly found nude photos Woody took of their adopted daughter. There was much talk about incest and pedophilia so things were serious.
Mel Gibson and Julia Roberts, Conspiracy Theory
There have been some rumors about Mel Gibson not getting along with some of his co-stars. One example is the relationship between the actor and Julia Roberts in the 1997 movie Conspiracy Theory. In the film, conspiracy theorist Jerry Fletcher (Mel) was enamored with Alice Sutton (Julia). In real life? Things were different. It’s rumored that Mel likes to prank his co-stars and send them random things, and Julia wasn’t into it.
Johnny Galecki and Kaley Cuoco, The Big Bang Theory
Johnny Galecki and Kaley Cuoco have become the unlikely definition of #relationshipgoals on The Big Bang Theory as Leonard and Penny, respectively. However, things seem to be a little tense in real life. It was revealed that the co-stars were an actual couple. They kept their relationship quiet for two years, before Kaley went on to have some high-profile romances. Obviously, working with your ex and having that going on cannot be easy.
Mark Salling and Naya Rivera, Glee
Rachel Berry (Lea Michele) and Finn Hudson (Corey Monteith) were the hero Glee couple for many of us, rivaled only by Santana Lopez (Naya Rivera) and Brittany S. Pierce (Heather Morris), but Santana also had a relationship with Puck (Mark Salling). Lea and Cory might have shared a real life connection, but Naya and Mark didn’t quite have the same intense bond. The couple did actually date IRL but split. Naya also wrote in her autobiography that she wasn’t shocked about Mark’s child porn charges so… that’s a pretty scathing review.