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Steer Clear: These Stars Are The Biggest Jerks In Hollywood

Monica November 27, 2023

Have you ever fallen in love with a celebrity on screen only to find out they’re a horrible person when news of a scandal breaks? You’re not alone; far from it, in fact. Unfortunately, it happens all too often in Hollywood. Hollywood stars can turn into some of the biggest jerks in the world.

All that fame and fortune eventually get to their heads, turning them into vicious people who are disliked by the fans who propelled them to fame in the first place. From treating their staff members with disrespect to being brutal nightmares on set, here are the biggest jerks in Hollywood. Even if you’re a longtime fan, you may want to steer clear.

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Katherine Heigl

Not only did Heigl rapidly make her way to fame but she’s also her own worst enemy because she ruined her reputation and halted her own meteoric rise. She speaks harshly to other celebrities and makes nasty remarks about other stars. She also refused a nomination for an Emmy because she felt Grey’s Anatomy didn’t deserve the recognition. Other celebrities also dislike working with her, saying she acted like a drama queen and had “Wardrobe issues, not getting out of the trailer, questioning the script every single day” (via The Richest).

Billboard

Mike Myers

Even though he’s portrayed as groovy in Austin Powers, Mike Myers is reportedly far from it in real life. He’s one of the biggest jerks in Hollywood thanks to his narcissistic, controlling behavior. One time, someone made eye contact with him and he fired them on the spot. He’s demanding and has ridiculous expectations that are nearly impossible to meet, like forcing Shrek to be redone. His acting in The Cat in the Hat earned horrible reviews, with critics saying “The producers may as well have skipped the hassle of securing licensing rights and simply called this mess Mike Myers: A**hole in Fur.” Coworkers have called him a diva since he always attempts to micromanage the production crew (via Looper).

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Patrick Dempsey

It seems like fame and fortune turned Dempsey into a monster. His rude behavior to his cast and crew quickly earned him a bad reputation in Hollywood. He was so rude that he got himself written off the show Grey’s Anatomy. He even left the set before his contract was up, and others have even crowned him ‘Lord D-Bag of the Day’ (via The Things).

Bored Panda

Jonah Hill

Even though we know Hill as a hilarious comedian who’s starred in some of the funniest movies in Hollywood, it doesn’t mean he’s lighthearted and funny off-screen. He’s actually the opposite, and he doesn’t really seem to think that harsh behavior is even his fault. In an interview, he said, “I was a very insecure young man, and people were incredibly mean to me throughout my whole career, and they still are. I’m sensitive, and my reaction to that often was to be a jerk back.” This can explain why he’s often arrogant to people (via 52 Insights).

Soul Ride Blog

Bruce Willis

Even though we see one version of Bruce Willis on screen, he’s a completely different person off-screen, as most stars in Hollywood are. People described their experience working with him as difficult and even soul-crushing. One fan met him in real life and described her experience meeting the jerk.

She said,” I was a cocktail waitress at a popular restaurant in Waikiki. Bruce Willis came in to watch the concert with his entourage. There were maybe four bodyguards with him. All of the cocktail waitresses were so excited to meet him, including me. When I built up the courage, I walked over to him and said, “I just wanted to let you know that I am one of your biggest fans!” Then Bruce Willis said, “Oh yeah, well what are you going to do about it?” with a look on his face like he had just smelled sh**. “Nothing,” I retorted and walked away. Then he said to his entourage, “You’re fired, you’re fired,” pointing to his bodyguards. He even tipped one of the bartenders a quarter! Absolute JERK.” This likely changes your opinion of him big time (via Quora).

ALOT Living

Kiefer Sutherland

From drunken misbehavior and DUIs, Kiefer Sutherland is nothing short of a Hollywood jerk. He’s known for being unprofessional and difficult to work with. Even Freddie Prinze Jr. said he’s a horrible person off-camera, resulting in frustrating drama. Prinze Jr. said of working with Sutherland, “I hated every moment of it. Kiefer was the most unprofessional dude in the world. That’s not me talking trash, I’d say it to his face. I think everyone who worked with him has said that. I just wanted to quit the business after that. So, I just sort of stopped.” He preferred working with anyone over Sutherland (via Complex).

Reddit

Edward Norton

Norton lost his role at Marvel because he’s known for being rude. Producers didn’t want him to represent The Hulk. He’s not a team player and is just awful to work with. There are quite a few movie roles he didn’t get because of how much of a jerk he is. According to users of Quora, Norton “Was fired from any further sequels for The Incredible Hulk thanks to his obnoxious behavior on set. In almost every movie he was in he always would clash with producers over his visions of how the movie should run. In American History X, he re-edited the film to give himself more screen time.” He doesn’t care who he burns along the way, as long as he comes up on top. But people are on to him now and he isn’t getting big roles as much as he used to (via Quora).

Deadline

Chevy Chase

On-screen, Chase portrays a hilarious goofball who is both relatable and loveable. But he’s not all that it seems and has a real reputation for being a jerk. He’s rude towards everyone, and his bad behavior continues off SNL. He was let go from NBC’s hit show Community after butting heads with an aging comedian and making rude remarks. When asked how he feels that his co-workers think he’s a jerk, he said, “I am who I am. And I like where— who I am. I don’t care. And it’s part of me that I don’t care, and I’ve thought about that a lot. And I don’t know what to tell you, man. I just don’t care.” We get it, he doesn’t care and isn’t going to change his ways (via Deadline). But he’s still a big jerk.

Nicki Swift

Gwyneth Paltrow

Paltrow claims she’s a lifestyle expert who preaches all the wrong things. She seems to be out of touch with reality during her new show Goop on Netflix. Previously, she’s even admitted how she’s “famous, I get famous-person treatment. You don’t want to be an a**hole, but slowly if people start removing obstacles for you, if you live in a world where you never have to sit in line, where people don’t confront you, where they don’t tell you the truth, that’s what you become.” At the very least, she recognizes her faults and behavior and owns it, unlike many of the other celebrities on this list (NZ Herald).

Daily Mail

Christian Bale

Not only is Bale difficult to work with, but he’s prone to throwing high-maintenance temper tantrums while on set. That’s not something we see on Hollywood screens. Even his ranting has gained more popularity than the movies he’s starred in have. Ttapes leaked where you can hear Bale verbally assaulting Shane Hurlbut, director of photography, by saying, “What the f*** are you doing? Are you a professional or not?”. The American Psycho star added, “‘You’re unbelievable, you’re un-f***ing-believable. Number of times you’re strolling and f–king around in the background. I’ve never had a DP behave like this.'” He even denied being difficult on set for years, despite this behavior (via Daily Mail).

Distractify

Julia Roberts

Known for being an emotional wreck on the set of Hook, Roberts threw her reputation under the bus. She went from sweetheart to “Tinkerbell.” Her I Love Trouble co-star Nick Nolte couldn’t stand to work with her, forcing the pair to film certain scenes separately to reduce their time together. Their differences got in the way of their relationship. The people of Reddit also agree, admitting “She’s so obnoxious, so annoying, and is such an insufferable tool. She’s in her mid-fifties and still sticks to that airheaded, coked-out sorority house party girl act she’s been relying on since the late eighties.” She’s one actress we could do without, that’s for sure (via Reddit).

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Jennifer Lawrence

Even Lawrence has succumbed to fame. It went straight to her head, and because of it, is known for being mean to her fans. She even admits it’s a defense mechanism, though she doesn’t have to be so obnoxious about it. In 2016, she lashed out at a reporter for looking at his phone. During an interview, she said, “Once I enter a public place, I become incredibly rude. I turn into a huge a**hole. That’s the kind of my only way of defending myself, just be an a**hole.” We understand feeling the need to put up your boundaries and protect yourself, but she doesn’t have to be that bad (via Lainey Gossip).

Atlanta Daily World

Spike Lee

Even though he’s one of the most talented directors and writers in Hollywood, it doesn’t excuse his rude behavior when he meets other celebrities or fans. He’s short when people try and ask him questions, and has thrown a tantrum and stormed out of rooms when he didn’t win an award he thought he deserved. Jamie Foxx called him irresponsible and said, “He didn’t like Whoopi Goldberg, he doesn’t like Tyler Perry, he doesn’t like anybody. I think he’s sort of run his course. I mean, I respect Spike, he’s a fantastic director. But he gets a little shady when he’s taking shots at his colleagues without looking at the work.” Maybe it’s best to stay away from him (via Atlanta Daily World).

Outlook India

Cameron Diaz

If you ever see Diaz in public, do not go up to her and ask her for her autograph. You’ll regret it. Not only is she one of the worst celebrities in Hollywood to approach, but she lectures fans about everything that’s wrong with asking for an autograph. She tends to scold and give unsolicited advice. Diaz even told someone once, “I hope you get cancer,” which prompted old fans to Tweet their opinion, saying “Isn’t she known to be rude and nasty?? Guess this confirms the rumors from people that have met her.” Let’s just say, she didn’t have many fans after that comment (via Outlook India).

Quora

Mel Gibson

Once Mel Gibson made his way to superstardom, his reputation went downhill. But even his massive levels of stardom couldn’t save him from his DUI and antisemitic remarks that put him in the hotspot. But that wasn’t all, he continued to act horribly, saying sexist remarks without feeling the need to apologize. At a party, he said to Winona Ryder, “We were at a crowded party with one of my good friends, and Mel Gibson was smoking a cigar, and we’re all talking and he said to my friend, who’s gay, ‘Oh wait, am I gonna get AIDS?” This statement is beyond disbelief. Later on, in 2010, he sent threatening phone calls to his ex-wife which resulted in a restraining order (via Data Lounge).

Pinterest

Terrence Howard

Even though Howard seems like one of the good guys in Hollywood, it doesn’t mean he doesn’t have a tumultuous past. In 2001, he beat his first wife and in 2005, he beat his second wife. His aggressive nature continued for years later, and it even caused him to get released from Iron Man. A TV executive even told the New York Times, “Terrence has this reputation for being a hothead.” A former associate of Howard added, “I don’t think ‘anger issues’ quite covers it. Terrence has to be in control of everything, all the time. When he doesn’t get his way, he loses his s ** t very easily.” Other people see his facade, and he can’t hide his horrendous actions anymore (via Nicki Swift).

Salon

Jesse James

It’s become painfully clear that Jesse James isn’t all he’s made out to be. In 2010, he cheated on superstar wife Sandra Bullock with multiple partners. It seems like infidelity is a recurring theme in his life, and he’s incapable of fixing many relationships because of it. In an interview, he said, “That’s what I need to ask, was it (relationship with Bullock) me trying to be a bigshot, was it just my ego? Like, ‘I’m Jesse James, I’m a bad motherf**ker and I can have a movie star for a wife.’ I think a lot of that was, it was my ego and that’s why I hurt her and why I didn’t just leave the relationship when I should have, because my ego said I need this wife so I’m cool or so people like me or whatever.” At least he recognizes his faults. But as they always say, once a cheater a cheater, so it comes as no surprise that Hollywood’s deemed him as a huge jerk (via Celeb Dirty Laundry).

Reddit

Zooey Deschanel

Though she comes off as cute and a little quirky, Deschanel’s coworkers have differing opinions about her. Some call her “nasty, moody, and unhappy,” which certainly isn’t someone she comes across. Deschanel tends to control the set and when it doesn’t go her way, she acts poorly and is prone to bad behavior. According to an insider on a set who’s worked with Zooey, “The show’s schedule drives Zooey up a wall because they’re always running behind when the full cast is on set. So now, Zooey insists on days ending with scenes that just feature her and one other actor. When that can’t happen due to the production schedule, however, she’s unhappy and all hell breaks loose.” Sometimes, she’d stop showing up to sets at all, disrupt filming, and treat others horribly (via The Things).

The Today Show

Sandra Bullock

Though she puts on a personality when in front of the cameras, it doesn’t mean she keeps it when she’s off camera. She allegedly treated one of her fans incredibly rudely when he simply asked her for an autograph. Star Magazine said, “Sandra was so rude. She covered her face and yelled. He just wanted an autograph, and she yelled at him!” She’s known for insulting fans and verbally abusing people. She’s also known for controlling her ex’s movements (via The Things).

Twitter

Ellen DeGeneres

Everyone knows the workplace on Ellen DeGeneres’ long-running show was an utter nightmare. She completely abuses her staff and is known as being one of the meanest people alive. DeGeneres created a toxic workplace and lost a lot of fans after staff told the world about their bad experience. One person on Twitter said, she “was doing a contest of fans making a bust of her (Ellen) and sending it to her. I worked so hard on this and even wrote her a letter. Weeks later she used it as a prop in a game and gave it away to a random person with $500 attached to the bottom.” That’s just one example of her ridiculous behavior, though, and she’s been called for much worse in recent years (via Twitter).

Metro

Reese Witherspoon

You might think Reese Witherspoon is America’s sweetheart, but it turns out it’s just a facade. She’s known for being a self-entitled jerk who commits disorderly conduct. When she was pulled over, she drunkenly told police, “Do you know my name? You’re about to find out who I am. You’re about to be on national news.” She claims to teeter between being an arrogant jerk and a self-promoting actress (via Metro).

The Guardian

Lucille Ball

This Hollywood celebrity has us all fooled. She was a wonderful performer but it seems that once the cameras stopped rolling, she was a completely different person. One person on Quora said, “My mom worked in a small dress shop on the Sunset Strip when I was a tot. Lucille would come in and peruse the racks…I’m assuming this was before she had ‘people.’ If she didn’t like something, she just threw it on the floor. I truly believe she had an attitude, and this was before she became famous.” This is just one example of how rude she could be to people she believed were lower than her (via Quora).

Page Six

Tobey Maguire

Many people thought Maguire was a good actor. He was best known for his role in Spider-Man but he doesn’t know how to treat other people with respect. Maguire became notorious for his outlandish exploits in the high-stakes Hollywood poker scene. He was known for making ridiculous requests at the poker table, like asking the woman running the game to “bark like a seal who wants a fish” if she wanted a $1,000 tip. He said, “I’m not kidding. What’s wrong? Are you too rich now? You won’t bark for a thousand dollars?” He wasn’t joking (via Page Six).

Bloomer Space

Zach Braff

Braff’s loveable image on Scrubs isn’t who he is in real life. On set, he’s known for his particular requirements. He’ll only drink coffee from a certain place on set, and it must be left outside the door of his dressing room. He also doesn’t want to work alongside other good-looking actors. His staff is responsible for a lot of his forgetful actions (via Bloomer Space).

Quora

Steven Seagal

Back in the ’80s, Seagal was one of the top action stars in Hollywood. SNL came out and called Steven Seagal as one of the most difficult hosts the show has ever had. He’s rude to his stuntmen and abuses his employees. In 2010, he was sued for sexual harassment by two of his female employees, whom he supposedly hired for sexual behaviors. Tim Meadows said, “The biggest problem with Steven Seagal was that he would complain about jokes that he didn’t get, so it was like—you can’t explain something to somebody in German if they don’t speak German. He just wasn’t funny, and he was very critical of the cast and the writing staff.” The SNL cast just didn’t agree with him (via Reel Run Down).

Nicki Swift

Kirstie Alley

After one of her friends left Scientology, Alley bashed her on Twitter. Talk about losing trust in someone you once considered a close friend. She turned evil and hateful and even followed up with hurtful comments that attacked her friend. Alley even compared sexual assault to a “witch hunt”, saying “Rumors cause witchhunts. Seems ok to be part of the mob until U become the next witch.” Alley certainly has a shady side (via Nicki Swift).

Popdust

Tom Cruise

Even though Cruise was once one of the most loved people in Hollywood, it seems like fans don’t like him anymore. During his marriage with Katie Holmes, he supposedly set weird rules like not being able to see other men right away or travel with her daughter. Cruise was once rude to a reporter, and when the reporter walked away, Cruise said, “That’s incredibly rude. I’m here giving you an interview and answering your questions, and you do something nasty. You’re a jerk.” In Scientology, he throws regular outbursts that are hard for most people to deal with (via Popdust).

Vanity Fair

Shia LaBeouf

One time in Hollywood, Shia LaBeouf was once the most beloved actor. But his poor attitude caused him to lose a lot of fans. His former partner FKA Twigs once filed a lawsuit in court against him for being emotionally and physically abusive. Previously, he’s been arrested for smoking in non-smoking areas and refusing to leave a Walgreens pharmacy (via Quora).

News

William Shatner

Fans have built up rage over the past few years against one of the biggest grouches in Hollywood. While on the set of Star Trek, his co-stars hated him because of his bad behavior towards them. He’s known for having an attitude at conventions, which made many people lose a lot of respect for him. During the filming of Star Trek, he and Nimoy clashed. He has his bike and stole his lines. To top it all off, he caused a lot of controversy when he refused to go to Nimoy’s funeral, which earned him the title “Captain Jerk” (via Nicki Swift).

Screen Rant

Tommy Lee Jones

It’s rare to find Tommy Lee Jones in a good mood. He’s a huge grump, and it’s rare to find him signing an autograph. He cuts interviewers off and walks out on them, and even one time he made a reporter cry. Previously, he’s straight up told Jim Carrey that he “hated him” and couldn’t sanction his “buffoonery” (via Screen Rant).

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