Some of the most iconic on-screen couples of the 1980s had incredible chemistry, making audiences believe they were deeply in love. But behind the scenes? Things weren’t always so romantic. Whether it was creative differences, personality clashes, or just plain old bad blood, some of these famous duos could barely stand each other when the cameras weren’t rolling. Let’s take a look at 12 famous on-screen couples from the ’80s who actually hated each other.
1. Debra Winger & Richard Gere – An Officer and a Gentleman (1982)
Debra Winger and Richard Gere had undeniable chemistry in An Officer and a Gentleman, but their off-screen relationship was far from romantic. Winger reportedly couldn’t stand Gere, calling him “a brick wall” and lacking real personality. Their on-set tension was so bad that Winger later admitted she was miserable making the film, despite it becoming one of the most beloved romances of the decade. While their steamy scenes made audiences swoon, Winger was more than happy to leave Gere behind once filming wrapped.
2. Cybill Shepherd & Bruce Willis – Moonlighting (1985-1989)
Cybill Shepherd and Bruce Willis had electric chemistry as Maddie and David in Moonlighting, but their behind-the-scenes battles were legendary. The two reportedly fought constantly, with Shepherd often frustrated by Willis’s rising ego as the show made him a star. Their clashes became so bad that production was frequently delayed, and their famous “will-they-won’t-they” dynamic was as tense off-screen as it was on. By the final season, they could barely be in the same room together, and when the show ended, so did any chance of reconciliation.
3. Bette Midler & James Caan – For the Boys (1991, but filmed in the ’80s)
Technically a ’90s release, For the Boys was filmed in the late ’80s, and Bette Midler and James Caan’s working relationship was nothing short of a disaster. Caan later described the experience as “horrible,” while Midler openly admitted they clashed from the start. Their personalities couldn’t have been more different, and Midler reportedly found Caan’s on-set behavior frustrating and unprofessional. Even though they convincingly played a couple across decades, there was no love lost between them when the cameras weren’t rolling.
4. William Shatner & Kirstie Alley – Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
Kirstie Alley made her Star Trek debut as Saavik in The Wrath of Khan, but she didn’t exactly get along with William Shatner. Shatner, known for his sometimes difficult personality on set, reportedly frustrated Alley with his dismissive attitude and insistence on being the center of attention. While they didn’t have a deep romance in the film, their interactions were meant to have a mentor-student dynamic that never quite clicked due to their real-life tensions. Alley declined to return for future Star Trek films, which many believe was partly due to her experience with Shatner.
5. Sophia Loren & Richard Harris – The Cassandra Crossing (1976, but widely seen in the ’80s on TV)
Sophia Loren and Richard Harris were supposed to bring elegance and passion to the disaster film The Cassandra Crossing, but behind the scenes, their relationship was a train wreck. Loren reportedly couldn’t stand Harris’s rough personality and short temper, and Harris, in turn, thought Loren was overly dramatic and difficult. The tension between them made filming uncomfortable, though they managed to deliver convincing performances as former lovers caught in a deadly crisis. Once filming wrapped, they never worked together again, which wasn’t exactly a coincidence.
6. Faye Dunaway & Tommy Lee Jones – The Eyes of Laura Mars (1978, but became a cult hit in the ’80s)
While technically a late ’70s film, The Eyes of Laura Mars gained a cult following in the ’80s, partly because of its intense love story. However, Faye Dunaway and Tommy Lee Jones did not get along during filming. Dunaway, known for her demanding on-set behavior, reportedly clashed with Jones, who was still establishing himself in Hollywood and had little patience for her diva tendencies. Their off-screen tension added an extra layer of intensity to their scenes, but once the movie wrapped, they went their separate ways without looking back.
7. Madonna & Griffin Dunne – Who’s That Girl (1987)
Madonna and Griffin Dunne starred in Who’s That Girl, a quirky romantic comedy that was supposed to showcase Madonna’s comedic chops. The problem? Dunne reportedly found her unbearable to work with, calling her unprofessional and difficult on set. Madonna, on the other hand, was frustrated with the film’s direction and didn’t hide her disdain. The movie flopped, and the two actors never spoke of working together again—probably for the best.
8. Kathleen Turner & Burt Reynolds – Switching Channels (1988)
Kathleen Turner and Burt Reynolds’ supposed romantic chemistry in Switching Channels was completely faked, as the two despised each other behind the scenes. Turner later said Reynolds was condescending and rude to her throughout filming, while Reynolds claimed Turner had a diva-like attitude. Their real-life animosity was so bad that Turner admitted she regretted doing the film altogether. Given the film’s lukewarm reception, audiences didn’t buy the romance either.
9. Meryl Streep & Dustin Hoffman – Kramer vs. Kramer (1979, but dominated the ’80s on TV and awards circuits)
While Kramer vs. Kramer was a late ’70s film, it remained one of the most talked-about and rewatched dramas of the ’80s. Meryl Streep and Dustin Hoffman played a divorcing couple, but their off-screen battles were even more intense than their scripted arguments. Hoffman reportedly went out of his way to provoke Streep, slapping her without warning in one scene and belittling her acting. Though their performances were critically acclaimed, their working relationship was anything but pleasant.
10. Mickey Rourke & Kim Basinger – 9½ Weeks (1986)
9½ Weeks was meant to be one of the steamiest romances of the ’80s, but off-camera, Mickey Rourke and Kim Basinger had zero chemistry. Basinger later described Rourke as controlling and difficult, while Rourke reportedly didn’t take direction well and was moody on set. Their real-life tension made the film’s disturbing power dynamics even more uncomfortable. Basinger was so put off by the experience that she refused to work with Rourke again.
11. Jennifer Grey & Patrick Swayze – Dirty Dancing (1987)
Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey made movie magic as Baby and Johnny in Dirty Dancing, but behind the scenes, things were far from dreamy. Swayze found Grey’s on-set behavior frustrating, particularly her tendency to giggle and ruin takes. Grey, in turn, found Swayze too intense and serious, leading to frequent clashes. They eventually found enough middle ground to create one of the most iconic movie couples of all time, but their real-life dynamic was anything but romantic.
12. Sean Young & Harrison Ford – Blade Runner (1982)
The moody, futuristic romance in Blade Runner was filled with longing and mystery, but behind the scenes, Sean Young and Harrison Ford had no love for each other. Young later said Ford was cold and dismissive, making their intimate scenes incredibly awkward to film. Ford, known for being professional but distant, reportedly found Young difficult to work with. Despite the film’s cult success, their scenes together were far from harmonious.
Sometimes, great on-screen chemistry doesn’t translate to real-life friendships. These ’80s movie couples may have delivered unforgettable performances, but behind the scenes, things were anything but romantic. While audiences fell in love with these characters, the actors were counting down the days until they could walk away from each other forever.
