Faye Dunaway is a legendary actress who has starred in some of Hollywood’s most iconic films, including “Bonnie and Clyde,” “Network,” and “Chinatown.” However, despite her immense talent, she has developed a reputation as one of the most difficult people to work with in Hollywood.
Over the years, many people who have worked with Dunaway have spoken out about her behavior on set, with several of them describing her as “unprofessional,” “temperamental,” and “demanding.” Here are some of the incidents that have contributed to Dunaway’s negative reputation:
- She threw a fit on the set of “Mommie Dearest” Dunaway is perhaps best known for her role as Joan Crawford in the 1981 film “Mommie Dearest.” However, her behavior on set was reportedly so difficult that it has become the stuff of Hollywood legend. According to director Frank Perry, Dunaway would often arrive late to set and demand that filming be halted until she was ready to work. She also insisted on having complete control over every aspect of her character, from her makeup to her costumes, and would throw tantrums if things didn’t go her way. The crew was reportedly so frustrated with Dunaway that they began to refer to her as “Mommie Dearest” behind her back.
- She slapped a crew member on the set of “Barfly” Dunaway’s behavior on the set of “Barfly,” a 1987 film directed by Barbet Schroeder, was so erratic that it led to her being fired from the production. According to Schroeder, Dunaway was “out of control” and “completely unmanageable.” At one point, she reportedly slapped a crew member in the face because she was unhappy with the lighting on set. After she was fired, Dunaway sued the producers for breach of contract, but the case was eventually settled out of court.
- She was difficult to work with on “Network” Despite her reputation, Dunaway was able to deliver some truly great performances throughout her career. One of her most iconic roles was as television executive Diana Christensen in the 1976 film “Network.” However, even on this set, Dunaway’s behavior was reportedly difficult. According to director Sidney Lumet, Dunaway was “incredibly demanding” and would often argue with him about her character’s motivations. Lumet also said that Dunaway had a tendency to be “abrasive” with her co-stars, which made it difficult to maintain a positive working environment.
- She was fired from “The Voyage of the Damned” In 1976, Dunaway was fired from the set of “The Voyage of the Damned” after just two weeks of filming. The official reason for her dismissal was that she was “not right for the role,” but rumors soon began to circulate that her behavior on set was the real reason. According to reports, Dunaway was unhappy with her character’s wardrobe and refused to wear the costumes provided for her. She also clashed with director Stuart Rosenberg and reportedly demanded that he be fired from the production.
Despite her difficult reputation, Dunaway has continued to work in Hollywood, and she remains a respected figure in the industry. However, her behavior on set has undoubtedly had an impact on her career, and many people who have worked with her over the years have spoken out about the challenges of working with such a demanding and temperamental actress.