The magic of the cinema is a reliable escape from the dreary every day. But how much of it is really acting? Sometimes, the action behind the scenes can really compete with the scripts! It's time to take a look at the films that ruined the romantic lives of the stars involved, with drama to spare. It's going to get juicy, starting now.
Silence – Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone
Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone actually met during The Amazing Spider-Man, and a romance started from there. Who could blame these two sweethearts from seeing the best in each other? America already did!
While it looked charming for a while, one film managed to get their way. Martin Scorsese directed Silence, and Andrew was a big part of this project. To get the role, he lost a huge amount of weight and spent all his time on the set of the movie! Emma did not feel great about these changes, and the relationship did not survive the film! Total silence, indeed.
Nymphomaniac – Shia LaBeouf and Karolyn Pho
One quick look at the name of this movie already raises suspicions. Shia LaBeouf and Karolyn Pho had been dating for a long time, but did their relationship survive the filming?
Indeed, the material proved challenging. Shia ended things for a bit of new on set action with Mia Goth. This was actually her film debut, and she ended up meeting her husband, too! Lucky girl, indeed: Mia and Shia got married in 2016, fans. A love story for real, despite the movie!
Green Lantern – Scarlett Johansson and Ryan Reynolds
Green Lantern was a bit of a flop, honestly. But one thing everyone remembers is the breakup associated with this superhero movie. Lovebirds Scarlett Johansson and Ryan Reynolds would not survive the arrival of Blake Lively on to the set!
Indeed, there was no stopping it. Blake played his love interest in the film, and everyone could see they had great chemistry on screen. After the movie, things ended with ScarJo pretty quickly. Luckily, this was for the best. Blake and Ryan are blissfully married, to this day!
Eyes Wide Shut – Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman
Hollywood lovers Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman both worked with director Stanley Kubrick back in the day on one very classic film: Eyes Wide Shut. The movie showed audiences moral quagmires on-screen — but offset, things were pretty heated, too.
Kubrick seemed to want a psychologically tortured filming process, perhaps to make the final product realistic. At home, this took a big toll on the couple — and the director himself died soon after! Was all the madness surrounding this production just too stressful? Perhaps, since the couple divorced 2 years later. Tom and Nicole are no more!
The Last Face – Sean Penn and Charlize Theron
Sean Penn has become an occasional director himself, experimenting with The Last Face. At the time, the silver fox was dating and directing Charlize Theron in the movie. But did their relationship survive the filming?
The pair got engaged before the project, but the workdays turned out to be very long and rough. Friction on set and tons of pressure can't be very romantic! Unfortunately, they broke up a year after their lights, camera, action together. Sometimes mixing work and pleasure really doesn't pay!
You, Me And Dupree - Kate Hudson And Chris Robinson
Kate Hudson was married to musician Chris Robinson for a whole six years before this problem emerged. On the set of You, Me And Dupree, sparks flew with costar Owen Wilson.
The actors were filming You, Me and Dupree when their film certainly portrayed an attraction, but it seems that this was too hot to handle and keep at work!
Unsurprisingly, Kate's marriage ended. Owen became an on-again-off-again affair, which the press loved to cover. But today, both have moved on to other people. In the end, it was You, Me, and Neither of Us!
Snow White and the Huntsman – Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart
Fans of Twilight might have been a bit peeved at director Rupert Sanders over this story. When Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson actually got together in real life, it seemed like fairy tales really did come true. But no!
Despite all the temptations one might expect from the good looking cast on this set, it was actually the man behind the camera ghat caught Kristen's attention. And he was married, too — with a wife in the film! During the scandal that ensued, America's favorite vampire lovers broke up. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Clock in, clock out, repeat. Admit it: Real life gets a little dull sometimes! Thankfully, the magic of the cinema is a reliable escape from the dreary everyday. But how much of it is really acting? Sometimes, the action behind the scenes can really compete with the scripts! It's time to take a look at the films that ruined the romantic lives of the stars involved, with drama to spare. It's going to get juicy, starting now.
Gigli (2003) - Jennifer Lopez and Cris Judd
Behold: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck, at the height of their careers. In 2003, critics all agreed this duo created the worst movie of all time! Gigli was the box office boo-boo that led to a nauseating celebrity couple name, Bennifer. Yikes!
Shockingly, there was one more casualty of this project: JLo's marriage to Cris Judd! Divorced after a year, Jennifer got engaged to Ben just months later. Was this unique, or does it happen all the time in the business?
Read on to see the worst Hollywood film-driven breakups of all time — so far!
Daredevil – Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez; Jennifer Garner and Scott Foley
Looks like Ben and Jen make the list, again! But this time, it's double Jen. Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner starred in Daredevil, and this Marvel film had a longer-lasting impact on the actors more than the genre!
At the time, Ben was dating Jennifer Lopez, and J-Garner was married! But on set, the two became more than just coworkers. This movie dissolved not one, but two relationships off-screen! Shocking stuff, indeed.
Gone Girl – Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner
Ruh-roh, Ben and Jen G are back! This time, Gone Girl is the movie that seems to have been involved in their romantic demise. But why?
The tale of cheating and revenge didn't quite play out in the same way in real life. But it was reported that Ben asked Emily Ratajkowski to play an important part in the movie, and their interactions may have caused marital problems back home. Rumors can be fickle, but the truth at the end of the day is that Jen filed for divorce. And cut!
The Break-Up – Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn
And it's time to swing back around to Jennifer Aniston. What happened after her bit split from Brad? Maybe The Break-Up with Vince Vaughn is a good place to start!
Jen starred in this therapeutic role alongside the Vaughn, and it was time for a rebound. The pair briefly dated, but Vince said there was too much paparazzi attention on them while they tried to form a bond. Sounds tough, actually. Was that the reason they had their own breakup? Perhaps, perhaps it was!
The Mexican – Daniel Moder and Vera Steimberg
The Mexican may be one of Julia Roberts' less remember films, but it was an important job for her personally. Why? Well, that's the set where she met husband Daniel Moder! He wasn't on screen, though. What was his role?
Why, he was the cameraman! Sounds like a charming story, but Danny was actually already married to makeup artist Vera Steimberg at the time. Uh oh! The man was off the market. But it seems that when he met Julia on the set, the chemistry was undeniable. Just six months after starting the filming, Daniel Moder filed for divorce and started publicly dating Miss Julia. It seems to have worked out well enough: Married since 2002, they are still going strong!
Dream House – Darren Aronofsky and Rachel Weisz
The gorgeous Rachel Weisz and visionary director Darren Aronofsky were a couple for nine years. And who could blame them? Both at the top of their fields, it seemed like a match made in Hollywood heaven. But then: Enter Daniel Craig.
Dream House was the name of the film they worked on together, though few remember the plot now. More notable is the breakup of Rachel's marriage! After filming, the actors wanted more. It seems Rachel was unable to resist 007! Darren must have been angry. But his recent success with critically acclaimed projects like Black Swan has the last laugh, for sure!
Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005) – Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt
Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt were Hollywood's it couple at one time. Easy to forget sometimes, but it's the truth! How and why did it come to an end though? A revisit surely involves Mr. & Mrs. Smith, back in 2005.
In the film, Angelina and Brad were undercover spies — and married! A foreshadowing, perhaps? On set, both denied cheating. But later, they admitted this is where they fell in love! When Brad left Jen, he ended up with Mrs. Smith herself. Surprise, surprise!
By the Sea (2015) – Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt
Brangelina's last stand, this one. By the Sea starring Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt at the very end of their very public marriage. While it was an impressive attempt by Angie to become a writer and director for the first time, it looks like it wasn't enough to save their own story!
In the film, they had intense arguments as a married couple. Clearly, real-life imitated art here! As everyone knows by now, Brad and Angelina got divorced after this project. Has life moved on? Of course. But the film is still worth checking out for pop culture historians, one and all!
Star Wars – Harrison Ford and Mary Marquardt
The undeniable chemistry in Star Wars between Hans Solo and Princess Leia led many fans to suspect real-life romance. Was there any truth to this 70's movie gossip?
Why, yes there was. Actress Carrie Fisher eventually revealed the truth in her memoir, The Princess Diarist. Yes, the truth came out in a 2016 book! At only 19, she snagged the iconic role of Leia. It seems she fell for the dreamy Harrison, 14 years her senior. But he was married to his high school sweetheart at the time! Mary Marquardt was Harrison's first wife and mother to 2 of his children. Eventually, there was a divorce. Could this have been a factor?
Wanderlust – Justin Theroux and Heidi Bivens
A little bit of wandering and a little bit of lusting: When Justin Theroux was cast across from Jennifer Aniston, he abruptly ended his 14-year live in relationship with designer Heidi Bivens! The Hollywood hotties wed in 2015. Then, they announced that their marriage was over in 2018. Was it amicable?
Allegedly, they are Friends. The now exes issued a statement: "Normally we would do this privately, but given that the gossip industry cannot resist an opportunity to speculate and invent, we wanted to convey the truth directly. Whatever else is printed about us that is not directly from us, is someone else's fictional narrative. Above all, we are determined to maintain the deep respect and love that we have for one another."
Was this written by a PR firm, or straight from the heart? The mystery continues, but these two will not!
Rosemary's Baby – Mia Farrow and Frank Sinatra
Old blue eyes had plenty of women back in his day, and that included a marriage to actress Mia Farrow at one point. Frank seemed to have a dispute with his wife over the filming schedule for Rosemary's Baby. How did they resolve it, as a couple?
The prolonged shooting interfered with the relationship, and Mia was asked to quit. But she didn't, which was a deal-breaker for Frank. On set, he handed her the divorce papers! The rest is history, but Mia is remembered to this day for her role in this classic film. Did she make the right choice?
Layer Cake – Sienna Miller and Jude Law
Sienna Miller denied dating her co-star Daniel Craig during the filming of Layer Cake. And no wonder! The actress was already in a relationship with Jude Law. That all changed during the London International phone-hacking trial, under oath!
Sienna had to admit she was 'briefly involved' with the Bond actor when a hacked voicemail to Daniel was played in court: "Hi. It’s me. Can’t speak. I’m at the Groucho with Jude. I love you." How did she explain it? Sienna testified: "The thing that's been slightly misconstrued about this is the fact that I said 'I love you' and that this was some incredibly important declaration of love. I've always ended my phone calls to Daniel saying 'I love you.'"
It's not clear that anyone believed this explanation, but Jude had publicly cheated as well. With the nanny, no less!
Titanic – James Cameron and Linda Hamilton
Titanic is one of the biggest love stories on screen from the 90's vault. People cried along with Rose, but did they know that there was even more loss going on behind the camera lens?
Director James Cameron fell in love with Linda Hamilton all the way back filming Terminator 2: Judgement Day. Married in 1997, things seemed perfect. But on set during Titanic, James started dating actress Suzy Amis! After the movie and all his Oscars, he found himself with divorce papers. Surprise, James!
Proof of Life – Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan
Does everyone remember Proof of Life, that 2000 thriller? Maybe not, but the scandal that came out of it is impossible to forget! Russell Crowe and Meg Ryan worked together on screen, and perhaps a bit more after hours.
The main problem, of course, was that Meg was already married to Dennis Quaid during the film! After the release and plenty of gossips, Dennis left the scene. The couple filed for divorce, and the rest is B-movie history! Audiences had all the proof they needed, it seems.
House of Wax (2005) – Nick Carter and Paris Hilton; Sophia Bush and Chad Michael Murray
Paris Hilton and Nick Carter had a spicy relationship at one time, but one movie challenged it all: House of Wax, in 2005. There were a lot of good looking cast members on set, and that can be a challenge for any relationship! This case was no exception.
Paris got together with Chad Michael Murray, who also ended his own relationship with Sophia Bush! He later admitted it had all been a bad idea, as his new fling didn't last very long. Still, there's no going back now. What's done is done!
Stop-Loss - Ryan Phillipe And Reese Witherspoon
No one can deny Ryan Phillipe and Reese Witherspoon were America's sweethearts at one point. Why in the world did this charming pair split up?
Perhaps it had something to do with the rumors about his workplace affair. While shooting Stop-Loss, Ryan may have gotten a bit too cozy with costar Abbie Cornish. Was it really true, fans? Well, Reese and Ryan divorced. Quickly, Abbie and Ryan began publicly dating! While that fling didn't last either, the end of the marriage did. RIP, indeed!
Pushing Tin – Laura Dern and Billy Bob Thornton
Laura Dern and Billy Bob Thornton dated between 1997 and 1999, then got engaged. Everything seemed lovely until one opportunity came across Billy's lap: The script for Pushing Tin with Angelina Jolie. Uh oh, red alert!
Billy Bob called off his engagement relatively quickly once he started work on set. Laura was given a little warning, and the new couple eloped to start a wild, wacky relationship no one can forget! Years later, everyone recalls the tattoos and the blood vial necklaces. How can they not, right?
Two Much – Antonio Banderas and Ana Lenz
Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith began as an affair on the set of Two Much. The actor was already married to actress Ana Lenz, at the time! How did they justify this behavior, privately?
According to Antonio: "We tried as much as we could to be respectful...We just thought this may be one of those, you know, infatuation moments that we have when we shoot movies because we got to play together a couple, so let's just go home.” Evidently not! Antonio and Ana got divorced, and he remarried Melanie. But now, the tables have turned! The couple is divorced, and Antonio pays $65,000 in monthly support to Melanie. Roll credits, please.
Mother! – Darren Aronofsky And Jennifer Lawrence
Mother! was one of the stranger films to come out in 2017, courtesy of the dark Darren Aronofsky. Jennifer Lawrence starred in it, and dated him behind the scenes! The movie was intense, but did it affect the couple?
Apparently so: the process of filming turned out to be quite an ordeal, and it looks like the drama wore off on their dynamic. So sad, for these two! Separately creative and talented, together not quite right. In the end, Jen broke it off. Next, please?
The Rum Diary – Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis
Superstar Johnny Depp was paired off for so long with the French singer Vanessa Paradis. Why, they were together for 14 years! With two kids and a stable history, what happened?
Perhaps it was Amber Heard during The Rum Diary, a mutual project. When Johnny met her, it appears all bets were off! He got divorced and married to the younger blond, but that didn't last either. A very public dispute and a uniquely nasty divorce case started as quickly as it began. Thankfully, they split in 2017! Johnny D is back on the market, that's for sure.
Cleopatra - Richard Burton And Elizabeth Taylor
Time for a blast from the past with the eternal Elizabeth Taylor. The woman was married so many times, it's hard to keep track! One of her romances was with Richard Burton, with whom she worked on 1963's Cleopatra. Both were married at the beginning to other people, but that didn't last long!
During the project, they shared their first kiss with the camera's rolling. But when the director shouted cut, they didn't stop! Both divorced their spouses, married each other, then got divorced, then got married again — and then got divorced again. Wild, right? Some might even say out of control!
Days of Thunder - Tom Cruise And Mimi Rogers
The original wife Tom Cruise started off with was not Nicole Kidman. It was a woman named Mimi Rogers, and they were together from 1987 to 1990. Then, filming for Days of Thunder began. Yikes!
While acting with Nicole, Tom started an affair! That affair became a real relationship. and the end of his marriage. Of course, he quickly married his costar. Tom Cruise is on his third divorce, these days. After Mimi, Nicole, and later Katie Holmes — fans are still rooting for him to find true love. One day, maybe!
The Misfits - Marilyn Monroe And Arthur Miller
Marilyn Monroe had a few famous loves, as well. From 1956 until 1961, she was married to playwright Arthur Miller. How did that relationship end, ultimately?
After working side by side on The Misfits in the Nevada desert, things started to get hot under the collar. Arthur has written the role just for her, but she was irritated that the better roles went to men. After filming, their marriage ended. And sadly, this would be her last role! Marilyn died soon after, and the world still mourns today.
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein - Kenneth Branagh And Emma Thompson
Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson got married way back in 1989. It seemed that the pair lived happily together, for years, but then came Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. As the director and star, how did Ken behave on set?
It seems he decided to wander, actually. Alongside Helena Bonham Carter, the two began an affair. Emma filed for divorce when the news went public, which wasn't surprising. But the cheating lovers didn't stay together in the end, either. Helena actually fell for a different director: The quirky, mysterious Tim Burton. Seems like the lady has a Hollywood type, doesn't it?
Stage Beauty - Billy Crudup And Mary Louise Parker
Billy Crudup and Mary Louise Parker dated in 1996, and it seemed like they both found the love of their lives. But love is a fickle thing sometimes, isn't it?
Eight years after they met, Mary Louise was pregnant. While that should have been an exciting time, Billy had other impulses. Claire Danes was his costar, and that quickly led to boundary-breaking. Billy left his wife! His affair with 24-year-old Claire didn't last, and it seems this film has also gone into the trash heap. Who actually remembers Stage Beauty?
Northern Lights - LeAnn Rimes And Dean Sheremet
Country sweetheart LeAnn Rimes was married in 2009, and she began an acting career. Starring alongside Eddie Cibrian in a Lifetime Channel movie, a lot more happened than either ever expected. The movie Northern Lights really won't ring a bell for most viewers, but the resulting affair was heard around the world!
On set, sparks really flew with the also married costar. And off set, there was a double divorce! While that sounds intense, the new couple eventually settled down and made their love official in 2011. Yes, Leann and Eddie tied the knot!
The Outlaw Josey Wales - Clint Eastwood And Maggie Johnson
At the height of his career, Clint Eastwood was definitely known as a ladies man. One lucky gal agreed to marry him, which would be Maggie Johnson. Did the lovebirds really live happily ever after, though?
No, it seems Clint wouldn't — or couldn't — keep his hands to himself. On set of The Outlaw Josey Wales, the actor had a sloppy affair with Sandra Locke. They even ended up living together, and this led to a divorce. Was this a surprise to anyone? Not really!
Dangerous Liaisons - John Malkovich And Glenne Headley
In the late 80's, John Malkovich was married to Glenne Headley. With a beautiful actress for a wife, what more could he want on set of Dangerous Liaisons? Perhaps it could only have been co-star Michelle Pfeiffer. Yes, this happened! The pair started a secret relationship, and this lead straight to divorce for John and Glenne. Did this new romance last, at least?
No, these two undercover lovers were not destined to be together either. They split too, under the public eye. The pressure, the judgment, oh no! Perhaps cheaters never prosper, after all.
To Have And Have Not – Humphrey Bogart and Mayo Methot
Some love stories are just timeless. And some involve cheaters! Take Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, for example. On the set of To Have And Have Not, Humps was 45 when he met the young actress. Lauren was only 19 years old, but did they have chemistry?
As it turns out, quite a bit! Humphrey was actually on his 3rd wife, at this time to actress Mayo Methot. Sure enough, he divorced her in 1945. And was it because of Lauren? It appears so! The same year, Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall were officially husband and wife. But this time, it lasted. The couple actually remained together until the actor passed away in 1957. Fourth time's a charm, for some folks!
Woman of the Year – Spencer Tracy and Louise Tracy
Another classic movie marriage that started on set was the long relationship between Spencer Tracy and the legendary Katharine Hepburn. They met on Woman of the Year, and it seems Katharine became the woman of 26 years!
Oddly enough, Spencer was married the entire time. This was one long and open affair that lasted until the actor died in 1967. But he never actually divorced wife Louise! At some point, Spencer lived with neither woman. In the end, Katharine did not attend his funeral out of respect for the Tracey family. She asked Louise to be friends, though! Allegedly, the widow replied: "But you see, I thought you were only a rumor." Surely she knew! Didn't she?
Made in America – Ted Danson and Casey Coates
When Ted Danson released a movie, fans made sure to show up. Add Whoopie Goldberg to mix? Now that's magic! Apparently, this was true behind the scenes of 1992’s Made in America. The only problem was, Ted was a married man!
Wed to his high school love for 15 years, he certainly seemed devoted in public. Wife Casey was actually paralyzed after giving birth to one of their children, and Ted was always by her side. But for whatever reason, he just couldn't resist Whoopie. At the time, she was a double divorced mom of 2. The pair formed a bond during filming, and the chemistry seemed great for audiences. Sadly, Ted Danson and Casey Coates divorced soon after. Little did everyone know that the heat between Ted and Whoopie was real!
The Pride and the Passion – Cary Grant and Betsy Drake
Cary Grant was married, but that didn't stand a chance when he met the young Sophia Loren. They bonded on the set of The Pride and the Passion in 1957. What kind of passion happened, off screen?
In her memoir, Sophia reflected on meeting the man twice her age: "Cary won me over on the set with his good manners and zest for life. ...We started spending more and more time together. I, just 22 years old, was often confused by a life that was going much too fast. He, at 52, had lived a lot and suffered a lot, too, although it appeared as though he had everything."
At the time, the actress was also involved with Carlo Ponti. She eventually married him! But the time spent with Sophia meant the end to Cary's marriage to Betsy Drake, his third wife! Apparently, they had been experiencing problems for awhile. Sophie was the last sexy straw, perhaps!
The Long, Hot Summer – Paul Newman and Jackie Witte
Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward can easily be called members of the Golden Couple of Hollywood to this day. They were friends at first, and then they began shooting The Long, Hot Summer. What happened next?
In 1957, Paul Newman was married to Jackie Witte. They got divorced in 1958. And then, Paul married Joanne in Las Vegas! Clearly, it really was a long and hot summer between these two. But unlike many flings, this one lasted. The couple actually marked their 50th wedding anniversary before Paul’s sad death in 2008. The couple that acts together, stays together — sometimes! And in Hollywood, that's a big deal. RIP, Paul.