Hollywood is no stranger to the intertwining of on-screen chemistry and off-screen scandals, with numerous actors caught in the web of romantic entanglements with their co-stars. These relationships often spark controversy, leading to breakups, media frenzy, and public speculation. Here are 18 notable instances of actors who allegedly cheated with their co-stars.
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s romance began during the filming of “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” in 2004, while Pitt was still married to Jennifer Aniston. Their relationship became a media sensation, with rumors of an affair circulating despite both denying infidelity at the time. The couple later married in 2014, but their union ended in a contentious divorce in 2016.
Another infamous pairing was John Malkovich and Michelle Pfeiffer, who had an affair during the making of “Dangerous Liaisons” in 1988, despite both being in other relationships. Their brief romance led to Malkovich’s divorce, although they quickly moved on to focus on their successful careers.
Angelina Jolie’s history with Billy Bob Thornton began while filming “Pushing Tin” in 1999, leading to a passionate yet controversial relationship that ended in divorce in 2003. Similarly, Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas sparked headlines in the 1990s when their romance blossomed after both filed for divorce from their respective spouses.
Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton’s affair during “Cleopatra” in 1963 became a media sensation, leading to their marriages to each other, marked by tumult and drama. Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman also faced scrutiny when they began dating after filming “Days of Thunder,” eventually marrying but divorcing a decade later.
Claire Danes and Billy Crudup’s relationship stirred controversy when it began while Crudup was with a pregnant Mary-Louise Parker. Their connection lasted for several years, leaving behind a legacy of scandal.
The affair between Ted Danson and Whoopi Goldberg in the 1990s was another high-profile romance, leading to Danson’s contentious divorce, while Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher’s brief liaison during “Star Wars” filming remained a secret until Fisher revealed it years later.
More recent scandals include Dominic West and Lily James, whose public display of affection in Rome created a stir in 2020, and Ewan McGregor’s romance with Mary Elizabeth Winstead, which began while both were still married to others.
As these stories illustrate, Hollywood continues to be rife with love affairs that blur the lines between fiction and reality, captivating audiences with their drama and intrigue.