“I Never Want to See Them Again!” — At 88, Jack Nicholson Unleashes Bombshell List of 6 Actors He Truly HA-TED… And One of Them Was a Co-Star in His Biggest Film!
“I Never Want to See Them Again!” — At 88, Jack Nicholson Unleashes Bombshell List of 6 Actors He Truly HA-TED… And One of Them Was a Co-Star in His Biggest Film!
In a world where Hollywood stars often take their secrets to the grave, legendary actor Jack Nicholson has decided to do the opposite. Now 88 years old and long retired from the big screen, the enigmatic Oscar-winner has finally opened up about some of the most intense feuds of his career — and the names he’s dropping have sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry.
Known for his devilish grin, razor-sharp wit, and iconic roles in films like The Shining, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and Chinatown, Nicholson has never exactly played by Hollywood’s rules. But fans and fellow actors alike never expected him to name names — and especially not like this.
Over the course of a private but recently leaked conversation with a close friend, Nicholson listed six actors he said he “never liked, never trusted, and never wanted to work with again.” While some of the names are unsurprising given Hollywood’s rumor mill, others have left fans reeling — and the reasons behind his loathing range from petty on-set behavior to serious personal betrayals.
Here’s a closer look at the six actors Jack Nicholson says he “couldn’t stand,” and the behind-the-scenes stories that allegedly fueled his lasting hatred.
1. Shelley Duvall
The Feud Born From Terror on the Set of The Shining
This one may come as a shock to many, considering The Shining became one of Nicholson’s most iconic roles. But according to the actor, the intense, months-long shoot was emotionally torturous not just for Duvall — but for him, too.
Nicholson reportedly blamed Duvall’s “constant breakdowns” for derailing the production schedule, and once said in private that he found her “draining and totally unprepared.” While Stanley Kubrick’s relentless direction was often criticized for Duvall’s suffering, Nicholson allegedly believed she weaponized her vulnerability to gain sympathy — something he deeply resented.
“She was in over her head, and she made it everyone else’s problem,” he allegedly told a friend.
2. Marlon Brando
Two Titans, One Explosive Ego Clash
Though they starred together in The Missouri Breaks (1976), Nicholson reportedly described the experience as “an absolute nightmare.”
He claimed Brando’s notorious refusal to memorize lines and erratic behavior on set infuriated him. At one point, Brando is said to have refused to leave his trailer for hours, delaying production. Nicholson, always known for his punctuality and professionalism despite his wild image, allegedly saw Brando as “a lazy genius who had no respect for the craft.”
“I don’t care how talented you are,” Nicholson reportedly told a producer years later. “If you waste everyone’s time, you’re a joke.”
Despite being neighbors in Beverly Hills and even having a complicated friendship, Nicholson privately referred to Brando as “the most exhausting man I’ve ever worked with.”
3. Tom Cruise
From Co-Stars to Cold Silence
They may have shared the screen in A Few Good Men, but off-camera, their relationship was anything but brotherly.
Nicholson allegedly found Cruise “intensely fake,” describing him as “all smiles and handshakes, but dead behind the eyes.” The elder actor also reportedly resented Cruise’s constant attempts to “upstage” him — especially in a courtroom scene Nicholson considered his.
“Tom thought he was the star,” Nicholson said. “I had to remind him whose name would be remembered.”
Sources claim Nicholson refused to ever work with Cruise again, despite several lucrative offers involving the two of them later in the 2000s.
4. Leonardo DiCaprio
The Clash of Generations on The Departed
When Martin Scorsese brought Nicholson out of semi-retirement to play the villainous Frank Costello in The Departed (2006), fans were thrilled. But behind the scenes, Nicholson allegedly clashed fiercely with Leonardo DiCaprio.
While DiCaprio revered Nicholson publicly, the feeling wasn’t mutual. Nicholson reportedly felt the younger star lacked authenticity. “He’s too polished. Too self-aware. Acting shouldn’t look like acting,” Nicholson is quoted as saying.
One heated moment allegedly occurred during a rehearsal when Nicholson asked DiCaprio to improvise a scene. DiCaprio balked, insisting they stick to the script. Nicholson stormed off set and later told friends, “He doesn’t know how to dance with danger. He’s a good boy pretending to be a bad one.”
5. Ryan O’Neal
An Old-School Rivalry That Turned Ugly
In the 1970s, both Nicholson and Ryan O’Neal were at the top of their game — and competing for many of the same roles, women, and headlines. But Nicholson never hid his contempt for O’Neal, calling him “a smug pretty boy with no depth.”
Their alleged rivalry turned personal after both were romantically linked to actress Anjelica Huston. According to friends, O’Neal made crude jokes about Nicholson’s age and looks, which Jack never forgot.
“He was always punching above his weight and acting like he was the king. But no one respected him behind the curtain,” Nicholson reportedly said.
Their cold war lasted decades, with Nicholson refusing to attend events where O’Neal would be present.
6. Val Kilmer
When Method Acting Crossed the Line
Nicholson was said to be livid after working (or almost working) with Val Kilmer, though the full story is murky. Rumor has it that Kilmer was attached to a now-cancelled late-1990s noir film that Nicholson was set to star in. During rehearsals, Kilmer reportedly refused to follow direction and attempted to “rewrite” parts of the story, infuriating the veteran actor.
Nicholson allegedly walked off set and demanded Kilmer be fired — or he’d leave the production entirely. The producers shelved the project instead.
“He thinks being difficult equals being deep,” Nicholson was quoted as saying. “He’s just a chaos merchant.”
Since then, Nicholson refused to entertain any scripts that included Kilmer in the cast list.
Why Speak Out Now?
Those close to Nicholson say the aging actor — who has largely stepped away from public life and has been rarely photographed in recent years — felt it was “time to be honest.”
One friend revealed, “He said, ‘I’ve held my tongue long enough. I’ve got nothing to lose now.’”
Though he never officially made these comments on record, sources claim the actor’s inner circle had long known about these grudges. With the conversation now leaked, many of the named actors or their representatives have declined to comment, though fans online are having a field day trying to piece together the truth from decades of rumors.
The Legacy of a Legend
Jack Nicholson’s legacy as one of the greatest actors in cinema history remains intact. With three Academy Awards and a slew of unforgettable performances, his mark on Hollywood is undeniable.
But this late-in-life reveal adds a layer of raw humanity — and perhaps a bit of theatrical drama — to a man who spent his entire career blurring the line between character and real life.
Whether you believe these names were shared out of bitterness, honesty, or simply a flair for the dramatic, one thing is clear: even at 88, Jack Nicholson still knows how to steal the spotlight.
Keaton and Nicholson, who appeared together in Batman, immediately connected.
“I just really liked him,” Keaton, 73, who is still in touch with the actor, 87, told People in a new interview. “He’s really, really intelligent. Really. A real reader. Just has an innate intelligence, and then a self-taught intelligence. … Because he devours books. Always something to talk about. Very opinionated about things when you’re in a conversation.”
He went on to recall the time they went to the City of Light together. “He took me to Paris in a jet,” recalled Keaton. “I was like a Boy Scout. I was ready to go out like a normal person. Jack didn’t get out of his room until like 10 p.m. or 10:30.”
The A-listers ended up venturing to the exclusive Les Bains Douches nightclub. “Jack was having a ball. He had the biggest grin on his face,” Keaton, who went back to the hotel before his costar, said.
He recalled thinking: “‘This is fun, but it’s kind of wasted on me.’”
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Meanwhile, Nicholson has been keeping a low profile over the past few years.
According to director James L. Brooks, he wants to bring Nicholson back to showbiz again.
“I keep on thinking he’s going to get itchy and scratch it,” Brooks previously said.
Nicholson previously appeared in How Do You Know — but Brooks doesn’t think this is the end for him. “My theory is it’s not his last movie.”
“That’s what I’m hoping for. He’s the man,” Brooks said, hoping that Nicholson has interest in acting going forward.
