10 Hollywood Movies That Destroyed Real Marriages Of Lead Actors

Acting is a strange profession. When the chemistry between the co-stars is genuine, we believe they are in love on and off the screen. It sounds like a peculiar assumption, but to sell romance, actors commit to the delusion of love. Some movies have destroyed the marriages of actors.

When co-stars can’t stand each other, we consider this a made-up conflict, a real-life fact. But believe it or not, there have been instances where actors have fallen in love during their movie productions. We bring you a list of movies that lead to the deterioration of marriages, as the leading actors forget their vows and fall in love with someone else.

10. Daredevil (2003)

‘Daredevil’ (Image: 20th Century Studios)

The shoot for ‘Daredevil‘ was an emotional and romantic entanglement for the cast involved. Ben Affleck , who played the devil of Hell’s Kitchen, hooked up with Jennifer Garner. This was why she called quits on her marriage with actor Scott Foley, marrying and starting a family with Affleck.

9. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1994)

‘Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein’ (Image: TriStar Pictures)

Emma Thompson and Kenneth Branagh were supremely talented performers who happened to be married to each other. Already an established actor, Branagh had started making a name for himself. He directed and starred as the titular character of Mary Shelley’s beloved classic novel. On the sets, however, he fell for another British actor, Helena Bonham Carter. When Thompson discovered the growing attraction on the movie set, she left Branagh.

8. Days Of Thunder (1990)

‘Days of Thunder’ (Image: Paramount Pictures)

This lesser-known sports drama with Tom Cruise had a significant impact on the action star’s life. While filming, the ‘Top Gun‘ star was married to a much older Mimi Rogers. Soon, sparks flew between Nicole Kidman and Cruise. A month into pre-production, Tom Cruise divorced Mimi Rogers and married Nicole Kidman in 1990. But that love burned hot and fast, and they ended up getting divorced, too.

7. Cleopatra (1963)

‘Cleopatra’ (Image: 20th Century Studios)

The movie almost took down the studio that took a chance on it. Nothing went right on the sets of ‘Cleopatra ,’ except the blossoming of a legendary romance between the stars, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. Burton divorced his then-wife, actress Sybil Christopher, and Taylor left her fourth husband, singer Eddie Fisher. Since their first marriage on March 15, 1964, they fell out of love and marriage a few times, only to return to each other.

6. Honey Boy (2019)

‘Honey Boy’ (Image: Prime Video)

This devastatingly honest movie about his brutal childhood put Shia LaBeouf on the map as an upcoming screenwriter. He cast the musician FKA Twigs in his film, which led him to end his two-year marriage to Mia Goth.

7. To Have or Not To Have (1944)

‘To Have or Not To Have’ (Image: Warner Bros.)

During the filming schedule of Howard Hawks’ seminal film ‘To Have or Not To Have,’ a 19-year-old Lauren Bacall became enthralled with Humphrey Bogart. Bogart, 44, was already married to Mayo Methot. He ultimately left her in 1945 for Lauren Bacall.

4. Rosemary’s Baby (1968)

‘Rosemary’s Baby’ (Image: Paramount Pictures)

The quintessential cinephile film will always be remembered for Mia Farrow’s haunted performance. Her husband, Frank Sinatra, “The Ol’ Blue Eyes” himself, was adamant about the movie getting in the way of his marriage to Mia. As she stood her ground and proceeded with the film, Sinatra ended their union by serving her with divorce papers.

3. Proof Of Life (2000)

‘Proof Of Life’ (Image: Castle Rock Entertainment)

This panned thriller from director Taylor Hackford will be remembered for its behind-the-scenes drama. Its star, Meg Ryan, was married to actor Dennis Quaid, and their relationship was stormy. Russell Crowe, who plays a negotiator in the film, caught her attention. Ryan couldn’t resist the gladiator as they got together during the shoot, leading to her divorce.

2. The Misfits (1961)

‘The Misfits’ (Image: MGM Studios)

Ironically, Arthur Miller had written ‘The Misfits‘ to save his marriage to Marilyn Monroe . However, Marilyn became increasingly drug-bound during the making of the film. Her erratic behavior took a toll on Miller, who was killing himself with several rewrites. He would cheat on his wife with his mistress when he wasn’t making script revisions, and so would Monroe. In the end, Marilyn Monroe and her playwright husband parted ways once the movie was completed.

1. Mr. And Mrs. Smith (2005)

‘Mr. And Mrs. Smith’ (Image: 20th Century Studios)

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie had intense romantic chemistry in Doug Liman’s spy thriller. This wasn’t a performance as Pitt and Jolie fell head over heels for each other during the production. As a result, Pitt’s marriage to Jennifer Aniston ended horribly, giving birth to the “Brangelina.” But that’s also a thing of the past now.