The world of Hollywood has seen some intense rivalries over the years between some of its biggest and most iconic actresses. From long-standing feuds to more recent clashes, these rivalries have become part of Hollywood’s history and culture. Here are the top 10 biggest Hollywood actress rivalries of all time.
1) Bette Davis vs Joan Crawford
Bette Davis and Joan Crawford were two of the biggest names in Hollywood during the golden age of cinema, and their rivalry was as legendary as their respective careers. Both actresses were considered powerhouses in their craft, but it was their off-screen fights that kept the gossip mills buzzing for decades. The feud between Davis and Crawford is said to have begun in 1938, when both were competing for the lead role in the movie ‘Jezebel’.
Davis eventually won the part, and Crawford began a campaign of sabotage in retaliation, which only intensified over time. While there were rumors of physical confrontations between the two, their feud seemed to be mainly verbal. While their feud may have ended decades ago, the rivalry between Bette Davis and Joan Crawford remains one of the most famous in Hollywood.
2) Olivia de Havilland vs Joan Fontaine
Olivia de Havilland and Joan Fontaine have one of the most famous rivalries in Hollywood history. From a very young age, the sisters had a competitive relationship, fueled by their competitive mother. As they both rose to stardom in the 1930s, their rivalry intensified as they were often pitted against each other for roles, leading to frequent fights between them.
The rivalry even extended to award season when the sisters became the first (and only) siblings to win the Academy Award for Best Actress for back-to-back years in 1941 and 1942. To this day, Olivia de Havilland and Joan Fontaine’s feud remains one of the biggest and most talked about Hollywood rivalries of all time.
3) Faye Dunaway vs Diane Keaton
Faye Dunaway and Diane Keaton have had one of the longest-running rivalries in Hollywood. It dates back to their days on the set of the movie ‘Reds’ (1981), when they were both up for the role of Louise Bryant. Although both actresses eventually earned Academy Award nominations for their performances, their rivalry was born out of a fierce competition between the two stars. The feud between Dunaway and Keaton has been largely kept under wraps, but the tensions between them have often been commented on by their co-stars.
During filming, there were reports that the pair argued over costumes and makeup, and refused to sit next to each other at the table read. Despite this, their performances in the movie were critically acclaimed and widely praised. Despite their differences, both Dunaway and Keaton have said that they have a great deal of respect for each other’s talent.
4) Glenn Close vs Meryl Streep
Glenn Close and Meryl Streep are two of the biggest Hollywood actresses of all time, and they’ve also been rivaling each other for decades. Their rivalry began in the early 80s when they both auditioned for the role of Chris MacNeil in The Exorcist. Unfortunately, neither of them was chosen and the part went to Linda Blair instead.
Since then, their rivalry has only grown as they’ve both become some of the most acclaimed actresses in Hollywood. They’ve both been nominated for multiple Academy Awards and won countless awards throughout their careers. Despite this, they are still quite competitive.
5) Julia Roberts vs Meg Ryan
When you think of Hollywood rivalries, one of the most iconic and longstanding is between actresses Julia Roberts and Meg Ryan. Although their rivalry may have been overblown at times, there’s no denying that these two megastars have had a complicated relationship since their first on-screen encounter. However, Off screen, there were rumblings of a rivalry between the two women. It was rumored that Roberts was very dismissive of Ryan, who reportedly felt insecure about her performance compared to Roberts’.
This tension between them was supposedly so great that they rarely interacted while filming You’ve Got Mail. Despite this rumored rivalry, both actresses continued to enjoy successful careers and even worked together again in 2010’s Valentine’s Day. While Roberts and Ryan have never directly addressed their rivalry.
6) Charlize Theron vs Reese Witherspoon
Charlize Theron and Reese Witherspoon are two of the most successful and acclaimed actresses of Hollywood. However, despite their many collaborations, these two powerful women have been embroiled in one of the biggest rivalries in Hollywood history. The rivalry began in the early 2000s when Reese won an Oscar for her role in Walk The Line, beating out Charlize for the coveted award. This marked the beginning of a long-standing feud that has lasted for nearly two decades.
The rivalry has been fueled by the media over the years, who have sensationalized the pair’s reported tension. Despite the media’s efforts to further fuel the feud, it appears that both Charlize and Reese have put their differences aside and moved on with their lives. The two actresses have been spotted out together on multiple occasions, often appearing to be on friendly terms.
7) Jennifer Aniston vs Angelina Jolie
One of the biggest rivalries in Hollywood between two actresses is the feud between Jennifer Aniston and Angelina Jolie. This rivalry began in 2005 when Brad Pitt, Jennifer’s then-husband, began dating Angelina Jolie while shooting the movie Mr. & Mrs. Smith. Although Jennifer and Angelina have both moved on from the situation, their rivalry has endured over the years.
The tension between the two women has been widely discussed in the media for the past decade and a half, with many speculating on whether or not the two have reconciled. However, despite multiple opportunities to do so, neither woman has publicly acknowledged the other or made any attempts at reconciliation. Jennifer Aniston and Angelina Jolie are two of Hollywood’s most iconic actresses and this ongoing rivalry has made them even more memorable.
8) Jessica Lange vs Susan Sarandon
Jessica Lange and Susan Sarandon have been two of the biggest names in Hollywood for decades, so it’s no surprise that their rivalry is one of the most famous in show business. It’s not just their respective roles that have placed them in competition; both actresses have clashed over politics and social issues. Lange has been an outspoken advocate for liberal causes, while Sarandon has become a passionate supporter of Bernie Sanders’ campaign.
The rivalry between the two has even extended to the red carpet, where they’ve refused to share the spotlight. While this rivalry might seem petty, it’s actually indicative of the larger power struggle between Hollywood’s leading female stars. No matter who comes out on top, Jessica Lange and Susan Sarandon have made it clear that when it comes to Hollywood star power, these two are on top.
