On-screen romances captivate audiences, especially if the actors can make people believe a true love story. However, while chemistry may be sizzling on camera, it’s often not in a good way. Several of the most famous TV and movie couples hated each other in real life and couldn’t wait to stop working together.
One pair of actors’ professional relationship was seen in a different light when an old interview resurfaced during the #MeToo era. Meanwhile, another on-screen couple was so engaging during their make-out session in the rain that the friction between them remained a well-kept secret until the director let the truth slip in 2014, something he regretted years later. Let’s discover more!
Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd at the 37th Emmy Awards in 1985 | Source: Getty Images
Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd
These two actors starred together in the TV show “Moonlighting” from 1985 to 1989. The series followed the adventures of an ex-model and a smart-aleck detective managing a private detective agency.
Cybill Shepherd and Bruce Willis for Season 5 of “Moonlighting” in 1988 | Source: Getty Images
Their on-screen chemistry was perfect and worked great for the audience, but off-screen, their relationship was far from smooth. Still, Shepherd had great things to say about her former co-star in a 2005 interview. She said:
“I had no qualms at all. Even before success, Bruce [Willis] had that chutzpah. He had that spark. He was full of himself the minute I met him, and then he simply fulfilled himself.”
Bruce Willis for the “Moonlighting” pilot in 1985 | Source: Getty Images
She also noted that they had an immediate connection during the audition process. “With Bruce, the temperature in the room went 20 degrees higher. For me, anyway,” Shepherd added.
However, this intense connection had a downside. The actress revealed, “It’s hard to do a show and keep your relationships with everybody. I remember at one point in the show, it had gotten to where we just hated each other. It was a very volatile show anyway, but that’s also what made it great.”
Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd in an episode of “Moonlighting” in 1989 | Source: Getty Images
Despite their tumultuous professional relationship during filming, Cybill Shepherd has expressed fondness for Willis in recent years. At a charity event in 2022, she shared that no one else was “considered for the part” when Willis appeared at the audition.
The actress also said she would “always love Bruce,” especially in light of the news that Willis would be retiring from acting due to aphasia.
Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd for the pilot of “Moonlighting” in 1985 | Source: Getty Images
Their ability to maintain a convincing and loving couple on the show despite personal conflicts speaks to their professionalism and acting skills. Fans and younger generations can enjoy “Moonlighting” on streaming at Hulu.
Kirk Cameron and Julie McCullough
These actors starred together in the popular sitcom “Growing Pains” from 1985 to 1992. The show revolved around the misadventures of a family with a home business father and a journalist mother.
Jeremy Miller (Ben), Joanna Kerns (Maggie), Julie McCullough (Julie), Kristen/Kelsey Dohring (Chrissy), Kirk Cameron (Mike), Tracey Gold (Carol), Alan Thicke (Jason) for “Growing Pains” Season 5 in 1989 | Source: Getty Images
Cameron played Mike Seaver, the breakout character of the series, while McCullough joined the cast in the fourth season as Julie Costello, the nanny for the Seaver’s fourth child.
As the show progressed, the actor’s personal beliefs began to influence his approach to the character and the show’s content. He became a Born Again Christian around the third season, which led to conflicts with the producers over storylines he deemed too racy.
Julie McCullough and Kirk Cameron for “Growing Pains” in 1989 | Source: Getty Images
Steve Marshall, one of the producers, noted, “It made it an unhappy set and the actors were not happy and the producers were not happy.”
The situation came to a head when McCullough’s character, who had been dating Mike Seaver, was abruptly written off the show, although they were supposedly about to get married. This led to speculation that Kirk Cameron had objected to McCullough’s past appearances in Playboy magazine. However, the show’s producers have consistently denied this narrative.
Julie McCullough and Kirk Cameron for “Growing Pains” in 1989 | Source: Getty Images
Dan Guntzleman, the showrunner, explained, “The truth is, Julie was let go because Mike being in a committed relationship was a dead end. He was, after all, an immature imp who was ill-equipped to deal with a grownup world on all levels. That’s where the conflict and comedy came from: The maturity to have and maintain a lasting relationship fought against this.”
Cameron added Guntzleman’s explanation to his autobiography, “Still Growing.” He also wrote that according to the showrunner, McCullough’s character was only supposed to be “Mike’s first serious relationship.” Therefore, Julie wasn’t considered Mike’s endgame.
