Robert Redford, the Oscar-winning icon and embodiment of calm professionalism in Hollywood, has long been admired for his grounded approach to acting and filmmaking.

Known as the gentleman of New Hollywood, Redford maintained a reputation for grace under pressure, steering clear of gossip and public feuds.

Yet behind the scenes, the legendary actor and director had his own battles — not with the cameras or critics, but with certain co-stars whose working styles clashed sharply with his own.

Now, at 88, Redford has finally opened up about the seven actors he found most challenging to work with, revealing a side of Hollywood rarely seen by fans.

 

Redford’s career spans decades and includes some of cinema’s most beloved classics.

Yet, despite his polished public image, he admits there were actors whose presence on set made the work unbearable.

These men and women were not merely difficult personalities; their approaches to acting, temperament, or professional conduct created tension and conflict that left lasting impressions on Redford.

 

Here are the seven actors Robert Redford named as the most difficult collaborators, along with the stories behind their fraught relationships.

 

Redford and Gene Hackman shared the screen in *Downhill Racer* and crossed paths on other projects, but they were never friends.

Hackman’s raw intensity and explosive temperament clashed with Redford’s composed, controlled style.

Hackman approached acting like a battlefield — dominating scenes, challenging direction, and often disregarding subtlety in favor of brute force.

 

Redford respected Hackman’s talent but found his volatility exhausting.

A notorious incident during *Downhill Racer* saw Hackman refuse to leave his trailer over a lighting dispute, delaying production for an hour.

Redford personally confronted him, telling Hackman, “This isn’t your movie, it’s a team effort. Show up or step aside.” Though Hackman complied, the two never spoke privately again.

Redford later vetoed Hackman from projects, calling him a “brilliant actor, impossible human. ”

 

James Woods never shared a full film with Redford but auditioned repeatedly for supporting roles in Redford’s projects — and was consistently rejected.

Redford found Woods deeply unsettling and difficult to be around, describing him as someone who “brought chaos to places that needed quiet.”

Political differences only deepened the divide; during one audition, Woods launched into a debate about Vietnam policy, prompting Redford to walk out.

 

Woods’s confrontational style and need to dominate the room clashed with Redford’s preference for quiet intensity and collaboration.

Redford’s casting notes bluntly stated: “Never ever.” Though Woods’s talent was undeniable, Redford chose to avoid the storm he brought.

 

Though immortalized alongside Redford in *All the President’s Men*, Dustin Hoffman’s approach frustrated Redford.

Hoffman frequently improvised, challenged scripts, and changed blocking mid-scene, disrupting the carefully rehearsed rhythm Redford valued.

While their on-screen chemistry was undeniable, behind the scenes the atmosphere was tense.

Hoffman’s unpredictability wore on Redford, who preferred precision and discipline.

Multiple takes with varying tones forced Redford to react without consistency, leading to quiet frustration.

When asked why they never worked together again, Redford simply said, “Once was enough.

”

Redford and Tom Cruise collaborated on *Lions for Lambs*, a political drama that turned into one of Redford’s most frustrating projects.

Cruise’s focus on optics, brand, and market positioning conflicted with Redford’s artistic vision of an understated, cerebral film.

Cruise’s insistence on controlling everything from wardrobe to poster design created tension on set.

 

Redford, who once spent days rehearsing a silent scene, was baffled by Cruise’s desire for symmetry over vulnerability.

The clash extended into post-production, where Cruise’s demands for multiple edits led Redford to disengage completely.

The film flopped, and the two never spoke again.

 

Faye Dunaway’s perfectionism and demanding nature made her difficult to work with during *Three Days of the Condor*.

Known for her fierce protectiveness over her process, Dunaway frequently clashed with the director and co-stars, including Redford.

She questioned emotional logic, requested rewrites, and demanded multiple takes, disrupting the flow of production.

 

Redford, who valued trust in the creative team and momentum, grew irritated with her micromanagement.

Their off-screen tension was palpable, and Redford even requested a body double for insert shots after she wrapped.

When asked about her years later, he called her “unforgettable,” but no further collaborations followed.

 

Redford and Robert Duvall starred together in *The Natural*, but their contrasting styles created friction.

Redford approached the film like a symphony — rehearsed, timed, and emotionally calibrated — while Duvall embraced improvisation and spontaneity.

Duvall’s refusal to stick to the script and his sarcastic adlibs during takes frustrated Redford.

 

Their differences were not just stylistic but personal.

A heated argument during a pivotal scene ended with Redford saying, “It’s not your movie,” and Duvall replying, “It’s not anyone’s until it’s real.

” Despite mutual respect for each other’s brilliance, they never worked together again.

 

Perhaps the most surprising name on the list is Paul Newman, Redford’s iconic co-star in *Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid* and *The Sting*.

Though their on-screen partnership was electric, behind the scenes their relationship grew distant over time.

Newman’s increasing producer control on *The Sting* led Redford to feel sidelined, shifting from co-star to competitor.

 

Redford admired Newman but resented how the public and industry favored Newman as the face of their partnership.

Their friendship faded into polite distance, with no further collaborations despite offers.

Redford described Newman as charming but guarded, with a slow erosion of trust rather than dramatic fallout.

 

Redford’s revelations shed light on the complexities of collaboration in Hollywood.

Even the most talented and beloved actors can clash due to differences in temperament, work ethic, and creative vision.

For Redford, acting was a team sport requiring discipline, respect, and quiet focus — qualities not always shared by his colleagues.

 

These stories remind us that behind the glamour and success, filmmaking is often fraught with tension and compromise.

Redford’s ability to maintain his professionalism despite these challenges speaks to his enduring legacy as a consummate artist and collaborator.

 

At 88, Robert Redford has shared a candid glimpse into his experiences with some of Hollywood’s most iconic actors.

His list of difficult collaborators — Gene Hackman, James Woods, Dustin Hoffman, Tom Cruise, Faye Dunaway, Robert Duvall, and Paul Newman — reveals not just personal grievances but fundamental clashes in artistic philosophy and working style.

 

While these actors remain legends in their own right, Redford’s reflections remind us that even in the world of stars, human dynamics and creative differences shape the stories behind the camera.

For fans, it’s a reminder that the magic on screen often masks the challenges behind the scenes — and that sometimes, even the greatest partnerships have their shadows.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.