Black Hollywood has always given us iconic performances, but sometimes the real drama was happening when the cameras weren’t rolling. From creative clashes to full-blown feuds, a surprising number of beloved Black TV shows and films were shaped by offscreen tension most folks either forgot about–or never knew existed.
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And with “Martin” star Reginald Ballard (a.k.a. Bruh Man) recently revealing that Martin Lawrence and Carl Anthony Payne II had frequent creative disagreements off-camera, now feels like the perfect time to revisit the messy, complicated, and sometimes hilarious behind-the-scenes history.
Keep reading to get into the goodness!
Martin Lawrence vs. Carl Anthony Payne II
During a recent interview with The Art of Dialogue, Reginald Ballard–the actor who portrayed Bruh Man on “Martin” revealed that the titular star and his costar Carl Anthony Payne II would sometimes clash over creative differences and jokes on the show. Things would get so heated sometimes that the two would go back and forth over who the show was really about, though Ballard made it clear their issues were strictly professional.
Martin Lawrence vs. Tisha Campbell
The offscreen relationship between Tisha Campbell and Martin Lawrence soured severely in 1997 after she filed a sexual harassment suit against him. At the time she alleged verbal abuse, sexual battery, and more. As a result, Campbell quit the show during the final season and it subsequently got cancelled. The two have since made peace with each other and squashed any residual feelings.
Dee Dee Davis vs. Jeremy Suarez
In a recent interview with The Art of Dialogue, Dee Dee Davis–the young actress who played Baby Girl on “The Bernie Mac Show” revealed that she had serious issues with her costar Jeremy Suarez. Suarez played her annoying older brother and given the fact that Davis had not previously been used to that dynamic–the two would often run into issues with each other.
Isaiah Washington vs. T.R. Knight
One of the more memorable offscreen feuds in the last couple decades was between “Grey’s Anatomy” costars Isaiah Washington and T.R.Knight. Things went left after Washington was accused of using a homophobic slur against Knight which led to a huge fallout and to him ultimately getting fired from the show. In the years since the incident, Washington has apologized but still felt him being let go wasn’t all the way justified.
Amanda Seales vs. Issa Rae
While some may feel that the drama between “Insecure” stars Amanda Seales and Issa Rae were more one-sided–that doesn’t mean that there may not still be some validity to it. Especially when Seales has accused Rae over and over again of “not protecting her” the way she should have. But honestly, can you call it a feud if the other person isn’t really responding? Whatever Seales’ specific reasons are, they’re deep enough to prevent these two talented women from ever speaking again.
Will Smith vs. Janet Hubert
Back in the 90s, Will Smith and his first Aunt Viv–a.k.a. Janet Hubert would often clash onset. After one too many instances of them not seeing eye to eye, Hubert decided to depart from the show after the third season citing “creative differences” only. At the time, Smith alluded to her wanting the show to be more centered around her character.
Thankfully though, the two made up in an emotional reunion in 2020.
John Amos vs. “Good Times” Execs
John Amos frequently voiced his frustration over stereotypical storylines and the direction of the show, which he felt portrayed Black families in a demeaning way. His conflicts with producers led to his firing after Season 3 due to the fact that he wasn’t with all the “shucking and jiving.” Thankfully, Amos said he and the cast remained close, but his issues with the writers were seemingly never resolved.
Columbus Short vs. “Scandal” Execs
In 2014, life for Columbus Short took a turn for the worse after his personal issues affected his work–and specifically, his role on “Scandal.” Between a spousal-abuse charge, a battery charge after a fight with a bar patron, and more–he and the show ultimately had to part ways. Short has been fighting an uphill battle trying to get his career back to where it was. On a positive note, he has seemingly made up with a handful of his former costars.
Tiffany Boone vs. Jason Mitchell
In 2019, “The Chi” co-star Tiffany Boone and another actress filed misconduct complaints against Jason Mitchell. But even after some HR training, the alleged behavior still continued. As a result, Boone reportedly asked to be released from the series. Mitchell denied Boone every having going to HR about his conduct and said that the two only had a working relationship and “never have been the best of friends.”
Mo’Nique vs. Tyler Perry, Lee Daniels and Oprah
The longstanding feud between Mo’Nique and Tyler Perry, Oprah and Lee Daniels is well documented. Their issues stemmed from “The Parkers” star’s decision not to attend the 2009 Cannes Film Festival to do non-mandated press for her then film “Precious.” What’s taken place over the years was a career downslide for Mo’Nique which she feels producers Perry, Winfrey and Daniels were largely responsible for.
Lisa Bonét vs. Bill Cosby
The root of Lisa Bonét and Bill Cosby’s issues with each other centered largely around the latter’s disdain for both her professional and personal life choices. Whether it was her role in the 1987 film “Angel Heart” (in which she had some nude scenes) or her marriage to Lenny Kravitz and subsequent pregnancy– Cosby felt that her decisions clashed with the wholesome image and reputation of “The Cosby Show.”
Jill Marie Jones vs. “Girlfriends” Execs
Though many believed Jill Marie Jones–a.k.a. Toni Childs from “Girlfriends”–left her role due to contract disputes, she’s cleared the air in the years since to let fans know that her contract expiring at the end of season six and the desire to pursue other opportunities are the only things that played a part in her exit.
Jo Marie Payton vs. Jaleel White
While issues between “Family Matters” costars Jo Marie Payton and Jaleel White never reached a super astronomical level, the two did have some serious tension after the show started to lean more into White’s famous Urkel character and less into the Winslow family (of which Payton played the matriarch). The two also almost got into a physical altercation, but luckily nothing of the sort transpired.
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