Faye Dunaway rose to stardom in the 1960s and 1970s as one of the most beautiful and talented actresses of New Hollywood. However, her reputation was gradually overshadowed by her fearsome behavior and relentless feuds with other actors. One of her most infamous clashes was with Bette Davis during the filming of ‘The Disappearance Of Aimee’ in 1976. Bette accused Faye of being uncooperative and unprofessional, leading to a bitter rivalry that continued for years.
One of Faye’s most iconic roles was in the movie ‘Mommie Dearest,’ where she played Joan Crawford. Her over-the-top performance as the abusive and alcoholic movie star became a defining moment in her career. The making of the film was fraught with tension, with allegations of Faye’s erratic behavior on set, including accidentally hitting a child actress. The movie’s release further cemented her reputation as a diva in Hollywood.
In the 1990s, Faye found herself in a bitter dispute with Andrew Lloyd Webber after being fired from the Los Angeles production of ‘Sunset Boulevard.’ She accused Lloyd Webber of trying to push her out of her vocal range, resulting in a lawsuit for $6 million. The case was ultimately settled out of court, but the incident added to Faye’s reputation as a difficult and demanding actress.
Faye’s career took a downturn in the early 1980s with the failure of the movie ‘Supergirl,’ in which she played the villain Selena. Years later, she dismissed the film as a spoof and wrote off its financial failure. However, her true feelings about the movie were revealed in her memoirs, where she recounted the lackluster reception of ‘Supergirl’ and its impact on her career.
In 2017, Faye made headlines again for announcing the wrong winner at the Academy Awards alongside Warren Beatty. The mix-up led to embarrassment for the La La Land team and criticism of Faye’s handling of the situation. Despite attempts to downplay the incident in subsequent interviews, the Oscars blunder added another controversial moment to Faye’s long and storied career.
In 2019, Faye was fired from a Broadway show over allegations of abusive behavior, including slapping a crew member and creating a hostile work environment. The incident was part of a pattern of reported outbursts and diva-like behavior, leading to a lawsuit from her assistant and further tarnishing her reputation in the industry. Faye’s legacy as a legendary actress is now intertwined with her tumultuous personal life and controversial behavior.
