Richard Harris Called Julie Andrews 'Condescending and Mean'
The late Irish actor stands alone among Hollywood stars for his harsh criticism of the beloved Mary Poppins actress during their 1966 collaboration on Hawaii.
In Hollywood's long history, few performers have earned the kind of universal admiration that Julie Andrews enjoys. Yet even the most cherished stars can't please everyone, and Andrews found her sole detractor in Richard Harris, who worked alongside her in the 1966 film Hawaii.
The Unlikely Feud
How anyone could dislike Julie Andrews remains puzzling to most people. The Mary Poppins star has maintained a spotless reputation throughout her decades-long career, avoiding scandals and controversies that have plagued other celebrities. She even turned down a role in Martin Scorsese's The Wolf of Wall Street, admitting she was too medicated from pain pills to make a proper decision at the time.
While Andrews occasionally attempted to break away from her wholesome image, these efforts rarely succeeded. Even John Wayne once criticized her for trying to be something she wasn't, suggesting her sweet persona was simply too ingrained in the public consciousness.
Harris's Harsh Words
Richard Harris, known for his exceptional acting abilities and equally notorious reputation as a difficult personality, didn't hold back his feelings about Andrews. The Irish actor, who struggled with alcohol and frequently clashed with colleagues, told his biographer Michael Feeney Callan that he had "rarely, if ever, experienced such hatred for a person."
Harris wasn't shy about criticizing fellow actors throughout his career, targeting everyone from Kirk Douglas to Tom Cruise and Michael Caine. However, his animosity toward Andrews seemed particularly intense, especially considering her sterling reputation among other co-workers.
Behind the Scenes Tension
According to Harris, Andrews behaved poorly during their time filming together. "She was condescending and mean," he claimed, describing her behavior throughout the production. The actor believed Andrews was annoyed by how much he enjoyed himself on set, leading to ongoing friction between them.
Harris recalled specific incidents where Andrews would whisper quietly to the director, prompting him to call out loudly, "Did you say something, Jules?" This behavior, he claimed, only made her more irritated with him. By the time they worked together, Andrews had just completed an impressive run of successful films including Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music, The Americanization of Emily, and Torn Curtain, earning an Oscar and two Golden Globes along the way.