Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant Clashed Behind the Scenes on ‘Notting Hill’ Over His ‘Cruel Comments’
When actors play the role of couples on the big screen, one would never think that the two don’t get along well. While the two may look happy filming together to fans, the complete opposite could be true behind the scenes. Co-stars often have their spats, but when the line gets crossed, it causes major tension on set. In some cases, the colleagues never settle their differences, even years after starring beside one another. One of the most beloved movie couples who really clashed behind the scenes was Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant in the hugely successful romantic comedy, Notting Hill.
Julia Roberts is an award-winning actor
Roberts is a well-known leading actor in numerous romantic comedies over the years. Once dreaming of becoming a veterinarian, her plans changed when she graduated high school. Since both her brother and sister were pursuing acting careers, Roberts decided to give it a shot as well. Roberts’ first performance in Mystic Pizza impressed movie-goers, and she became an almost instant hit with her amazing talent, charming wit, dazzling smile, and girl-next-door appeal.
The very next year she starred alongside Sally Field in Steel Magnolias. Then her acting career skyrocketed in the 1990s as she portrayed Vivian Ward in Pretty Woman. In 2001, Roberts was accomplishing many milestones from her Academy Award win for her role in the legal drama Erin Brockovich, to becoming the first woman to earn a $20 million salary for a film. Starring in many movies that brought in big box office numbers has established Roberts as the iconic star we all know and love. This award-winning actor may have come from a small town, but she continues to make big waves in Hollywood.
Hugh Grant has an impressive acting history
Starring in a wide range of romantic comedies, Grant is best known for playing the handsome English nice-guy. However, Grant did not fall into stardom as quickly as Roberts. Throughout the 1980s and early ’90s, he was in minor movie roles and television performances until his big break in 1994 with his role as Charles in Four Weddings and a Funeral. This role won him his first Golden Globe Award and a BAFTA Film Award for Best Actor.
He then established himself as a leading actor playing characters projecting warmth and happiness, even though reflecting upon his earlier career, regrets his lack of knowledge navigating his fame. Grant’s entertaining wit and keen sense of humor help to skillfully take his movie characters beyond their script for award-winning performances. Some of his most well-known movies include Notting Hill, Love Actually, and his most recent role opposite Meryl Streep in Florence Foster Jenkins.
The drama behind the scenes of ‘Notting Hill’
Notting Hill was a hit romantic comedy released on May 28, 1999. While it’s been over 20 years since its release, rom-com fans still rate the beloved couple, Anna Scott and William Thacker, as one of their favorite movie couples. However, fans may not have realized that Roberts and Grant did not click as well while filming as it appeared on the big screen.
According to Bestlife, Grant revealed that he made several jokes about the size of Roberts’ mouth while filming Notting Hill that caused some off-camera drama between the two. According to DigitalSpy, in an interview with Oprah Winfrey, he described Roberts as “Very big-mouthed! Literally, physically, she has a very big mouth. When I was kissing her I was aware of a faint echo.” However, in 2005, Roberts had already forgiven Grant for his “cruel” comments about her looks and thought it would be “fun” to do another movie with Grant.
