The Surprising Feud: Richard Harris and Julie Andrews on Set

Few stars in Hollywood history have earned the kind of universal admiration that Julie Andrews enjoys. Her reputation for grace and professionalism is nearly unmatched, making it hard to imagine anyone taking issue with her. Yet, there was one notable exception: Richard Harris, her co-star in the 1966 epic Hawaii. While most of her colleagues have nothing but glowing things to say about her, Harris stood out as the lone voice of dissent.

Julie Andrews: Hollywood’s Beloved Icon

Andrews has long been considered a national treasure, thanks to her iconic roles in classics like Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music. She’s managed to avoid scandal throughout her career, and even turned down a potentially controversial role in The Wolf of Wall Street, citing health reasons. Her image as a wholesome, talented performer has rarely been challenged, and she’s worked with some of the biggest names in the industry, including Alfred Hitchcock.

Despite her squeaky-clean reputation, Andrews has occasionally tried to break away from her established persona. However, even when she attempted to take on edgier roles, her efforts were met with skepticism from some, including John Wayne. Still, her peers have consistently praised her work ethic and kindness on set.

Richard Harris: The Outspoken Co-Star

Richard Harris, on the other hand, was known for his fiery temperament and blunt opinions. He had a reputation for being difficult, and wasn’t shy about expressing his dislike for others in the business. Harris’s list of public feuds included Hollywood heavyweights like Kirk Douglas, Tom Cruise, and Michael Caine. When he teamed up with Andrews for Hawaii, she was coming off a string of major successes and critical acclaim, which may have rubbed Harris the wrong way.

Harris didn’t hold back when discussing his experience working with Andrews. In a conversation with his biographer, Michael Feeney Callan, Harris admitted,

“I had rarely, if ever, experienced such hatred for a person.”

He went on to describe Andrews as

“condescending and mean”

throughout the shoot. Harris believed that his own enjoyment on set seemed to irritate her, saying,

“She would say something, all quiet and conspiratorial, to the director, and I would shout, ‘Did you say something, Jules?’ Which just pissed her.”

Clashing Personalities on the Set of Hawaii

While most of Andrews’s collaborators have fond memories of working with her, Harris’s experience was the complete opposite. His outspoken nature and tendency to clash with others likely played a role in the tension between the two stars. Still, it’s striking that someone as universally admired as Andrews could inspire such strong negative feelings in a co-star.

Even the most beloved figures in entertainment aren’t immune to conflict. For Julie Andrews, Richard Harris remains the rare exception—a colleague who openly disliked working with her, leaving a unique footnote in both of their storied careers.