Even in Hollywood, bad behavior still finds a way to slip through.
In a new interview with Vulture published Monday, June 16, Jason Isaacs reflected on a tough time working with a well-known — but unnamed — actor, describing the experience as one of his worst on set.
“Oh Jesus. Did worse than that,” said 62-year-old Armageddon star Jason Isaacs, recalling a moment he was literally shoved out of frame. “Was the worst bully ever and a global icon. Did all the old tricks—giving a completely different performance off-camera than on. Yeah, it sucked. I’d never seen anything like it. Before, I would’ve licked the ground that this person walked on.”
Isaacs—set to play Timothy Ratliff in the upcoming season of The White Lotus—didn’t reveal the actor’s name but admitted he’s dealt with several difficult personalities throughout his career. “When I think someone’s terrible, someone else might think they’re brilliant,” he said. “One of the things that’s very charismatic is madness.”
For Harry Potter star Jason Isaacs, the biggest red flag on set isn’t an odd acting method—it’s bad behavior.
“Mostly, what I judge on set is bad behavior,” he told Vulture. “It’s selfishness, cruelty, bullying, or people complaining to the person who’s getting them dressed—someone who doesn’t make in a year what they earn in a day—to pick their filthy underwear off the floor.”
Isaacs revealed he’s seen all kinds of wild behavior behind the scenes, from actors walking off early to calling in sex workers, using drugs, or disappearing without notice. “I come across all that stuff,” he admitted.
Still, he’s not in the business of outing anyone. “There is no value, other than masochism and sabotage, in telling people the truth about people I’ve worked with or experiences I’ve had,” he said. “Acting is all about secrets.”
