The legendary actor who hated this Oscar winner with all his might: “She was condescending and cruel”
Richard Harris did not get on well with “Mary Poppins” actress Julie Andrews, calling her cruel after working with her on “Hawaii”.
Julie Andrews remains one of the few living legends of Hollywood still active well into her later years. Even at 90, the Oscar-winning performer continues to lend her voice to animated and live-action projects and appear in television specials. Her career stretches back to the 1950s, when she first rose to prominence as a singer and stage actress before becoming a film icon.
She won the Academy Award for her unforgettable performance in “Mary Poppins” and later earned nominations for “The Sound of Music” and “Victor/Victoria”. To audiences, she projected warmth, charm and grace.
But not everyone in Hollywood saw her that way.
Richard Harris vs Julie Andrews: The feud behind "Hawaii"
According to accounts from those close to him, Richard Harris, known to modern audiences for playing Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter films, as well as for his role in “Gladiator”, harbored intense dislike for Andrews after they worked together.
The two starred in ”Hawaii", released in 1966, at a time when Andrews was at the peak of her early film career following the massive success of “Mary Poppins” and “The Sound of Music”.
Harris later described his co-star in harsh terms, reportedly calling her “condescending” and “cruel.” He suggested that tensions grew during production and that their personalities clashed on set. According to biographical accounts, he claimed he had “rarely, if ever” felt such strong dislike for someone he worked with.
The friction appears to have been personal rather than professional performance-related. Harris implied that their on-set dynamic was strained, recalling moments when small interactions escalated into irritation.
Julie Andrews’ response years later
Decades after the film’s release, Andrews addressed the comments with disarming humor. Rather than escalating the feud, she acknowledged that there may have been truth to his perception at the time, joking that her behavior might have been influenced by enjoying “a bit too much beer” during that period.
Her response softened what had long been framed as a bitter rivalry. While it’s clear the two stars didn’t connect during filming, time seemed to dull the sharp edges of the conflict.
About “Hawaii”
Directed by George Roy Hill, “Hawaii” follows a 19th-century missionary (played by Max von Sydow) and his wife (Andrews) as they travel to the islands with the goal of converting Native Hawaiians to Christianity. Harris and Gene Hackman co-star in the sweeping historical drama.
Where to watch in the U.S.: As of now, “Hawaii” (1966) is available in the United States to rent or purchase digitally through platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Availability may vary by region and over time, so it’s worth checking your preferred streaming service for the most current options.
Whatever the behind-the-scenes tension, “Hawaii” remains a fascinating footnote in Hollywood history, a film that brought together two major stars who, by many accounts, simply couldn’t stand each other.
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