Cybill Shepherd and Bruce Willis were the dynamic duo that made the hit 1980s television
series Moonlighting a fan favorite.
However, rumors have swirled for years about tension and animosity between the two stars
off-screen.
Now, in a surprising revelation, Cybill Shepherd has confirmed her true feelings about Bruce
Willis.
Join us as we delve into the details of their relationship and uncover the truth behind
one of television's most iconic pairings.
Strained relationship David Addison (played by Bruce Willis) and
Maddie Hayes (played by Cybill Shepherd) were the quintessential will-they-won't-they couple
on the television series "Moonlighting."
Their on-screen chemistry was electric, and viewers were hooked on their flirtatious banter
and the anticipation of a romantic relationship.
However, behind the scenes, the relationship between Willis and Shepherd was far from idyllic.
When the show first started filming, Willis was not yet a household name, and he was grateful
for the opportunity to play David Addison.
Crew members described him as funny and laid-back, and he enjoyed working with Shepherd.
However, as Willis's fame grew, his priorities began to shift.
He started to see Moonlighting as a stepping stone to bigger and better things, and he
began to prioritize his film career over the television show.
This caused tension between Willis and Shepherd, who was more committed to Moonlighting and
wanted to continue to work on the show.
The strain in their relationship was further compounded by the fact that the two actors
had very different approaches to their craft.
Shepherd was a classically trained actress who took her work very seriously, while Willis
was more of a natural talent who relied on his charm and charisma.
Their differing styles sometimes clashed on set, and there were rumors of arguments and
tension between the two actors.
How it started The feud between Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd
on the set of Moonlighting was one of the most well-known examples of co-star animosity
in Hollywood.
The root of their tension can be traced back to several factors, including scheduling conflicts
and personal insecurities.
According to their co-star, Curtis Armstrong, Shepherd's pregnancy made filming and scheduling
more difficult, which frustrated Willis.
He had to work longer hours to compensate, which likely contributed to his growing resentment
towards her.
Additionally, Shepherd was reportedly concerned about how she looked on camera as she aged,
leading to tensions with the crew and a desire to shoot scenes without her.
As the show progressed, the animosity between Willis and Shepherd only grew.
To prevent any further conflicts between the two stars, crew members resorted to measuring
the distance between their trailers to ensure that neither actor had to walk further than
the other.
Some scenes were even shot with body doubles to avoid having the two actors on set together.
At one point, a particularly heated scene between the two actors turned into a real-life
argument.
The scene broke down, and Shepherd reportedly flung a briefcase against the door with enough
force to shake the set.
As the show went on, the tension between the two actors continued to grow.
Both actors reportedly acted like divas, leaving set immediately after reading their lines
and refusing to stay longer than necessary.
By the time they filmed the series finale after five years, things had deteriorated
to the point where the stars couldn't even look at each other.
According to one of the show's producers, the editors had to artificially slow down
the footage to give the impression that they were looking into each other's eyes.
The on-set atmosphere was toxic, with both actors contributing to the hostile environment.
Despite the fact that Shepherd was often blamed for the conflict, it's clear that Willis also
played a significant role in perpetuating the feud.
His growing fame and desire to move on to bigger and better projects likely contributed
to his animosity towards Shepherd and the show.
Shepherd roasted Willis and their past.
When Bruce Willis was roasted by Comedy Central in 2018, Cybill Shepherd was one of the participants.
She took the opportunity to joke about their tumultuous working relationship on Moonlighting.
Shepherd commented that their characters on the show weren't much of a stretch, as she
played a former model and he played an expletive, which she joked was true to life.
Shepherd also referenced their rumored attraction and explained that while they were indeed
attracted to each other, their familiarity bred contempt, so they never acted on it.
She added that based on how much they ended up hating each other, the sex would have been
incredible.
Despite their rocky relationship, Shepherd acknowledged that their volatile and sometimes
explosive dynamic was the perfect formula for success.
At the end of her roast, she joked that while she and Willis haven't spoken in 30 years,
they'll always have something more important: residuals.
Willis has "great memories" of the show.
Bruce Willis has fond memories of his time on Moonlighting, despite his rocky relationship
with co-star Cybill Shepherd.
In a 2012 interview with HuffPost, Willis reflected on his time making the show, describing
it as a giant quantum leap for his career.
Willis noted that the show's fast pace and tight shooting schedule were some of his favorite
memories.
He also mentioned that the show was a significant milestone for him, as he had only done one
TV role before being cast in Moonlighting.
The opportunity to work on a popular show in California for five years was an exciting
time in his career.
While Willis did not mention Shepherd specifically in the interview, it's clear that his time
on "Moonlighting" left a lasting impact on him.
Despite the challenges he faced while working on the show, he was able to look back on his
experience with fondness and appreciation.
Why they never dated In spite of their undeniable chemistry, Cybill
Shepherd and Bruce Willis never pursued a romantic relationship during their time on
Moonlighting.
In an interview with EW, Shepherd explained that while she felt a spark with Willis that
she didn't feel with other actors during the casting process, she knew that dating him
would not be a good idea.
Shepherd wrote about a time in her book "Cybill Disobedience" when she and Willis did hook
up.
Luckily, they quickly realized the complications of having a romantic relationship while working
together.
The two had second thoughts about taking things further because they were aware of the potential
fallout from mixing business with pleasure.
Shepherd wrote that they never finished what they started.
Their decision not to pursue a relationship was likely the right one, as a romantic entanglement
could have led to disastrous consequences for the show's production.
The tension and animosity that developed between the two actors throughout the show's run would
have been magnified if they were romantically involved, potentially leading to a decline
in the show's quality.
In hindsight, it's clear that Shepherd and Willis made the right decision by not pursuing
a romantic relationship.
While their chemistry on screen was undeniable, it's likely that any attempt at a real-life
romance would have ultimately led to more harm than good.
Incredible little known facts Moonlighting was an immensely popular American
television drama series during its time on the air, and has become a classic among fans
of the genre.
However, behind the scenes, there were many fascinating stories that even the show's most
devoted fans may not be aware of.
Here are some of the little-known facts that make Moonlighting an even more intriguing
and captivating piece of television history.
1)Orson Welles' Last Appearance Orson Welles was a legendary figure in the
entertainment industry, known for his contributions to film, theatre, and radio.
His last on-screen appearance was on the popular television show, Moonlighting, in 1985.
While ABC was concerned about airing an episode in black and white, the show's creator, Glenn
Gordon Caron, asked Welles to introduce "The Dream Sequence Always Rings Twice."
Despite his initial reluctance, Welles agreed to the request after finding Caron's written
intro to be hilarious.
The introduction was filmed on October 3, 1985, just a week before Welles passed away.
According to Jay Daniel, who was present at the filming, the first take was "perfect."
However, Welles insisted on doing a couple more takes just in case, a testament to his
dedication to his craft.
Welles' final appearance on Moonlighting was a bittersweet moment for his fans and colleagues
alike, as it marked the end of a brilliant career that spanned several decades.
His legacy in the entertainment industry remains strong to this day, and his influence can
be seen in the work of countless actors, writers, and directors.
The fact that his last on-screen appearance was on Moonlighting only adds to the show's
cultural significance and the enduring impact of Orson Welles on the world of entertainment.
2)Competing for the Lead Role When the hit television show Moonlighting
was first announced, it presented a golden opportunity for aspiring Hollywood actors
to make a name for themselves.
However, with 3,000 actors vying for the lead role of David Addison, Jr., the competition
was fierce, and landing the part was no easy feat.
Bruce Willis, however, was undeterred.
Despite being among the last to audition, he made a powerful impression on the casting
directors and producers, ultimately earning the coveted role.
As the head of the Blue Moon detective agency, David Addison quickly became a fan favorite,
and Willis' performance was widely praised.
Thanks to his breakout role in Moonlighting, Willis became a household name practically
overnight.
His charisma, wit, and undeniable talent captured the hearts of audiences around the world,
and he quickly became one of Hollywood's most sought-after actors.
Today, he is widely regarded as an A-list celebrity, with a long and successful career
in film and television that continues to captivate audiences.
For Willis, landing the role of David Addison in Moonlighting was not just a lucky break
but a defining moment that set the stage for a remarkable career in entertainment.
3)An Expensive Yet Profitable Production Despite being one of the most expensive programs
of its time, Moonlighting was an incredibly profitable venture for the ABC network.
Each episode cost an average of $1.6 million to produce, twice the cost of a typical hour-long
television episode at the time.
However, the network was willing to invest heavily in the show, recognizing its potential
to draw in viewers and generate substantial profits.
ABC owned all rights to Moonlighting, meaning that the network could capitalize on its success
in a way that would not have been possible if an outside company had produced it.
In Season Three, the show peaked as the 9th most popular program in America, bringing
in massive profits for ABC.
Fans couldn't get enough of the witty banter and playful chemistry between stars Bruce
Willis and Cybill Shepherd.
The show has become a cultural phenomenon, earning critical acclaim and a devoted fan
base.
There you have it.
It's now time to hear from you.
Let us know what your favorite part of the Willis-Sheperd feud is.