Uh, will you be working with him at that time? No, I think we should have finished the film by then. I’ll be working with him from March through uh through the end of June or something like that. Do you ever stop working? Oh god, yes. I sometimes don’t do a picture for a year and a half. Juan Sworning.
In March 207, Martin, Hollywood Truth magazine unexpectedly published an article with a headline that made the entire entertainment world hold its breath. discovery of Bert Lancaster’s top secret notebook, the legendary star of From Here to Eternity, who once marched alongside Martin Luther King in historic demonstrations.
However, this was by no means a memoir. Instead, inside lay a list of 14 names, all of them dazzling icons of Hollywood’s golden era, whom Bert bluntly labeled as the most malicious people Hollywood has ever produced. He did not hesitate to expose the dark side of individuals who had once been celebrated by the world.
Who were they? and what had driven a man of integrity like Bert Lancaster to write these words at the end of his life as if leaving behind a curse for future generations. To fully answer these questions, let us begin with the very first name also, the person Bert considered the most cruel, Elizabeth Taylor.
One, Elizabeth Taylor, The Hidden Storm, Behind the Violet Eyes. In 1962, while filming Cleopatra at Cinicha Studios in Rome, Elizabeth Taylor locked herself in her dressing room, refusing entry to anyone. All because a female colleague wore a dress in a color that matched her own. This incident forced the film crew to halt all production for 14 hours, waiting for her to calm down from a completely unreasonable rage.
When the director demanded that filming resume, Taylor immediately hurled a glass of wine in his face, plunging the entire set into a heavy silence. Taylor was not merely a famous star. She was the queen of manipulation, exerting control not only over the films she starred in, but also over the people around her.
And that was only the surface of the dark series of schemes known as Elizabeth Taylor. During the 1960s when she married Richard Burton, she not only absorbed control over his career but also leveraged her influence to dominate Hollywood, compelling producers to bow to all her demands. Consequently, her marriages from Mike Todd to Richard Burton were never sweet love stories, but constant battles of power in which she simultaneously deceived and seized the assets of the men she married while manipulating everything to suit her will.
And then next on the list emerges one of Hollywood’s most legendary stars. Yet beneath that dazzling career lies a ruthless darkness that is in no way inferior. Two. Kirk Douglas. The predator in human skin. Kirk Douglas, a cinematic icon known for his countless heroic roles on the silver screen, concealed another side within the face of a true monster.
In Bert Lancaster’s Confidential Diary, Douglas is depicted not merely as a Hollywood star, but as a coldblooded manipulator, ready to trample anyone to protect his power. Bert bluntly described him as a predator under human skin, a person who would stop at nothing to destroy anyone daring to defy him. Douglas not only intervened aggressively in casting sessions and pressured producers, but he also exploited his influence to commit acts far beyond acceptable limits with young actresses.
A chilling story revealed by Bert involved Lisa Avery, an actress who was dropped from a major film project in 1959 simply because she refused Kirk’s invitation to a private dinner. This was no coincidence. It was a deliberate act meant to punish anyone who would not comply with his wishes.
And that is only a small part of the long chain of power abuses and blatant manipulations that Kirk carried out throughout his career. Beyond exploiting fame and reputation to control those around him, Douglas further perverted drugs into instruments of coercion and influence. He bought and used substances to compel directors, producers, and co-stars to obey his commands.
Anyone who dared resist faced brutal consequences, either being removed from a project or forced into dangerous situations where no one dared speak in their defense. Kirk Douglas was not merely a Hollywood star. He was a monster prepared to crush every obstacle in his path to power. And if you think the story of Kirk Douglas is horrifying enough, brace yourself for Natalie Wood, a woman of fragile beauty, yet behind those eyes lies a strategist full of cunning and intrigue. Three. Natalie Wood.
The fake tears used to manipulate others. Beneath Natalie Wood’s delicate appearance and her deep, sorrowful eyes lay the essence of a ruthless manipulator who did not hesitate to employ any trick necessary to maintain her position and influence. Natalie once deliberately put a co-star in a difficult situation merely to remove him from a project simply because she disliked him.
She even staged a scene where she fainted right in the middle of the film set, forcing the crew to halt production for up to 10 hours. All to exert pressure on the producers to form the co-star. Her control was so intense that no one dared speak up, fearing threats or the destruction of their careers if they dared to resist.
Bird also hinted that Natalie Wood’s death in 1981 was not simply an accident, but a price to pay for the schemes she had seown. A journalist from the Hollywood Reporter revealed that just a few weeks before her death, Natalie had threatened to ruin a close friend’s career if they did not obey her instructions.
The mysterious death on the yacht became a permanent stain in Hollywood history as a string of rumors and revelations about her deceitful relationships began to surface. Bert Lancaster wrote, “The sea did not kill her. It only concealed what she left behind on the shore.” Natalie Wood’s passing not only closed the chapter of a tragic life, but also represented the inevitable consequence of the ruthless actions she had relentlessly carried out throughout her career.
And if this story has already sent chills down your spine, do not leave just yet. Because Mickey Rooney, the man with an outwardly friendly appearance, harbored brutal schemes that no one could have anticipated. Four. Mickey Rooney, the man who took pleasure in verbally tormenting others. Rooney frequently mocked and humiliated background actors in front of the entire crew for trivial mistakes such as their hairstyle or costume.
Bert wrote, “He did not merely humiliate others. He took delight in seeing them collapse before him, then laughed with satisfaction as if he had just won a victory. Throughout his career, alongside his cheerful on-screen roles, Mickey Rooney was notorious for his abusive treatment of his wives.” Bert Lancaster recounted that Rooney turned his wives into slaves within the very home they shared, forcing them to labor both menfully and physically, using violence to control every gesture.
His marriages were not romantic stories, but dark dramas where power and manipulation dominated until the victims were utterly exhausted, left with no ability to resist. One of the most brutal incidents of abuse occurred in 1967 when Rooney slapped his wife directly on the film set simply because she was behind schedule, leaving her physically and emotionally wounded.
His failed marriages were not only the end of love but also a long chain of domestic violence where victims were swallowed in a vortex of manipulation and oppression. With these sins, Rooney not only destroyed the lives of his colleagues but also left terrifying psychological scars for those who had ever been close to him. Five.
Marilyn Monroe. The black hole that devoured Hollywood. The next figure to appear on Bert’s list is the legendary film icon Marilyn Monroe. Monroe was not only deceitful in matters of the heart. But she also exploited her status to intimidate and pressure directors, co-stars, and even the studios themselves, forcing them to comply with her unreasonable demands.
One of the most shocking stories Bert recounts concerns the filming of Some Like It Hot in 1959 in Hollywood. During the production of the movie, Monroe frequently vanished from the set without prior notice, causing the crew to halt work for hours, as if everyone could do nothing but wait in the hope that she would return.
Bert writes, “She didn’t just pretend to be fragile. She turned that fragility into a weapon to control everyone around her.” This behavior not only irritated people but also seriously disrupted the work of those around her. As if that were not enough, Monroe also used her secret romantic entanglements to manipulate powerful figures.
In 1961, she secretly began a relationship with producer Jack Warner. When Warner suggested she collaborate with another male actor, Monroe immediately triggered a dramatic emotional crisis. She forced Warner to make decisions that benefited only her, creating chaos on set and causing many people to suffer losses and harm solely because of her greed and deceit.
So, what about Errol Flynn? The man once celebrated in Hollywood as a hero. How many dark secrets lie behind that dazzling image waiting to be exposed by Bert six. Errol Flynn, the devil in a gentleman’s suit. With his captivating smile and elegant demeanor in classic roles such as Captain Blood and The Adventures of Robin Hood, Errol Flynn once enchanted all of Hollywood.
Yet, according to Bert, behind that glamorous exterior was a man living a debauched life, willing to abuse power to control and destroy others. Flynn hosted decadent parties where drugs, prostitutes, and violence intertwined in darkly orchestrated spectacles. His victims remained silent, crushed under the weight of his wealth and influence.
Moreover, Flynn leveraged his connections to escape serious crimes. When arrested for drug trafficking, he quickly used his influence within the film industry to secure his release. continuing his criminal activities without facing any consequences. The women he seduced and deceived were treated merely as tools for satisfying his desires, discarded once they no longer served a purpose.
For Bert, Flynn was not simply rude or violent. He was a boundless monster in his capacity for crime. And the story of Flynn is not the final entry on Bert’s blacklist. Ahead lies another figure. Once hailed as a Hollywood legend, but behind that golden aura lurks a manipulative individual filled with countless crimes and horrifying secrets. Seven.
Spencer Tracy. Always looking to blame others. In his private notes, Lancaster described Spencer Tracy as the devil in the dressing room, a man who always harbored a fury, ready to erupt after every drink. For Tracy, alcohol was not a mere accidental indulgence. It was a powerful tool used to instill fear and control those around him.
He didn’t just drink to get drunk. He drank to hurt, Bert recorded, portraying Tracy as someone who wielded violence and intimidation like weapons to manipulate the entire film crew. Tracy was not only known for his profound performances, but also carried a notorious reputation for sexual assault and physical aggression toward others on set.
On one occasion in 1911 during the filming of Judgment at Nuremberg, he smashed a bottle of alcohol on the makeup table simply because a makeup artist had made a minor mistake. But the story did not end there. Tracy also exploited his authority to impose his will and intimidate colleagues, forcing them to comply and even violated the privacy of his co-stars as a form of abuse.
To Bert, Spencer Tracy was essentially a ruthless figure who knew how to use his power to break anyone daring to oppose him. He could transform into a saintly figure with just a smile, then threaten to commit suicide to coersse a co-star into doing what he wanted, Bert concluded. Next on the list, Bert mentions a man who appeared outwardly trustworthy.
But behind that facade was a cold and merciless monster, causing everyone around him to tread carefully. Eight. James Stewart, the man who judged others. James Stewart, beloved by American audiences as the nice guy in It’s a Wonderful Life or the upright hero in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, had long become a symbol of integrity.
Yet, according to Bert Lancaster, behind this exemplary image lay a harshly judgmental man who did not hesitate to employ cunning tactics to maintain his position. A familiar habit of Stuarts was to quietly note every minor mistake of his co-stars throughout filming and discreetly pass these notes to the director once the shoot ended, keeping everyone around him constantly anxious and unsettled.
Stuart’s cruelty became even more apparent in 1957 when he refused to act alongside a black actor without showing anger or openly protesting. He cleverly used the excuse of script requirements to conceal his intentions, leaving others too intimidated to speak up. Not only did he manipulate through authority, but Stuart also resorted to despicable tricks.
He once forged documents to accuse actors who dared oppose him. Even a single falsified paper was enough to ruin someone’s reputation and force them off a project. No one dared resist for the risk of public shaming or losing future opportunities was too great. He didn’t need to shout. He just had to sit quietly and the entire room immediately felt they were not decent enough to exist there.
Bert concluded the account. Nine. Henry Fonda, Hollywood’s invisible judge. Occupying the 11th spot on this list is Henry Fonda, a name inseparably linked with iconic roles in The Grapes of Wrath and 12th of Angry Men. He was revered throughout Hollywood as a symbol of justice. Yet, according to Bert Lancaster, beneath that outwardly righteous appearance, Fonda was in reality a master manipulator who used cold silence instead of violence to destroy others.
Bert recorded in his journal, “He didn’t need to strike anyone down with his hands. He killed with silence. Beneath the image of a hero on the silver screen, Fonda inflicted psychological harm on his own family. His children, particularly Jane Fonda, never truly felt genuine love from their father. Jane once admitted that she grew up under the harsh shadow of a father who never offered praise or protection, but only imposed control to force everyone to comply.
Fonda’s cruelty was not limited to his family. He even pushed colleagues to the brink of despair and in some cases to the point of contemplating suicide merely to assert his personal power. in both his private and professional life. Such ruthlessness made Fonda a vivid example of how power can be maintained, not through respect, but through fear and sophisticated manipulation.
If the story of Henry Fonda sends chills down your spine, prepare yourself for the next chapter about another Hollywood star. Someone who appeared flawless on the outside, but whose soul harbored dark secrets no one could have imagined. 10. Jane Fonda, the brainwasher with an angelic face.
According to Bert Lancaster, Jane Fonda was not only a talented actress, but also someone with a frighteningly skillful ability to manipulate. On one occasion on set, she demanded the dismissal of a cameraman simply because he was a Christian and did not agree with radical feminism. When her demand was not met, Jane immediately threatened to hold a press conference to publicly accuse discrimination within the film crew, creating an atmosphere of tension that engulfed everyone.
And that was only the beginning of the chain of controlling actions she initiated. Lancaster revealed, “She said to me directly, if you are not on my side, that means you are against justice.” At that moment, Bert realized that Jane did not need violence or weapons. All she required was a microphone and a crowd, which she would use to exert pressure, harass colleagues, and eliminate anyone who disagreed with her.
Jane did not just push others to the brink of career ruin. She also exploited extreme ideals to force people to take sides. She leveraged the influence of her fame to manipulate the psychology of those around her, compelling them either to obey or to face public shaming and ostracism orchestrated precisely according to her plan.
11. Bing Crosby, the man who always forced others to obey. Bing Crosby was a talented actor who outwardly always maintained a calm and composed demeanor, never revealing anger or raising his voice at anyone. Yet behind the closed doors of his private home, there existed a true hell where his cruelty and manipulative abilities reached their extreme.
Lancaster once recorded in his notebook. He frequently used a gaze colder than steel to mentally torture his own children. This was Bing’s method of psychologically tormenting the members of his family simply with a piercing icy stare. Bert once recounted a haunting memory. Bing made his son stand alone on in the yard in freezing weather, forcing him to remove his shirt simply because he had received a low grade, claiming it was so he could experience the feeling of failure.
Bing’s abuse went beyond mental torment. He also employed physical violence, threats, and beatings as tools to control his children and loved ones. Later, it was none other than Gary Crosby, Bing’s own son, who confirmed everything. I would rather be the child of anyone, even a criminal, than be his child.
This confession stands as a vivid testimony exposing the evil that Bing swed within the very walls of his own home. So what consequences did these crimes leave behind? One only needs to look at the life of his own son, Gary Crosby. So Gary Crosby, a distorted reflection of Bing Crosby. According to Bert Lancaster, Gary was not only a victim of cruelty, but also became a warped version of his own father, the man who had beaten him as a child with a golf club.
As an adult, Gary was accused of abusing his girlfriend, assaulting others over trivial reasons, and even smashing the windshield of a director’s car simply because he was not invited to dinner. Yet, his downfall did not stop there. Gary was also accused of drug use, involvement in prostitution, and attacking innocent people to vent his anger and loss of control.
Bert once wrote, “He does not know how to love. The only thing he knows is how to make others afraid because that is the only language his father left him.” Lancaster regarded Gary as living proof that evil is sometimes not innate but taught, repeated, and ingrained until it becomes a part of one’s very being.
Gary’s violent actions, addictions, and abusive behaviors were direct results of a childhood nurtured in violence, leading him to reenact the terrible mistakes that Bing had imposed upon him. And if the story of Gary Crosby sends chills down your spine, do not miss the next chapter about Henry Fonda, a man once seen as the perfect role model who beneath his unassuming exterior concealed a cold, ruthless nature, ready to destroy others to preserve his power and influence. 13.
Joan Crawford, the woman who preferred violence to solve everything. Joan Crawford was not only a major screen star, but she was also notorious for consistently choosing violence as her way of dealing with every problem within her family. She was far from being the gentle, nurturing mother figure. On the contrary, Joan was regarded as someone who frequently manipulated and physically abused her children.
Her daughter Christina once endured being hit with a coat hanger. And on one occasion, Joan even broke a comb across her hand before coldly saying, “Pain is a woman’s first lesson.” However, the stories of domestic violence and psychological manipulation only reflect a part of her ruthless nature. Bert Lancaster not only referred to Joan as an actress, but also dubbed her the woman who spreads fear, someone who had used both drugs and violence to create a world in which everything was completely under her control. And in this list, the
final name is another Hollywood star. A figure whose outward perfection masked a cold, merciless personality, someone ready to destroy the career of anyone daring to oppose her. 14. Lucille Ball. The haunting smile of a razor’s edge. Lucille Ball was once considered by the entire United States as a symbol of joy and optimism.
Yet, according to Bert Lancaster, when the stage lights went out, that laughter became a tool for control and psychological abuse. She didn’t just write scripts. She also wrote other people’s lives and tore them apart when they no longer served her purpose. Lancaster noted in his diary. As the head of Desilu, Lucille was described as a psychological dictator, showing no tolerance for any obstruction to her power.
Lancaster revealed that she kept a notebook to record every minor fault of her employees from the way they smiled to the way they knocked on doors. Anyone who aired three times would be immediately fired without any explanation or reason. On one occasion, she forced a writer to rewrite an entire script within 24 hours, then called him into the middle of a meeting, laughed loudly, and threw the manuscript straight at his face.
“That laughter once saved CBS, but it was also the very same laughter that crushed the spirits of dozens of people under her command,” Bert continued. Lucille’s cruelty went even further. She had secret microphones installed in meeting rooms emu to eavesdrop and determine who was truly loyal. And once she discovered anyone daring to resist, the consequences for them were almost unimaginable.
And these are the never-before revealed stories about Hollywood’s greatest stars. where behind the dazzling glamour lies a world filled with sin, scheming, and ruthless cruelty. Bert Lancaster has chosen to expose it all before our eyes, serving as a bloody warning about the dark secrets that Hollywood has always tried to keep hidden.
And what about you? What do you think about these stars? In your opinion, who is the most ruthless among them? Share your thoughts right below this video. And don’t forget to hit like, share, and subscribe to the channel so you won’t miss the next shocking and captivating stories. case.
