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In a searing and unusually honest interview, actor Jason Isaacs has spoken out against an unnamed "global icon" he describes as the "worst bully ever" on set, accusing the person of manipulative and toxic behavior during filming.
The 62-year-old British actor, known for his roles in Harry Potter, The Patriot, and HBO's The White Lotus, shared the disturbing details in a new profile with Vulture published Monday. Reflecting on the experience, Isaacs revealed that the actor in question once went so far as to push him out of a shot. "Oh Jesus. Did worse than that," he stated bluntly. "Did all the old tricks of doing a completely different performance off-camera than on... I'd never seen anything like it."
While Isaacs did not name the co-star, he hinted that the actor is both "famous" and "late," and had been knighted, leaving readers to speculate. "Before, I would've licked the ground that this person walked on," he admitted, emphasizing the disillusionment that followed.
The actor elaborated that the misconduct extended beyond mere performance sabotage. "It's selfishness, cruelty, bullying," he explained. "People complaining to the person who's getting them dressed, who doesn't earn in a year what they make in a day, just to pick up their filthy underwear off the floor."
Isaacs clarified that despite his silence on identities, he has often fantasized about sharing the truth openly. "But there is no value, other than masochism and sabotage, in telling people the truth about people I've worked with," he confessed. "Acting is all about secrets."
The interview also revealed Isaacs' candid views on the economics of the industry. He confirmed that each White Lotus cast member earned $40,000 per episode, an unusually modest sum for a high-profile HBO series. "We probably would have given a body part to be in it," he remarked. "I never work for money... sadly, what I've done rather immaturely is expand my outgoings to match my incomings."
Despite decades in the industry and an impressive résumé, Isaacs notes that fame often conceals the realities behind the curtain. His remarks offer a rare glimpse into the dynamics of prestige productions and the price actors sometimes pay, professionally and personally, for silence.
