Harry Potter actor Miriam Margolyes recently discussed her unusual feud with Hollywood superstar Arnold Schwarzenegger. The former bodybuilder and Governor of California is no stranger to feuds. He famously had a longstanding grudge with action star Sylvester Stallone for the better part of the 80s, notably tricking the Rocky lead in taking the critical and box office dud, Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot. However, Schwarzenegger's feud with Margolyes was not over film roles or action prowess, but about something far less professional.
Margoyles has had a long career in Hollywood, appearing in such films as Yentl, Little Shop of Horrors, and The Age of Innocence as Mrs. Mingott, which garnered her a British Film Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Perhaps her most recognizable role was in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets as the professor of Herbology and the Head of the Hufflepuff House, Pomona Sprout. However, it was her role as Mabel in the biblical action-thriller End of Days that sparked Margolyes' prolonged conflict with Schwarzenegger.
In the podcast I’ve Got News for You (via The New York Post), Margoyles discussed her unusual feud with Schwarzenegger. According to the actor, Schwarzenegger's political affiliation and ego played a role in her feelings toward the star, but it was the fact that he farted in her face while filming a scene that took her over the edge. Read what Margoyles said about the incident below.
"[I] didn’t care for him; he’s a bit too full of himself. He farted in my face. Now, I fart, of course I do – but I don’t fart in people’s faces. He did it deliberately, right in my face."
"I was playing Satan’s sister, and he was killing me, so he had me in a position where I couldn’t escape and lying on the floor. And he just farted."
"It wasn’t on film, it was in one of the pauses, but I haven’t forgiven him for it."
If Margoyles sole purpose for her distaste of Schwarzenegger was simply his inflated ego, then she would dislike most of Hollywood. However, her being on the receiving end of a direct shot of flatulence to the face would likely anger anyone. Margoyles did not indicate whether or not the incident was accidental, but due to Schwarzenegger's higher than normal protein intake used to maintain his muscular physique, it is likely that the fart was unintentional.
Hollywood has a long history of feuds that have consumed the tabloids for decades. One of the most well-known feuds was between stars Joan Crawford and Bette Davis which lasted until their death. Their legendary long-lasting squabble inspired the 2017 FX limited series by Ryan Murphy, Feud. Whether or not the feeling is mutual from Schwarzenegger remains to be seen, but since he was not the victim in the incident, he may not even remember the flatulence in question.
Source: I’ve Got News for You (via The New York Post)