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5 Actors That Cliff Richard Hated

“Behind the Gentleman’s Smile — The Hidden Feuds of a British Legend”

London, England — To the public, Sir Cliff Richard has always been the image of grace: a charming gentleman, unshakably polite, and endlessly positive. But behind that cool composure and warm smile, even the “Peter Pan of Pop” had his share of frustrations and quiet rivalries in the entertainment world.

Over his seven-decade career, Cliff crossed paths with countless film stars and television personalities — some of whom, sources say, rubbed him entirely the wrong way. While Cliff has always chosen diplomacy over drama, insiders and old colleagues have occasionally lifted the curtain on the rare moments when Britain’s most polished pop star let his true feelings slip.

Here are the five actors Cliff Richard reportedly disliked — and why.

1. Laurence Harvey — The Arrogant Perfectionist

During the filming of the 1960s musical Expresso Bongo, Cliff reportedly found himself at odds with Laurence Harvey, the brooding actor known for his intensity and ego.

“Laurence was brilliant but cold,” Cliff once said diplomatically. But friends later revealed that Harvey’s constant criticism of Cliff’s “inexperience” deeply hurt him. “He made Cliff feel like an amateur,” one insider recalled. “Cliff never forgot that.”

2. Oliver Reed — The Wild One

Cliff, a devout Christian and lifelong advocate of clean living, could not have been more different from Oliver Reed, the notorious British actor famous for his off-screen brawls and drunken antics.

During a late 1970s charity event, Reed reportedly embarrassed Cliff with his vulgar jokes and behavior. “Cliff believed in professionalism,” said one associate. “Oliver believed in chaos. It was oil and water.”

Their mutual dislike became an open secret — Cliff even once quipped, “Some people drink to forget. I prefer to remember.”

3. Mick Jagger — The Rock ’n’ Roll Rebel

Although not an actor by trade, Mick Jagger’s foray into film and his swaggering image put him at odds with Cliff’s squeaky-clean persona.

In the late 1960s, the media constantly compared the two — the wholesome “Sir Cliff” versus the dangerous Rolling Stones frontman. Cliff reportedly resented being dismissed as “safe” or “out of touch” by Jagger’s circle.

Years later, Cliff admitted with a wry smile, “We were never enemies — just on different planets.” But sources close to him say the rivalry stung more than he ever admitted.

4. Peter O’Toole — The Sharp Tongue

During an award ceremony in the early 1970s, Peter O’Toole allegedly made a sarcastic remark about pop singers “pretending to act,” clearly aimed at Cliff, who had by then starred in several successful films like The Young Ones and Summer Holiday.

Though Cliff brushed it off publicly, friends say he was offended. “He worked hard to be taken seriously,” one confidant shared. “And being mocked by one of Britain’s great actors really hurt.”

5. Marlon Brando — The Distant Idol

Cliff idolized Marlon Brando as a young man, but when they finally met briefly in Hollywood in the late 1960s, it was far from the dream encounter he expected.

“He barely looked at me,” Cliff later admitted. “I realized some idols are best admired from afar.”

Brando’s aloofness reportedly left Cliff cold. Though he never spoke ill of him, those close to the star said it was one of the few times Cliff truly felt disillusioned by fame.

A Gentleman’s Grudges

Despite these rare tensions, Cliff Richard never became a man of public feuds. His ability to forgive — and to focus on music, not bitterness — defined his career.

“Life’s too short for hate,” he once said. “But that doesn’t mean I haven’t been disappointed by people.”

And perhaps that’s the real story — not about the actors Cliff disliked, but the grace with which he learned to let go.

Because even in a world of egos and scandals, Sir Cliff Richard remains exactly what he’s always been: a gentleman, through and through.