Patricia Neal reveals she started ‘hating’ George Peppard on the sets of Breakfast at Tiffany's; Here’s why

Famous American motion picture actress Patricia Neal featured in Breakfast at Tiffany’s in 1961 as Mrs Emily Eustace “2E” Failensen opposite Audrey Hepburn’s café society girl Holly Golightly. The storyline of the classic film revolved around how the latter fell in love with Paul Varjak, a struggling author who was originally supposed to be played by Steve McQueen. The Magnificent Seven star, however, was under contract somewhere else, and both leading ladies would be unable to work without him.

At the end of the film, producers overruled director Blake Edwards, who had preferred Peppard for the role of Paul. The author of Fifth Avenue, 5 AM: Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany's, and the Dawn of the Modern Woman, Sam Wasson, quotes that Neal was an extremely vocal person and talked about her experience of working with the leading man in the film. Initially, the actress explained that she enjoyed working with the male co-star. However, after a while, the two of them had a near-violent moment that completely changed her mindset.




The 2E star said that she had a good time working with Peppard but years later when she got an opportunity to work in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, something happened after which her actress started ‘hating’ George Peppard.

Neal further added, in the beginning, she was overjoyed to learn that she and George would be in it together, but it didn't take her long to realise that since she last saw him, he had become so aloof and egotistical. Due to Peppard’s attitude, there was a time when Neal had to break up a fistfight between her co-star and Edwards.

Richard Shepherd, the producer of the film, was shocked to learn that Peppard was a challenge to work with, even for Hepburn, who got along with most people.

The movie received five Academy Award nominations, winning two for Best Original Song for Moon River and Best Music Score in a Dramatic or Comedy Picture.

FAQs:

1. Who was Patricia Neal?
   Patricia Neal was a famous American motion picture actress.
2. When was Breakfast at Tiffany’s released?
   Breakfast at Tiffany’s was released on 6 October 1961