In 1961, Patricia Neal played Mrs. Emily Eustace “2E” Failensen in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, opposite Holly Golightly, the café society girl in Audrey Hepburn. The classic tells the story of the latter falling in love with a struggling writer named Paul Varjak, who was originally slated to be played by Steve McQueen. However, The Magnificent Seven star was under contract elsewhere, and his replacement would be that both leading ladies just couldn’t stand the group.
Ultimately, George Peppard was cast as Paul even though director Blake Edwards did not want him, as he was vetoed by the producers. Adapted from Sam Wasson’s Fifth Avenue, Five O’Clock: Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany’s and the Dawn of the Modern Woman, Nell hasn’t held back from her experience working with the leading man. Initially, the actress said that she initially enjoyed working with him but after an almost violent moment her mind was completely changed.
The 2E star said, “I did scenes with George at the Actors Studio. I had a really good time, and I adored him, but years later, when I had breakfast at Tiffany’s, something happened.” This thing made her hate him.
Neil continued, “I was thrilled when I heard we were going to be together, but it wasn’t long until I saw that since the last time I saw him he had become cold and cocky. At one point, Blake and George almost got into a fistfight. We were trying to block out a scene and George wanted to change everything.” Blake planned it, and George got so horrible that Blake almost got him. I made them stop, but I think George got what he wanted. I hated him from that moment on.”
Breakfast at Tiffany’s producer Richard Shepherd was surprised to find that even Hepburn, who got on with most people, found Peppard difficult to get along with.
Read more: George Peppard survived lung cancer, but what killed the star?
Rooney, who later said he would not have done the part if he had known it would offend people, donned a prosthetic mouthpiece and make-up to act out a caricature of a Japanese man.
Producer Richard Shepherd said at the time of production that he had wanted to play the Japanese actor, but it was Edwards’ decision to cast Rooney.
Later, the director said, “Looking back, I wish I’d never done that… I’d do anything to be able to remake it, but it’s there, and the aftermath and the aftermath.”
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