Here’s Why Faye Dunaway Was Fired From Her Latest Role

One of the most celebrated American actresses of the '60s and '70s, Faye Dunaway is back in the spotlight in a bad way.

It was reported on Wednesday that Dunaway had been fired from the upcoming one-woman Broadway show, “Tea at Five,” in which she was to play actress Katharine Hepburn. In a statement made to Deadline, producers Scott Beck and Ben Feldman commented on the decision.

“The producers of ‘Tea at Five’ announced today that they have terminated their relationship with Faye Dunaway,” the statement read. “Plans are in development for the play to have its West End debut early next year with a new actress to play the role of Katharine Hepburn.”

Citing unnamed sources on the production, the New York Post reported that Dunaway’s unprofessional and abusive behavior were to blame for her abrupt firing. According to the sources, Dunaway would frequently be late to rehearsals and in one specific incident, tossed a salad on the ground. More alarmingly, the actress reportedly lashed out at crew members attempting to fit her with a wig, attempting to slap and throw things at them.

Dunaway rose to prominence as one of the most celebrated actresses of the New Hollywood era. She appeared in iconic and groundbreaking films like “Bonnie & Clyde,” “Chinatown” and “Network,” netting Oscar nominations for best actress on each and winning the gold for the latter. Her star began to fall precipitously in the '80s after duds like “Supergirl” and “Mommie Dearest,” with her film work today barely registering in the mainstream.

“Tea at Five” is a revival of a 2002 play by Matthew Lombardo. In its original production, “Orange Is the New Black” actress Kate Mulgrew originated the role of Hepburn.