Cybill Shepherd on Bruce Willis & Christine Baranski Feuds

Hollywood icon Cybill Shepherd is opening up about burying old hatchets with her famous co-stars, Bruce Willis and Christine Baranski, sharing heartfelt details about their reconciliations.

TL;DR:

Cybill Shepherd, 75, recently confirmed she made peace with Bruce Willis, 70, before his aphasia and frontotemporal dementia diagnoses were made public.
Shepherd also shared that she and Christine Baranski, 73, have resolved their long-standing differences after a "real open-hearted" conversation.
These reconciliations highlight Shepherd's personal journey, which she's also exploring in her new stage show, Queen of the Lucky Club.

Cybill Shepherd Reflects on Healing Old Hollywood Wounds with Beloved Co-Stars

In the glitzy, often complicated world of Hollywood, relationships can be as dramatic off-screen as they are on. For legendary actress Cybill Shepherd, who has graced our screens for decades, some of her most talked-about dynamics were with her co-stars Bruce Willis and Christine Baranski. Now, the 75-year-old star is sharing some truly heartwarming news: she's mended fences with both of them, bringing closure to long-rumored feuds.

Shepherd recently sat down for an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, where she discussed her new stage show, Queen of the Lucky Club, and, more personally, the state of her relationships with two very significant figures from her past. Her candor offers a rare glimpse into the human side of celebrity, proving that time and open hearts can indeed heal old wounds.

The Undeniable Chemistry and Behind-the-Scenes Drama of Moonlighting

Cybill Shepherd Reveals She Mended Fences With Bruce Willis and Christine Baranski image 3

Let's rewind to the 1980s. From 1985 to 1989, audiences were captivated by ABC's hit comedy-drama series, Moonlighting. The show starred Cybill Shepherd as Maddie Hayes, a former model whose world turns upside down, leading her to partner with the charming, fast-talking private detective, David Addison, played by a then-up-and-coming Bruce Willis. Their on-screen banter and simmering "will-they-won't-they" chemistry were legendary, making them household names and the show a cultural phenomenon.

However, despite the sizzling on-screen magic, rumors of a less-than-harmonious relationship behind the scenes were just as persistent. Both Shepherd and Willis have spoken about their difficulties working together over the years.

Bruce Willis's Past Comments on His Moonlighting Experience

Cybill Shepherd Reveals She Mended Fences With Bruce Willis and Christine Baranski image 4

The friction wasn't just tabloid fodder; it was acknowledged by the stars themselves. Bruce Willis, now 70, was quite open about his feelings back in the day. During a 1990 appearance on The Arsenio Hall Show, just after Moonlighting concluded, he was asked about the possibility of reuniting with Shepherd for a future project. His response was telling:

"I don't think so. Not right now, anyway. Look, Moonlighting was a very good show for me, and I had a lot of fun doing it. It reached a point where it was no longer fun."

— Bruce Willis on The Arsenio Hall Show (1990)

Willis also confessed they didn’t "get along" very well on set, attributing some of the strain to the grueling "fourteen-hour days, five days a week" schedule. He asserted he held "no hard feelings," but the message was clear: the on-screen romance didn't translate into an off-screen friendship.

Cybill Shepherd's Candid Admissions About the Willis Dynamic

Cybill Shepherd, too, has been candid about the challenges. In her 2000 memoir, Cybill Disobedience, and other interviews, she recalled a complex dynamic, including a "flirtation" that never quite materialized into anything more. She even famously called Willis "a jerk" in a 2000 interview with The Scottish Daily Record, while also admitting to an early, passionate moment with him. She clarified that once she "got to know him," she was "glad I didn’t get involved."

In a 2005 interview with Entertainment Weekly, Shepherd reflected further: "I remember at one point in the show, it had gotten to where we just hated each other. It was a very volatile show anyway, but that’s also what made it great." It seems the intense energy that fueled their characters' love-hate relationship also, at times, fueled their own.

A Timely Reconciliation: Mending Fences with Bruce Before His Diagnosis

Given their history, fans might wonder if a true reconciliation was ever possible. Happily, Shepherd confirms it was. In her recent interview with PEOPLE, she spoke about mending fences with Willis prior to him going public with his health struggles. Bruce Willis's family announced his aphasia diagnosis in March 2022, and later, his frontotemporal dementia (FTD) diagnosis in 2023.

When asked if she was able to make amends before his diagnoses were public, Shepherd responded with profound gratitude:

"Yes, I'm very grateful for that. Yeah, it was time."

— Cybill Shepherd to PEOPLE

This news is particularly touching, offering a sense of peace and closure to a complicated professional relationship that lasted beyond the show's run. Her earlier statement to Extra, "I will always love Bruce," following his aphasia diagnosis, further underscored the affection that lingered despite their past issues. It's a powerful reminder of how human connections can transcend old grievances, especially when faced with life's profound challenges.

From Moonlighting to Cybill: Another Set, Another Co-Star Challenge

After her successful run on Moonlighting, Cybill Shepherd returned to television in her eponymous sitcom, Cybill, which aired for four seasons from 1995 to 1998. In this show, Shepherd starred as a struggling middle-aged actress trying to navigate her career and life. Her best friend on the show, the witty and sharp Maryann, was played by the brilliant Christine Baranski.

The sitcom was critically acclaimed, especially for Baranski's performance, which earned her an Emmy. Yet, once again, rumors of off-screen tension circulated. The idea of two strong, talented women potentially clashing on set became another topic of interest among industry insiders and fans.

Unpacking the Reported Feud with Christine Baranski and Its Resolution

The rumored feud with Christine Baranski, now 73, was also detailed in Shepherd's 2000 memoir, Cybill Disobedience. In it, Shepherd described Baranski as "unfriendly," indicating that their relationship wasn't always as warm off-screen as it appeared on the show.

For her part, Baranski addressed the "issues" in a 2022 interview with The Guardian, opting for a diplomatic approach:

"I have never publicly gone into that. Yes, there were issues, but I prefer to take the higher ground and say, look, that show gave me so much."

— Christine Baranski to The Guardian (2022)

It's clear there was some strain. However, just like with Bruce Willis, Cybill Shepherd has confirmed that she and Baranski have also reached a better place. Speaking to PEOPLE, Shepherd happily shared, "We're good now."

How did they achieve this peace? Shepherd credited a straightforward, honest approach. She explained, "Just a talk and be real open-hearted with each other." It’s a testament to the power of direct communication and a willingness to understand each other, even after years of unspoken tension.

Cybill Shepherd's New Chapter and the Enduring Power of Reconciliation

These recent revelations from Cybill Shepherd paint a picture of an artist reflecting on her remarkable career and the personal journeys intertwined with it. Beyond the dazzling lights and demanding schedules, it’s clear that human relationships hold profound importance. Mending these long-standing feuds, particularly with Bruce Willis given his health challenges, offers a sense of peace not just for the individuals involved, but also for fans who admired their work.

Shepherd herself continues to engage with her career and her past through her new stage show, Queen of the Lucky Club, produced by Chris Isaacson Presents. In this show, she sings, shares behind-the-scenes footage, and tells stories from her extensive career. It seems fitting that as she looks back on her life's work, she can do so with a heart at peace regarding some of her most famous collaborations.

In an industry often marked by fleeting fame and public scrutiny, Cybill Shepherd's story reminds us that forgiveness, understanding, and open-hearted conversations are ultimately what allow us to move forward, both personally and professionally. Her willingness to share these intimate details underscores the deeply human element at the heart of even the most storied Hollywood careers.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cybill Shepherd's Recent News

Who are the co-stars Cybill Shepherd has reconciled with? Cybill Shepherd has publicly confirmed she has mended fences with her former co-stars, Bruce Willis from Moonlighting and Christine Baranski from the sitcom Cybill.
When did Cybill Shepherd reconcile with Bruce Willis? Shepherd confirmed that her reconciliation with Bruce Willis happened prior to him publicly announcing his aphasia diagnosis in March 2022, and his later frontotemporal dementia diagnosis in 2023.
What were the alleged feuds about? The feud with Bruce Willis on Moonlighting was often attributed to intense on-set working conditions and a complicated personal dynamic. With Christine Baranski on Cybill, Shepherd had previously described Baranski as "unfriendly" in her memoir, suggesting a difficult working relationship.
How did Cybill Shepherd and Christine Baranski resolve their differences? According to Shepherd, they were able to get to a better place through "just a talk and be real open-hearted with each other."

Sources