Despite all the great reviews for the 2001 biopic, Ali starring Will Smith, one of his co-stars is now speaking out claiming the making of the film was an awful experience. During a recent interview with San Diego radio station Rock 105.3, Smith’s co-star Paul Rodriguez stated production was so awful he never wants to work with Smith again!
Read more below.
Paul Rodriguez, who portrayed Dr. Ferdie Pacheco in the film said, “I’d never work with him again,” adding, “He was an asshole.” Rodriguez went on to explain he believed Smith’s behavior could have been a result of the “steroids he was using” to get up to 215 pounds.” but added, “There was no cause to insult me or berate me.”
Aside from the steroids, Rodriguez claimed the shift in attitude could have stemmed from an incident between the real Dr. Pacheco and Smith. Rodriguez recalled, a “drunk” Pacheo got into a heated argument with Smith in his dressing room complete with racial slurs, over his character having a more prominent role in the film and wanting Rodriguez should be replaced with Andy Garcia. “From then on,” Rodriguez stated, “Will never looked at me the same.”
Rodriguez added, “I’m no angel, but I didn’t have it coming this time.”
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