Michelle Pfeiffer is a legendary actress who has delivered a wide range of captivating performances across her career. The Wizard of Lies star solidified her status as a true Hollywood icon with her raw talent, setting an example for all to come. However, the superstar’s personal life took a tumultuous turn when she engaged in an extramarital affair with co-star John Malkovich on the set of Dangerous Liaisons, disrupting the foundation of her first marriage with Peter Horton. Furthermore, in a surprising revelation, Malkovich shared his disbelief of dating the Where Is Kyra? star.
Stephen Frears Confirmed The Relationship Between Michelle Pfeiffer And John Malkovich
The fire of the romantic relationship between Michelle Pfeiffer and John Malkovich was ignited when the duo came together to shoot the 1988 acclaimed film, Dangerous Liaison. Both the superstars delivered a remarkable performance in the film by justifying their respective characters well. But it seems like the on-screen chemistry of the duo soon intertwined with their off-screen relationship, resulting in their passionate affair.
In an interview, Stephen Frears, the director of Dangerous Liaisons, confirmed the affair between Pfeiffer and Malkovich. The director, shedding light on the relationship of the duo, shared that the Death of a Salesman star would seek comfort in the company of the Mother! star amid his degrading married life with Glenne Headly.
“His marriage was breaking up, and, during the movie, he was having an affair with Michelle Pfeiffer. Dangerous Liaisons is about betrayal and lies and relationships unraveling. It was one of those times where reality and art intersect. It was overwhelming to John. Even for a man who delights in bad behavior, that was a difficult time.”
Malkovich and Headly’s relationship may have become worse as a result of the affair; according to The New York Times, Headley allegedly called her ex “the root of all evil.” In 1988, they got divorced.
Also Read: Industry Expert Reveals John Malkovich’s Vulture Costume for Tobey Maguire’s Canceled Spider-Man 4
John Malkovich Shares His Disbelief On Dating Michelle Pfeiffer
Malkovich once expressed his disbelief about his relationship with Pfeiffer. The Places in the Heart star emphasized that despite the memorable presence of The Fabulous Baker Boys star, he intentionally blocked her memories out and suggested that Pfeiffer remained uncorrupted by his involvement, shedding light on the complexity of Malkovich’s emotions.
“It’s hard to believe Michelle Pfeiffer ever said hello to me. Not that she’s not memorable, God knows. But I sort of blocked it out. What I’m trying to say is, when I think of the other person, I don’t think of me as involved with them. They’re uncorrupted by me. As if they were never troubled by my existence.”
Pfeiffer and Malkovich’s relationship was pretty short-lived, but it brought some major turbulence in the individual lives of the duo. Both superstars got divorced from their partners at that time. Despite divorcing their then-partners, Pfeiffer and Malkovich couldn’t come together to become a couple. The duo moved on in their respective lives and seemed pretty happy in the company of their present partners.
Source: Rolling Stone; The New York Times
