The glittering facade of 1980s Hollywood concealed one of the industry's most explosive secrets, now finally brought to light by John Malkovich himself. The acclaimed actor has revealed the intense real-life affair that mirrored his on-screen seduction of Michelle Pfeiffer in the iconic film Dangerous Liaisons—a relationship that would ultimately destroy both their marriages.
The Set That Became a Powder Keg
During the filming of Stephen Frears' 1988 masterpiece, the electric chemistry between Malkovich and Pfeiffer transcended the script. What began as professional acting quickly evolved into a passionate off-screen romance that neither could resist. The lines between fiction and reality blurred dangerously as they became consumed by the same desires that fueled their characters.
A Trail of Broken Vows
The consequences were devastatingly real. Malkovich's marriage to Glenne Headly, once considered one of Hollywood's stable unions, crumbled under the weight of the affair. Simultaneously, Pfeiffer's relationship with actor Fisher Stevens met the same fate. The collateral damage was complete—two marriages sacrificed at the altar of irresistible passion.
Malkovich's Candid Confession
In a remarkably candid revelation, Malkovich acknowledged the affair's destructive power without romanticising its aftermath. He described the relationship as intense and all-consuming, yet ultimately incapable of sustaining itself beyond the feverish environment of the film set. The actor's honesty provides a rare glimpse into the human cost of Hollywood's most glamorous era.
The Lingering Impact
Despite the relationship's eventual end, both actors continued their illustrious careers, though the personal toll remained evident. Pfeiffer would later find lasting love with television writer David E. Kelley, with whom she has built a family. Malkovich, too, moved on, marrying Nicoletta Peyran in 1989. Yet the shadow of their dangerous liaison continues to fascinate, serving as a cautionary tale about the price of passion in the spotlight.
This revelation adds a poignant layer to the film's legacy, forever intertwining the art with the artist's reality in one of cinema's most unforgettable behind-the-scenes stories.
