1

Joan Crawford vs. Bette Davis

Image: Shubham Panwar

The feud between Joan Crawford and Bette Davis began in 1935 when Bette fell for her co-star Franchot Tone, only for Joan to marry him soon after filming ended .

Their rivalry peaked during the tense 1962 shoot of What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? The tension never eased, and the two reportedly never reconciled before their deaths.

2

Kim Cattrall vs. Sarah Jessica Parker

Image: Erhan Çoban

On Sex and the City , Kim Cattrall and Sarah Jessica Parker played close friends, but off-screen their relationship was far from warm . Tensions reportedly surfaced when Kim declined to join a third Sex and the City movie.

In 2018, things worsened after Sarah publicly offered condolences over the death of Kim’s brother. Kim responded sharply on Instagram, writing, "You are not my friend. You are not my family.

3

David Letterman vs. Jay Leno

Image: Diogo Cardoso

The biggest late-night feud kicked off in 1992 when Johnny Carson retired from The Tonight Show . Many expected David Letterman to take over, but NBC chose Jay Leno instead.

Letterman left for CBS to launch The Late Show , going head-to-head with Leno. Their rivalry, known as the "Late-Night Wars," lasted for years as both battled for ratings before eventually retiring .

4

Gwyneth Paltrow vs. Martha Stewart

Image: Lesya Tyutrina Andrey Biyanov

The feud between Gwyneth Paltrow and Martha Stewart began in 2014, when Martha criticized Gwyneth’s lifestyle brand , saying she should stick to acting.

Things escalated with cheeky recipe jabs—Martha’s "Conscious Coupling" and Gwyneth’s "Jailbird Cake," a nod to Martha’s past prison time.

5

Vin Diesel vs. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson

Image: Ayu Anggraini

The rivalry between Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Vin Diesel began during the filming of The Fate of the Furious in 2016, when The Rock called out unnamed co-stars for unprofessional behavior on social media .

Fans quickly guessed he was referring to Vin, especially after The Rock thanked the cast and crew in a post, but noticeably left out Vin Diesel.

6

Elton John vs. Madonna

Image: Mélody P

Elton John and Madonna’s feud began in 2002, when Elton slammed her Bond theme, calling it "the worst of all time." He later accused her of lip-syncing during live shows.

Things heated up again in 2012, when both were nominated for a Golden Globe. Elton claimed Madonna had "no chance"—but she won. Backstage, Madonna said she adored him and hoped he’d win another award.

7

Elizabeth Taylor vs. Debbie Reynolds

Image: Venti Views

The drama between Debbie Reynolds and Elizabeth Taylor began when Debbie's husband, Eddie Fisher, left her for Elizabeth, who was her close friend at the time.

Their affair began after Eddie comforted Elizabeth following the death of her husband, Mike Todd, in 1958. Years later, after Elizabeth and Eddie split, Debbie and Elizabeth reconciled and remained friends until Taylor’s death.

8

Frank Sinatra vs. Marlon Brando

Image: David Clode

Frank Sinatra and Marlon Brando clashed while filming Guys and Dolls (1955), thanks to their huge egos and very different acting styles .

Sinatra gave Brando rude nicknames, while Brando deliberately ruined takes during a cheesecake scene, forcing Sinatra to eat far more than he wanted.

9

Dean Martin vs. Jerry Lewis

Image: Akbar Nemati

Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis were a wildly popular comedy duo from 1946 to 1956, dominating film, radio, and television. But behind the scenes, tensions grew.

Martin felt Lewis was taking over the act , leading to their split in 1956. Though both went on to solo success, their friendship suffered for years. They finally reconciled in 1976, thanks in part to Frank Sinatra.

10

Angelina Jolie vs. Jon Voight

Image: Daniil Komov

Family ties don’t always guarantee harmony in Hollywood. The feud between Jon Voight and Angelina Jolie largely stems from Voight’s infidelity toward Jolie’s mother , Marcheline Bertrand.

Though they’ve had brief periods of reconciliation, their relationship has repeatedly broken down over the years, making their feud long-lasting and complicated.

11

Will Smith vs. Chris Rock

Image: Frida Lannerström

Will Smith and Chris Rock’s feud exploded publicly at the 94th Academy Awards in 2022, when Will slapped Chris after a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith . The slap was not scripted and took everyone—especially Rock—by surprise.

The incident went viral and had major consequences for Smith. Despite the fallout, there are hints that the two might eventually repair their friendship.

12

Johnny Carson vs. Joan Rivers

Image: Long Ma

The legendary Johnny Carson often featured Joan Rivers as a guest and occasional guest host on The Tonight Show. But when Rivers launched her own late-night show without telling Carson , he saw it as a major betrayal.

Carson never forgave her, and their feud lasted until his death. Sadly, Rivers’ show struggled and never quite matched his success.

1

John Quincy Adams’ alligator

Image: Robert Zunikoff

Adams kept an alligator in the White House bathtub, a gift from Marquis de Lafayette. Guests were reportedly startled by the reptile for months before it was relocated.

However, recent historians believe the story may be more myth than fact, reflecting the perceived eccentricity of both Adams and Lafayette rather than actual events.

2

Theodore Roosevelt’s badger

Image: Vincent van Zalinge

It’s clear that Teddy Roosevelt was an animal lover, keeping some of the most bizarre and unusual pets in White House history.

When Roosevelt’s children received a badger named "Josiah" from a girl in Kansas, the president didn’t hesitate to welcome it into the family home. The mischievous animal, however, often nipped at people’s ankles—including White House staff.

3

Martin Van Buren’s tiger cubs

Image: Mystery Cat

Yes—tiger cubs, plural. The Sultan of Oman gifted Van Buren two tiger cubs, but Congress demanded he surrender them to a zoo, citing laws against presidential gifts.

Van Buren fought to keep them but ultimately lost, and the cubs ended up in a public collection, marking one of the earliest disputes over presidential ethics and gifts.

4

Andrew Jackson’s parrot

Image: Ilona Frey

Jackson’s parrot, "Polly" learned to swear so well that it had to be removed from his funeral for cursing during the ceremony.

Known for his fiery temper, Jackson likely found the bird’s language amusing. Polly’s notorious vocabulary made it one of the earliest infamous pets in U.S. political lore.

5

James Buchanan’s elephant

Image: Wolfgang Hasselmann

This was a case of "almost." The King of Siam offered Buchanan a herd of elephants, suggesting they could breed in America. However, Buchanan politely declined—perhaps recalling Van Buren’s short-lived tiger ordeal? Still, he did maintain other exotic animals in Washington.

6

Abraham Lincoln’s turkey

Image: Tyler Jamieson Moulton

Lincoln’s son Tad named their Thanksgiving turkey "Jack" and begged his father to spare it—a story said to inspire the later turkey pardon tradition.

Jack roamed the White House freely and even followed Tad around, charming guests with his odd pet status.

7

Calvin Coolidge’s raccoon

Image: Joshua J. Cotten

Originally sent to be eaten at Thanksgiving—yes, eating raccoon wasn’t that unusual back then—"Rebecca" the raccoon was spared and became a pet. Coolidge even walked her on a leash around the White House gardens.

Rebecca had a custom house and enjoyed baths. Coolidge adored animals and also kept a wallaby, a bobcat, and even pygmy hippos!

8

Theodore Roosevelt’s hyena

Image: Matt Burke

By modern standards, it sounds insane, but Roosevelt was once gifted a hyena named "Bill" by an Ethiopian emperor—and he found the animal surprisingly affectionate.

Bill often roamed the White House lawn freely before eventually being sent to the Smithsonian, adding another chapter to Roosevelt’s legendary fascination with wildlife.

9

Woodrow Wilson’s sheep

Image: Sam Carter

During World War I, Wilson let sheep graze the White House lawn to save labor and raise war funds by auctioning their wool.

The move doubled as an environmental gesture and patriotic fundraiser. "Old Ike," a ram, became infamous for butting staff members and reporters alike.

10

Theodore Roosevelt’s bear cub

Image: Alla Kemelmakher

A black bear named "Jonathan Edwards" was among Roosevelt’s pets, inspired by his love of hunting and the outdoors.

Though kept briefly, the bear contributed to Roosevelt’s reputation as an adventurer—one that even inspired the creation of the "Teddy bear."

1

Ward 8

Image: Alex Kubsch

The Ward 8 is a cocktail with a bit of political history . Created in 1898, it is believed to have been made in Boston to celebrate a victory: Martin M. Lomasney’s seat at the state’s legislature. This mix of rye whiskey, lemon juice, orange juice, and grenadine offers a sweet and slightly tart taste that was a hit in the speakeasies.

The drink’s vibrant color and balanced flavor made it a favorite during Prohibition. It’s a bit more complex than some of the other cocktails of the time, but it’s worth every sip. Shake with ice, strain, and serve in a chilled glass for a sip of political history. Or to celebrate a victory of your own!

2

The South Side

Image: Bri Tucker

This refreshing drink's origin is a matter of speculation. The main theories suggest that it was either created after the South Side district of Chicago , Illinois, or the Southside Sportsmen’s Club on Long Island. Whichever the origin, the popularity of the drink is connected to Al Capone’s preference for it.

It’s a blend of gin, fresh mint, lime juice, and simple syrup, making it crisp and revitalizing. The mint and lime give it a fresh, lively flavor that’s perfect for any occasion. Shake with ice, strain into a chilled glass, and garnish with a mint sprig for a touch of elegance.

3

Sidecar

Image: Jia Jia Shum

The drinks were quite inventive, but the names? We’ll have to see about that. The Sidecar cocktail is believed to have been named after the motorcycle attachment in London or Paris around the 1920s. Nevertheless, the drink found it’s way across the Atlantic and into every bartender’s guide during the Prohibition.

Made with cognac, orange liqueur, and lemon juice, it’s a smooth, tangy cocktail that packs a punch. Its balanced flavor profile made it a favorite among those who sought both style and substance in their drinks. Shake it with ice, strain it into a sugar-rimmed glass, and you’ve got yourself a ride worth taking.

4

Highball

Image: Timothé Durand

If a cocktail’s name comes from a phrase that means "you’re good to go," you simply have to drink it, don’t you think? Well, that’s the case with the Highball cocktail. This drink’s name may come from railroad signs, where a raised globe meant that the track ahead was clear.

Now, as for the ingredients, the drink has several variations, but the classic ones are scotch and soda. The Highball is a simple yet elegant cocktail that has stood the test of time. It’s made by mixing whiskey (or gin) with a generous amount of ginger ale or soda water, served over ice in a tall glass. Garnish a Collin-type glass with a lemon or lime wedge, and you’ve got a drink that’s both easygoing and refreshing.

5

Old Fashioned

Image: Johann Trasch

If we’re discussing the classics, we can’t ignore the Old Fashioned, the number one drink of all time . Do you need any proof? Ask as many bartenders as you like, and they’ll each give you a different recipe. That’s because, as old as the drink is, it is also highly popular and has been the subject of countless versions ever since it was created.

The Old Fashioned dates back to the early 19th century, but it truly came into its own during Prohibition. This classic drink combines whiskey, a sugar cube, bitters, and a twist of citrus. The simplicity of the recipe made it a reliable choice when quality ingredients were hard to come by.

6

Corpse Reviver

Image: Timothé Durand

Mornings after can be quite tough, and these names aren’t making them any easier! The Corpse Reviver was so named because it was intended as a "hair of the dog" remedy to revive the drinker from a hangover . This cocktail is a complex mix of gin, lemon juice, Cointreau, Lillet Blanc, and a dash of absinthe. It’s a drink that packs a punch but is also surprisingly smooth and balanced.

The Corpse Reviver No. 2, in particular, became popular during the Prohibition era for its bold flavor and reputed restorative properties. Have you ever tried this one?

7

Mary Pickford

Image: Kurt Liebhaeuser

Named after the silent film star Mary Pickford, this cocktail is as glamorous as its namesake . It’s a fruity blend of white rum, pineapple juice, grenadine, and maraschino liqueur. The drink is sweet and vibrant, with a striking pink color that was as eye-catching in the 1920s as it is today.

Created in Havana, Cuba, it quickly became popular among Hollywood’s elite during the Prohibition era. Shake all the ingredients with ice, strain into a chilled glass, and then garnish with a cherry for a touch of old Hollywood glamour.

8

Gin Rickey

Image: Rajasekhar R

The Gin Rickey was a Prohibition favorite for its simple ingredients and refreshing taste. Made with gin, fresh lime juice, and soda water, it’s light, crisp, and perfect for warm summer nights. This drink was named after Colonel Joe Rickey, a lobbyist known for his love of mixing bourbon with sparkling water.

During Prohibition, gin replaced bourbon as the spirit of choice due to its easy availability. It’s a low-calorie, no-sugar-added option that was as much a hit then as it is now. Simply pour over ice and garnish with a lime wedge for a zesty kick.

9

Bee’s Knees

Image: Ash Edmonds

The Bee’s Knees is a classic example of how Prohibition-era bartenders used sweeteners to mask the harsh taste of homemade gin. You may think using honey for a cocktail is quite ordinary, but back in the day, this was quite an innovation. This delightful cocktail mixes gin, fresh lemon juice, and honey for a sweet and tangy flavor.

The name itself is a slang term from the 1920s, meaning "the best," and this drink certainly lives up to it. It’s refreshing and light, perfect for sipping on a sunny afternoon. Shake with ice and serve in a chilled glass for a taste of history’s sweeter side.

10

French 75

Image: Stephen Harlan

The French 75 is as powerful as the artillery piece it’s named after. This cocktail combines gin, lemon juice, sugar, and a bubbly splash of champagne, making it both elegant and dangerously easy to drink.

Legend has it that the drink was invented in Paris and quickly became popular in American speakeasies. The effervescence of champagne made it a celebratory favorite, while the gin added just the right amount of kick. Serve it in a champagne flute with a lemon twist, and you’ll feel like you’re celebrating in style.