David O. Russell has a reputation for being a real piece of work. His history of mistreating actors and crew is disturbing. One only needs to watch this video (NSFW language) of him cursing out Lily Tomlin to see evidence of his unprofessaional ways. The video shows him throwing objects as a crew member cowered in the corner! That’s not the only incident. A RadioTimes article talks about how Russell and George Clooney clashed during the production of Three Kings. Clooney reportedly told Russell, “You can’t shove, push or humiliate people.” And Russell once put Christopher Nolan in a headlock (over Jude Law’s availability) and tore off his clothes on set. He claimed to be getting his kit off in the name of Tibetan Buddhism and to “break the boundaries” with cast members.

Russell appeared to have mellowed during his last few productions. He’s still territorial with his actors and threw a fit over Jennifer Lawrence’s availability, calling her Hunger Games schedule “12 years of slavery.” JLaw previously worked with him on Silver Linings Playbook and American Hustle. They’re currently filming the Miracle Mop biopic in Boston, and David lost it again. He threw Harvey Weinstein off the set and started a screaming match with JLaw:

Famed director David O. Russell went on a tear against Jennifer Lawrence and Harvey Weinstein during the filming of the movie Joy … this according to an eyewitness on the set.

We’re told there was a loud argument Tuesday on the Boston set between David and Jennifer, and it started over a scene. The eyewitness says David started screaming at her … it was was ear-piercing and laced with profanities.

A rep for the movie’s studio — Fox 2000 — tells us yes, there was screaming, but it was all method acting. David was just getting J. Law amped-up for a scene in which she screams at someone.

But it doesn’t end there. We’re also told Miramax honcho Harvey Weinstein showed up on the set Wednesday to say hi to Jennifer, but David ordered him to leave. Harvey got as far as the makeup trailer before getting booted.

The studio rep says Harvey was told Tuesday things were moving at warp speed and his visit would be a distraction, but he showed up anyway … unannounced.

And the eyewitness tells us a major exec for Fox was reamed out by David because she was trying to defend the line producer who David wants to fire. The eyewitness says it got so bad the exec started crying. The studio rep says that’s ridiculous … there was a “heated” argument over the line producer, but she didn’t cry.

[from TMZ]

The studio rep is covering tush with the denial, and of course Russell tossed out a lame excuse. Method acting must be the new Tibetan Buddism. Russell hasn’t changed at all, and I believe this story because the video with Lily Tomlin was completely frightening. This guy is unhinged, and he’s gotten away with it because he directs artsy fartsy movies that the Academy loves. Someone needs to kick him off set and into anger management therapy.

I’m including several ads for JLaw’s latest Miss Dior campaign. These look a lot less awkward than her first plasticky campaign.

Photos courtesy of Dior, Fame/Flynet & WENN