Sharon Stone, one of Hollywood’s most recognizable stars, recently reflected on her decades-long career and the lack of respect she has faced on set. In an interview with Variety, Stone revealed that only two of her male co-stars—Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci—treated her with genuine respect, contrasting them with others who she described as openly misogynistic. Her breakthrough in Basic Instinct (1992) made her a global star but also turned her into a lightning rod for sexism, particularly after the controversial interrogation scene she says she was misled into filming.
Stone recalled how, on many sets, male actors would interrupt her close-ups, ignore her performance, or patronize her with unsolicited advice—behaviors that undermined her craft and highlighted the sexism embedded in Hollywood culture. While her role in Casino (1995) remains a career highlight, largely because of the professional respect shown by De Niro and Pesci, she admitted such experiences were rare. Her reflections underscore how deeply ingrained misogyny has been in the industry, raising the question of whether Hollywood has changed enough or if progress remains painfully slow.
