Quentin Tarantino is known for his uncanny ability to cast the perfect actor for every role—whether reviving John Travolta's career in Pulp Fiction, giving Pam Grier a triumphant lead in Jackie Brown, or bringing Japanese martial arts legend Sonny Chiba into the Kill Bill universe. But one of his earliest casting decisions, for his debut feature Reservoir Dogs, turned into a nightmare he still talks about today.
The actor in question? Lawrence Tierney, a hard-boiled star from Hollywood's golden age who played the crime boss Joe Cabot in Tarantino's 1992 heist classic. Tierney was best known for his role in the 1945 gangster film Dillinger, a B-movie that became a surprise word-of-mouth hit. That very film is now streaming on HBO Max—but only until August 1, 2026.
A Legendary On-Set Clash
Tarantino has never shied away from sharing stories about the chaos Tierney brought to the Reservoir Dogs set. During a tribute screening for the late Michael Madsen, Tarantino recalled how Tierney's behavior pushed him to the edge. “I had never directed a movie before. And Lawrence Tierney was a f—ing nightmare. He was completely insane,” Tarantino said. “All the other actors and the crew can’t stand him. And all of a sudden, he yells at me, does something disrespectful. And so, I fired him at the breakfast table. The crew breaks into applause.”
In an earlier interview, Tarantino elaborated on the incident. It happened during the final 20 minutes of the first week of shooting. Tierney walked away mid-conversation, and when Tarantino grabbed his arm, the veteran actor shoved the young director. Tarantino fired him on the spot, in front of the entire crew. The two eventually reconciled enough to finish the film, but Tarantino declined Tierney's invitation to go drinking afterward.
Why Dillinger Matters
Dillinger (1945) is a gritty, low-budget crime drama that follows the real-life bank robber John Dillinger—a role later played by Johnny Depp in Michael Mann's Public Enemies (2009). Despite its modest origins, the film became a cult favorite and cemented Tierney's reputation as a tough-guy actor. For fans of classic crime cinema, it's a must-see, especially given its connection to one of the most influential directors of our time.
If you're looking for more classic thrillers to stream, check out our list of the greatest thriller movies ever made. And for those who appreciate Tarantino's darker side, his Natural Born Killers is now streaming with a satirical bite that feels more relevant than ever.
Don't Miss Your Chance
Dillinger is a piece of cinema history that offers a glimpse into the kind of raw, unpolished storytelling that influenced Tarantino's own work. With its departure from HBO Max on August 1, 2026, now is the time to watch it. For more updates on what's leaving streaming platforms, stay tuned to ShowtimeSpot.
