Jon Cryer has recently opened up about his brief romantic involvement with Demi Moore in the 1980s, revealing that he was completely unaware of her struggles with drug addiction at the time. The Two and a Half Men star, now 59, and the Ghost actress, 61, had a short-lived relationship while co-starring in the 1984 comedy No Small Affair.
In a recent interview with People, Cryer shared, “We dated for a short time while we were working on No Small Affair, but I guess our particular affair was, in fact, pretty small.” He added, “She was already struggling with a drug problem. One that I was blissfully unaware of until a couple of weeks before the movie ended.”
Moore’s battle with addiction became more public during the filming of 1985’s St. Elmo’s Fire, where she entered rehab at the insistence of the movie’s director, Joel Schumacher. This period of her life is detailed in her 2019 memoir, Inside Out.
Reflecting on their relationship, Cryer mentioned that Moore believed she was his first sexual partner, a claim he later disputed. “Well, the good thing about this is she doesn’t have to feel bad about it anymore, because while I’m sure she was totally justified making that assumption based on my skill level (and the stunned look on my face at the time), I had actually lost my virginity in high school,” he tweeted.
Despite the brief nature of their relationship, Cryer expressed deep affection for Moore. “I was over the moon for her during a very troubled time in her life. I have nothing but affection for her and not a regret in the world,” he said.
He also praised Moore’s charisma and understanding of the entertainment industry. “She was incredibly charismatic and had a much better grasp of the business than I did. She knew everyone in town, but we were both really nervous about being leads in a movie for the first time,” Cryer noted.
Moore’s struggles with addiction are further explored in the upcoming Hulu documentary, Brats, directed by her former co-star Andrew McCarthy. The documentary sheds light on the experiences of the Brat Pack actors, a group of young stars who became cultural icons in the 1980s.
During the filming of St. Elmo’s Fire, Moore’s addiction issues were so severe that the production team paid for a sober companion to be with her 24/7. Schumacher’s support was crucial, and Moore expressed her gratitude in her memoir, acknowledging that he took a significant risk by standing by her.
Jon Cryer, who is featured in the Brats documentary, shared his thoughts on the Brat Pack. “I didn’t perceive myself as part of the ‘Brat Pack’ because I didn’t think I was one of the cool kids. And they were definitely the cool kids. I thought the two films that defined the group were The Breakfast Club and St. Elmo’s Fire, neither of which was I in,” he explained.
Following her role in St. Elmo’s Fire, Moore continued to build a successful career with notable films like Ghost (1990), A Few Good Men (1992), and Indecent Proposal (1993). Cryer, on the other hand, gained recognition for his portrayal of Duckie in Pretty in Pink (1986) alongside Molly Ringwald.
Moore’s addiction struggles resurfaced in 2012, leading her to seek treatment again for issues related to trauma, codependency, and substance abuse. Despite these challenges, she has continued to make a mark in Hollywood, recently making a comeback at the Cannes Film Festival 2024 and starring in the slasher-horror film The Substance.
Jon Cryer’s reflections on his relationship with Demi Moore offer a poignant glimpse into the complexities of their brief romance and the hidden struggles that Moore faced during that time. His candidness highlights the often unseen battles that many in the entertainment industry endure, even as they continue to captivate audiences with their talent and charisma.
