Jon Cryer recently opened up about his brief romance with Demi Moore during the filming of their 1984 movie, “No Small Affair.” At the time, neither actor had yet achieved the fame they would later enjoy. Cryer, now 59, shared that their off-screen relationship mirrored their on-screen chemistry, but it was short-lived.
Reflecting on that period, Cryer revealed that he was completely unaware of Moore’s struggles with addiction. “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,” Cryer said. He only learned about Moore’s drug problem a few weeks before the movie wrapped up.
In the 1980s, Moore, now 61, sought treatment for her addiction to drugs and alcohol. She managed to stay sober for over two decades before relapsing in 2012, which led her back to rehab for addiction and an eating disorder. Despite her personal battles, Cryer always saw a unique spark in Moore. “What would always be great about her was already evident; that incredible combination of vulnerability, toughness, and beauty,” he noted.
While Moore became a prominent member of the Brat Pack, Cryer felt more like an outsider to the group. “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,” he said. Cryer believed that the films “The Breakfast Club” and “St. Elmo’s Fire” defined the Brat Pack, neither of which he was a part of.
Moore, on the other hand, solidified her place in the Brat Pack with her role in “St. Elmo’s Fire” in 1985, just a year after starring with Cryer in “No Small Affair.” Cryer admitted that Moore had a better understanding of the industry than he did at the time. “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,” he said.
Moore’s career continued to soar with iconic roles in films like “Ghost” (1990), “A Few Good Men” (1992), and “Indecent Proposal” (1993). Cryer, meanwhile, became well-known for his role as Duckie in “Pretty in Pink” (1986) alongside Molly Ringwald.
Cryer’s recent reflections come as he features in the new documentary “BRATS,” directed by Andrew McCarthy, which is now streaming on Hulu. The documentary revisits the era of the Brat Pack and the impact these young stars had on Hollywood.
For those who may be struggling with substance abuse, help is available through the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.
