Actress Drew Barrymore shared heartwarming memories of working with the late Val Kilmer on the 1995 film "Batman Forever" during a recent episode of The Drew Barrymore Show.
Barrymore, who played Sugar, an assistant to Tommy Lee Jones' character Two-Face, revealed that both Kilmer and director Joel Schumacher were instrumental in bringing her into the project. "Val Kilmer was so nice to me. So nurturing and kind and safe, which was a very important thing for me," Barrymore said while discussing the experience with guest Kevin Bacon.
When Bacon suggested that such nurturing behavior was uncommon in the industry at that time, Barrymore agreed, noting how she felt people around her "wanted things for me, not from me."
The conversation emerged as both stars reflected on their experiences with Kilmer, who passed away at age 65 last week due to pneumonia. Bacon shared his own positive memories of working alongside Kilmer in the 1983 Broadway production of "Slab Boys," describing it as "one of the great experiences" of his life.
"Batman Forever" marked Kilmer's only appearance as Bruce Wayne/Batman, taking over from Michael Keaton and later being succeeded by George Clooney. Fellow cast member Jim Carrey, who portrayed The Riddler in the film, also paid tribute to Kilmer, praising him as a "generational talent" who left behind "an enviable legacy of indelible acting performances."
Throughout his career, Kilmer was celebrated for his versatility as an actor, with notable performances in films such as "The Doors," "Top Gun," and "Tombstone."