There have been several actors from the film industry who have been vocal about their substance abuse and struggles with addiction. Among them is the legendary late director Joel Schumacher. The filmmaker is popularly known for directing the blockbuster film Batman films Batman Forever and Batman & Robin.
However, his contribution is not limited to delivering excellent films as the filmmaker has also been a great help to actress Demi Moore to get control over her addiction. Moore and Schumacher collaborated on the film St Elmo’s Fire, where she often got yelled at by the director for her drug addiction. However, later all these reprimands helped her get over her drug abuse.
Demi Moore was helped by Joel Schumacher to get over her addiction
Demi Moore is one of the most celebrated actresses in Hollywood, who has always been vocal about her struggles with addiction to drugs. Her addiction once got her in trouble when her job was put at risk. While filming the 1985 film St. Elmo’s Fire, Moore’s drug addiction pissed off the director, and she was almost fired from the film.
In the film, Moore played the role of a cocaine addict girl, Jules, which resonated with her real self at that time. Moore was not just a great fit for the role but she also excelled in the role. Schumacher knew that Moore was the best choice for the role yet he didn’t hesitate to call out the actress for her behaviour on the set. According to Brat Pack’s memoir, the director confronted her. Writer Carl Kurlander said (via Cheatsheet),
“Joel has been very public about the fact that when he was in his early twenties, he had some drug issues and had to clean up and survive. And so he said to her, ‘Go kill yourself on somebody else’s movie. I’m not going to let you be on this movie and kill yourself.’”
Although Schumacher was harsh with his words, it indeed helped Moore to get sober. Moore went to rehab and remained sober for straight twenty years.
Demi Moore showed her gratitude to Joel Schumacher
During an interview with Sirius XM, Demi Moore thanked Joel Schumacher for helping her overcome her addiction. She said,
“I will forever be so grateful to him. And in a way, he was doing it for himself. He wasn’t yet sober, so he was doing for me what he couldn’t do for himself… But yes, what a gift.”
It was Moore’s dedication to the role that led her to attend rehab. According to The Brat Pack memoir,
“She checked herself in. She went through the program. Moore was committed. She knew that if she did it, then she would have a movie and have a career, and a new life, which she did. She deserves a lot of credit. As does Schumacher, who helped Moore every day while she was in rehab.”
St. Elmo’s Fire was a big hit and was a financial success
Source: Sirius XM
