Drew Barrymore recalls working with Val Kilmer on ‘Batman Forever’

Drew Barrymore is reflecting on her experience working with her late Batman Forever costar Val Kilmer following his death at 65 last week. 

During Monday’s episode of The Drew Barrymore Show, the actress and daytime TV host bonded with guest Kevin Bacon over their shared experiences working alongside both Kilmer and late director Joel Schumacher. 

“I was friends with Joel Schumacher, the director, who I thought of this morning because it was he and Val Kilmer that pulled me into Batman Forever,” Barrymore explained. “And Val Kilmer was so nice to me. So nurturing and kind and safe, which was a very important thing for me.”

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Bacon then ventured a guess that Kilmer’s kindness and way of making Barrymore feel safe on set was, unfortunately, “probably not that common” in those days. 

She agreed. “Yeah, I was like, ‘Nobody wants anything from me, they want things for me,’” Barrymore said. “Which I thought was really interesting.”

Batman Forever marked Kilmer’s first and only time as the Caped Crusader, taking over the role from Michael Keaton who had previously starred Batman/Bruce Wayne in the trilogy’s first two installments: 1989’s Batman and 1992’s Batman Returns. He was succeeded in the role by George Clooney in 1997’s Batman & Robin.

Barrymore starred as Sugar, the extra-sweet and angelic assistant of Tommy Lee Jones’ Harvey Dent/Two-Face in the 1995 superhero film. She shared the job title with Harvey’s naughty assistant Spice, who was played by Debi Mazar. 

The 50-year-old isn’t the only one of Kilmer’s Batman Forever costars who have paid tribute to him since his death. Jim Carrey, who starred as the ever-curious Riddler in the film, called Kilmer a “generational talent” in a statement provided to Entertainment Weekly last week.

“I’m remembering Val Kilmer today with great admiration for him as a man and as a generational talent who left us an enviable legacy of indelible acting performances,” Carrey said. “His greatest artistic achievements were rivaled only by the grace and courage with which he endured his life’s most challenging moments.”

Carrey continued. “Wishing his family so much love.”

The Drew Barrymore Show airs weekdays on CBS.