Demi Moore is reflecting on a unique moment from her time preparing for A Few Good Men, revealing that her co-star Tom Cruise appeared “quite embarrassed” by her pregnancy during rehearsals for the 1992 courtroom drama. Speaking at The New Yorker Festival, as reported by People, Moore shared candid insights into balancing early motherhood with the demands of a major Hollywood production.
A Memorable Moment on Set
Moore, who was eight months pregnant with her second child, Scout Willis, when rehearsals began for the Rob Reiner–directed film, recalled that Cruise seemed unsure how to navigate the situation. “I think Tom was quite embarrassed,” Moore said. “I actually felt okay about it. I was moving around, though, right? But I could tell he felt that it was a bit awkward.”
At the time, Moore’s pregnancy was somewhat unusual for a high-profile actress actively working in Hollywood. She explained that few of her peers were having children during major productions due to perceived industry pressure to choose between motherhood and career advancement.
Challenging Hollywood’s Stigma on Motherhood
“It’s one of the many things, for me, that I just felt didn’t make sense,” Moore reflected. “And so I challenged that to say, you know, ‘Why not? Why can’t you have both?’ But with that, I think, came a lot of pressure I put on myself to, in a sense, prove that it was possible.”
Moore admitted that she became “a bit of an overachiever” in trying to balance family and work, describing her relentless determination at the time. “I look back at that time now, and I go, ‘What was I thinking?’ And what was I even trying to prove? But it wasn’t as supported as it is today — to be breastfeeding and then blocking and rehearsing a scene.”
Dedication Beyond Limits
After giving birth, Moore felt additional pressure to regain her fitness for the film, in which she portrayed Navy lawyer Lieutenant Commander JoAnne Galloway. “I was going to be in a military uniform and probably overly anticipated and started working out even before she was born,” she said. “I did a two-and-a-half-hour hike the day my water broke. I did a 24-mile bike ride, and then was dancing at a reggae club — hence why she came two-and-a-half weeks early.”
A Changing Industry
Reflecting on the progress since then, Moore acknowledged that working mothers in Hollywood are now far better supported than they were three decades ago. “It’s so much more accepted and encouraged now,” she said, noting that today’s industry recognizes the importance of both family and professional life.
Moore’s recollection offers a glimpse into how much has changed in Hollywood’s attitude toward motherhood — and highlights her role as one of the early figures who helped redefine what balance could look like for women in film.
Variety has reached out to Tom Cruise’s representatives for comment on Moore’s remarks.