Editing Demi Moore (section)

===Established career (1990–1997)===
Moore's most successful film to date is the supernatural romantic melodrama ''[[Ghost (1990 film)|Ghost]]'', which grossed over {{USD|505 million|long=No}} at the box office and was the highest-grossing film of 1990,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/1990/|title=Domestic Box Office For 1990|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=November 24, 2020|archive-date=February 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190215184247/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?yr=1990&p=.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> as well as the most rented videocassette of 1991.<ref>{{cite web|date=December 30, 1991|title=The top 10 videocassette rentals of 1991|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1991/12/30/The-top-10-videocassette-rentals-of-1991-compiled-from/5060694069200|work=United Press International}}</ref> She played a young woman in jeopardy to be protected by the ghost of her murdered boyfriend through the help of a reluctant psychic. The love scene between Moore and [[Patrick Swayze]] that starts in front of a [[potter's wheel]] to the sound of "[[Unchained Melody]]" has become an iconic moment in cinema history.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://movies.msn.com/photo-gallery/feature/50-greatest-movie-romances/?photoidx=4|title=50 Greatest Movie Romances|access-date=September 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511064206/http://movies.msn.com/photo-gallery/feature/50-greatest-movie-romances/?photoidx=4|archive-date=May 11, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Ghost'' was nominated for the [[Academy Award for Best Picture]], while Moore's performance earned her a [[Golden Globe]] nomination and the [[Saturn Award for Best Actress]].<ref name="Demi Moore - Awards">{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000193/awards|title=Demi Moore|website=IMDb|access-date=September 28, 2012|archive-date=November 24, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121124102233/http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000193/awards|url-status=live}}</ref> She started fashion trends with her uncharacteristically gamine look, and legions of women emulated the short haircut she sported throughout the film.<ref name="Yahoo"/><ref>{{cite web|first=Simone|last=Kitchens|date=August 17, 2011|title=Demi Moore In "Ghost": The Unexpected Icon|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/demi-moore-ghost_n_929542|work=The Huffington Post}}</ref> At one point, ''Ghost'' and ''[[Die Hard 2]]'', starring Moore's then-husband [[Bruce Willis]], would occupy the number one and number two spots at the box office, a feat that would not be accomplished again for a married Hollywood couple until 2024.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://people.com/ryan-reynolds-blake-lively-are-latest-married-couple-to-top-box-office-since-bruce-willis-demi-moore-1990-8693706|title=Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively Are First Married Couple to Top Box Office Since Bruce Willis and Demi Moore in 1990|first=Marina|last=Watts|work=People|date=August 11, 2024|accessdate=August 12, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2024/08/12/blake-lively-ryan-reynolds-it-ends-with-us-deadpool-and-wolverine-box-office/74765651007/|title=Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds mark first married couple to top box office in 34 years|first=Kelly|last=Lawler|work=USA Today|date=August 12, 2024|accessdate=August 12, 2024}}</ref>
[[File:Demi Moore01.JPG|thumb|right|upright=.9|Moore at the 1990 [[Deauville American Film Festival]]]]
In 1991, Moore starred as a lawyer in the horror comedy ''[[Nothing but Trouble (1991 film)|Nothing but Trouble]]'', a murder suspect in the mystery thriller ''[[Mortal Thoughts]]'', and a clairvoyant woman in the romantic comedy ''[[The Butcher's Wife]]''. ''Mortal Thoughts'', which co-starred Willis, was a "passion project" for Moore, who wanted a more challenging role following the success of ''Ghost'' and  was particularly drawn to her character's [[New Jersey English|New Jersey dialect]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-04-14-ca-527-story.html |title=Movies : Demi Moore Is Now Bankable and the Boss : Sure, it’s great that "Ghost" propelled the actress into star territory, but being a producer gave her a different kind of power |work=Los Angeles Times |last=Dutka |first=Elaine |date=April 14, 1992 |access-date=March 31, 2025}}</ref> After the original director was fired and replaced by [[Alan Rudolph]], she took it upon herself to mitigate the film's financial constraints, offering to pay [[overtime]] for the shooting.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/demi-moore-best-movies-tv-shows-ranked-11688906 |title=The 15 best Demi Moore movies and TV shows ranked, from St. Elmos Fire to The Substance |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |last=Rife |first=Katie |date=March 2, 2025 |access-date=March 24, 2025}}</ref>

Moore received a {{USD|2.5 million|long=No}} fee to star in ''The Butcher's Wife'',<ref name="VF-aug1991-p144" /> but later regretted making the film. It was noted that, during production, she was "catered to by an assistant, a dialogue coach, a masseuse, a psychic consultant, [her daughter]'s nanny, and a bodyguard […]—in addition to the standard-issue hairdresser, makeup person, and stand-in. She arrived for each morning's shoot in a limo and insisted on flying between locations by private plane."<ref name="VF-aug1991-p144" /> Screenwriter Ezra Litwak stated: "Demi is very much a movie star. Everything revolves around that fact. She knows what she wants and how to get it."<ref name="VF-aug1991-p144" /> The film was a critical and commercial failure,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/butchers_wife |title=The Butcher's Wife |work=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=March 31, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3679028737/weekend/ |title=The Butcher's Wife |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=March 31, 2025}}</ref> but Roger Ebert embraced her performance, describing it as "warm and cuddly."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19911025/REVIEWS/110250301/1023|title=Roger Ebert's review of "The Butcher's Wife"|work=Chicago Sun-Times|date=October 28, 1991|access-date=March 19, 2022|archive-date=December 24, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121224232259/http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F19911025%2FREVIEWS%2F110250301%2F1023|url-status=dead}}</ref> 

Moore's next roles —a lieutenant commander in [[Rob Reiner]]'s ''[[A Few Good Men]]'' (1992), a morally tested wife in [[Adrian Lyne]]'s ''[[Indecent Proposal]]'' (1993), and a sexually charged employer in [[Barry Levinson]]'s ''[[Disclosure (1994 film)|Disclosure]]'' (1994)— raised her demand among studios.<ref name="ewmoore">{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/1995/03/10/demi-moore-gets-payraise-and-other-actresses-benefit/ |title=Demi Moore gets a payraise, and other actresses benefit |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |last=Thompson |first=Anne |date=March 10, 1995 |access-date=March 24, 2025}}</ref> The three aforementioned films opened atop the box office and were blockbuster hits.<ref name="Demi Moore Movie Box Office Results">{{cite web|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/people/chart/?id=demimoore.htm|title=Demi Moore Movie Box Office Results|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=January 31, 2018|archive-date=March 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180304195440/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/people/chart/?id=demimoore.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Producer Martin Shafer considered her to be "every bit as valuable as [her male counterparts]" and called her "the biggest female star in the world."<ref name="ewmoore" />

With her [[A-list]] status, some of Moore's film choices were the subject of widespread scrutiny.<ref name="ewmoore" /> Her portrayal of [[Hester Prynne]] in ''[[The Scarlet Letter (1995 film)|The Scarlet Letter]]'' (1995), a "freely adapted" version of the historical romance novel by [[Nathaniel Hawthorne]], was met with harsh disapproval.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=PG&p_theme=pg&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EADF95DABA08749&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D|title=Demi's Debacle Now, The Actress Has to Get 'The Scarlet Letter' Off Her Back|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|date=May 17, 1996|access-date=September 5, 2012|archive-date=November 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122215738/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=PG&p_theme=pg&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EADF95DABA08749&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D|url-status=live}}</ref> [[James Berardinelli]] found her to be "out of her depth" and noted that her "insufficient" range resulted in a  "weak" performance.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.reelviews.net/reelviews/scarlet-letter-the |title=Scarlet Letter, The (United States, 1995) |work=Reel Views |last=Berardinelli |first=James |access-date=March 31, 2025}}</ref> She played an author with commitment issues in the coming-of-age drama ''[[Now and Then (film)|Now and Then]]'' (1995), which she described as "more than just a film […] it was an adventure".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/lifestyle-news/demi-moore-now-and-then-sequel-stars-reunite-elle-women-in-hollywood-event-1236068107/ |title=Demi Moore Pitches ‘Now and Then’ Sequel as Stars Reunite at Elle Women in Hollywood Event |work=The Hollywood Reporter |last=Chuba |first=Kirsten |date=November 20, 2024 |access-date=March 31, 2025}}</ref> ''Now and Then'' did not score with critics but found box office success and [[cult following]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/23/movies/now-and-then-anniversary.html |title='Now and Then' at 25: Girlhood Finally Taken Seriously |work=The New York Times |last=Kaplan |first=Ilena |date=October 12, 2020 |access-date=March 31, 2025 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>

Moore became the world's highest-paid actress when she was paid a record-breaking salary of {{USD|12.5 million|long=No}} to star as a [[FBI]] secretary-turned-[[stripper]] in ''[[Striptease (film)|Striptease]]'' (1996).<ref name="highest-paid">{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/bostonherald/access/21030596.html?dids=21030596%3A21030596&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS%3AFT&type=current&date=Oct+08%2C+1995&author=Stephen+Schaefer&pub=Boston+Herald&desc=Movies+Moore+the+Merrier+Give+an+%60A%27+for+effort+to+Demi%2C+Hollywood%27s+highest-paid+woman&pqatl=google|title=Movies Moore the Merrier Give an 'A' for effort to Demi, Hollywood's highest-paid woman|work=[[Boston Herald]]|first=Stephen|last=Schaefer|date=October 8, 1995|access-date=July 6, 2017|archive-date=November 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105072603/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/bostonherald/access/21030596.html?dids=21030596%3A21030596&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS%3AFT&type=current&date=Oct+08%2C+1995&author=Stephen+Schaefer&pub=Boston+Herald&desc=Movies+Moore+the+Merrier+Give+an+%60A%27+for+effort+to+Demi%2C+Hollywood%27s+highest-paid+woman&pqatl=google|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=June 27, 1996|title=More Moore: Demi Moore Says She Felt the Power of Strippers Experience When They're Dancing and Defends the Women Who Peel for a Living|newspaper=[[Sun-Sentinel]]|location=South Florida|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sun_sentinel/access/14909964.html?dids=14909964:14909964&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jun+27%2C+1996&author=IVOR+DAVIS+New+York+Times+Syndicate&pub=South+Florida+Sun+-+Sentinel&desc=MORE+MOORE+DEMI+MOORE+SAYS+SHE+FELT+THE+POWER+OF+STRIPPERS+EXPERIENCE+WHEN+THEY'RE+DANCING+AND+DEFENDS+THE+WOMEN+WHO+PEEL+FOR+A+LIVING.&pqatl=google|access-date=March 19, 2022|archive-date=November 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105072627/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sun_sentinel/access/14909964.html?dids=14909964%3A14909964&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS%3AFT&type=current&date=Jun+27%2C+1996&author=IVOR+DAVIS+New+York+Times+Syndicate&pub=South+Florida+Sun+-+Sentinel&desc=MORE+MOORE+DEMI+MOORE+SAYS+SHE+FELT+THE+POWER+OF+STRIPPERS+EXPERIENCE+WHEN+THEY%27RE+DANCING+AND+DEFENDS+THE+WOMEN+WHO+PEEL+FOR+A+LIVING.&pqatl=google|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|first1=Gregory|last1=Cerio|first2=Carolyn|last2=Ramsay|title=Eye of the tiger|magazine=[[People (magazine)|People]]|date=June 24, 1996|volume=45|issue=25|pages=88–94}}</ref> Her own daughter [[Rumer Willis]], who was 7 years old when the film was released, played her character's daughter. Despite grossing a respectable {{USD|113 million|long=No}} worldwide,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Striptease|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl1735558657/weekend/|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=November 24, 2020|archive-date=May 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200503170830/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl1735558657/weekend/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Striptease'' was heavily disliked.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/striptease/ |title=''Striptease'' (1996) |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |access-date=February 24, 2024 |archive-date=June 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614120314/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/striptease |url-status=live }}</ref>  Brian D. Johnson of ''[[Maclean's]]'' was critical of  Moore's acting and described the film  as a "tacky" display of her vanity.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Brian D. |last=Johnson |title=A Demi-talented actor bares all |work=[[Maclean's]] |date=July 8, 1996 |volume=109 |number=28 |page=49}}</ref>  She starred as a single mother intimidated by a mobster in the thriller ''[[The Juror]]'' (1996), which did not connect with critics nor audiences.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Juror (1996)|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/juror|access-date=December 19, 2018|website=Rottentomatoes.com|date=July 28, 1998|archive-date=April 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430085158/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/juror|url-status=live}}</ref> For both ''Striptease'' and ''The Juror'', she received the [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actress]].<ref name="Schwartz2"/>

Moore produced and starred in [[HBO]]'s ''[[If These Walls Could Talk]]'' (1996), a three-part anthology about [[abortion]] alongside [[Sissy Spacek]] and [[Cher]]. Its screenwriter, [[Nancy Savoca]], directed two segments, including one in which Moore played a widowed nurse in the early 1950s seeking a back-alley abortion. ''If These Walls Could Talk'' became [[HBO]]'s highest-rated original film to date, drawing 6.9&nbsp;million viewers.<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |url=https://variety.com/2000/tv/news/hbo-climbing-another-walls-1117779197/ |first=Paula |last=Bernstein |title=HBO climbing another ''Walls'' |date=March 7, 2000 |access-date=February 5, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160206084155/http://variety.com/2000/tv/news/hbo-climbing-another-walls-1117779197/ |archive-date=February 6, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/04/12/arts/tv-notes-going-out-blazing.html |newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|title=TV Notes; Going Out Blazing|first=Bill|last=Carter|date=April 12, 2000|access-date=February 5, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527133701/http://www.nytimes.com/2000/04/12/arts/tv-notes-going-out-blazing.html |archive-date=May 27, 2015}}</ref> For the film, Moore received Golden Globe nominations for [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film|Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film]] and [[Golden Globe Award for Best Limited or Anthology Series or Television Film|Best Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=If These Walls Could Talk|url=https://goldenglobes.com/tv-show/if-these-walls-could-talk/|access-date=September 23, 2024|publisher=[[Hollywood Foreign Press Association]]}}</ref> as well as a [[Primetime Emmy Award]] nomination for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Television Movie|Outstanding Television Movie]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.televisionacademy.com/shows/if-these-walls-could-talk |title=If These Walls Could Talk: Awards and Nominations |publisher=Television Academy |access-date=March 24, 2025}}</ref> In 1996, she provided the voice of [[Esmeralda (The Hunchback of Notre Dame)|Esmeralda]] in  ''[[The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996 film)|The Hunchback of Notre Dame]]'', and Dallas Grimes in ''[[Beavis and Butt-Head Do America]]'', both of which were the highest-grossing animated films that year.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl4250437121/weekend/ |title=The Hunchback of Notre Dame }}</ref>

Moore portrayed the first woman to undergo training in the [[Navy SEAL]]s in [[Ridley Scott]]'s ''[[G.I. Jane]]'' (1997). For her role, she shaved her head and went through a rigorous two-week military training.<ref name="Demijane">{{cite web |title=Demi Moore Called $48 Million Movie That Got Chris Rock Slapped by Will Smith at Oscars Her Proudest Professional Achievement |url=https://fandomwire.com/demi-moore-called-48-million-movie-g-i-jane-that-got-chris-rock-slapped-by-will-smith-at-oscars-her-proudest-professional-achievement/#:~:text=Demi%20Moore%20Gave%20All%2DOut%20Performance%20In%201997's%20G.I.&text=In%20her%20memoir%20Inside%20Out,of%20a%20Navy%20SEAL%20officer.}}</ref> The film received mixed reviews and earned her another Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actress,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.razzies.com/forum/1997-razzie-nominees-winners_topic347.html |title=1997 RAZZIEŽ Nominees & "Winners" |publisher=[[Golden Raspberry Awards]] |work=Entire RAZZIEŽ History, Year-by-Year: 1980-2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503184839/http://www.razzies.com/forum/1997-razzie-nominees-winners_topic347.html |archive-date=May 3, 2016 |date=December 4, 2005 |author=HeadRAZZBerry}}</ref> but her performance was largely praised by critics.<ref name="Out of Sight">{{cite news|url=https://people.com/archive/cover-story-out-of-sight-vol-55-no-16/|title=Out of Sight|date=April 23, 2001|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]|access-date=October 19, 2019|archive-date=October 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019132516/https://people.com/archive/cover-story-out-of-sight-vol-55-no-16/|url-status=live}}</ref> Budgeted at {{USD|50 million|long=No}},<ref>{{cite news|title=G.I. Jane' Proves Its Mettle in Second Week at Box Office|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=September 2, 1997|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-sep-02-ca-28038-story.html|access-date=December 27, 2010|archive-date=October 10, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010224047/http://articles.latimes.com/1997/sep/02/entertainment/ca-28038|url-status=live}}</ref> it was a moderate commercial success, grossing {{USD|98.4 million|long=No}} worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=main&id=gijane.htm|title=G.I. Jane (1997) - Box Office Mojo|website=Boxofficemojo.com|access-date=December 19, 2018|archive-date=October 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001030944/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=main&id=gijane.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Striptease'' and ''G.I. Jane'' were considered to have contributed to a professional downturn,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://screenrant.com/gi-jane-movie-demi-moore-defense-box-office/ |title="Killed Months Before Anyone Had Even Seen It": Demi Moore Defends 1997 Ridley Scott Bomb That "Really Holds Up" |work=Screenrant |last=Gearan |first=Hannah |date=September 30, 2024 |access-date=March 24, 2025}}</ref> on which she later remarked: "With ''Striptease'', it was as if I had betrayed women, and with ''G.I. Jane'', it was as if I had betrayed men."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/jan/07/demi-moores-stellar-second-act-how-the-star-was-finally-given-her-due-at-62 |title=Demi Moore's stellar second act: how the star was finally given her due at 62 |work=The Guardian |last=Rose |first=Steve |date=January 7, 2025 |access-date=March 24, 2025}}</ref> Nevertheless, she has described ''G.I. Jane'' as one of her proudest professional achievements.<ref name="Demijane"/> In 1997, she played an ultrapious [[Jewish convert]] psychiatrist in [[Woody Allen]]'s ''[[Deconstructing Harry]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/deconstructing_harry/|title=Deconstructing Harry|access-date=December 19, 2018|website=Rottentomatoes.com|date=December 12, 1997|archive-date=February 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202235028/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/deconstructing_harry/|url-status=live}}</ref> and an emotionally estranged wife in [[Mark Pellington]]'s short film ''[[Destination Anywhere (film)|Destination Anywhere]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/1650892-Jon-Bon-Jovi-Destination-Anywhere-The-Film |title=Jon Bon Jovi – Destination Anywhere (The Film) |website=Discogs |access-date=March 24, 2025}}</ref>