Billy Bob Thornton unveiled a piece of Hollywood nostalgia on Monday, revealing for the first time that Drew Barrymore once had a secret admirer known only to him. The revelation about Rodney Harvey, his late co-star, emerged on Barrymore’s CBS talk show and left both the host and audience surprised, placing the focus keyword, Billy Bob Thornton secret admirer, at center stage of the conversation.
Thornton Drops a Decades-Old Secret on The Drew Barrymore Show
During the episode, Thornton, famed Oscar-winning actor, shared an unexpected memory from the 1990s when both he and Rodney Harvey worked together on the single-season television adaptation of The Outsiders, inspired by Francis Coppola’s celebrated film and S. E. Hinton’s novel. Thornton played Buck Merrill, while Harvey took on the role of Sodapop Curtis. During filming at the newly launched Fox network, Barrymore occasionally visited the set, accompanied by mutual friends connected to the production.
“When Fox was brand new, I was on a show called The Outsiders based on the Francis Coppola movie and the book by S.E. Hinton, and you had a friend who was on the show with me,”
Thornton explained.
“And you used to come and visit him on the set. You were just a kid! But that’s how long we’ve known each other.”
— Billy Bob Thornton, Actor
As the cast reminisced, Barrymore wondered aloud if Harvey had ever been more than a friend. Thornton confirmed,
“It was. We used to talk to each other all the time!”
— Billy Bob Thornton, Actor
Demi Moore Pushes for the Truth Behind the Secret
The conversation drew in Demi Moore, Thornton’s co-star from the series Landman, who prompted Thornton for explicit details about Barrymore’s unknown admirer. Originally hesitant to name Harvey due to the sensitive nature of the information, Thornton sought Barrymore’s permission before quietly whispering it to her, with the cameras capturing their candid interaction.
Barrymore responded with a mixture of surprise and affection.
“Oh, yes! Oh no, it was Rodney Harvey, who was, by the way, not a boyfriend, just a very good friend,”
she clarified, adding,
“And I loved him and he has since passed.”
— Drew Barrymore, Actress/Host
She continued,
“Rodney Harvey is a beautiful human being. He would be in Gus Van Sant films and he was a real artist and he left us too soon.”
— Drew Barrymore, Actress/Host
Barrymore Reflects on Harvey and the Nature of Hollywood Crushes
Barrymore pointed out Harvey had been romantically involved with one of her friends at the time, not her. Thornton, however, hinted that Harvey’s feelings toward Barrymore may have been stronger than she realized. He recalled,
“We were at that party one night after we’d wrapped and I’m just saying…”
Then, he admitted,
“I think Rodney lied to me.”
— Billy Bob Thornton, Actor
The revelation sparked playful disbelief from Barrymore.
“No, okay. No! We never did. Hoes before bros!”
— Drew Barrymore, Actress/Host
Thornton chuckled and replied,
“but just so you know, he wanted to.”
— Billy Bob Thornton, Actor
Reactions from the Cast and Revisiting Rodney Harvey’s Legacy
Barrymore was visibly struck by the news, momentarily stunned before retorting with characteristic humor about “boys” and how feelings are often hidden.
“They don’t really act like they like you, if they like you. And then we’re supposed to think that that’s a good thing and then take that sign, ‘Oh! You’re acting like you don’t like me! But I guess I’m thinking you do really like me?’ Boys.”
— Drew Barrymore, Actress/Host
Thornton agreed, acknowledging, “We’re incorrigible.”
Demi Moore observed the situation with some exasperation, reportedly saying, “Too much work!”
Rodney Harvey, who tragically died in Los Angeles at age 30 in 1998 from a heroin and cocaine overdose, built a reputation as an actor, model, dancer, and singer. His career included notable roles in Gus Van Sant’s films and the series The Outsiders, as well as appearances in My Own Private Idaho and Five Corners. His sudden passing was deeply felt among friends and colleagues.
Impact of the Revelation on The Drew Barrymore Show
The candid on-air exchange between Billy Bob Thornton and Drew Barrymore offered rarely seen authenticity and nostalgia, inviting viewers into behind-the-scenes dynamics from decades earlier. For audiences of The Drew Barrymore Show—which continues to broadcast weekdays on CBS—the episode delivered both touching remembrance and fresh insight into the complex friendships of early Hollywood careers. As stories of past relationships and hidden admirers surface, they offer a poignant reminder of fame’s more personal moments, drawing together figures like Barrymore, Thornton, Harvey, and Moore in one memorable television moment.
