Kim Basinger makes rare comment on ex Alec Baldwin decades after divorce: 'He's been through lot lately'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Kim Basinger and Alec Baldwin were once one of Hollywood’s most high-profile couples, but their marriage ended in a highly publicized and messy divorce.

Now, more than 20 years later, Basinger is shedding light on their divorce.

Kim Basinger discusses ex-husband Alec Baldwin’s recent challenges

In an interview with Variety, the 71-year-old 'LA Confidential' star revealed that she and Baldwin, 66, have moved past their differences and maintain a respectful relationship. “Alec and I have a great relationship. I have great respect for where he is today, and his family,” she said, adding, “You know, we don’t spend Christmases and holidays or see each other very much. But we talk.”

Basinger and Baldwin married in 1993 after meeting on the set of 'The Marrying Man'. They welcomed their daughter, Ireland, in 1995 before divorcing in 2002. Their split led to a bitter custody battle that played out in the media, including the infamous leaked voicemail in which Baldwin called their then-12-year-old daughter a “rude, thoughtless little pig.”

Reflecting on the past, Basinger acknowledged, "He’ll pick up the phone and call me, and we have a very genuinely cordial and I think loving relationship in a lot of ways, just because we share a daughter, and I don’t wish him anything but everything good."

Basinger also referenced the challenges Baldwin has faced in recent years, including the tragic 'Rust' shooting incident in 2021 that resulted in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. “He’s been through a lot lately,” she said.

She also praised Baldwin’s wife, Hilaria, for handling the situation and said, “Hilaria seems to have a great handle on that. So more power to her.”

Baldwin was initially charged with involuntary manslaughter, but the case was later dismissed due to prosecutorial misconduct.

Hilaria Baldwin breaks silence on 'Rust' tragedy

Hilaria Baldwin is opening up about the lasting emotional toll the 'Rust' shooting has had on her family.

In the debut episode of their TLC reality series, 'The Baldwins', she gives a rare glimpse into how she and her husband, actor Alec Baldwin, have shielded their seven children from the weight of the tragedy.

“When something bad happens, it’s like a fire,” she says in the episode. “Your job is to try not to let the fire spread. I wanted to put as much as I could a fireproof barrier around my kids,” she stated.

Alec Baldwin was charged with involuntary manslaughter following the 2021 on-set shooting that claimed the life of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Though the case was ultimately dismissed, the long legal battle placed a dark cloud over their family. Baldwin faced the possibility of an 18-month prison sentence, and the stress of that reality was something Hilaria fought to keep away from their children.

Hilaria described the emotional burden that came with Alec’s legal struggles.

"It's extraordinarily difficult when you feel so horrible inside and so scared and confused because you have this constant nausea here, the panic, the inability to sleep," she admitted before adding, "This trial is happening, and Alec could go to prison"

The Baldwins, married since 2012, are parents to seven children: daughters Carmen Gabriela, 11, Maria Lucía Victoria, 3, and Ilaria Catalina Irena, 2, along with sons Rafael Thomas, 9, Leonardo Ángel Charles, 8, Romeo Alejandro David, 6, and Eduardo ‘Edu’ Pao Lucas, 4.

Hilaria’s biggest concern throughout the ordeal has been making sure their children don’t carry the weight of what happened.

 "We are going to feel and carry this pain forever. This will be a part of our family story," she concluded.