Nicole Kidman's day of heartbreak: Star's close friend Steve Bing and former mentor Joel Schumacher die within 24 hours of one another

• Nicole, 53, and Steve - aged 55 at his time of passing - enjoyed a close friendship from 2014-2015
• While it was thought Kidman and Bing were romantically linked at the time, the Oscar-winner's publicist strongly denied it 
• Their friendship emerged following Nicole's divorce from Tom Cruise in 2011, and Bing's on/off romance with British actress Elizabeth Hurley
• Hurley met Bing in 2000, and they were together for less than a year. Liz informed Bing after they separated that he was the father of her child, Damian, now 18
• It was reported by TMZ that filmmaker and philanthropist Steve had jumped to his death from the 27th floor of a Century City neighbourhood building in Los Angeles on Monday evening
• Hours earlier, Nicole mourned the death of her former mentor and director Joel who passed away at the age of 80 following a year-long battle with cancer

It was a day of heartbreak for Nicole Kidman as her friend Steve Bing and former mentor Joel Schumacher passed away within 24 hours of each other. 

On Tuesday morning, it was reported by TMZ that filmmaker and philanthropist Steve had jumped to his death from the 27th floor of a Century City neighbourhood building in Los Angeles on Monday evening.  

Nicole, 53, and Steve - who was aged 55 at his time of passing - enjoyed a close friendship from 2014-2015. 

The pair reportedly spent time together during a string of dinners in New York and were also spotted at the Polo Lounge in Beverly Hills as well as Trader Vic's restaurant in Los Angeles.  

While it was thought Kidman and Bing were romantically linked at the time, the Oscar-winner's publicist strongly denied it. 

'No, they are not an item. They are and always have been good friends,' she clarified at the time.  

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Emotional: It was a day of heartbreak for Nicole Kidman as her friend Steve Bing and former mentor Joel Schumacher passed away within 24 hours of each other [Nicole pictured with Steve in 2005]

In 2015, Nicole was seen showing American business Steve the sights of Sydney while he was in town for business. 

Their friendship emerged following Nicole's divorce from Tom Cruise in 2011, and Bing's on/off romance with British actress Elizabeth Hurley.Hurley met Bing in 2000, and they were together for less than a year. Liz informed Bing after they separated that he was the father of her child. 

Steve initially disputed Hurley's claim he was the father but later a DNA test proved otherwise.

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Tragic: On Tuesday morning, it was reported that filmmaker Steve had jumped to his death from the 27th floor of a Century City neighbourhood building in Los Angeles on Monday

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Relationship: Nicole, 53, and Steve enjoyed a close friendship from 2014-2015

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Previously: Their friendship emerged after Bing's on/off relationship with British actress Elizabeth Hurley. Liz informed Bing after they separated that he was the father of her child [Damian, now 18, pictured with mother Liz]

Sources now told TMZ that Steve had been 'depressed' about being isolated during coronavirus, but it is unclear if that had anything to do with his suicide. At the time of Steve's passing he was worth $590million.

Meanwhile, shortly before the tragic news of Bing's passing emerged, Nicole mourned the death of her close friend, Joel Schumacher.

Taking to her Instagram Stories on Tuesday morning, the star revealed she was 'heartbroken' over the death of the iconic visionary - who skyrocketed her to fame in the hugely successful 1995 movie, Batman Forever. 

'Joel was a friend of intelligence, compassion and humour - a director with a twinkle in his eye, a nurturing spirit and many stories to tell. He will be missed,' Nicole wrote in the emotional post.  

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Struggles: Sources told TMZ that Steve had been 'depressed' about being isolated during coronavirus, but it is unclear if that had anything to do with his suicide [Pictured 2013]

'I am heartbroken': Shortly before the tragic news of Bing's passing emerged, Nicole mourned the death of her close friend, Joel Schumacher

Nicole shared two pics of herself with Joel - one during the promotional trail for Batman Forever, and the other from the set of the 2011 movie, Trespass, in which they also worked together.   

Schumacher brought his fashion background to directing a run of stylish films throughout the 1980s and 1990s that were not always critically acclaimed, but continue to be well-loved by audiences for capturing the feel of the era.

Schumacher was handed the reins of the Batman franchise when Tim Burton exited the Warner Bros.' series after two enormously successful films. 

The first movie by Schumacher, Batman Forever, starring Val Kilmer, Tommy Lee Jones, Jim Carrey and Nicole Kidman, grossed more than $300 million worldwide.

Joel passed away at the age of 80 following a year-long battle with cancer.  

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Tribute: Taking to her Instagram Stories on Tuesday morning, the star paid tribute to the iconic visionary - who skyrocketed her to fame in the hugely successful 1995 movie, Batman Forever [Pictured L-R, Val Kilmer, Joel, Nicole and Tommy Lee Jones]

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Icon: Schumacher brought his fashion background to directing a run of stylish films throughout the 1980s and 1990s that were not always critically acclaimed, but continue to be well-loved by audiences for capturing the feel of the era