Drew Barrymore
DOB: February 22, 1975 | Birthplace: Culver City, California | Profession: Actress
Drew Barrymore is an American actress, producer, talk show host, and businesswoman best known for her breakthrough role as Gertie in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) and for starring in romantic comedies such as The Wedding Singer (1998), 50 First Dates (2004), and the Charlie’s Angels films. A member of the legendary Barrymore acting dynasty, she successfully transitioned from child star to leading lady, producer, and daytime television host.
Early Life
Drew Blythe Barrymore was born on February 22, 1975, in Culver City, California, to actors John Drew Barrymore and Ildiko Jaid Barrymore. She is the granddaughter of legendary actor John Barrymore and a descendant of the celebrated Barrymore theatrical family that includes Lionel and Ethel Barrymore. She made her first television commercial as an infant and appeared in her first film, Altered States (1980), at age five. Raised largely by her mother amid a turbulent family environment, she experienced early fame and personal challenges, including struggles with substance abuse as a teenager.
Career Beginnings
Barrymore’s career took off at age seven when she played Gertie in Steven Spielberg’s E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), a role that made her one of the most recognizable child stars of the era. She became the youngest host of Saturday Night Live the same year. Early film roles followed in Firestarter (1984), Irreconcilable Differences (1984)—which earned her a Golden Globe nomination—and Cat’s Eye (1985). After a period of personal difficulty in the late 1980s and early 1990s, she returned with edgier roles in films such as Poison Ivy (1992) and Guncrazy (1992).
Breakthrough with Romantic Comedies and Charlie’s Angels
In the late 1990s Barrymore reinvented herself as a romantic-comedy leading lady. She starred opposite Adam Sandler in The Wedding Singer (1998) and later in 50 First Dates (2004) and Blended (2014). She also headlined the action-comedy Charlie’s Angels (2000) and its sequel Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle (2003), which she co-produced through her company Flower Films. Other notable films from this period include Ever After (1998), Never Been Kissed (1999), Donnie Darko (2001), and Scream (1996).
Film and Television Roles
Barrymore continued acting into the 2000s and 2010s with roles in He’s Just Not That Into You (2009), Whip It (2009)—which she also directed—and the HBO film Grey Gardens (2009), for which she won a Golden Globe. She starred in the Netflix series Santa Clarita Diet (2017–2019) and has made guest appearances on various shows. In 2020 she launched The Drew Barrymore Show, a successful daytime talk show that has earned her Daytime Emmy nominations and a win. She has also built business ventures including a cosmetics line and home products.
Personal Life
Barrymore has been married three times: briefly to bar owner Jeremy Thomas (1994–1995), to comedian Tom Green (2001–2002), and to art consultant Will Kopelman (2012–2016). She and Kopelman share two daughters, Olive (born 2012) and Frankie (born 2014). After their divorce, the couple has maintained a cooperative co-parenting relationship. Barrymore has been open about her past struggles with addiction, her experiences with fame, and her journey as a single mother. She is known for her warmth, resilience, and advocacy for mental health and children’s causes.
Top 10 Films/TV Shows
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) — Gertie
The Wedding Singer (1998) — Julia Sullivan
Charlie’s Angels (2000) — Dylan Sanders
50 First Dates (2004) — Lucy Whitmore
Grey Gardens (2009) — Edith “Little Edie” Bouvier Beale
Ever After (1998) — Danielle de Barbarac
Scream (1996) — Casey Becker
Donnie Darko (2001) — Karen Pomeroy
Santa Clarita Diet (2017–2019) — Sheila Hammond
The Drew Barrymore Show (2020–present) — Host
Honors and Recognitions
Barrymore won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Television Film for Grey Gardens (2009). She has received multiple Daytime Emmy nominations for The Drew Barrymore Show, winning Outstanding Daytime Talk Series Host. Additional honors include MTV Movie Awards, People’s Choice Awards, Young Artist Awards, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (2004). Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2023.
Conclusion
Drew Barrymore’s career spans more than four decades, from beloved child star to versatile actress, producer, director, and talk-show host. Through personal challenges and professional reinvention, she has remained a resilient and relatable figure in Hollywood, continuing to connect with audiences through both her film work and her daytime television presence.
About the Author
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