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Drew Blythe Barrymore (born February 22, 1975)[1] is an American actress, talk show host, and businesswoman. A member of the Barrymore family of actors, she has received multiple awards and nominations, including a Golden Globe Award, an Emmy Award, and a BAFTA. She was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time in 2023.[2]

Key Information

Barrymore rose to prominence as a child star in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), and established herself as a Hollywood leading actress with roles in Firestarter (1984), Poison Ivy (1992), Boys on the Side (1995), Scream (1996), Ever After (1998), Never Been Kissed (1999), Charlie's Angels (2000), and Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (2003). She has starred with Adam Sandler in The Wedding Singer (1998), 50 First Dates (2004), and Blended (2014). Her other notable film credits include Batman Forever (1995), Donnie Darko (2001), Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002), Music and Lyrics (2007), He's Just Not That Into You (2009), and Going the Distance (2010).

Barrymore won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Television Film for her portrayal of Edith Bouvier Beale in HBO's Grey Gardens (2009), played Sheila Hammond on the Netflix series Santa Clarita Diet (2017–2019), and hosts the daytime talk show The Drew Barrymore Show (2020–present).[3][4]

Barrymore is the founder of the production company Flower Films and has starred in several of its projects. She made her directorial debut with Whip It (2009). She launched a range of cosmetics under the Flower banner in 2013.[5] Her other business ventures include a range of wines,[6] homeware, and clothing.[7] She has released four New York Times bestselling books, including the memoir Little Girl Lost (1990) and the photobook Find It in Everything (2014).[1][8][9]

Early life

[edit]

Ancestry

[edit]
See also: Barrymore family
Anne Helm and Drew's father, John Drew Barrymore, in Gunsmoke, 1964

Drew Blythe Barrymore was born on February 22, 1975, in Culver City, California, to actor John Drew Barrymore and aspiring actress Jaid Barrymore (born Ildikó Jaid Makó),[10][11] who was born in a displaced persons camp in Brannenburg, West Germany, to Hungarian World War II refugees.[12][13] Through her father, Barrymore has three older half-siblings, including actor John Blyth Barrymore.[14] Her parents divorced in 1984.[1]

In 2023, Barrymore displayed an AncestryDNA test onscreen on her talk show, which assessed her genetic ancestry as primarily European, with 6% Northern Indian.[15]

Barrymore was born into an acting family. All of her paternal great-grandparents, Maurice and Georgie Drew Barrymore, Maurice and Mae Costello (née Altschuk), and her paternal grandparents, John Barrymore and Dolores Costello, were actors,[16] with John being arguably the most acclaimed actor of his generation.[1][17] Barrymore is a niece of Diana Barrymore, a grandniece of Lionel Barrymore, Ethel Barrymore and Helene Costello,[18] and a great-great-granddaughter of Irish-born John and English-born Louisa Lane Drew, all of whom were also actors. She is a great-grandniece of Broadway idol John Drew Jr. and silent film actor, writer and director Sidney Drew.[19]

Barrymore's godmothers are actress Sophia Loren[20] and Lee Strasberg's widow, Anna Strasberg; Barrymore described her relationship with the latter as one that "would become so important to me as a kid because she was so kind and nurturing."[21] Her godfather is filmmaker Steven Spielberg.[22][23][24][25]

Barrymore's first name, Drew, was the maiden name of her paternal great-grandmother Georgie Drew, and her middle name, Blythe, was derived from the birth surname (Blyth) of her great-grandfather who later took the stage name of Maurice Barrymore.[22] In her 1991 autobiography Little Girl Lost, Barrymore recounted early memories of her abusive father, who left the family when she was six months old. She and her father never had a significant relationship and seldom spoke.[26]

Childhood

[edit]
Barrymore in 1987

Barrymore grew up on Poinsettia Place in West Hollywood, until she moved to Sherman Oaks at the age of seven. In her 2015 memoir Wildflower, she says she spoke "like a valley girl" because she grew up in Sherman Oaks. She moved back to West Hollywood on becoming emancipated at age 14.[27] She attended elementary school at Fountain Day School in West Hollywood and Country School.[28] In the wake of her sudden stardom, Barrymore endured a notoriously troubled childhood. She was a regular at Studio 54 as a young girl, and her nightlife and constant partying became a popular subject with the media. She was placed in rehab at 13,[1][22] and spent eighteen months at Van Nuys Behavioral Health Hospital, an institution for the mentally ill.[29] A suicide attempt at 14 put her back in rehab, followed by a three-month stay with singer David Crosby and his wife. The stay was precipitated, Crosby said, because she "needed to be around some people that were committed to sobriety." Barrymore described this period of her life for Little Girl Lost. After a successful juvenile court petition for emancipation, she moved into her own apartment at the age of 15.[26][17]

Career

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Main article: Drew Barrymore filmography

Early roles and breakthrough as a child actor (1976–1985)

[edit]
Barrymore and Ronald Reagan in 1984

Barrymore appeared in a dog food commercial when she was eleven months old. After her film debut with a small role in Altered States,[1] she played Gertie in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Director Steven Spielberg felt she had the right imagination for the role after she impressed him with a story that she led a punk rock band.[30] E.T. was the highest-grossing film of the 1980s and made Barrymore one of the most famous child actors of the time. She won the Young Artist Award for Best Young Supporting Actress[22][31] and was nominated for the Rising Star Award at the British Academy Film Awards. In the eighth season of Saturday Night Live, she became the youngest person to guest-host the series at 7 years old.[32] Barrymore said that "nobody treated me like a kid there" and she didn't feel different than any other cast member despite her age.[33]

In the 1984 film adaptation of Stephen King's 1980 novel Firestarter, Barrymore played a girl with pyrokinesis, and the target of a secret government agency known as The Shop. That year, she also played a young girl divorcing her famous parents in Irreconcilable Differences and was nominated for her first Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress.[22][34] In his review in the Chicago Sun-Times, Roger Ebert wrote: "Barrymore is the right actress for this role precisely because she approaches it with such grave calm."[35] She starred in the anthology horror film Cat's Eye, also written by King. It received positive reviews and Barrymore was nominated for a Young Artist Award for Best Leading Young Actress.[36]

Teenage stardom (1986–1997)

[edit]
Barrymore and Corey Feldman at the 61st Academy Awards in 1989

Barrymore experienced a troubled youth and acted only intermittently throughout the late 1980s. She next starred in the 1989 romance film See You in the Morning. Vincent Canby of The New York Times criticized the "fashionable phoniness" of the film, but positively singled out Barrymore.[37] In Far from Home, she played a teenager who gets stranded with her father in a small, remote desert town. The film went largely unnoticed by audiences and received negative reviews from critics, who dismissed the sexual portrayal of her role.[38]

Barrymore's rebelliousness played itself out on screen and in print. She played a poor teenage girl in Poison Ivy, which was a box-office bomb, but was popular on video and cable.[1][39] Her character "Ivy" was ranked at #6 on the list of the top 26 "bad girls" of all time by Entertainment Weekly.[40] Barrymore was 17 when she posed nude with her then-fiancé, actor Jamie Walters, for the cover of the July issue of Interview magazine; she also appeared nude in pictures inside the issue.[41][42]

In Guncrazy, Barrymore played a teenager who kills her abusive stepfather.[34] Variety remarked that she "pulls off impressively" her character,[43] and Barrymore was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Miniseries or Television Film. She played the younger sister of a murdered ballerina in No Place to Hide and a writer followed by what is apparently her evil twin in Doppelganger. Both films were panned by critics and failed to find an audience.[44][45][46] She appeared in the western film Bad Girls, which follows four former prostitutes on the run following a justifiable homicide and prison escape. Roger Ebert, in his review for the film, wrote for Chicago Sun-Times: "What a good idea, to make a Western about four tough women. And what a sad movie."[47]

Barrymore posed nude for the January 1995 issue of Playboy.[48][49] Soon after, her godfather Steven Spielberg gave her a quilt for her 20th birthday with a note that read, "Cover yourself up."[22] Enclosed in the quilt were copies of her Playboy pictures which had been altered by Spielberg's art department so that she appeared fully clothed.[50] Barrymore later said that she would not let her own child make the same choice she did.[51]

While appearing on the Late Show with David Letterman, Barrymore climbed onto the desk, flashed her breasts to David Letterman and gave him a kiss on the cheek as a birthday gift.[17] She modeled in a series of Guess? jeans ads during this time.[52] In the late 1990s, Barrymore re-established her image and continued to be a highly bankable star.[1][53]

In Boys on the Side, Barrymore played a pregnant girl attempting to escape from her abusive boyfriend.[54] It was a box office success and was positively received by critics.[55] In the superhero film Batman Forever, she played one of the two female assistants for Two-Face (Tommy Lee Jones).[56][57]

Barrymore in 1997

Barrymore had a small role in Wes Craven's slasher film Scream (1996). She read the film's script and was interested in being involved, approaching the production team herself to request a role. The producers were quick to take advantage of her unexpected interest and signed her to play the lead role of Sidney Prescott. However, after unexpected commitments, Barrymore played Casey Becker in a minor role and Neve Campbell took the leading one.[58] Scream was released to critical acclaim and made $173 million worldwide.[59][60] She was nominated for the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress.[61]

Established career (1998–2008)

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In The Wedding Singer (1998), Barrymore played a waitress in love with the titular character, played by Adam Sandler.[62] Variety found the film to be a "spirited, funny and warm saga" that serves them up "in a new way that enhances their most winning qualities".[63] Budgeted at $18 million, the film grossed $123.3 million internationally.[64] In Home Fries (1998), Barrymore played a pregnant woman unknowingly falling for the stepson of the late father of her baby.[65] She starred in the historical drama film Ever After (1998), which made $98 million and was inspired by the fairy tale Cinderella.[66] Roger Ebert said about Barrymore and the film: "she can hold the screen and involve us in her characters".[67]

Barrymore voiced the titular anthropomorphic Jack Russell terrier in the Christmas television film Olive, the Other Reindeer and was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award.[68] After establishing Flower Films,[69] Barrymore and Nancy Juvonen produced the company's first film, Never Been Kissed, in which Barrymore played an insecure copy editor for the Chicago Sun-Times and a high school student. While reviews from critics were mixed, CNN noted: "There are two words which describe why this film works: Drew Barrymore. Her comedic timing and willingness to go all out in her quest for a laugh combine to make Never Been Kissed a gratifying movie-going experience".[70] The film was a commercial success, grossing $84.5 million.[71][72]

In Charlie's Angels, Barrymore, Cameron Diaz, and Lucy Liu played the trio of investigators in Los Angeles. The film was a major box office success and helped solidify Barrymore's standing in her production company as one of the film's producers.[73][22][74] Barrymore starred in Riding in Cars with Boys, as a teenage mother in a failed marriage with the drug-addicted father (based on Beverly Donofrio's real-life story).[1] When the production of Donnie Darko was threatened, Barrymore stepped forward with financing from the company and played the title character's English teacher. Although the film was less than successful at the box office in the wake of 9/11, it reached cult status after the DVD release, inspiring numerous websites devoted to unraveling the plot twists and meanings.[75]

Barrymore starred in George Clooney's directorial debut Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, based on the autobiography of television producer Chuck Barris.[76] Barrymore reprised her role in Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle[1][74] and starred with Ben Stiller in Duplex. Flower Films and Happy Madison Productions produced the film 50 First Dates, in which Barrymore played an amnesiac woman and Sandler played a marine veterinarian.[77][78] Summing up Barrymore's appeal, Roger Ebert, in his review for the film, remarked that Barrymore displayed a "smiling, coy sincerity", in what he described as an "ingratiating and lovable" film.[79] 50 First Dates was a commercial success; it made US$120.9 million in North America and US$196.4 million worldwide.[80]

Barrymore at the premiere for Music & Lyrics in 2007

In the 2005 American remake adaptation of the 1997 British film Fever Pitch, Barrymore played the love interest of an immature schoolteacher (Jimmy Fallon). The film grossed a modest US$50 million worldwide and had generally favorable reviews by critics who felt it "has enough charm and on-screen chemistry between [Fallon and Barrymore] to make it a solid hit".[81] Barrymore starred in the 2006 animated film Curious George, based on the book series of the same name. She and Hugh Grant starred in Music and Lyrics, which focuses on the relationship that evolves between a former pop music idol and an aspiring writer as they struggle to compose a song for a reigning pop diva. The romantic comedy, released in February 2007, received largely positive reviews, with The Washington Post finding the two to be "great together" in it.[82] The film was a commercial success, grossing US$145 million globally.[83][84]

Barrymore at the premiere for Lucky You in 2007

In Curtis Hanson's poker film Lucky You, Barrymore played an aspiring singer and the subject of the affections of a talented player.[85][86] In Raja Gosnell's film Beverly Hills Chihuahua, Barrymore voiced the titular character, a richly pampered pet who gets dognapped in Mexico and attempts to avoid the Dobermann.

Directorial debut and television roles (2009–2019)

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Barrymore starred in the ensemble romantic comedy He's Just Not That Into You, which received mixed reviews, partly due to her limited time on screen,[87][88][89] while it grossed US$178 million worldwide.[90] She played Edith Bouvier Beale, the daughter of Edith Ewing Bouvier Beale (Jessica Lange) in the HBO film Grey Gardens, which is based on the 1975 documentary film. The television film was a huge success, winning five Primetime Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards. Rolling Stone writer Peter Travers found Barrymore to be a "revelation" in her role.[91] Barrymore was nominated for the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie and won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film and the Screen Actors Guild for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries.

Barrymore starred in her directorial debut film Whip It. It follows a high-schooler (Elliot Page) ditching the teen beauty pageant scene and participating in an Austin roller derby league.[92] Barrymore worked with screenwriter Shauna Cross for months on script revisions, with Barrymore pushing her to "avoid her story's tidier prospects, to make things 'more raw and open ended.'"[93] While the film found limited box office receipts, it was favorably received;[94][95] according to review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, critics agreed that her "directorial debut has enough charm, energy, and good-natured humor to transcend its many cliches".[96][97] For her venture, Barrymore garnered nominations for a Bronze Horse at the Stockholm Film Festival and for the EDA Female Focus Award at the 2009 Alliance of Women Film Journalists. In Everybody's Fine, Barrymore played the daughter of a recently widowed retiree (Robert De Niro).[98] The drama flopped at the box office,[99] but Stephen Holden for The New York Times considered Barrymore "as ingenuous as ever" in what he described as a "small role."[100][101]

Barrymore starred with Justin Long in Nanette Burstein's film Going the Distance. It follows a couple dealing the ups and downs of a long-distance relationship, while commuting between New York City and San Francisco. It garnered generally mixed reviews by critics,[102] who summed it as "timelier and a little more honest than most romantic comedies",[103] and budgeted at US$32 million,[104] the film made US$40 million at the worldwide box office.[105]

On August 2, 2011, Barrymore directed the music video for the song "Our Deal," for the band Best Coast, which features Chloë Grace Moretz, Miranda Cosgrove, Tyler Posey, Donald Glover, Shailene Woodley and Alia Shawkat.[106] Barrymore starred in the biopic film Big Miracle, which covers Operation Breakthrough, the 1988 international effort to rescue gray whales from being trapped in ice near Point Barrow, Alaska.[107] Her character, Rachel Kramer, is based on Greenpeace activist Cindy Lowry.[108] Despite a positive critical reception,[109] the film flopped at the box office.[110]

Toni Collette and Barrymore at the premiere for Miss You Already at the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival

In Blended, Barrymore played a recently divorced woman ending up on a family resort with a widower (Sandler). Film critic James Berardinelli dismissed the "hit-and-miss humor" of the story and wrote that "as [Sandler and Barrymore] are concerned, the third time is definitely not the charm",[111] as part of an overall lukewarm critical response.[112] The film ultimately grossed US$128 million worldwide.[113] She and Toni Collette starred in Miss You Already (2015), as two long-time friends whose relationship is put to the test when one starts a family and the other becomes ill. Reviewers embraced the film, while it received a limited theatrical release.[114][115]

In the Netflix original television series Santa Clarita Diet, Barrymore played a real estate agent who, after experiencing a physical transformation into a zombie, starts craving human flesh. Along with co-star Timothy Olyphant, Barrymore served as an executive producer on the single-camera series,[116] which was favorably received upon its premiere;[117][118][119] Rolling Stone felt that "much of [the series' laughs] comes down to the uncrushable Drew Barrymore charm" and furthermore remarked: "The show is a welcome comeback for Barrymore, the eternally beloved grunge-era wild thing—it's not just her big move into TV, but her first high-profile performance anywhere in years. In a way, it circles back to the roles she was doing in the early [90s], playing deadly vixens in flicks like Guncrazy or Doppelganger".[120]

The Drew Barrymore Show and expansion (2020–present)

[edit]

Barrymore starred in Jamie Babbit's film The Stand In.[121] It was set to premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in April 2020, but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[122][123] On September 14, 2020, Barrymore launched a syndicated daytime talk show, The Drew Barrymore Show, which is also available on Spotify in a podcast format.[124] On December 4, 2020, she appeared as a guest star on Martha Knows Best.[125] On March 11, 2021, Barrymore said she was taking an indefinite hiatus from acting.[126] She wrote a cookbook with chef Pilar Valdes entitled Rebel Homemaker, which was a New York Times bestseller.[127][128] In June 2021, she launched Drew Magazine, a quarterly released lifestyle magazine by publisher Bauer Media USA.[129] Barrymore was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2023.[2]

In September 2023, Barrymore announced she would continue her syndicated TV talk show despite the ongoing WGA strike, writing, "I own this choice",[130] when explaining her reasoning via social media. While SAG had stated that as the host of the show she was not under any obligation to strike, her show continued without unionized writing staff. Audience members showing support for the Writer's Guild were kicked out of the studio and had any WGA pins confiscated.[131] Due to these events, the National Book Foundation removed Barrymore from being the host of the then upcoming 74th National Book Awards.[132][133] Barrymore apologized for her actions later that week in a video on Instagram, claiming that, "I believe there's nothing I can do or say in this moment to make it OK."[134][135][136][137] Barrymore deleted the apology video from her account following criticism.[138][136][137] On the 17th, Barrymore announced on her Instagram account that she would be postponing production of her talk show until the strike ends due to the backlash, writing, "I have listened to everyone, and I am making the decision to pause the show's premiere until the strike is over". She also added, "I have no words to express my deepest apologies to anyone I have hurt, and, of course, to our incredible team who works on the show and has made it what it is today".[4][139][140] A spokesperson for CBS Media Ventures said, "We support Drew's decision to pause the show's return and understand how complex and difficult this process has been for her."[141]

In May 2024, it was announced that Hollywood Squares would be revived by CBS, with Barrymore as a co-executive producer and center square.[142], and Nate Burleson as host. The series premiered on January 16, 2025. On February 24, 2025, the revival was renewed for a second season.[143]

Media image

[edit]
Barrymore at the premiere for Whip It at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival

Barrymore became a CoverGirl Cosmetics' model and spokeswoman in 2007.[144] In February 2015, she became one of the faces of CoverGirl, alongside Queen Latifah and Taylor Swift. The company partnered with her because "she emulates the iconic image of CoverGirl with her fresh, natural beauty and energetic yet authentic spirit," said Esi Eggleston Bracey, vice president and general manager of CoverGirl Cosmetics North America. She brought not only her personality into this endorsement but also her creative side, as she also helped create the ads.[145] She was No. 1 on People's annual 100 Most Beautiful People list in 2007.[146] She was named the new face for the Gucci jewelry line.[147][148] Barrymore signed a contract with IMG Models New York City. She is a spokeswoman for Crocs.

In May 2007, Barrymore was named Ambassador Against Hunger for the United Nations World Food Programme[149][150] and later donated $1 million to the cause.[74][151] As a guest photographer for a magazine series called "They Shoot New York", she appeared on the cover holding a Pentax K1000 film camera.[152] She expressed hopes of exposing her work in a gallery one day, as she had documented the most recent decade of her life with a Pentax camera.[153]

Barrymore launched a women's fashion line in fall 2017 in conjunction with Amazon.com called Dear Drew,[154] which featured a pop-up shop in New York City that opened in November.[155] She became the Chief Gifting Officer for Etsy in January 2024.[156]

Personal life

[edit]

At 16, Barrymore was briefly engaged to 25-year-old Leland Hayward, III, the grandson of producer Leland Hayward, in 1991.[157]

At 17, Barrymore began a relationship with 23-year-old Jamie Walters that lasted from 1992 to 1993.[158] He proposed to her with a diamond ring in a 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle and planned to marry in spring of 1993.[159] Walters and Barrymore have tattoos of the other's name; Walters has her name in a cross on his upper right shoulder blade and Barrymore has his name, along with her mother's name, in a banner flown by a cherub on her lower back.[160][161] In 2023, Barrymore spoke positively of Walters while interviewing Tori Spelling on her talk show. (Spelling had played Walters' love interest on Beverly Hills, 90210.[162]

In early 1994, at 19, Barrymore began dating 31-year-old Jeremy Thomas, a Los Angeles-based business owner from Wales. Thomas had been allowing Barrymore to drink at The Room, his bar on Cahuenga Boulevard, even though she was underage and had already been receiving treatment for alcoholism on and off for several years.[163] On March 20, 1994, after six weeks of dating, the two impulsively married at around 5:30 am at The Room, paying a 24-hour minister to perform the ceremony.[164][165][166] Barrymore wore a white slip dress and combat boots.[163] Barrymore and Thomas separated 19 days later and she filed for divorce less than two months after that, alleging that Thomas had married her for her wealth and a green card.[1][17][164] Their divorce was finalized in 1995.[165] In an interview later that year, Barrymore told Rolling Stone that Thomas was "the Devil."[165]

In late 1994, Barrymore began dating Hole guitarist Eric Erlandson.[167] Barrymore began dating MTV host and comedian Tom Green in 1999. They were engaged in July 2000 and married a year later.[1] Together, they starred in Charlie's Angels and Green's directorial film debut, Freddy Got Fingered. Green filed for divorce in December 2001; it was finalized on October 15, 2002.[168][169]

In 2002, Barrymore began dating the Strokes drummer Fabrizio Moretti, whom she had recently met at a concert.[1] Their relationship ended in January 2007.[74][170] She then began dating Justin Long,[171] but they broke up in July 2008.[172]

In February 2011, Barrymore began dating Will Kopelman, an art consultant and the son of Arie L. Kopelman, who had once been chief operating officer of the French fashion house Chanel.[173] Kopelman proposed to Barrymore in Sun Valley, Idaho in December of that year, while the two were on a Christmas vacation, and media outlets reported on their engagement in January 2012.[174][175][176] They married on June 2, 2012, in a garden-themed Jewish ceremony at her home in Montecito, California; Barrymore wore a Chanel wedding gown.[177][178] Barrymore gave birth to their first child three months later, and to their second child in 2014.[179][180][181] During her marriage to Kopelman, Barrymore expressed an interest in converting to Judaism, his faith, calling it a "beautiful faith," but never did.[182] Barrymore announced her separation from Kopelman on April 2, 2016. They filed for divorce on July 15, 2016 and it was finalized on August 3, 2016.[183][184][185] In 2020, Barrymore told People she would never get married again.[186] Kopelman married Vogue director Alexandra "Allie" Michler in 2021 and Barrymore has spoken positively of her relationship with Michler, saying she is a wonderful stepmother.[187] Barrymore moved to Manhattan in 2023 so that her children could be closer to Kopelman.[188][189]

Barrymore practices meditation.[190]

In an 2003 interview with Contactmusic.com, Barrymore said: "Do I like women sexually? Yeah, I do. Totally. I have always considered myself bisexual. I love a woman's body. I think a woman and a woman together are beautiful, just as a man and a woman together are beautiful. Being with a woman is like exploring your own body, but through someone else".[191][192]

Barrymore is the godmother of Frances Bean Cobain, the daughter of Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love.[193]

Barrymore eats a plant-based diet,[194] and reportedly convinced Cardi B to try veganism.[195][196][197]

Acting credits and accolades

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Main articles: Drew Barrymore filmography and List of awards and nominations received by Drew Barrymore
Barrymore's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Barrymore's films compiled a worldwide box office gross that stood at over US$2.3 billion. According to The Hollywood Reporter's annual Star Salary Top 10, she was tied for eighth place on the top ten list of actresses' salaries, commanding 10 to 12 million dollars per film in 2006.[198]

Barrymore became the youngest person to host Saturday Night Live, having hosted on November 20, 1982, at seven years of age, a record that remains unbroken as of 2024.[199][200] On February 3, 2007, Barrymore hosted SNL for the fifth time, becoming the second female host (after Candice Bergen) in the show's history to do so.[74] She hosted again on October 10, 2009, becoming the first woman to host six times.[201]

In 1999, Barrymore was honored by the Young Artist Foundation with its Former Child Star "Lifetime Achievement" Award commemorating her outstanding achievements within the film industry as a child actress.[202] For her contributions to the film industry, she received a motion pictures star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2004. It is located at 6925 Hollywood Boulevard.[203]

Bibliography

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See also

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References

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Further reading

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Drew Barrymore

View on Grokipedia
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Drew Blythe Barrymore (born February 22, 1975) is an American actress, producer, director, host, and author from the historic Barrymore acting dynasty. She achieved early fame as a child performer, most notably portraying Gertie in (1982), which grossed over $792 million worldwide and established her as one of Hollywood's youngest stars. However, the pressures of precocious celebrity contributed to beginning at age nine, culminating in multiple stints in rehabilitation by age fourteen and her from parental custody at fifteen to pursue sobriety and independence. Barrymore's professional resurgence in adulthood featured versatile roles in horror (Scream, 1996), comedy (The Wedding Singer, 1998), and action (Charlie's Angels, 2000, which she also produced), alongside entrepreneurial ventures including Flower Beauty cosmetics and production credits on projects like Whip It (2009). Her transition to television hosting with The Drew Barrymore Show (2020–2023) drew mixed reception, including criticism during the 2023 writers' strike when she opted to resume production without union writers, prompting backlash and temporary show suspension. These experiences underscore her resilience amid the causal pitfalls of early fame, such as disrupted family dynamics and inadequate safeguards in the entertainment industry.

Early Life

Family Ancestry and Childhood Environment

Drew Barrymore belongs to the , a multi-generational American acting dynasty with roots in 19th-century British theater. Her paternal lineage includes her grandfather (1882–1942), a matinee idol famed for stage interpretations of and Richard III, as well as screen roles in films like (1926); her great-uncle (1878–1954), an Oscar winner for (1931); and her great-aunt (1879–1959), a stage legend nominated for multiple . Her father, (born John Blyth Barrymore Jr., June 4, 1932–November 29, 2004), carried the family tradition into mid-20th-century film and television, appearing in productions such as The Sundowners (1960), though his career was interrupted by incarcerations for drug-related offenses and other legal troubles. Her mother, Jaid Barrymore (born Ildiko Jaid Mészáros, October 8, 1946), a Hungarian immigrant who arrived in the U.S. as a child, worked sporadically as an actress and model in New York before shifting focus to managing her daughter's career. The couple married in 1971 and separated soon after Drew's birth, with Jaid retaining primary custody. Born Drew Blythe Barrymore on February 22, 1975, in , she was raised as an in amid the epicenter of the entertainment industry. Her early environment blended familial legacy with instability: her mother, leveraging industry contacts, introduced her to celebrity circles and secured modeling and acting opportunities by age five, while her father remained sporadically involved but hindered by chronic and estrangement. This Hollywood upbringing exposed Barrymore to adult social scenes prematurely, including visits arranged by her mother, fostering a household dynamic centered on career advancement rather than conventional stability.

Entry into Acting and Initial Successes

![President Reagan with Drew Barrymore at a ceremony launching the Young Astronauts program on the south lawn. October 17, 1984.jpg][float-right] Drew Barrymore began her acting career in infancy, securing her first role in a television commercial at 11 months old. Her early exposure stemmed from her family's heritage, with her mother, Jaid Barrymore, managing her burgeoning opportunities in commercials and television appearances. She transitioned to film with a minor role as the daughter of William Hurt's character in (1980), directed by , marking her feature debut at age five. This was followed by parts in television movies such as (1980) and Suddenly, Love (1978). Barrymore achieved widespread recognition at age six during the filming of (1982), portraying the young Gertie in Steven Spielberg's blockbuster, which became the highest-grossing film of the 1980s. Her natural performance, including improvised lines, contributed to the film's emotional resonance and her status as a prominent . Building on this success, Barrymore starred in leading child roles in (1984), a comedy-drama about a from a child's perspective, and Stephen King adaptation Firestarter (1984), where she played a girl with pyrokinetic abilities. She continued with anthology horror (1985), further solidifying her early career momentum through diverse genre work.

Struggles and Recovery

Adolescent Addiction and Rehabilitation

Drew Barrymore's exposure to substances began early in her childhood, influenced by the permissive Hollywood environment and limited parental oversight. She reported her first consumption of alcohol at age nine, often at social events including , where her mother Jaid Barrymore introduced her to the party scene. By age ten, Barrymore had tried marijuana, progressing to regular use by age twelve, alongside continued heavy drinking. This pattern of abuse led to professional repercussions, with some Hollywood producers blacklisting her at twelve due to her erratic behavior and drug involvement. In response to escalating issues, including suicide attempts, Barrymore's mother committed her to Psychiatric Hospital in 1988, when Barrymore was thirteen, for involuntary treatment of alcohol and . The eighteen-month inpatient program addressed her and underlying challenges, during which she attempted again at fourteen by cutting her wrists. Barrymore later detailed these experiences in her 1990 Little Girl Lost, attributing the intervention to her mother's recognition of the crisis amid a family history of —her father had long struggled with and alcohol dependency. The rehabilitation marked a enforced pause in Barrymore's acting career, with her release occurring around mid-1989 after completing the program and subsequent outpatient care. In later reflections, Barrymore has credited the facility with providing structure and accountability absent from her home life, describing it as "the best thing that ever happened" despite initial resistance. This period underscored the causal role of early autonomy without boundaries in child actors, where unchecked access to adult vices accelerated dependency risks.

Path to Sobriety and Personal Accountability

Barrymore's initial path to sobriety began with to rehabilitation at age 13 in 1988, when her mother, Jaid Barrymore, arranged for her admission to a psychiatric facility in , , following escalating drug use including , marijuana, and alcohol, as well as attempts. She underwent an 18-month treatment program involving and , emerging in 1989 with initial abstinence from substances. Immediately thereafter, on August 11, 1989—her 14th birthday—Barrymore legally emancipated herself from her parents via court petition in County, granting her over her finances, living arrangements, and career decisions, which she has described as essential for breaking cycles of dependency. Though relapses occurred in her mid-teens, Barrymore achieved sustained sobriety from illicit drugs by her late , a milestone she attributed to self-directed discipline rather than ongoing formal programs. In her 1990 autobiography Little Girl Lost, published when she was 15, she chronicled her addiction's roots in early fame and family dysfunction but emphasized her own agency in recovery, rejecting victimhood narratives by detailing choices like resuming work in low-profile roles to rebuild stability. By the early , she had maintained drug abstinence for years, later reflecting in interviews that the forced intervention, despite its harshness, catalyzed accountability by confronting her behaviors directly. Alcohol presented a separate challenge; Barrymore moderated but did not eliminate consumption until 2019, when, at age 44, she voluntarily ceased drinking after recognizing its role in exacerbating emotional cycles, achieving approximately five years of abstinence by 2024 without or similar structured support. She has framed this as a personal evolution driven by introspection, stating in 2021 that alcohol "did not serve" her life goals, including motherhood and professional consistency, and distinguishing her approach from traditional recovery labels to avoid rigid self-definition. This phase underscores her emphasis on individual responsibility, as evidenced by public discussions where she credits internal resolve over external factors, while acknowledging past enablers like industry access without absolving her participation. Barrymore's narrative of accountability consistently highlights , as in remarks praising her mother's intervention as "the best thing that ever happened to me" despite their legal rift, and later for early, firm boundaries in cases. She has avoided framing recovery solely through trauma or fame's pressures—common in accounts—insisting instead on causal links between personal decisions and outcomes, such as her post-emancipation focus on and boundary-setting to sustain . This stance aligns with her broader reflections, where she attributes long-term success to rejecting entitlement and embracing consequences, evidenced by decades without major relapses.

Career Trajectory

1980s: Child Star Roles

Drew Barrymore made her film debut at age five in Altered States (1980), portraying the daughter of the protagonist in a minor role as Margaret Jessup. The psychological horror film, directed by Ken Russell, marked her entry into acting following earlier television appearances. Her breakthrough role arrived in 1982 as Gertie in Steven Spielberg's , where she played the youngest sibling who discovers the alien. Filmed when Barrymore was six, the science-fiction film earned critical acclaim for its emotional depth, with Barrymore's performance noted for its natural charm and improvisation of lines. Released on June 11, 1982, E.T. became a cultural phenomenon, grossing $435 million domestically and establishing Barrymore as a prominent child actress. For this role, she won the for Best Young Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture and received a BAFTA nomination for Most Outstanding Newcomer. Building on this success, Barrymore starred as Charlie McGee in Firestarter (1984), an adaptation of Stephen King's novel directed by Mark L. Lester, depicting a girl with pyrokinetic abilities pursued by government agents. At age eight, her portrayal of the tormented child showcased dramatic intensity, including scenes of uncontrolled fire-starting powers. The thriller, released May 11, 1984, highlighted her versatility in horror genres. That same year, she led (1984), a comedy-drama directed by , as Casey Brodsky, a precocious girl suing her career-obsessed parents for . Released October 5, 1984, the film satirized Hollywood family dynamics and earned Barrymore praise for conveying mature emotional nuance beyond her nine years. In 1985, Barrymore appeared in the anthology film , directed by and based on stories, playing Amanda in the segment "General," where a stray cat protects her from a nocturnal attempting to suffocate her. Released April 12, 1985, this role further demonstrated her comfort with supernatural suspense, tying into King's recurring themes of childhood vulnerability. These mid-1980s projects solidified her status as a sought-after performer adept at blending innocence with darker narratives, though her career trajectory soon intersected with personal challenges.

1990s: Transition to Adult Leading Roles

Following her recovery from addiction in the late 1980s, Barrymore sought roles that distanced her from her child star image, embracing edgier characters to establish credibility as an adult actress. In 1992, at age 17, she starred as the manipulative and seductive Ivy in the erotic thriller , directed by , portraying a troubled teen who infiltrates a wealthy family, leading to destructive consequences. This performance, involving nudity and themes of obsession, generated controversy but signaled her deliberate pivot toward mature, provocative leads, earning praise for its intensity and helping to redefine her career trajectory. Throughout the early to mid-1990s, Barrymore diversified with supporting and leading roles in varied genres, including the Western Bad Girls (1994), where she played outlaw Annie Stookey alongside and , and a brief but memorable appearance as Sugar in (1995). She continued with dramatic turns in (1995) as Holly, a free-spirited hitchhiker, and comedic cameos like Cassandra's friend in (1993). In 1995, Barrymore co-founded with producer , marking her entry into production; the company's debut feature would be in 1999, but it underscored her growing influence behind the camera during this transitional decade. By the mid-1990s, Barrymore achieved breakthrough visibility in horror with her role as in Wes Craven's Scream (1996), where she portrayed the film's opening victim in a shocking, meta sequence that subverted audience expectations; she advocated for the early death to heighten the film's impact, contributing to its $173 million worldwide gross. Late-decade successes solidified her as a versatile leading lady, notably in the romantic comedy (1998), opposite as Julia Sullivan, a kind-hearted navigating love amid 1980s nostalgia, which grossed over $80 million and paired her enduringly with Sandler. She followed with the fairy-tale reimagining (1998) as Danielle de Barbarac, a figure emphasizing agency and intellect, and starred in and produced (1999) as undercover journalist Josie Geller, blending humor with themes of self-discovery. These roles demonstrated her range from thriller vixen to romantic lead, cementing her transition without reliance on her juvenile fame.

2000s: Romantic Comedy Dominance and Versatility

In the 2000s, Drew Barrymore achieved prominence in through starring roles and production involvement via her company , co-founded with in 1995. She produced and starred as Dylan Sanders in Charlie's Angels (2000), an action-comedy adaptation of the 1970s television series, which grossed $125.3 million domestically and $264.1 million worldwide. The sequel, Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (2003), also produced by , earned $100.8 million domestically despite mixed critical reception. Barrymore's collaborations with further exemplified her romantic comedy appeal. In 50 First Dates (2004), produced by and , she portrayed Lucy Whitmore, a with loss, opposite Sandler's marine biologist character; the film grossed $120.9 million domestically and $198.5 million worldwide. Additional romantic comedies included (2005), a baseball-themed story adapted from Nick Hornby's memoir where she played Lindsey Meeks, and (2007), in which she starred as Sophie Fisher alongside Hugh Grant's faded pop star, both benefiting from her established on-screen charm in feel-good narratives. Demonstrating versatility beyond romantic comedies, Barrymore took on dramatic and genre-diverse roles. She depicted real-life author Beverly Donofrio in the biographical drama Riding in Cars with Boys (2001), based on Donofrio's memoir about single motherhood and ambition. In the cult science fiction thriller Donnie Darko (2001), she played science teacher Karen Pomeroy, contributing to the film's enduring indie appeal. Barrymore also appeared as Debbie in George Clooney's directorial debut Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002), a biographical film about game show host Chuck Barris. Her directorial debut marked a expansion into producing and helming projects outside conventional leading lady roles. Barrymore directed and starred as Smashley Simpson in Whip It (2009), a sports comedy-drama about adapted from Shauna Cross's novel, featuring Ellen Page as the protagonist and earning an 86% approval rating on for its energetic portrayal of female empowerment through athletics. These efforts highlighted Barrymore's range, balancing commercial successes with independent and dramatic ventures, often leveraging to maintain creative control.

2010s: Directing, Producing, and Television Expansion

Following her directorial debut with Whip It in 2009, Drew Barrymore did not direct additional feature films during the 2010s, though she helmed the music video for Best Coast's "Our Deal" in 2011. Her focus shifted toward expanding Flower Films, the production company she co-founded with Nancy Juvonen in 1995, into new independent projects and television ventures. Flower Films produced several films in the decade, including the coming-of-age drama Flower (2017), in which Barrymore also appeared as a supporting character, and the biographical drama Freaky Friday-inspired Freak Show (2018), adapted from James St. James's memoir about a gay teen's high school experiences. These efforts highlighted Barrymore's interest in youth-oriented stories and LGBTQ+ themes, with Flower addressing teen rebellion and Freaky Show earning praise for its authentic portrayal of outsider resilience. Barrymore's most notable television expansion occurred with (2017–2019), a original comedy-horror series created by , where she starred as Sheila Hammond—a real estate agent transformed into a zombie-like figure craving human flesh—and served as . The series, co-starring as her husband Joel, blended domestic satire with gore across three seasons, attracting 81,710 IMDb ratings averaging 7.8/10 and critical acclaim for Barrymore's energetic performance in subverting suburban norms. This marked her substantive entry into serialized streaming content, contrasting her prior film-centric career.

2020s: Talk Show Hosting and Recent Projects

In September 2020, Barrymore launched , a syndicated daytime produced by and distributed to over 150 stations, featuring celebrity interviews, lifestyle advice, cooking segments, and human-interest stories delivered in Barrymore's conversational style. The program debuted on September 14, 2020, amid the , with initial episodes filmed under strict health protocols including remote guests and limited studio audiences. By 2025, it had completed five seasons and premiered its sixth on September 8, with guest , maintaining a format emphasizing empathy and light-hearted discussions while averaging around 1.2 million daily viewers in key markets. The show's production faced significant challenges during the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike. Barrymore announced plans to resume taping Season 4 on September 18 without union writers, citing the need to support non-striking crew members facing financial hardship, which prompted immediate criticism from WGA members who accused her of undermining the strike's leverage against studios. She issued a tearful apology video on Instagram, acknowledging the decision's conflict with union solidarity, and paused production hours later, stating the show would not return until the strike ended on September 27. Post-resolution, the three head writers declined offers to rejoin, leading to a restructured writing team, yet the series proceeded with Season 4 episodes airing from October 2023 and earned renewal for Season 5 in January 2024 despite the episode shortfall. Beyond hosting, Barrymore's 2020s projects have been limited in on-screen acting but include producing and voice work. She starred in and executive-produced the 2020 comedy The Stand-In, portraying a fading who hires a amid a public scandal, which received mixed reviews for its satirical take on Hollywood excess and was released directly to digital platforms in December 2020. In animation, she voiced the character of Princess Frankie in the series (2023–present), a children's show promoting themes of among with everyday powers, across 12 episodes in its first two seasons. Guest appearances encompass a 2025 episode of Collector's Call and , alongside her ongoing role in short-form content like Drew's News (2022), a digital series recapping viral stories. These efforts reflect a pivot toward hosting and family-oriented production, with no major theatrical films announced as of October 2025.

Public Persona and Views

Media Image and Cultural Impact

Drew Barrymore's media image centers on her portrayal as a resilient survivor of child stardom's pitfalls, having entered rehabilitation at age 13 and emancipated from her parents at 15 before rebuilding a multifaceted career. This narrative of personal accountability and reinvention, detailed in her 1990 autobiography Little Girl Lost, has positioned her as an emblem of vulnerability and optimism in Hollywood, often sharing unfiltered anecdotes from her past to foster relatability with audiences. Her public persona blends childlike enthusiasm with emotional authenticity, evident in viral moments like tearfully admiring a window on her or dancing in the rain, which underscore a free-spirited, unpretentious charm despite occasional criticisms of clumsiness or oversharing. Culturally, Barrymore's early role as Gertie in (1982) cemented her as a symbol of innocence and wonder, influencing depictions of child-alien bonds in pop culture. Her transition to adult roles, including the seductive Poison Ivy in (1995) and lead in romantic comedies like (1998) and (2004), helped redefine her from troubled teen to versatile leading lady, contributing to the genre's emphasis on quirky, heartfelt pairings. The trilogy (2000–2003), which she produced and starred in, popularized female-led action-comedy franchises, grossing over $545 million worldwide and inspiring subsequent empowerment-themed blockbusters. Through (2020–2023), she impacted by prioritizing raw, empathetic interviews that delved into guests' personal histories, often mirroring her own sobriety journey and promoting narratives of recovery and self-acceptance. The show's chaotic, sentimental style, with segments like "Drew's News" featuring spontaneous interactions, garnered viral attention despite lower ratings (averaging 740,000 viewers per episode) compared to competitors, highlighting her role in blending entertainment with therapeutic discourse. Her entrepreneurial ventures, such as the accessible cosmetics line Flower Beauty launched in 2013, further extended her influence by democratizing beauty products for mass markets, predating similar celebrity lines and emphasizing inclusivity through relatable branding. Controversies, including backlash for attempting to resume the show during the 2023 writers' strike—later reversed—and perceptions of overly effusive interviewing styles, as in her 2024 segment, have tested but not diminished her image as Hollywood's enduring, unfiltered survivor.

Political Stances and Associated Backlash

Drew Barrymore has aligned with the Democratic Party and advocated for gay rights. In October 2008, she publicly supported Barack Obama's presidential campaign, citing his empathy toward same-sex partners denied hospital visitation during illness as a key factor. She participated in protests against California's Proposition 8 in May 2009, following the ballot measure's passage banning . Barrymore has encouraged , including directing the 2004 public service announcement "The Best Place to Start" to promote youth voting. In a January 2021 interview, Barrymore described herself as inherently apolitical at her core, though she noted that 2020's events fostered unity amid division. More recently, she has articulated a shift toward conservative principles in personal matters, particularly ; in September 2022, she contrasted her strict limits on her children's use with her own permissive childhood. Similarly, she stated in an undated reflection that motherhood had made her "much more conservative," while still valuing self-expression. During an April 2024 episode of , she interviewed Vice President and proposed the affectionate nickname "Mamala" to position Harris as a nurturing national figure, a remark that gained viral traction as a amid Harris's presidential bid. Conservative critic condemned the exchange as overly deferential and damaging to Republican representation in media. Barrymore encountered substantial criticism in September 2023 for intending to restart The Drew Barrymore Show amid the Writers Guild of America strike, excluding striking writers from production. Writers Guild members picketed her studio, and online backlash accused her of eroding union leverage during contract negotiations over wages and job security. She issued a video apology on , acknowledging the hurt caused but initially defending her choice as non-PR driven; six days later, facing sustained pressure, she halted the premiere until the strike resolved in late 2023. Observers, including in media analyses, highlighted the episode as clashing with Hollywood's entrenched pro-labor ethos, prompting questions about alignment with leftist norms.

Reflections on Child Stardom and Industry Critiques

![Drew Barrymore and Corey Feldman discussing child stardom](./assets/Drew_Barrymore_Corey_Feldman_(cropped) Drew Barrymore has frequently reflected on the challenges of her early fame, beginning with her breakout role in at age seven in 1982, which exposed her to adult nightlife and substances prematurely. By age nine, her mother Jaid Barrymore introduced her to New York nightclub , where she began experimenting with alcohol and marijuana, escalating to by age twelve. These experiences, detailed in her 1990 memoir Little Girl Lost, highlight a lack of parental and industry boundaries that facilitated her , leading to rehab at age thirteen in 1985 and emancipation from her parents at fourteen. In recent interviews, Barrymore has emphasized personal accountability over external blame for her youthful indiscretions, rejecting narratives that solely attribute her struggles to Hollywood's influence. She described entering rehab as a pivotal moment of , stating in a 2015 that her "locked me up in an at 13" after failed interventions, underscoring familial enabling rather than industry coercion alone. Barrymore has critiqued the sexualization of child actors, sharing with in 2023 how early roles imposed adult personas, contributing to psychological strain without adequate safeguards. Barrymore advocates caution for young performers, stating in 2024 that she would not allow her own children to act until at least ages fourteen or fifteen, citing the developmental risks of precocious exposure to fame's pressures. Discussions with peers like in September 2024 revealed shared concerns over childhood substance normalization on sets, where adults often overlooked minors' vulnerability to drugs and alcohol. While acknowledging systemic lapses in oversight, Barrymore maintains that individual agency and recovery, as evidenced by her since age fourteen, offer paths beyond victimhood. In 2025, she tearfully reflected that child stardom instilled a perpetual sense of "running," shaping her resilient yet guarded adult perspective.

Personal Life

Marriages and Relationships

Drew Barrymore has been married three times. Her first marriage was to , a 31-year-old bar owner, on March 20, 1994, when Barrymore was 19; the union lasted approximately two months before she filed for in May 1994, with the dissolution finalized in 1995. Barrymore later described the impulsive decision as stemming from a desire for stability amid her tumultuous early adulthood, but noted it ended due to incompatibilities exacerbated by her career demands and his reluctance to relocate. Prior to and between marriages, Barrymore had several high-profile relationships. In her late teens, she dated actor following their collaboration in films like (1988). She was involved with actor from 1996 to 1999, overlapping with their work on (1998), and later dated Scrubs actors and around 2000. Other reported partners included musician of in 1994 and actor in the mid-2000s. Barrymore's second marriage was to Canadian comedian , whom she began dating in 1999 after meeting on the set of (2000); they wed on July 7, 2001, but Green filed for divorce in December 2001 amid reports of strain from his testicular cancer diagnosis and differing lifestyles, with the divorce finalized on October 15, 2002. The couple has since reconciled amicably, appearing together on Barrymore's in 2021 and expressing mutual affection despite the brief union's intensity. Her third and longest marriage was to art consultant Will Kopelman, beginning in 2011 and culminating in a June 2012 ceremony; they had two daughters, (born 2014) and Frankie (born 2016), before separating in 2016 due to growing apart, with Barrymore citing in work-life balance and personal growth. The co-parenting arrangement remains cooperative, though Barrymore has publicly reflected on the emotional toll, stating in 2025 that she has not fully recovered from the "heavy, painful" fallout. In 2022, she expressed reluctance to remarry, emphasizing satisfaction with singlehood after these experiences.

Motherhood and Family Dynamics

Drew Barrymore shares two daughters with her ex-husband, Will Kopelman: Olive Barrymore Kopelman, born September 26, 2014, and Frankie Barrymore Kopelman, born April 22, 2016. The couple, married from June 2012 to August 2016, finalized their divorce amicably without a formal custody battle, establishing cooperative co-parenting arrangements centered on the children's needs. Barrymore's parenting philosophy stems directly from her own upbringing in the Barrymore acting dynasty, marked by parental neglect and exploitation; her mother, Jaid Barrymore, managed her early career with permissive oversight that contributed to Drew's use and at age 14 in 1989, while her father, , maintained sporadic, unreliable involvement amid his personal struggles. She reconciled with her father before his death in but remains estranged from her mother, whom she financially supports despite unresolved tensions. This history drives her commitment to structured boundaries, rejecting the "friend" dynamic in favor of authoritative guidance to avert similar chaos for her daughters. Post-divorce, Barrymore has voiced profound regret over the "untraditional family dynamic," calling it "very devastating" in light of her childhood voids, though she prioritizes stability through ongoing with Kopelman. She describes as her "favorite thing," a redemptive contrast to her past, evolving from early self-doubt—"feeling like a "—to greater self-forgiveness as her children age. Barrymore limits exposure of her daughters, shielding them from industry pressures while instilling values like resilience drawn from her experiences.

Business and Creative Outputs

Production and Directorial Works

Drew Barrymore co-founded the Flower Films in 1995 alongside producer , aiming to gain greater creative control over projects in which she starred. The company has since produced several commercially successful films, including (2000), (2004), and (2007). Flower Films also backed the cult (2001), which Barrymore co-produced and in which she appeared as a teacher. Other notable productions include Never Been Kissed (1999), where Barrymore served as executive producer; Duplex (2003); Fever Pitch (2005); He's Just Not That Into You (2009); and Whip It (2009). These efforts often blended Barrymore's acting roles with behind-the-scenes involvement, emphasizing romantic comedies and character-driven stories. In television, Flower Films executive produced the daytime talk show The Drew Barrymore Show, which premiered on September 14, 2020, and has aired over 200 episodes as of 2025. Barrymore made her feature directorial debut with Whip It (2009), a coming-of-age sports drama about that she also produced and in which she co-starred as a team coach. The film, adapted from Shauna Cross's novel Derby Girl, received praise for its energetic portrayal of female empowerment in sports but underperformed at the , grossing $13 million against a $20 million budget. She has directed additional projects sparingly, including the music video for Best Coast's "Our Deal" in 2011.
Film/TV ProjectYearRoleNotes
Charlie's Angels2000ProducerStarred as Dylan Sanders; grossed $259 million worldwide
Donnie Darko2001ProducerCo-produced cult hit
50 First Dates2004ProducerRomantic comedy with Adam Sandler
Whip It2009Director, ProducerDirectorial debut; starred as Smashley Simpson
The Drew Barrymore Show2020–presentExecutive ProducerDaytime talk show; over 200 episodes aired
Barrymore's production work has emphasized female-led narratives and personal storytelling, reflecting her transition from to multifaceted industry figure.

Authored Works and

Drew Barrymore authored Little Girl Lost in 1990, a co-written with Todd Gold that details her experiences as a star, including early use beginning at age nine, multiple rehab stints by age 14, and emancipation from her parents at 15. The book, published by , became a New York Times bestseller and offered an unfiltered account of Hollywood's toll on young performers. In 2013, Barrymore released Find It in Everything, a photobook featuring images of heart-shaped patterns and objects she captured over a decade, emphasizing themes of and positivity in . Published by , it reflects her personal hobby of photography rather than narrative prose. Wildflower, published on October 27, 2015, by Penguin Press, compiles anecdotal stories from Barrymore's career and personal milestones, including reflections on motherhood and resilience, structured non-chronologically with letters to her daughters. Another New York Times bestseller, it portrays her life adventures without delving deeply into prior traumas covered in earlier works. Barrymore co-authored Rebel Homemaker: Food, Family, Life with Pilar Valdes in 2021, a book published by containing 36 recipes, gardening tips, and essays on , drawing from her life and routines. It promotes practical, non-traditional domesticity, including dishes like soft-scrambled yuzu kosho eggs. Barrymore launched Flower Beauty in 2013, a cosmetics brand developed with Maesa Group and initially exclusive to , targeting affordable, cruelty-free products emphasizing inclusivity and ease of use for everyday consumers. The line expanded to in 2018 and CVS in 2020 before ceasing operations in September 2025 after 12 years. In 2010, she introduced Barrymore Wines through a partnership with Carmel Road of Jackson Family Wines, producing varietals such as Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and rosé from Monterey County grapes, with an emphasis on approachable, food-friendly options. The brand incorporates family crest motifs from her grandfather John Barrymore and remains active as of 2023. Additional ventures include Flower , a line of affordable sunglasses launched around 2015 in collaboration with retailers like , and investments such as a 2022 stake in , an platform for sustainable household products. She has also endorsed product lines like Beautiful by Drew hair tools and cookware under Flower Home, extending her branding into home goods.

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  63. https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/sep/18/drew-barrymore-postpones-talk-show-return-writers-strike-backlash
  64. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/06/drew-barrymore-obama-made_n_132331.html
  65. http://www.justjared.com/2009/05/27/drew-barrymore-gay-marriage-rally/
  66. http://www.drewbarrymore.com/philanthropy-bps.html
  67. https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/drew-barrymore-feels-she-is-anything-but-political-357042
  68. https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/drew-barrymore-says-shes-more-181900425.html
  69. https://www.daily-sun.com/post/225460/Drew-Barrymore:-Ive-become-much-more-conservative-as-an-adult
  70. https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6W_t8SJU52/?hl=en
  71. https://deadline.com/2024/05/meghan-mccain-criticizes-drew-barrymore-kamala-harris-interview-1235901667/
  72. https://www.vox.com/culture/2023/9/19/23880858/drew-barrymore-show-writers-strike-backlash-apology
  73. https://www.quora.com/Could-it-be-argued-that-Drew-Barrymore-and-Bill-Maher-truly-align-with-liberal-ideals-given-that-their-recent-choices-seem-inconsistent-with-the-traditional-tenets-of-liberalism
  74. https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/celebrity/articles/drew-barrymore-takes-responsibility-her-220108425.html
  75. https://preen.ph/132887/brooke-shields-drew-barrymore-sexualized-child-actors
  76. https://www.reddit.com/r/entertainment/comments/1c3zu5a/drew_barrymore_says_she_doesnt_want_her_kids/
  77. https://ew.com/drew-barrymore-demi-lovato-childhood-substance-use-8712314
  78. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/drew-barrymore-crying-child-star_n_680930f5e4b07ea1ae998078
  79. https://ew.com/drew-barrymore-cries-while-reflecting-on-how-being-a-child-star-shaped-her-adult-life-11719800
  80. https://parade.com/celebrities/drew-barrymore-husbands
  81. https://people.com/drew-barrymore-divorce-totally-liberated-over-shame-8612430
  82. https://www.marieclaire.com/celebrity/drew-barrymore-overcoming-divorce-shame/
  83. https://www.elle.com/culture/celebrities/a60016479/drew-barrymore-boyfriends-dating-history/
  84. https://people.com/movies/drew-barrymore-dating-history/
  85. https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2021/10/26/drew-barrymore-ex-husband-tom-green-reunite-after-two-decades/8559330002/
  86. https://people.com/movies/drew-barrymore-and-ex-husband-tom-green-still-love-each-other-after-reuniting-on-her-show/
  87. https://people.com/movies/drew-barrymore-and-will-kopelman-divorce-what-went-wrong/
  88. https://www.nickiswift.com/1201530/what-went-wrong-between-drew-barrymore-and-will-kopelman/
  89. https://nypost.com/2025/01/24/entertainment/drew-barrymore-hasnt-fully-recovered-from-will-kopelman-divorce/
  90. https://www.hellomagazine.com/brides/20221222160240/drew-barrymore-candid-confession-never-marry-again/
  91. https://people.com/parents/all-about-drew-barrymore-children/
  92. https://www.thebump.com/news/drew-barrymore-welcomes-baby-oliv
  93. https://people.com/parents/drew-barrymore-daughter-frankie-first-photo/
  94. https://www.separation.ca/blog/2016/july/-happily-divorced-drew-barrymores-amicable-uncon/
  95. https://www.atkinsonkelsey.com/blog/post-divorce-drew-barrymore-says-she-is-co-parenting-with-love/
  96. https://english.elpais.com/culture/2023-06-07/drew-barrymore-opens-up-on-her-stormy-relationship-with-her-mother-she-created-a-monster-and-didnt-know-what-to-do.html
  97. https://www.biography.com/actors/a44188565/drew-barrymore-relationship-with-mother-jaid-comments
  98. https://www.nickiswift.com/1384215/drew-barrymore-estranged-relationship-dad/
  99. https://www.the-independent.com/life-style/drew-barrymore-mother-father-vulture-b2351863.html
  100. https://www.today.com/parents/drew-barrymore-opens-about-relationship-father-i-wished-him-fit-t184758
  101. https://www.mother.ly/news/viral-trending/drew-barrymore-childhood-motherhood/
  102. https://people.com/drew-barrymore-admits-it-is-devastating-she-doesn-t-have-traditional-family-dynamic-11701139
  103. https://pagesix.com/2025/03/21/parents/drew-barrymore-its-devastating-not-having-traditional-family-post-divorce/
  104. https://people.com/parents/drew-barrymore-felt-like-failure-early-years-motherhood/
  105. https://www.mother.ly/news/celebrity-news/drew-barrymore-motherhood/
  106. https://www.eonline.com/news/1323202/drew-barrymore-reveals-the-hardest-part-of-co-parenting-with-ex-will-kopelman
  107. https://www.avid.wiki/Flower_Films
  108. https://ideas.fandom.com/wiki/Drew_Barrymore_filmography
  109. https://ew.com/movies/best-drew-barrymore-movies-and-tv-shows-ranked/
  110. https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/little-girl-lost_todd-gold_drew-barrymore/248227/
  111. https://www.littlebrown.com/titles/drew-barrymore/find-it-in-everything/9780316253062/
  112. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/529814/wildflower-by-drew-barrymore/
  113. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25065522-wildflower
  114. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/666991/rebel-homemaker-by-drew-barrymore-with-pilar-valdes/
  115. https://www.amazon.com/Rebel-Homemaker-Food-Family-Life/dp/0593184106
  116. https://www.vogue.com/article/in-full-bloom-actress-drew-barrymore-on-her-new-makeup-line
  117. https://www.beautyindependent.com/drew-barrymore-makeup-brand-flower-beauty-closes/
  118. https://www.vogue.com/article/drew-barrymore-guide-ordering-wine
  119. https://www.wineenthusiast.com/culture/wine/barrymore/
  120. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/drew-barrymore-flower-beauty-haves-812804/
  121. https://fortune.com/2022/04/07/why-i-invested-drew-barrymore-grove-collaborative/
  122. https://www.therichest.com/rich-powerful/a-look-at-all-the-businesses-owned-by-drew-barrymore/
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