Drew Barrymore
February 22, 1975 — Culver City, California, United States
Drew Barrymore is an American actress, producer, talk show host, and businesswoman whose career has spanned more than four decades, beginning with her breakout role as a child star. A member of the legendary Barrymore acting family, she transformed from a troubled Hollywood child prodigy into one of the most beloved and enduring figures in American entertainment. Her work has earned her a Golden Globe Award, an Emmy Award, and recognition as one of Time's 100 most influential people in the world in 2023.
Early Life and Child Stardom
Drew Blythe Barrymore was born on February 22, 1975, in Culver City, California, into the storied Barrymore family, whose members had been prominent stage and screen actors since the 19th century. Her father was actor John Drew Barrymore, and her great-grandparents included the celebrated Barrymore siblings Lionel, Ethel, and John. Drew began acting almost from infancy, appearing in a commercial before she was a year old, and made her film debut at age five in 'Altered States' (1980). She achieved international stardom at age seven when she played Gertie, the youngest sibling in Steven Spielberg's 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial' (1982), a performance that made her one of the most recognizable child actors of her generation. However, the pressures of early fame led to a turbulent adolescence marked by substance abuse; by age 13, Barrymore had already struggled with alcohol and drugs and spent time in rehabilitation facilities, an experience she later chronicled in her memoir 'Little Girl Lost,' published when she was just 14.
Career Resurgence and Major Roles
Barrymore staged a remarkable comeback in the 1990s, reinventing herself as a leading lady with roles in 'Poison Ivy' (1992) and 'Boys on the Side' (1995). Her career truly flourished when she founded her own production company, Flower Films, in 1995, which allowed her to shape her own projects. Through Flower Films, she produced and starred in commercially successful films including 'Never Been Kissed' (1999), 'Charlie's Angels' (2000) and its sequel, and the romantic comedies '50 First Dates' (2004) and 'Fever Pitch' (2005), often opposite Adam Sandler, with whom she developed a popular onscreen partnership. She earned a Golden Globe Award for her portrayal of Little Edie in the HBO film 'Grey Gardens' (2009), which also marked her directorial debut with 'Whip It' (2009). Her versatility across romantic comedy, drama, and producing established her as both a bankable star and a savvy businesswoman within Hollywood.
Did You Know?
Drew Barrymore's godfather was legendary director Steven Spielberg, who cast her in 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial' when she was just six years old. She later revealed that she had never seen a real extraterrestrial creature before filming and was initially terrified of the E.T. puppet, only warming up to it after spending time with the puppeteers.
Later Career, Business Ventures, and Legacy
In the 2020s, Barrymore reinvented herself once again as a daytime television personality, launching 'The Drew Barrymore Show' in 2020, which won her an Emmy Award and established her as a warm, relatable host known for candid interviews. Beyond acting and hosting, she built a diversified business empire, founding the cosmetics line Flower Beauty and expanding into publishing with her lifestyle brand Drew House and various product lines. Her openness about past struggles, motherhood, and personal growth resonated with audiences and cemented her reputation as an authentic, resilient public figure. In 2023, Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world, recognizing her impact across entertainment and media. Barrymore's journey from a troubled child star to a respected producer, businesswoman, and talk show host stands as one of Hollywood's most compelling stories of reinvention, inspiring many with her transparency about addiction, recovery, and personal reinvention.