Drew Barrymore

Drew Barrymore
Eva Rinaldi · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Name	Drew Barrymore
Caption	Barrymore in 2019
Birth date	22 February 1975
Birth place	Culver City, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actress, producer, talk show host, author
Years active	1978–present
Spouse	* Jeremy Thomas (m., married 1994; ann., annulled 1994) * Tom Green (m., married 2001; div., divorced 2002) * Will Kopelman (m., married 2012; div., divorced 2016)
Relatives	Barrymore family

Drew Barrymore is an American actress, producer, talk show host, and author who rose to prominence as a child star in Steven Spielberg's blockbuster E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. A member of the renowned Barrymore family, she successfully transitioned to adult roles, founding the production company Flower Films and starring in popular comedies like The Wedding Singer and Charlie's Angels. Barrymore has also authored a memoir, hosted The Drew Barrymore Show, and is recognized for her extensive philanthropic work with organizations such as UNICEF and the World Food Programme.

Early life and family background

Drew Barrymore was born in Culver City, California, to actors John Drew Barrymore and Jaid Barrymore, making her a fourth-generation member of the distinguished Barrymore family, a theatrical dynasty dating back to the 19th century. Her great-grandparents were stage legends Maurice Barrymore and Georgiana Drew, and her great-aunt and godmother was the iconic actress Ethel Barrymore. Her early life was marked by instability; her parents separated when she was young, and she began acting in television commercials at just 11 months old, appearing in a Kenmore appliance advertisement. By age five, she had made her film debut in Altered States, directed by Ken Russell, setting the stage for her rapid ascent in Hollywood.

Career

Barrymore's career breakthrough came at age seven when she was cast as Gertie in Steven Spielberg's 1982 science-fiction classic E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, which became a global phenomenon. She followed this with roles in films like Firestarter and Irreconcilable Differences, but her teenage years were tumultuous, leading to a highly publicized stint in rehabilitation. She successfully reinvented herself in the 1990s, earning critical praise for her performance in the television film Guncrazy and starring in the cult favorite Poison Ivy. She achieved major box office success with comedies such as The Wedding Singer opposite Adam Sandler, Never Been Kissed, and the ''Charlie's Angels'' franchise. In 1995, she founded Flower Films, which produced many of her starring vehicles, including Never Been Kissed and 50 First Dates. In 2020, she launched the daytime talk program The Drew Barrymore Show, which is syndicated by CBS Media Ventures.

Personal life

Barrymore's personal life has been widely documented. She was briefly married to bar owner Jeremy Thomas in 1994 and later to comedian Tom Green in 2001. In 2012, she married art consultant Will Kopelman, with whom she has two daughters; the couple divorced in 2016. She has been open about her struggles with substance abuse from a young age, detailing her experiences in her 1990 memoir, Little Girl Lost. Barrymore has also authored several other books, including the self-help title Wildflower. She maintains a residence in New York City and is known for her close friendships within the entertainment industry, including with fellow actors Cameron Diaz and Lucy Liu.

Filmography and production work

Barrymore's extensive filmography spans decades and genres. Key early works include E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Firestarter, and Cat's Eye. Her adult comedic roles defined the late 1990s and 2000s, with hits like The Wedding Singer, Never Been Kissed, Charlie's Angels, 50 First Dates, and Fever Pitch. She received a Golden Globe Award nomination for her starring role in the HBO film Grey Gardens, portraying Edith Bouvier Beale. Through her company Flower Films, she has served as a producer on numerous projects, including the Netflix series Santa Clarita Diet and films like Donnie Darko and He's Just Not That Into You. Her television work expanded with her hosting duties on The Drew Barrymore Show.

Public image and philanthropy

Drew Barrymore is widely regarded as a resilient Hollywood survivor and a beloved cultural figure, often celebrated for her authenticity and exuberant personality. She has been a CoverGirl cosmetics spokesperson and was named a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2007, focusing on children's issues globally. Her philanthropic efforts are extensive, involving support for the World Food Programme, The Art of Elysium, and disaster relief for events like the 2010 Haiti earthquake. In 2020, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, cementing her status in the industry. Barrymore is also an advocate for mental health awareness and women's empowerment, frequently using her platform on The Drew Barrymore Show to discuss these and other social issues.

Category:American film actresses Category:American television talk show hosts Category:Barrymore family Category:People from Culver City, California