Drew Barrymore (Actor)

About Drew Barrymore

An adorable child star who overcame an out-of-control adolescence and reclaimed her post as America's mischievous but pure-hearted sweetheart, Drew Barrymore rode a career rollercoaster spanning two decades before the age of 25. The product of an acting dynasty that runs from great-great-grandmother Louisa Lane Drew through grandfather John Barrymore, the youngest Barrymore showed promise from the start, appearing in commercials before the age of one. While her lineage was responsible for some notice, the saccharine-free sweetness of her performance as little Gertie in the 1982 classic "ET, The Extra-Terrestrial" won Barrymore acclaim reserved for the truly talented. Her watchability propelled many a subsequent film, including the otherwise unremarkable Stephen King adaptations "Firestarter" (1984) and "Cat's Eye" (1985). A victim of 1980s Hollywood lifestyle, Barrymore had too much too soon, and began to attract less attention for her acting than for the increasingly sordid tabloid stories about her pre-adolescent addictions to drugs and alcohol. After undergoing rehab and—another Barrymore tradition—publishing a memoir, "Little Girl Lost" (1989), the resilient teen made an impressive comeback in the early 90s, riding a wave of both celebrity and controversy.

Still possessing the angelic glow of her childhood, but with an added air of trouble, Barrymore portrayed Lolita-like teens in "Poison Ivy" (1992), "Guncrazy" (1992) and the ABC-TV movie "The Amy Fisher Story" (1993), based on the sordid case of the Long Island teenager who shot the wife of her former lover. The actress returned to big-budgeted features with the disappointing Western "Bad Girls" (1994), then was cast alongside Whoopi Goldberg and Mary-Louise Parker in the touching "Boys on the Side" (1995), a female road movie that capitalized on Barrymore's undeniable charm, and showcased an acting depth that had not previously been completely realized. In 1995, she took on two other disparate roles, first playing a suicidal teen opposite Chris O'Donnell in the sweetly acted if critically panned "Mad Love,” followed by a cameo role as the glitzy but inherently childlike femme fatale Sugar in "Batman Returns,” a Marilyn Monroe inspired character that it seemed Barrymore was born to play. This role reunited her with Joel Schumacher, a big supporter of hers who gave her a break on the enjoyable "2000 Malibu Road,” a short-lived trashy soap on CBS in 1992.

During her post-rehab comeback, Barrymore reappeared in the gossip columns with colorful extracurricular antics. Unlike her previous drug related escapades, the young woman seemed much more in control of every situation, with some spontaneous free-spirited nudity ranking as the most shocking of her activities. Among the more memorable capers was a birthday dance for bemused talk show host David Letterman which culminated in her flashing her breasts for Dave's eyes only. Barrymore additionally garnered much newsprint by stripping on stage at a trendy New York performance space and posing for Playboy. In another movie star rite-of-passage, she endured a month-long marriage to a Welsh bar owner. Audiences responded positively to her carefree spirit and the harmless stunts that peppered the actress' road to adulthood.

Blonde and beautiful, with a warm, open smile and a somewhat devilish fire in her eyes, Barrymore certainly looks like the perfect American icon, a fact not lost on director Wes Craven who hired her for a pivotal role in his tongue-in-cheek slasher flick "Scream" (1996). As the biggest name in the cast, Barrymore brilliantly opted for the role of the first victim, helping to establish the film as a new thriller experience, bucking the preset conventions of the horror genre. She followed with a turn in the ensemble of Woody Allen's odd musical "Everyone Says I Love You" (1996), gracefully and sympathetically portraying a tony New York City daughter of privilege, reminding audiences and co-stars alike of her Hollywood royalty roots. (Although unlike her co-stars, her singing voice was dubbed by a professional.) Barrymore had a popular hit with 1998's "The Wedding Singer,” perfectly playing the sweetly captivating Julia opposite Adam Sandler in this enjoyable 1980s-set romantic comedy.

Also in 1998, the actress happily took on Cinderella in "Ever After,” embroidering the story with a female empowering modern sensibility. Barrymore was thrilled with the character, a smart, sensitive, but staunch young woman dealing with family issues, as well as the structure of the film, which differed from the traditional beautiful girl with ugly oppressors saved by a fairy godmother story. The result was a charming and affirming romance, with Barrymore proving more than capable of carrying a film as the primary star. The quirky comedy "Home Fries" (1998) came next, starring the actress as a pregnant fast food worker who falls in love with the her unborn child's adult would-be stepbrother (played by Barrymore's then-companion Luke Wilson). The actress veritably lit up the screen with her inimitable spirit and radiance. A sharp and thoughtful businesswoman as well, her Flower Films (formed in 1994) secured a deal with Fox 2000 that led to the charming 1999 comedy "Never Been Kissed,” in which she essayed a twentysomething reporter posing as a high school student for an undercover assignment.

Under her banner Flower Films productions, Barrymore joined forces with Cameron Diaz and Lucy Liu in a big screen version of the 70s campy TV series "Charlie's Angels" (2000). A box-office hit, the film was, in the words of one critic, "an appealing mix of sexy, tongue-in-cheek fun; high-energy action; slick production values; and more chick-flick worthy outfits/hairdos than you can bat an eyelash at." The following year, Barrymore undertook her most demanding role to date, portraying a teenager who gets pregnant, eventually marries and then raises her child as a single mother in "Riding in Cars with Boys.” Playing a character that aged from 16 to her mid-30s, she offered a strong turn that showed a previously untapped range and depth.

Barrymore has also displayed a certain savvy behind the scenes, serving as a producer on several projects via her company, Flower Films, with her partner Nancy Juvonen. Along with producing and developing her own starring vehicles—including "Never Been Kissed," "Charlie's Angels" and a remake of "Barbarella"—she also shepherded the much-admired "Donnie Darko" (2001) in which she had a small role. In 2002, Barrymore co-starred with Julia Robert in "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind," directed by George Clooney, delivering a more womanly performance as Penny, the somewhat fictionalized girlfriend of real-life game show producer Chuck Barris. Displaying her typical warmth and patented adorable qualities, Barrymore was also mature, real and vulnerable. She next reunited with Diaz and Liu for the sequel "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle" (2003). The trio demonstrated, once again, their expertise as masters of espionage, martial arts, and disguise, and as producer of the film Barrymore scored a major buzz-building coup by personally luring Hollywood expatriate Demi Moore out of semi-retirement to play the movie's villainess. That same year, Barrymore also produced and co-starred in the broad comedy "Duplex" opposite Ben Stiller, playing an upwardly mobile couple whose home owning dreams become a nightmare when they encounter the seemingly sweet old lady next door.

In 2004, just days after becoming the sixth member of her famed family to receive a star of Hollywood's Walk of Fame, Barrymore was reunited on-screen with her "Wedding Singer" co-star Sandler in "50 First Dates," a screwy romantic comedy that cast her as Lucy Whitmore, a woman who suffers from a disorder that eliminates her short term memory each day, forcing a smitten veterinarian (Sandler) to win her heart anew every 24 hours. Again wearing the hats of both producer and star, Barrymore returned to the romantic comedy genre again for "Fever Pitch" (2005), playing a corporate climber whose idyllic romance with a schoolteacher (Jimmy Fallon) is threatened by his insane devotion to the Boston Red Sox. The film, directed by the Farrelly brothers from the Nick Hornby novel, was a winsome, appealing effort that showcased both stars warm-hearted charm.

Next she generously made an all-important appearance in tyro filmmaker Brian Herzlinger's shameless "My Date With Drew" (2005), a documentary chronicling his attempts to meet Barrymore, a supposed lifelong crush, in 30 days before having to return the video camera he purchased—the film's attempts to be goofily romantic were undermined by the real objects of Herzlinger's infatuation: himself and his nascent film career. After voicing the schoolteacher Maggie in the animated “Curious George” (2006), Barrymore played the quirky plant lady with a penchant for writing lyrics who falls for a washed-up ‘80s pop star (Hugh Grant) struggling to write a hit song in the middling romantic comedy “Music & Lyrics” (2007). Barrymore then appeared in director Curtis Hanson’s relationship drama, “Lucky You” (2007), playing a young singer from Bakersfield with more heart than talent pursued by an exceptionally talented poker player (Eric Bana) who takes advantage of his opponents across the table, but actively avoids long-term commitments in his personal life.

Family

Name:	Relation:	Notes:
Tom Green	husband	Began dating in March 2000; announced engagement in July 2000; eloped to the South Pacific in March 2001; remarried in ceremony before friends and family on July 6, 2001; Green filed for divorce on Dec. 17, 2001; divorced finalized in 2002
Jeremy Thomas	husband	Welsh-born; married March 20, 1994 after a five-week courtship; together for 19 days; filed for divorce May 10, 1994; divorced 11 months later
Ildiko Jaid	mother	Separated from Barrymore's father before her birth; they divorced in 1984; posed for Playboy magazine in September 1995, eight months after her daughter did in January 1995
John Barrymore Jr	father	Born June 4, 1932; separated from Barrymore's mother before her birth, they divorced in 1984; was estranged from daugther for most of his life; died of cancer, Nov. 29, 2004 at age 72
Jessica Barrymore	half-sister	Older; father, John Barrymore; mother, Nina Wayne
John Blyth Barrymore	half-brother	Born in 1954; father, John Barrymore; mother, Cara Williams; experienced own struggles with addictions
Blyth Dolores Barrymore	half-sister	Born in 1962; father, John Barrymore; mother, Gabriella Palazzoli
John Barrymore	grandfather	Born in 1882; highly acclaimed matinee idol of stage and screen in the 1920s and 30s; known as 'The Great Profile'; died in 1942
Dolores Costello	grandmother	Popular star of silent films who made a memorable comeback in "The Magnificent Ambersons" (1942)
Diana Barrymore	aunt	Born in 1920; died in 1960
John Drew	great-great-grandfather
Anna Strasberg	godmother
Ethel Barrymore	great-aunt	Legendary stage performer who in her later years played character roles in Hollywood films; Oscar winner as Best Supporting Actress for "None But the Lonely Heart" (1944)
Georgianna Drew	great-grandmother	Born in 1855; died in 1893
Helene Costello	great-aunt	Sister of Dolores Costello, also a silent screen star
Lionel Barrymore	great-uncle	Born in 1878; famed, prolific actor who worked primarily in Hollywood over the course of his lengthy career; Oscar winner as Best Actor for "A Free Soul" (1931); died in 1954
Louisa Lane Drew	great-great-grandmother	First woman theater manager in USA
Maurice Costello	great-grandfather	Known as 'The Dimpled Darling'; was one of the first matinee idols of the screen (beginning c. 1908)
Maurice Barrymore	great-grandfather	Born in 1847; popular stage actor and matinee idol; died of syphilis in 1905

Companions

Name:	Relation:	Notes:
Alec Pure	companion	Born c. 1976; no longer together
Val Kilmer	companion	Rumored to have been involved c. 1995; Barrymore has said they were only friends
Justin Long	companion	Met on the set of "He's Just Not That Into You" (2009); began dating August 2007; split in July 2008
Luke Wilson	companion	Born c. 1971; worked with Barrymore in "Best Men" (1997) and "Home Fries" (1998); together from 1996 to 1999
Spike Jonze	companion	Dated for a few months in 2007; no longer together
Joel Shearer	companion	Dated in 2002
Brandon Davis	companion	Briefly dated in 2002
James Walters	companion	Born July 1969; announced one-year engagement in August 1992; separated in January 1993
Jeremy Davies	companion	Dated briefly in 1999
Eric Erlandson	companion	Born c. 1963; guitarist with the rock group Hole (featuring Courtney Love); Barrymore nicknamed him 'String Bean' (he stands 6'4"); no longer together
Fabrizio Moretti	companion	Began dating May 2002; split briefly in the fall of 2002; rumored to be engaged as of January 2003; ended relationship in January 2007
Phedon Papamichael	companion	Together c. 1992; no longer together

Milestones

	Acted in television commercials as a baby
	Lived with musician and recovering addict David Crosby and his wife Jan for close to a year after her treatment
1980	Made first film appearance in a bit part in "Altered States"
1980	TV-movie debut in "Bogie" (CBS); played Leslie Bogart as a child
1982	Played Gertie, the younger sister, in "E.T., The Extra-Terrestrial"
1984	Played the title character in the sci-fi thriller "Firestarter"
1984	Starred as a young girl divorcing her parents in "Irreconcilable Differences"
1984	Starting drinking at age nine
1985	Started smoking marijuana
1986	Starred in the NBC TV remake of "Babes in Toyland"
1987	Began abusing cocaine
1989	Institutionalized in a rehab center-cum-mental institution after a failed suicide attempt
1990	At age 15, filed papers to become legally emancipated from her parents
1991	Lived with film director Tamra Davis and her husband briefly
1992	Directed by Davis in "Guncrazy" (shown at film festivals before airing on Showtime prior to its 1993 theatrical release)
1992	First starring film role, "Poison Ivy"
1992	TV series debut as regular, had featured role in the short-lived summer serial "2000 Malibu Road" (CBS)
1993	Played 'Long Island Lolita' Amy Fisher in the ABC TV-movie, "The Amy Fisher Story"
1994	Founded the production company, Flower Films, Inc
1995	Cast as the flirtatious Holly in "Boys on the Side," also featuring Whoopi Goldberg and Mary-Louise Parker
1995	Starred opposite Chris O'Donnell as his free-spirited, mentally ill romantic interest in "Mad Love"
1996	Made cameo appearance as a high school student targeted by the killer in "Scream"
1996	Played featured role as Edward Norton's fiancee in Woody Allen's "Everyone Says I Love You"; had singing voice dubbed
1998	Played a character based on Cinderella in the romance "Ever After"
1998	Starred opposite Adam Sandler in the popular romantic comedy "The Wedding Singer"
1999	Starred as an awkward twentysomething reporter who returns to high school for an undercover assignment in "Never Been Kissed"
2000	Co-starred with Cameron Diaz in big screen version of the 1970s TV series "Charlie's Angels"
2001	Executive produced and played supporting role of an English teacher in the critically acclaimed film "Donnie Darko"
2001	Played a teenage mother in a failed marriage with the drug-addicted father (based on the real-life story of Beverly D'Onofrio) in Penny Marshall's "Riding in Cars With Boys"; also executive produced
2002	Played the female lead in George Clooney's directorial debut, "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind"
2003	Reprised role in "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle"; made under her production banner, Flower Films
2004	Reunited with Adam Sandler for the comedy "50 First Dates," playing a chronic amnesiac
2005	Co-starred with Jimmy Fallon in the Americanized version of Nick Hornby's "Fever Pitch," directed by the Farrelly Brothers
2007	Co-starred with Eric Bana in "Lucky You," a drama directed by Curtis Hanson (lensed 2005)
2007	Starred opposite Hugh Grant in the romantic comedy "Music & Lyrics"
2008	Lent her voice to the live-action comedy "Beverly Hills Chihuahua"

Notes

"Drew reminds me of Jodie Foster. When you're a child actor, you grow up precocious because you're around adults all the time. Jodie was like that, and Drew is, too. She's very real, there's none of this phony-baloney business. She sees herself like the guys who do the lights. She sees herself as just another worker on a film." - director Jonathan Kaplan quoted in Us, May 1994

"I can't see myself the way other people see me. I'm not insecure. I've been through way too much fucking shit to be insecure. I've got huge balls. But I've been humbled. That makes you grateful for every day you have." from "Drew Barrymore: Wild Thing" by Chris Mundy, Rolling Stone, June 15, 1995

"I didn't get much theater growing up. I can see my family turning in their graves when I say that." - Barrymore quoted in Parade, March 28, 1999

"I don't feel bitter about anything in the past. Even if it all ended today, how fun is that I've gotten to be both [the diabolical] Poison Ivy and [the sweet] Danielle in 'Ever After'? I want to do everything, be a pirate, get to run around and look bad [on screen], get to dress up and look good!" - Barrymore on being named a recipient of the Women in Films Crystal Award, was quoted in The Hollywood Reporter, June 11, 1999

"I don't sit and think in my head, 'You're a role model,' because I think that would make me contrived." - Drew Barrymore to Daily News, April 8, 1999

"I think she conquered many demons early in life, and she's come out the other end an extraordinary human being. The nice thing about Drew is she's gotten strong but not tough." - director Joel Schumacher quoted in Newsday, May 21, 1995

"I want to be terrified. I want full-tilt, 80-mile-an-hour heading into a brick wall." - Barrymore, on how she chooses roles, to Elle, October 2006

"I'm still trying to figure out exactly who I am and what I want to be. I'm getting there, at my own pace." - Barrymore to People, April 25, 2005

"If I hadn't married Tom, I wouldn't be as strong as I am now. These intense tornadoes that I walk away from, though ridiculous, embarrassing, uncomfortable, have taught me so much." - Barrymore on her five month marriage to Tom Green in Us April 19, 2004

"It's Ms Barrymore whose presence illuminates the screen. She's come a long way since 'E.T., The Extra-Terrestrial' and possibly, she has much further to go after she graduates from her Lolita roles." - Vincent Canby reviewing "Guncrazy" in The New York Times, Jan. 27, 1993

"No one in my family can make any mistakes from the grave, at least. From the grave you're sacred, you have no flaws. Of course, I only know the pleasures of being alive, and I wouldn't trade them in. Until my time is up." - From Details, February 1997

"Right off, I fell in love with Steven. In many ways he was, and always will be, the dad I never had." - Drew on working with Steven Spielberg, from Little Girl Lost

"This is my analogy of how Drew works a room. You give Drew a box with a piece of lint in it. 'Oh!' She throws her arms around you. 'Thank you! How did you know this was my secret passion? This is the best gift I've ever gotten, because you knew that secretly I love lint!' That's Drew. She's always on. always up, always wide-eyed." - an unidentified acquaintance quoted in Premiere, September 1998

"When I first met her, I used to say she was an 8-year-old boy and a 40-year-old woman in the same body. Now I see a mature young businesswoman who is not only looking after her own best interests [but] also has a lot of serious people asking that she look after their best interests, too. And she's doing it." - Nancy Juvonen, Barrymore's partner in Flower Films, quoted in Us, November 1998

Barrymore was named one of People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People (2004).

Graced the cover of People magazine's 100 Most Beautiful People issue (2007).

In February 2001, one of her pet dogs alerted Barrymore and her fiance Tom Green of a fire that ultimately destroyed their home.

In February 2004, Barrymore officially joined her famous showbiz relatives when she was honored with her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She joins her father John D. Barrymore, grandfather John Barrymore, great uncle Lionel Barrymore and great aunt Ethel Barrymore.

Named Woman of the Year (2001) by Hasty Pudding Theatricals of Harvard University.

When she posed nude for Playboy magazine in January 1995, Barrymore received a birthday surprise from her godfather, Steven Spielberg, that consisted of a quilt with the note, “cover yourself up,” as well as an issue of the magazine with pictures altered by Spielberg's art department so that the actress appeared fully clothed.

When she was a child and appeared on the party circuit with her mother, Barrymore was dubbed 'The Badger' by actor Gary Busey because 'she was shorter than everyone else, moved faster and darted around close to the ground.' - from Us, November 1998