Brief Introduction of Drew Barrymore
Drew Blythe Barrymore is an American actress, producer, director, and talk show host who has been a prominent figure in Hollywood for decades. A member of the esteemed Barrymore acting family, she gained fame as a child star with her breakout role in Steven Spielberg‘s E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982). After a publicly tumultuous adolescence, she successfully transitioned into a celebrated adult actress, known for her versatile roles in romantic comedies and dramas. In 1995, she co-founded the production company Flower Films, which has produced numerous successful movies. Since 2020, she has hosted the popular daytime talk show, The Drew Barrymore Show.
Drew Barrymore Overview
| Full Name | Drew Blythe Barrymore |
| Date of Birth | February 22, 1975 |
| Age | 50 (as of 2025) |
| Place of Birth | Culver City, California, U.S. |
| Family | John Drew Barrymore (father), Jaid Barrymore (mother), John Barrymore (grandfather), Lionel Barrymore (great-uncle), Ethel Barrymore (great-aunt) |
| Height | Not publicly available |
| Profession | Actress, producer, director, talk show host, businesswoman |
| Net Worth | Estimated $85 million to $125 million (as of 2025) |
| Spouse(s) | Jeremy Thomas (m. 1994; div. 1995), Tom Green (m. 2001; div. 2002), Will Kopelman (m. 2012; div. 2016) |
| Children | Olive Barrymore Kopelman, Frankie Barrymore Kopelman |
Early Life and Education of Drew Barrymore
Drew Blythe Barrymore was born on February 22, 1975, in Culver City, California, into a legendary acting dynasty. Her father was actor John Drew Barrymore, and her mother was aspiring actress Ildiko Jaid Barrymore. She is the granddaughter of the acclaimed actor John Barrymore and the great-niece of actors Lionel and Ethel Barrymore. Her godfather is famed director Steven Spielberg, and her godmothers are actresses Sophia Loren and Anna Strasberg.
Barrymore’s parents divorced when she was young, and her father was largely absent from her life. Her acting career began at just 11 months old when she appeared in a dog food commercial. Her film debut was a small role in Altered States (1980). At the age of seven, she captured the hearts of audiences worldwide with her performance as Gertie in Spielberg’s blockbuster E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), a role that made her one of the most famous child actors of her time. That same year, she became the youngest host of Saturday Night Live.
Her sudden fame led to a notoriously troubled childhood. Her mother began taking her to nightclubs like Studio 54 at a young age, where she was exposed to drugs and alcohol. By age 13, she was placed in a rehabilitation center. She detailed these experiences in her 1990 autobiography, Little Girl Lost. At 14, Barrymore was legally emancipated from her parents.
Due to her childhood acting career, Barrymore did not have a traditional schooling experience. While on film sets, child actors are typically provided with on-set tutors to keep up with their education. She attended Fountain Day School and Country School in West Hollywood for her elementary education.
Drew Barrymore’s Career
Early Career and Transition
Following her breakout role in E.T., Barrymore starred in films like Firestarter (1984) and Irreconcilable Differences (1984), for which she received a Golden Globe nomination. After her turbulent teenage years, she worked to re-establish her career, taking on roles that capitalized on her “bad girl” image, such as in Poison Ivy (1992) and Guncrazy (1992).
Rise to Stardom and Production Company
The mid-1990s marked a significant turning point in Barrymore’s career. In 1995, she co-founded the production company Flower Films with Nancy Juvonen. This move gave her more creative control over her projects. The company’s first production was the 1999 romantic comedy Never Been Kissed, which was a commercial success. She went on to star in a string of popular films, including the horror classic Scream (1996), the Cinderella-inspired Ever After (1998), and the beloved romantic comedy The Wedding Singer (1998) alongside Adam Sandler. Her collaborations with Sandler continued with 50 First Dates (2004) and Blended (2014).
Flower Films also produced the blockbuster hit Charlie’s Angels (2000) and its 2003 sequel, in which Barrymore starred alongside Cameron Diaz and Lucy Liu. The production company was also behind the cult classic Donnie Darko (2001).
Directorial Debut and Television Work
In 2009, Barrymore made her directorial debut with the film Whip It, in which she also had a supporting role. That same year, she earned critical acclaim for her portrayal of Edith “Little Edie” Bouvier Beale in the HBO film Grey Gardens, winning a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award for her performance. From 2017 to 2019, she starred in and executive produced the Netflix horror-comedy series Santa Clarita Diet.
The Drew Barrymore Show and Other Ventures
In 2020, Barrymore launched her syndicated daytime talk show, The Drew Barrymore Show. The show has been praised for its optimistic and candid tone and has been nominated for several Daytime Emmy Awards. In addition to her work in film and television, Barrymore has launched a cosmetics line, Flower Beauty, a line of wines, and a collection of home goods called Beautiful by Drew Barrymore. She has also authored several books, including memoirs and a lifestyle book.
Drew Barrymore Personal Life & Family
Drew Barrymore’s family life has been a subject of public interest throughout her career. She comes from a long line of actors, including her grandfather John Barrymore and her great-aunt and great-uncle, Ethel and Lionel Barrymore. Her father, John Drew Barrymore, was also an actor, though their relationship was strained.
Barrymore has been married three times. Her first marriage was to Welsh bar owner Jeremy Thomas in 1994, which ended in divorce a few months later. In 2001, she married comedian Tom Green, but they divorced the following year. Her third marriage was to art consultant Will Kopelman, from 2012 to 2016. They have two daughters together, Olive (born in 2012) and Frankie (born in 2014). Barrymore and Kopelman remain on good terms and are dedicated to co-parenting their children. In 2020, she stated she has no plans to marry again.
Over the years, Barrymore has had several high-profile relationships, including with musician Fabrizio Moretti and actor Justin Long. She is also known for her close friendship with her Charlie’s Angels co-star Cameron Diaz.
Awards and Achievements of Drew Barrymore
Throughout her extensive career, Drew Barrymore has received numerous awards and nominations for her work in film and television. Some of her most notable accolades include:
- Golden Globe Award: Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film for Grey Gardens (2010).
- Screen Actors Guild Award: Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries for Grey Gardens (2010).
- Young Artist Award: Best Young Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture for E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1983).
- Hollywood Walk of Fame: Inducted in 2004 for her contributions to the entertainment industry.
- BAFTA Award Nomination: Most Outstanding Newcomer to Leading Film Roles for E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1983).
- Emmy Award Nominations: She has received multiple Emmy nominations for her acting and for her talk show.
She has also won several People’s Choice Awards, MTV Movie Awards, and a Saturn Award.
Drew Barrymore Net Worth and Income
As of 2025, Drew Barrymore’s net worth is estimated to be between $85 million and $125 million. Her wealth comes from a variety of sources. A significant portion of her income is from her decades-long acting career, where at her peak she commanded salaries of up to $15 million per film. For the Charlie’s Angels films, she reportedly earned $9 million for The first movie and $14 million for the sequel.
Her production company, Flower Films, has also been a major source of income, having produced numerous successful films. In recent years, her daytime talk show, The Drew Barrymore Show, has become a steady revenue stream. Barrymore has also proven to be a savvy entrepreneur with her successful business ventures, including her cosmetics line, Flower Beauty, her Beautiful by Drew Barrymore kitchenware line at Walmart, and her line of wines. She has also made profitable real estate investments.
Legacy and Influence
Drew Barrymore’s legacy is one of resilience and reinvention. She successfully navigated the perils of child stardom to build a long and multifaceted career in Hollywood. Her journey from a troubled youth to a respected actress, producer, and businesswoman has been an inspiration to many. Through her production company, Flower Films, she has also helped create opportunities for women in Hollywood.
Barrymore is also known for her philanthropic work. In 2007, she was named an Ambassador Against Hunger for the United Nations World Food Programme and has donated over $1 million to the cause. She has also been a vocal advocate for mental health awareness, often drawing on her own experiences to support others. In 2023, she was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine.
Interesting Facts about Drew Barrymore
- Her first on-screen appearance was in a dog food commercial at 11 months old; she was reportedly bitten by the dog during the audition but laughed instead of crying, which won her the part.
- She is the goddaughter of director Steven Spielberg and actress Sophia Loren.
- She became the youngest host of Saturday Night Live at the age of seven in 1982.
- She has hosted Saturday Night Live a total of six times.
- In 2007, she was named one of People magazine’s “100 Most Beautiful People.”
- She has written multiple books, including the memoirs Little Girl Lost and Wildflower, and the lifestyle book Rebel Homemaker.
Controversies
In September 2023, during the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike, Drew Barrymore faced significant backlash for her decision to resume production of The Drew Barrymore Show without its writers. The show was a WGA-covered production, and the guild picketed the show’s taping. After intense criticism from the industry and the public, Barrymore announced she would pause the show’s premiere until the strike was over. She later posted a tearful apology on Instagram, taking full responsibility for her actions. The controversy led to the resignation of the show’s three co-head writers.
Barrymore has also occasionally received criticism on social media for her physical interactions with guests on her talk show, with some viewers finding her to be overly familiar.
Social Media Presence
Drew Barrymore maintains an active presence on social media, where she shares a mix of personal and professional content. She often posts candid and humorous videos, as well as updates about her various projects. As of mid-2023, she has a significant following on multiple platforms, though she has been known to take social media breaks for her mental well-being. As of early 2024, she had over 8 million followers on TikTok with over 95 million likes.
Final Words about Drew Barrymore
Drew Barrymore continues to be a beloved and influential figure in the entertainment industry. Her journey from a child star to a successful actress, producer, director, and entrepreneur is a testament to her resilience and adaptability. With her ongoing talk show and various business ventures, she remains a prominent and relatable public figure. Her story is one of overcoming adversity and carving out a unique and enduring path in Hollywood.