F Scott Fitzgerald said there were no second acts in American lives. But then he never got to meet Drew Barrymore actress, producer and Hollywood survivor.
Early life
© Barry KingDrew Blythe Barrymore was born on February 22, 1975, in Culver City, California, to John Drew Barrymore and Ildiko Jaid. Her father and mother parted company two months before she was born, however, and Jaid was left to raise baby Drew. The budding actress' career began with a TV advert made before she had completed her first year, and, aged four, she starred in Altered States opposite Oscar winner William Hurt.
Her godfather, none other than Steven Spielberg, made her a star in ET and three years later she starred in Stephen King's Cat's Eye a part written specifically for her. However, at age nine, Jaid started taking Drew along with her to Hollywood parties and the young actress began a descent into alcohol and drug-related problems. Her mother put her into rehab, and after a suicide attempt, Drew emerged sober at age 14.
She somehow maintained her now-famous optimism and chronicled the tale in her autobiography, Little Girl Lost. Drew returned to acting, despite resistance from Hollywood's power players; but then acting was in her blood, she was born into the Barrymore acting dynasty. Her grandfather, John Barrymore Sr, was a Twenties and Thirties matinee idol, while her great aunt and uncle Lionel and Ethel starred in It's A Wonderful Life.
"This is my soul, my calling, my family... And it's everything I wanted to do," she says of her profession.
Relaunch of career
After a series of forgettable telefilms and a forgettable 19-day marriage to British-born LA bar owner Jeremy Thomas she landed parts in Batman Forever and Boys On The Side before scoring with 1996's ultra-hip Scream. With 1998's The Wedding Singer and Ever After, Drew cemented her return. "Success is the best revenge in the world," she said. "And I'm back."
Eager to have more creative input she reportedly gave Spielberg cinematic suggestions on the set of ET Drew and business partner Nancy Juvonen founded a production company called Flower Films in 1994. Their Never Been Kissed did solid business and paved the way for 2000's box-office hit Charlie's Angels.
Further career
© Rodin EckenrothDrew's major acting success came in 2009's Grey Gardens, which was based on the 1975 documentary of the same name. In the film, Drew played Edith Bouvier Beale and she earned rave reviews for her performance landing herself a Golden Globe and SAG Award, while also being nominated for an Emmy award.
The actress has gone on to star in Big Miracle, Miss You Already, The Stand In, and a main role in the horror-comedy series The Santa Clarita Diet, where she plays a real estate agent transformed into a zombie. However, in 2021, Drew announced that she was taking a break from acting, with the star now focusing on a presenting career with her own show, The Drew Barrymore Show.
Personal life
© SBN/Star MaxIt was on the set of Angels, an update of the camp Seventies TV classic, that Drew met her match, with comedian Tom Green.The two free spirits once surprised each other by dressing up in drag for dinner out on the town and they appeared to be a perfect match. The pair started dating on the set, but sadly Tom was diagnosed with testicular cancer in early 2000. Drew remained by her new beau's side, and following a combination of treatment and laughter, Tom was given a clean bill of health.
The couple wed in an ultra private ceremony in July 2001. Sadly, they split after just five months. Drew later became engaged to Strokes drummer Fabrizio Moretti, but, after an on-off relationship spanning nearly five years, they too called it a day in early 2007.
Drew hoped to start a family, and she was able to realise her dream when she met art consultant Will Kopelman. The pair wed in 2012 and have gone on to welcome daughters Olive and Frankie, however their love wasn't to last, with the pair parting ways in 2016.
"It's not playing dolls," Drew said in an interview about motherhood. "I went to hell and back, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Then I wouldn't be in the position I'm in happy about life and comfortable in my skin. Everything is fate."
