Drew Barrymore

Actress | Director

Born Feb. 22, 1975 in Los Angeles, CA

Drew Barrymore, who hails from the multi-generational Barrymore acting dynasty, became a child star at age 6 when she appeared as the little sister Gertie in Steven Spielberg’s now-classic “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.”
More youth roles followed, but Barrymore became prematurely sidelined by drugs and alcohol and, at age 13, entered rehab for the first time. A suicide attempt and another rehab stint followed the next year, after which she never relapsed.

Barrymore reinvented herself in an eclectic series of young adult film roles. But it wasn’t until 2000, when she acted in and produced (with partner Nancy Juvonen, with whom she formed Flower Films in 1995) the hit movie remake of the late-1970s TV show “Charlie’s Angels,” that the ingratiating, free-spirited Barrymore became considered a full-fledged adult movie star.

A sequel to that film followed, as did roles in a string of romantic comedies, many of which she also produced. Barrymore was also the subject of the 2005 mockumentary “My Date With Drew.”

She made her feature directorial debut with 2009’s roller derby tale “Whip It.”

Barrymore was honored with Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild awards, as well as an Emmy nomination, for playing the eccentric “Little Edie” Bouvier Beale in the acclaimed 2009 HBO telefilm “Grey Gardens.”

— Gary Goldstein for the Los Angeles Times Feb. 19, 2010