There aren’t many child stars who not only survive Hollywood but rebuild themselves into a media empire. Drew Barrymore is one of them. Born into the famed Barrymore acting dynasty on February 22, 1975, she became a household name at age 7 in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. This article traces her path from early stardom and personal struggles to her current roles as a talk show host, producer, and mother of two.
Full Name: Drew Blythe Barrymore ·
Born: February 22, 1975 ·
Occupation: Actress, producer, talk show host, businesswoman
Quick snapshot
- Born Drew Blythe Barrymore on February 22, 1975 (Biography.com celebrity database)
- Breakout role in E.T. at age 7 (Biography.com celebrity database)
- Two daughters: Olive (2012) and Frankie (2014) (Biography.com celebrity database)
- Host of The Drew Barrymore Show since 2020 (Biography.com celebrity database)
- Exact current romantic partner beyond public statements (AARP membership organization)
- Details of future custody arrangement with Will Kopelman (AARP membership organization)
- 1982: E.T. release catapults her to fame (Biography.com celebrity database)
- 1989: Enters rehab at age 14 (FHE Health Rehab addiction resource)
- 2012-2014: Becomes mother of two (Biography.com celebrity database)
- 2020: Premiere of The Drew Barrymore Show (Biography.com celebrity database)
- Continuing to host The Drew Barrymore Show (Biography.com celebrity database)
- Focusing on co-parenting her daughters (AARP membership organization)
- Potential new film or production projects (Wikipedia encyclopedia)
Five quick facts that define the core of her life and career.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Born | February 22, 1975 |
| Occupation | Actress, producer, talk show host, businesswoman |
| Years Active | 1980–present |
| Children | 2 (Olive and Frankie) |
| Parents | John Drew Barrymore (father), Jaid Barrymore (mother) |
The implication: Barrymore’s early start and family lineage set the stage for a career that spans five decades.
What does Drew Barrymore identify as?
Drew Barrymore is an American actress, producer, talk show host, and businesswoman (Wikipedia (secondary source)). She is a member of the Barrymore acting dynasty, the daughter of actor John Drew Barrymore Jr. and Ildiko Jaid Barrymore (Biography.com (celebrity biography database)).
What is Drew Barrymore’s family background?
- She is the granddaughter of legendary stage actor John Barrymore (Wikipedia).
- Her parents divorced early and she was raised primarily by her mother (Biography.com).
- She has publicly identified as pansexual (AARP (membership organization news)).
The implication: Barrymore’s identity is shaped both by her famous lineage and her own candid self-description, making her a figure who controls her own narrative.
How many biological children does Drew Barrymore have?
Barrymore has two biological daughters: Olive Barrymore Kopelman (born September 2012) and Frankie Barrymore Kopelman (born April 2014) (Biography.com). She shares custody of her daughters with ex-husband Will Kopelman (AARP).
Who has custody of Drew Barrymore’s kids?
- An AARP profile states that since her 2016 divorce, Barrymore has been co-raising her daughters with Kopelman (AARP).
- She has spoken about the importance of a stable home environment for them (ABC News (major broadcast network)).
What this means: Her parenting approach is informed by her own tumultuous childhood, creating a deliberate contrast.
What happened to Drew Barrymore at 14?
At age 14, Barrymore entered rehab for drug and alcohol abuse and was legally emancipated from her mother (FHE Health Rehab (addiction treatment resource)). She has said she began drinking at age 9, smoking marijuana by 10, and became addicted to cocaine by 12 (FHE Health Rehab).
How old was Drew Barrymore when she flashed?
- At age 20, she famously flashed David Letterman on The Late Show (widely reported; no specific source in notes).
The pattern: Her teenage years were a public unraveling that nearly derailed her career, but she later turned it into a foundation for recovery and reinvention.
Is Drew Barrymore single now?
As of 2024, Barrymore has stated she is single and open to love (AARP). She has been married three times: to Jeremy Thomas (1994–1995), Tom Green (2001–2002), and Will Kopelman (2012–2016) (Biography.com).
Why this matters: Each marriage marked a different chapter of her life, and her current single status reflects a period of self-focused stability.
What health condition does Drew Barrymore have?
In 2020, Barrymore revealed a breast cancer scare that led to a lumpectomy with clear margins (AARP). She has also been open about her struggles with anxiety and depression (FHE Health Rehab).
The catch: While the scare was resolved, it highlighted the long-term health vigilance required after a history of substance abuse.
Timeline signal: key milestones
- 1975 – Born Drew Blythe Barrymore in Culver City, California (Biography.com).
- 1982 – Breakthrough role in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (Biography.com).
- 1989 – Admitted to rehab for substance abuse at age 14 (FHE Health Rehab).
- 1995 – Co-founded Flower Films (Biography.com).
- 2001 – Married Tom Green (divorced 2002) (Biography.com).
- 2012 – Daughter Olive born; married Will Kopelman (Biography.com).
- 2014 – Daughter Frankie born (Biography.com).
- 2016 – Divorced from Will Kopelman (AARP).
- 2020 – The Drew Barrymore Show premieres; reveals breast cancer scare (Biography.com; AARP).
The arc: From child star to troubled teen to resilient adult, the timeline reflects a life of public highs and private lows, each phase informing the next.
Confirmed facts vs. gray areas
Confirmed facts
- Born February 22, 1975 (Biography.com)
- Two daughters: Olive (2012) and Frankie (2014) (Biography.com)
- Entered rehab at age 14 (FHE Health Rehab)
- Breast cancer scare and lumpectomy in 2020 (AARP)
- Currently single as of 2024 statements (AARP)
What’s unclear
- Exact current romantic partner beyond public statements
- Details of future custody arrangement with Will Kopelman
Quotes from Barrymore and her circle
“Barrymore has been co-raising her two daughters since her divorce from Will Kopelman in 2016.”
— AARP profile (2025)
“Barrymore reflected on her rebellious childhood after taking away one of her daughters’ phones.”
— ABC News (2024)
For anyone following Barrymore’s trajectory, the takeaway is clear: resilience is not a trait but a practice. She turned early trauma into a platform, and her openness about single parenting, health scares, and identity has made her a relatable figure in an industry often guarded.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Drew Barrymore’s net worth?
As of 2025, celebrity net worth estimates range around $125 million, though exact figures are not publicly audited.
Who is Drew Barrymore’s most famous ex-husband?
Tom Green, the comedian and talk show host, is perhaps the most widely recognized, though she was also married to art consultant Will Kopelman.
What is Drew Barrymore’s most popular movie?
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial remains her most iconic film, but romantic comedies like The Wedding Singer and 50 First Dates are also fan favorites.
How old is Drew Barrymore?
Born February 22, 1975, she turns 50 in 2025.
Is Drew Barrymore related to John Barrymore?
Yes, John Barrymore was her grandfather.
What talk show does Drew Barrymore host?
She hosts The Drew Barrymore Show, a daytime talk show that premiered in 2020.
Does Drew Barrymore have any siblings?
No, she is an only child.
Oliver Jack Carter Cooper is a staff writer for EveningLedger.uk, covering UK news, politics, business and culture. He works under Editor-in-Chief Edward Langley and Managing Editor Charlotte Reeves, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.