Few childhood performances leave a mark quite like Drew Barrymore’s turn as Gertie in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. That role launched a career spanning four decades, taking her from child stardom through turbulent personal chapters to the host chair of her own talk show. Here’s a clear breakdown of her movies, TV shows, and the real story behind the headlines.

Age: 49 (as of 2024) ·
Number of Marriages: 3 ·
Number of Children: 2 (Olive and Frankie) ·
First Film: 1982 (E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial) ·
Estimated Net Worth: $125 million

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Born February 22, 1975 in Culver City, CA (IMDb)
  • Emancipated from parents at age 14 (Us Weekly)
  • Married three times, two daughters with Will Kopelman (Motherly)
  • Hosts The Drew Barrymore Show since 2020 (PEOPLE)
2What’s unclear
  • Current relationship status (not publicly dating as of 2024)
  • Details of sister Jessica Barrymore’s life and relationship with Drew
  • Exact custody arrangement specifics (joint custody confirmed, terms private)
3Timeline signal
  • 1975: Born in Culver City, CA
  • 1982: Breakthrough in E.T.
  • 1992: Emancipated from parents
  • 1994: First marriage (annulled)
  • 2000: Charlie’s Angels
  • 2001: Marries Tom Green
  • 2002: Divorces Tom Green
  • 2012: Marries Will Kopelman
  • 2014: Daughter Olive born
  • 2016: Divorces Kopelman; daughter Frankie born
  • 2020: The Drew Barrymore Show premieres
4What’s next
  • The Drew Barrymore Show continues in syndication
  • No new acting projects announced as of 2024
  • Producing via Flower Films remains active

Six key facts sum up Drew Barrymore’s life and career in one glance.

Attribute Value
Full Name Drew Blythe Barrymore
Born February 22, 1975
Children 2 daughters (Olive, Frankie)
Famous Movies E.T., Charlie’s Angels, 50 First Dates, Never Been Kissed
TV Show The Drew Barrymore Show
Net Worth $125 million

What are Drew Barrymore’s movies and TV shows?

What was Drew Barrymore’s first movie?

Barrymore made her film debut at age three in an uncredited role, but her breakthrough came in 1982 as Gertie in Steven Spielberg’s E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (The Guardian). That performance made her one of the most recognizable child actors of the 1980s.

What movies has Drew Barrymore made with Adam Sandler?

She and Adam Sandler share three hit romantic comedies: The Wedding Singer (1998), 50 First Dates (2004), and Blended (2014) (PEOPLE). Their on-screen chemistry has made them one of Hollywood’s most beloved pairings, with Sandler calling her his favorite co-star.

What TV shows has Drew Barrymore been in?

Her current television project is The Drew Barrymore Show, a daytime talk show that premiered in 2020 (PEOPLE). She also had guest roles on 30 Rock, Family Guy, and appeared in the Netflix series Santa Clarita Diet (2017–2019).

The pattern

Barrymore’s filmography leans heavily on romantic comedies and action franchises—she led more than 35 films by 2007 (Glamour). The shift to talk show host in her late 40s marks a deliberate pivot toward daytime television, a space where her warmth translates directly to audience connection.

Who has custody of Drew Barrymore’s children?

Barrymore shares joint custody of her two daughters, Olive (born 2014) and Frankie (born 2016), with ex-husband Will Kopelman (Motherly). Both parents have emphasized a co-parenting relationship that prioritizes the children.

Who took care of Drew Barrymore at 14?

At age 14, Barrymore was legally emancipated from her parents and lived with a legal guardian (Us Weekly). She had entered rehab at 13 and later described the emancipation as a necessary step to take control of her life.

What happened to Drew Barrymore’s sister?

Barrymore has a younger half-sister, Jessica Barrymore, but details about their relationship are private. Jessica has kept a low profile, and Drew rarely discusses her in interviews.

Did Drew Barrymore grow up wealthy?

Despite being born into the famous Barrymore acting dynasty, she has said her childhood was not affluent. Her father, John Drew Barrymore, struggled with addiction and was largely absent, and the family faced financial instability (The Washington Post).

What this means

The contrast between her chaotic upbringing and her current role as a devoted, hands-on mother is a central theme in her public narrative. She has turned a broken start into a stable family life through deliberate choice and hard-won recovery.

How many divorces has Drew Barrymore had?

Barrymore has been married and divorced three times: to Welsh bar owner Jeremy Thomas (1994, annulled same year), comedian Tom Green (2001–2002), and art consultant Will Kopelman (2012–2016) (Wikipedia).

Is Drew Barrymore currently in a relationship?

As of 2024, Barrymore is single and has not publicly dated anyone since her split from Kopelman in 2016. She has said she is focused on her daughters and her career.

Why did Drew Barrymore leave her husband?

She and Kopelman separated amicably, citing personal differences. Both have said they remain committed to co-parenting. Kopelman noted in an interview: “We put the kids first and have a great relationship” (Motherly).

What health condition does Drew Barrymore have?

Barrymore has been open about her history with alcohol and drug addiction, which began in her early teens. She has maintained sobriety for decades and regularly discusses the role of recovery in her life (The Washington Post). She has also spoken about anxiety and mental health struggles.

What does Drew Barrymore identify as?

She identifies as straight and has not publicly identified as part of the LGBTQ+ community, though she is a vocal ally and has supported LGBTQ+ causes throughout her career.

Is Drew Barrymore part of LGBTQ?

No, she is not. Barrymore has clarified her orientation in interviews and expressed gratitude for the support she receives from LGBTQ+ fans, but does not claim that identity.

Is Drew Barrymore as nice as she seems?

By all accounts, yes. Colleagues and journalists routinely describe her as warm, genuine, and approachable. Her public persona on The Drew Barrymore Show matches the reputation she has built over decades.

Who is Drew Barrymore to Adam Sandler?

Adam Sandler has called Barrymore his “favorite co-star” and a dear friend (PEOPLE). Their three films together have earned over $800 million worldwide, and the pair remain close.

The trade-off

Barrymore’s genuine kindness has become a brand asset—audiences trust her. But the same openness that endears her to fans also makes her vulnerable to criticism. Her decision to continue her talk show during the 2023 WGA strike, for instance, drew sharp backlash, testing the limits of that trust.

Timeline

  • 1975: Drew Blythe Barrymore born in Culver City, California (IMDb)
  • 1982: Breakthrough role in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
  • 1992: Emancipated from parents at age 14
  • 1994: First marriage to Jeremy Thomas (annulled same year) (Wikipedia)
  • 2000: Stars in Charlie’s Angels (PEOPLE)
  • 2001: Marries comedian Tom Green
  • 2002: Divorces Tom Green
  • 2012: Marries art consultant Will Kopelman (Us Weekly)
  • 2014: Birth of first daughter, Olive
  • 2016: Divorces Will Kopelman; birth of second daughter, Frankie
  • 2020: Launches The Drew Barrymore Show

Confirmed facts

  • Emancipated at age 14
  • Married three times, divorced three times
  • Two daughters with Will Kopelman
  • Hosts The Drew Barrymore Show
  • Longtime sobriety from alcohol and drugs

What’s unclear

  • Current relationship status (not publicly dating)
  • Details of sister Jessica’s life
  • Exact custody arrangement terms (joint custody confirmed, specifics private)

Quotes

“I had a lot of trauma and I coped with substances.”

Drew Barrymore, The Washington Post

“She’s the sweetest, funniest, most kind person.”

Adam Sandler, PEOPLE

“We put the kids first and have a great relationship.”

Will Kopelman, Motherly

Barrymore’s journey from troubled child star to America’s daytime sweetheart is not just a comeback story—it’s a case study in resilience. For fans who grew up watching her on screen and now tune in to her daily show, the implication is clear: she continues to rewrite her narrative on her own terms, one warm conversation at a time.

Frequently asked questions

What is Drew Barrymore’s most famous movie?

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) remains her most iconic film, but Charlie’s Angels (2000) and 50 First Dates (2004) are close contenders.

Is Drew Barrymore in the Scream franchise?

Yes, she appeared in the opening scene of Scream (1996) as Casey Becker, a cameo that became legendary in horror cinema.

Does Drew Barrymore have a Netflix show?

She starred in the Netflix comedy-horror series Santa Clarita Diet (2017–2019), but does not currently have a Netflix talk show.

What TV show does Drew Barrymore host?

She hosts The Drew Barrymore Show, a daytime talk show that debuted in September 2020 (PEOPLE).

Which Adam Sandler movies has Drew Barrymore starred in?

Three: The Wedding Singer (1998), 50 First Dates (2004), and Blended (2014).

How many movies has Drew Barrymore directed?

She directed one feature film: Whip It! (2009), a roller derby comedy-drama starring Ellen Page.

Is Drew Barrymore retiring from acting?

She has not announced retirement, but her focus has shifted to producing and hosting. She has said she is open to the right acting project.