Drew Barrymore has lived through more ups and downs than most. The actress, who became a household name at just seven years old in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, spent decades battling addiction, heartbreak, and personal struggles. Now, at 50, she says she has finally found true happiness.
“I don’t think I’ve ever known a happiness that I feel now,” Barrymore shared in a recent interview.
Raised by her single mother, Jaid Barrymore, Drew grew up in the public eye. By the age of nine, she was drinking alcohol. At 12, she was using cocaine. Hollywood’s party scene welcomed her without question, and she had little supervision to set boundaries.
One of the few people who tried to guide her was E.T. director Steven Spielberg.
“Steven was like a dad,” Barrymore said. “He was very parental with me. He felt protective, and it felt good to have that care.”
At 13, she entered rehab. By 14, she had written her first memoir, Little Girl Lost, documenting her struggles.
Career Success and Personal Battles
Despite her turbulent youth, Barrymore built a successful Hollywood career. Her 20s brought box office hits like Scream, The Wedding Singer, and Charlie’s Angels. She also established strong friendships with co-stars like Lucy Liu and Cameron Diaz, forming a support system she lacked in childhood.
Her 30s focused on family. She married art consultant Will Kopelman and had two daughters, Olive and Frankie. But her 40s proved challenging once again.
“The hardest decade for me was my 40s,” Barrymore admitted.
Her divorce from Kopelman hit her hard. Struggling emotionally, she turned to alcohol for comfort. At 44, she made a life-changing decision to quit drinking and work toward a healthier future.
Now, as she enters her 50s, Barrymore says she is finally in a place of peace.
Embracing a New Chapter
Barrymore has reinvented herself as the warm and open host of The Drew Barrymore Show and as an executive producer for the rebooted Hollywood Squares.
Her journey has been anything but conventional, yet she embraces her past rather than regrets it.
“I don’t feel like I had a childhood, but I don’t feel robbed of one either,” she explained.
With a successful career, strong friendships, and a positive outlook, Barrymore is stepping into her 50s with confidence.
“I’m actually happy,” she said.
After decades of struggles, Hollywood’s former wild child has finally found peace.
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Jaja’s career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including Business Times and Brigada. As a news editor, she covered a wide range of beats, including business, economy, cryptocurrency, and personal finance. Additionally, she has successfully managed teams of writers producing content on gaming, technology, and entertainment.
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