Drew Barrymore
Drew Barrymore began her career at such an early
age, we can say she was practically born on stage.
At just 11 months, she appeared in a Puppy Choice
Dog Food commercial, and got her first movie role at
the age of 2, playing a boy in Suddenly Love.
At 5, she appeared in Altered States, and made
herself into a household name with the blockbuster
E.T. She was described by good friend and director
Steven Spielberg as a teenager who was "13 going
on 29."
She was born into a family famous for its love of
being in the spotlight. Her kin include the legendary
Lionel, John and Ethel Barrymore. Troubled times
came for Barrymore, when she tried alcohol for the
first time at age 9, and marijuana at age 10. Soon
after, she turned to cocaine, and stirred controversy
with her near nude appearances in Far From Home,
and was forced into ASAP Family Treatment Center,
a drug rehab clinic.
She stole her mother's credit card, escaped the
clinic, and made a break for the Westcoast. She
was unsuccessful, however, and was returned to
rehab by authorities. She made a special
appearance in a television movie warning teens
about the dangers of drug abuse, only to fall back
into her addiction.
July 1989 was her all-time low; she unsuccessfully
attempted suicide, and was sent back to rehab. She
was finally able to overcome her addictions, and
decided she no longer needed any parental aid. She
divorced her mother at the age of 15, and posed
nude for a magazine cover not much later than that.
Her career began its recovery with roles in Poison
Ivy, 2000 Malibu Road, and The Amy Fisher Story.
More nudity followed with an appearance in the 1995
issue of Play.boy, one of the most popular issues
ever.
Her career continued to blossom, with roles in Mad
Love, Batman Forever and Boys in the Side. A 1996
role in Scream and a critically acclaimed
performance in Woody Allen's Everyone Says I Love
You confirmed her return to the top of her
profession. Further roles included The Wedding
Singer with Adam Sandler, Ever After, Home Fries
and Never Been Kissed, which she also produced.
Barrymore has continued to persevere through a lot
of adversity. Her persistence and energy have
helped her recover from the difficulties of growing up
in front of the camera and the public eye, and have
shaped her into the strong and determined woman
she is today.
What else do you need to know?