Born:
February 22, 1975
in
Culver City, California
Best Known For:
Starring in ET and Charlie's Angels.
Early-life:
Born February 22, 1975, in Culver City, California, she comes from a show-business family. Her grandfathers were silent film star Maurice Costello and acting legend John Barrymore. Her uncle was Lionel Barrymore and aunt Ethel Barrymore _ both stars in their own right. Her parents, John Drew Barrymore and Ildyko Jaid Mako, also dabbled in acting, as has her half-brother, John Blythe Barrymore. Her godfather is Steven Spielberg. She never finished high school, preferring to concentrate on her career, which began before she was a year old.
Career:
Started out in commercials as a child, appeared in two TV movies, then hit the big time as Gertie in ET when she was just seven. In the same year, 1982, she became the youngest person to host Saturday Night Live. She missed out on a role in Poltergeist, but starred in Firestarter, See You in the Morning and Far from Home. She found it difficult to make the transition to adult roles, but gained plaudits for 1992's Poison Ivy. Bad Girls and a short but attention-grabbing turn in Scream helped her cause, before The Wedding Singer made her a major star all over again. Since then, Barrymore has appeared in such hits as Ever After, Never Been Kissed, Donnie Darko, two Charlie's Angels movies, 50 First Dates and Going the Distance. She is also a respected producer and has branched out into directing with 2009's critically admired Whip It.
Quote:
"If I ever start talking to you about my 'craft' or my 'instrument', you have permission to shoot me."
Trivia:
She enjoys photography.