Drew Barrymore Still Keeps This E.T. Keepsake In Her Dressing Room
Drew Barrymore says she keeps a picture of her and ET director Steven Spielberg as a keepsake because of how that movie changed her life.
The Hollywood Reporter recently shared a touching story from Charlie’s Angels star Drew Barrymore related to her relationship with Oscar-winning director Steven Spielberg. Early in her career, the now-48-year-old performer landed the role of Gertie in the director’s classic sci-fi flick E.T. the Extra Terrestrial, and she admitted she works her tail off every day to make the renowned filmmaker proud of her. Barrymore also confessed that her most treasured dressing room item is a photograph of she and Spielberg on the set of the 1982 film.
“Not having a dad, not having that kind of relationship with anyone, [Spielberg] was just so good and nurturing and kind,” said Drew Barrymore. She also admitted that her life would be totally different had the director not cast her as Gertie in E.T. “It’s crazy when you can really trace it back to someone,” she said of her success.
Although it’s been over 40 years since Drew Barrymore worked under the direction of Spielberg on the beloved sci-fi film, which received a Best Picture nomination at the 55th annual Academy Awards, the actress stated that she and the filmmaker are still extremely close. “We still have a really wonderful relationship,” she said.
In E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Drew Barrymore plays the younger sister of Elliott (Henry Thomas), a 10-year-old boy who befriends a gentle alien after he becomes stranded on Earth. The two siblings, along with their brother Michael (Robert MacNaughton), attempt to keep the existence of the alien a secret. When he falls ill, however, the government intervenes, and it becomes a dire situation for both Elliott and his otherworldly friend.
While she was a successful child star, landing prominent roles in films like Firestarter, Irreconcilable Differences, and Cat’s Eye, Drew Barrymore had a rough transition into performing as an adult. In past interviews, the Emmy Award-nominated actress has admitted that she struggled with substance abuse as a youth. Back in 2020, she told The Sun that her addiction to cocaine at the age of 12 got her blacklisted in Hollywood.
Fortunately, Drew Barrymore’s struggle with drugs looks to be a thing of the past. She’s now the host and executive producer of her very own show, The Drew Barrymore Show. Additionally, she’s built up quite an impressive resume over the years.
Along with her scene-stealing role in the 1996 slasher flick Scream, Drew Barrymore starred in blockbuster 90s films like The Wedding Singer, Never Been Kissed, and Skipped Part. In the following decade, she headlined movies like Charlie’s Angels, 50 First Dates, and Fever Pitch. Barrymore also tried her hand at directing with the 2009 sports drama Whip It.
Most recently, Drew Barrymore starred opposite Timothy Olyphant in the Netflix comedy series Santa Clarita Diet. The acclaimed show premiered on the streamer in February 2017 and concluded in March 2019. Created by Victor Fresco, the series centers on a pair of married real estate agents, Sheil and Joel, whose lives take a dark turn after the former dies.
Next up, Drew Barrymore will star as herself in the comedy short Jackpot. Directed by Josh Ricks, the story follows three broke Gen-Z friends living in New York City who win one very lucky Powerball ticket. Emma Smith Watts, Shyrley Rodriguez, Kaylee Bryant, Ross Matthews, Noah Lei, and Patricia Lawrence also star in the film.
