Drew Barrymore on Relationship With Steven Spielberg

Drew Barrymore on Relationship With Steven Spielberg

Drew Barrymore was just 6 years old when she first met director Steven Spielberg during a casting for 1982’s blockbuster hit “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.” Little did she know, the audition would not only lead to her breakout role as an actor but a long-lasting friendship with Spielberg. In an interview with Vulture published on June 5, the 48-year-old actor said Spielberg was “the only person in my life to this day that ever was a parental figure.”

Barrymore, who’s been open about growing up with uninvolved and abusive parents, apparently asked Spielberg if he could be her dad while they were working on “E.T.” together, but he declined. So then she asked if he could be her godfather, and he said yes. Spielberg also went to great lengths to conceal the realities of a film set for Barrymore after she noticed men operating the alien behind a wall and she asked him to kick them out. “I didn’t want to burst the bubble,” Spielberg explained. “So I simply said, ‘It’s okay, E.T. is so special E.T. has eight assistants. I am the director, I only have one.” Barrymore would then have lunch with E.T. and tell him her secrets and Spielberg made sure to have assistants on hand so the alien could react to Barrymore.

Barrymore told Vulture that she stayed with the director during the weekends and that he would take her to Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm. He also gifted her a cat she named Gertie.

Barrymore was raised by her mother, Ildiko Jaid Barrymore, who Barrymore says treated her more like a friend and client than a daughter. She says her father, John Drew Barrymore, was an abusive drunk who abandoned her mother when she was young. Barrymore became emancipated from her parents at 14, and she says she and her mom have never fully reconciled. Referencing Jennette McCurdy and Brooke Shields’s broken relationships with their own moms, Barrymore said, “All their moms are gone, and my mom’s not.” She continued, “And I’m like, ‘Well, I don’t have that luxury. But I cannot wait. I don’t want to live in a state where I wish someone to be gone sooner than they’re meant to be so I can grow. I actually want her to be happy and thrive and be healthy. But I have to f*cking grow in spite of her being on this planet.”

Almost immediately after saying those words, Barrymore regretted wishing her mom ill will. “I dared to say it, and I didn’t feel good,” she told the outlet. “I do care. I’ll never not care. I don’t know if I’ve ever known how to fully guard, close off, not feel, build the wall up.”

Vulture notes that a few weeks after the interview was conducted, Barrymore said she texted her mom for her birthday. Five days later, the actor wrote a blog post, writing in part, “My mother is still here. And I worry every day that something in my exploration will hurt her feelings. Because that isn’t what I want. And I have been petrified of how to justifiably go on my expedition without consequence,” she wrote. “Once again, my friend Dr. Aliza Pressman, said, as I poured out my worries to her, she said, ‘Well you don’t have the luxury of waiting, you have two young girls.’ with that came a gift and peace. This isn’t just about my mom. It’s about my girls. It’s about me. It’s about how to simply be a mother.” Barrymore has two daughters, Olive and Frankie, with ex-husband Will Kopelman.

Ahead take a look at more pictures of Barrymore and Spielberg through the years.

You can view the original article HERE.

Ebertfest Adds Barbara Kopple’s Academy Award Winner “Harlan County U.S.A.” | Ebertfest
Ebertfest Adds Barbara Kopple’s Academy Award Winner “Harlan County U.S.A.” | Ebertfest
Blake Lively Receives Threats As Jenny Slate Complaint Is Revealed
Blake Lively Receives Threats As Jenny Slate Complaint Is Revealed
Amazon Freevee’s Hit Comedy ‘Jury Dity’ Returning for Season 2
Amazon Freevee’s Hit Comedy ‘Jury Dity’ Returning for Season 2
30 Minutes On: “Watership Down” | Features
30 Minutes On: “Watership Down” | Features
I should’ve made it happen
I should’ve made it happen
KISS collaborator Karl Cochran dies in car accident, aged 61
KISS collaborator Karl Cochran dies in car accident, aged 61
Manic Street Preachers announce outdoor UK gig with The Charlatans and Ash
Manic Street Preachers announce outdoor UK gig with The Charlatans and Ash
Viral footage of Drake attacking spy drone with sandal in hotel thought to be a casino promo
Viral footage of Drake attacking spy drone with sandal in hotel thought to be a casino promo
‘John Wick’s Chad Stahelski to Produce ‘Sifu’ Adaptation for Netflix
‘John Wick’s Chad Stahelski to Produce ‘Sifu’ Adaptation for Netflix
The Hollywood Reporter Releases Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni Parody Cover
The Hollywood Reporter Releases Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni Parody Cover
Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 13 Put Velasco Right In The Center of An Angry, Cynical Community
Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 13 Put Velasco Right In The Center of An Angry, Cynical Community
Octavia Spencer Offers To Bake ‘The Help’s Special Pies For Elon Musk
Octavia Spencer Offers To Bake ‘The Help’s Special Pies For Elon Musk
McDavid’s OT winner leads Canada past U.S. in 4 Nations Face-Off
McDavid’s OT winner leads Canada past U.S. in 4 Nations Face-Off
LeBron scores 40 points to lead Lakers past Trail Blazers
LeBron scores 40 points to lead Lakers past Trail Blazers
Report: Bengals want long-term Higgins deal, will likely use tag if needed
Report: Bengals want long-term Higgins deal, will likely use tag if needed
Legendary Penguins broadcaster Mike Lange dies at 76
Legendary Penguins broadcaster Mike Lange dies at 76
Justin Bieber Snaps at ‘Disrespectful’ Paparazzi After Breakfast With Hailey
Justin Bieber Snaps at ‘Disrespectful’ Paparazzi After Breakfast With Hailey
Diddy Attorney Jumped Ship Over Defense Strategy Battle with Co-Counsel
Diddy Attorney Jumped Ship Over Defense Strategy Battle with Co-Counsel
Megan Thee Stallion Bares Beach Body on Tropical Vacay
Megan Thee Stallion Bares Beach Body on Tropical Vacay
OG ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ Actor Says Cynthia Erivo Haters Sadly Typical
OG ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ Actor Says Cynthia Erivo Haters Sadly Typical
Gianvito Rossi Black Mamba 85 Sandals
Gianvito Rossi Black Mamba 85 Sandals
A$AP Rocky’s Ray-Ban Gig, Bad news for Project Runway Fans
A$AP Rocky’s Ray-Ban Gig, Bad news for Project Runway Fans
Our Fave Fashionable Hotspots & Hotels in NYC
Our Fave Fashionable Hotspots & Hotels in NYC
Orolay Thickened Long Down Jacket Review With Photos
Orolay Thickened Long Down Jacket Review With Photos