Home Poal23

5 Profound Ways E.T. Changed Drew Barrymore's Life Forever (And Her Shocking Confession About The Alien)

• minute read
Contents
For over four decades, the image of a six-year-old Drew Barrymore as Gertie in *E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial* has been one of cinema's most enduring symbols of childhood wonder. As of December 25, 2025, the film's legacy continues to be a central part of her life and career, driving emotional reunions and deep reflections on her talk show, *The Drew Barrymore Show*. The experience of making the 1982 blockbuster was not just a career launchpad; it was a foundational, life-altering event that shaped her understanding of family, work, and reality itself. The ongoing reflection, particularly around the film's recent 40th-anniversary celebrations, reveals fresh, intimate details about her time on set, including her genuine belief that the alien was a real creature and the surprising extent of her on-set improvisation, a testament to director Steven Spielberg's unique approach to working with children.

Drew Barrymore: Full Biography and Career Profile

Drew Blythe Barrymore was born on February 22, 1975, in Culver City, California. She is a member of the illustrious Barrymore family of actors, which includes her grandfather, John Barrymore.

Key Biographical Details:

  • Full Name: Drew Blythe Barrymore
  • Born: February 22, 1975
  • Birthplace: Culver City, California
  • Parents: John Drew Barrymore and Ildiko Jaid Barrymore
  • Debut Film: *Altered States* (1980)
  • Breakthrough Role: Gertie in *E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial* (1982)
  • Career Trajectory: Transitioned from a troubled child star to a successful adult actress, producer, director, and talk show host.
  • Production Company: Co-founder of Flower Films (established 1995), which produced hits like *Charlie's Angels* and *Never Been Kissed*.
  • Current Status: Host of the syndicated daytime talk show, *The Drew Barrymore Show*.

The Shocking Truth: Why Drew Thought E.T. Was Real

One of the most heartwarming and crucial revelations from the cast reunions is the depth of young Drew Barrymore's commitment to the role of Gertie. She wasn't just acting; she genuinely believed the Extra-Terrestrial was alive. Director Steven Spielberg, recognizing the power of a child's imagination, actively encouraged this belief. He reportedly went to great lengths to ensure the E.T. puppet was treated like a living being, which profoundly affected the young actress.

Barrymore has reflected on this experience, stating that she fully believed E.T. was real while filming. She even recalled taking her lunch breaks next to the puppet and asking for a blanket to cover him so he wouldn't get cold.

This level of immersion was not just a directorial trick; it was a psychological foundation for her performance. Her authentic, unscripted reactions—the wonder, the fear, the protective love—were born from a genuine, childlike connection to her "first imaginary friend." This authenticity is what made Gertie's character so memorable and relatable to audiences worldwide.

The Five Profound Ways *E.T.* Shaped Drew Barrymore's Life

The impact of *E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial* extends far beyond a successful box office run. For Drew Barrymore, the film served as a critical, formative experience that provided her with a surrogate family and a blueprint for her career.

1. Steven Spielberg Became Her Father Figure

Perhaps the most significant and lasting impact of the film was the deep, lifelong bond forged between Barrymore and director Steven Spielberg. Barrymore, who grew up in a tumultuous environment, has often referred to Spielberg as her only true parental figure.

Spielberg not only cast her but took on a protective, godfather-like role in her life, a relationship that continues to this day. This relationship provided the stability and guidance she desperately needed as a young child navigating the complex world of Hollywood. Spielberg's mentorship is a foundational pillar of her personal and professional life.

2. She Learned the Power of Improvised Authenticity

Spielberg recently revealed that many of Gertie's most charming and memorable lines were not in the script. The director encouraged the six-year-old to improvise and captured her natural, "irrepressible" personality on camera.

This early experience taught Barrymore the value of genuine, unscripted emotion in performance. This lesson in authenticity would later define her career choices, leading her to roles that embraced her unique, quirky persona and eventually to her successful, candid talk show.

3. The Film Defined Her Concept of "Chosen Family"

In a recent interview, Barrymore reflected on how the *E.T.* set introduced her to the concept of a "chosen family." The cast—including Henry Thomas (Elliott) and Dee Wallace (Mary)—and the crew formed a tight-knit unit.

For a child from a broken home, the supportive environment of the set demonstrated that family is not solely defined by blood but by the people who show up and care for you. This theme of "chosen family" is a recurring motif in her later work, particularly in films produced by her company, Flower Films.

4. It Solidified Her Legacy as an Iconic Child Star

While *E.T.* was not her first film, it was the role that cemented her status as one of the most recognizable child stars of the 1980s. The success of the film propelled her into the global spotlight, even as she faced the well-documented challenges of early fame.

The film’s cultural weight means that even as a successful producer and talk show host, her identity is inextricably linked to Gertie. This early, massive success provided the capital and recognition necessary to later pivot into production and directing, ensuring her longevity in the industry.

5. It Taught Her the Importance of Wonder and Imagination

The entire experience of believing in E.T.—the alien, the friendship, the magic—instilled in her a deep appreciation for wonder. She has often cited the film as a reminder of the magic that exists in the world, a perspective she now shares with her own two daughters.

Barrymore's approach to her talk show and her brand, Flower Beauty, is steeped in this playful, optimistic, and imaginative ethos, a direct lineage from her time on the *E.T.* set. The film didn't just give her a career; it gave her a lifelong philosophy.

The *E.T.* Cast Reunion: Where Are They Now?

The 40th anniversary of *E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial* in 2022 sparked a wave of nostalgia and several high-profile reunions, most notably on *The Drew Barrymore Show*.

Drew Barrymore (Gertie): Continues to host her successful daytime talk show and runs her lifestyle brand. She remains close with Spielberg and the rest of the cast.

Henry Thomas (Elliott): Has maintained a steady acting career, notably appearing in several Mike Flanagan horror projects, including *The Haunting of Hill House* and *Midnight Mass*. He reunited with Barrymore on her show to discuss his memories of playing Elliott.

Dee Wallace (Mary): The actress who played the children's mother has a prolific career in horror and B-movies, appearing in hundreds of films. She also joined the reunion to share behind-the-scenes stories.

The continued closeness and shared history among the cast members underscore the film's central theme: the enduring power of family, whether by blood or by choice. This bond, initiated by a magical alien, remains one of Hollywood's most heartfelt legacies.
et drew barrymore
et drew barrymore

Detail Author:

  • Name : Geovanny Heller II
  • Username : mohara
  • Email : alize.mclaughlin@feest.org
  • Birthdate : 1972-12-05
  • Address : 632 Romaine Wall Suite 840 East Katheryn, AL 72925-8786
  • Phone : +1 (754) 789-0613
  • Company : Herzog PLC
  • Job : Eligibility Interviewer
  • Bio : Placeat libero sunt odit facere impedit. Veritatis sed et iure pariatur. Est tempore dolorem ex vel dolores.

Socials

twitter:

  • url : https://twitter.com/towne2013
  • username : towne2013
  • bio : Placeat quo aliquid exercitationem molestiae. Possimus inventore aut qui suscipit modi architecto. Amet eveniet perspiciatis autem natus distinctio.
  • followers : 3861
  • following : 2443

linkedin:

facebook:

  • url : https://facebook.com/katelyntowne
  • username : katelyntowne
  • bio : Et est sequi natus. Molestiae cum rerum et dolore quibusdam possimus.
  • followers : 4779
  • following : 1420

instagram:

  • url : https://instagram.com/katelyn.towne
  • username : katelyn.towne
  • bio : Et neque ducimus aut ea sint consequatur ut. Nulla deleniti pariatur quia totam quo qui.
  • followers : 1867
  • following : 771

tiktok:

  • url : https://tiktok.com/@katelyn4532
  • username : katelyn4532
  • bio : Vel eum quo aut fuga. Laborum quo cupiditate quasi minus quaerat illo.
  • followers : 1310
  • following : 2259

Random Posts