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The 7 Most Surprising Facts About Drew Barrymore's E.T. Role And Her Thriving 2025 Comeback

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Drew Barrymore's career, which began with the iconic role of Gertie in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, continues to be one of Hollywood's most fascinating comeback stories. As of late December 2025, the actress, producer, and talk show host is not only celebrating the enduring legacy of the 1982 classic but is also launching into a new phase of her career, including a high-profile return to primetime television and lifestyle design projects.

The journey from the pigtailed, scene-stealing child star who captured the world's heart to the media mogul she is today is a testament to resilience, guided in large part by the paternal influence of director Steven Spielberg. While the film's 40th anniversary celebrations have recently brought the cast back together, Barrymore's current endeavors prove she is focused on the future, managing a diverse portfolio that spans her talk show, production company, and new 2025 TV commitments.

Drew Barrymore: Full Biography and Career Profile

Drew Blythe Barrymore is an American actress, producer, director, talk show host, and businesswoman, born into the famous Barrymore family of actors.

  • Full Name: Drew Blythe Barrymore
  • Born: February 22, 1975, in Culver City, California
  • Family Heritage: Granddaughter of legendary actor John Barrymore; daughter of actor John Drew Barrymore.
  • Breakthrough Role: Gertie in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) at age seven.
  • Career Stages:
    • Child Star (1976–1985): Followed E.T. with roles in Firestarter and Irreconcilable Differences.
    • Teenage Struggles & Comeback (1986–1997): Experienced a highly publicized period of substance abuse and rehabilitation; she published her autobiography, Little Girl Lost, at age 14.
    • Established Leading Lady (1998–2008): Successfully transitioned with films like The Wedding Singer, Never Been Kissed, and Charlie's Angels.
    • Producer & Director: Co-founded the production company Flower Films (1995) and made her directorial debut with Whip It (2009).
    • Talk Show Host (2020–Present): Host of the syndicated daytime program, The Drew Barrymore Show.
  • Current Projects (2025): Joining the reboot of 'Hollywood Squares' on CBS.

The Enduring Magic: Why Drew Barrymore Thought E.T. Was Real

Drew Barrymore's performance as Gertie, the adorable younger sister of Elliott (Henry Thomas), is one of the most natural and affecting child performances in cinema history. The reason for this authenticity is simple: she genuinely believed the Extra-Terrestrial was a real living being.

Steven Spielberg’s Paternal Role on the E.T. Set

Director Steven Spielberg went to extraordinary lengths to protect Drew's childlike innocence and foster her belief in the character. He became a significant paternal figure in her life, a relationship that continues to this day.

Spielberg reportedly ensured that the E.T. puppet was always treated as a real actor, with crew members moving it between takes and never leaving it inanimate in front of the young actress.

Barrymore has spoken about this experience, confirming that she was convinced E.T. was real and would even try to talk to him between takes. This belief made her on-screen emotional reactions—her initial terror, her eventual love, and her heartbreaking goodbye—completely genuine.

She has often referred to Spielberg as the only person in her life who has been a consistent paternal figure, a relationship that was crucial during her tumultuous adolescence.

The bond formed on the set of *E.T.* is so strong that Barrymore has celebrated the film's 40th anniversary with Spielberg and her own daughters, introducing them to the man who gave her a magical childhood experience.

The E.T. Reunion and The Sequel That Will Never Happen

The legacy of *E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial* continues to be a central topic in Barrymore’s public life, especially following the 40th-anniversary celebrations. The film's cast—Drew Barrymore, Henry Thomas (Elliott), Dee Wallace (Mary), and Robert MacNaughton (Michael)—reunited on The Drew Barrymore Show for a special episode that delighted fans worldwide.

During a separate conversation at a TCM Classic Film Festival panel, Barrymore and Spielberg discussed their time together, with Spielberg recalling that the young Drew was "irrepressible" on set and would often improvise dialogue.

Spielberg’s Firm Stance on E.T. 2

One of the most definitive pieces of information Barrymore has shared recently concerns the long-rumored sequel. She revealed that Steven Spielberg has a firm, emotional stance against ever producing an *E.T.* sequel.

Barrymore quoted Spielberg as telling her: "I will never make a sequel." This decision stems from the director’s belief that the original film is a perfect, self-contained story that should not be tainted or diluted by a follow-up. This statement effectively dashed the hopes of fans who wished to see Gertie and Elliott revisit their alien friend.

From Child Star to 2025 Media Mogul: Drew's Latest Ventures

Drew Barrymore's career trajectory is often highlighted as a major success story among former child stars who struggled with early fame, addiction, and the pressures of Hollywood. Her ability to pivot from acting to producing (Flower Films) and now to hosting has cemented her status as a savvy media businesswoman.

Her current projects for 2025 demonstrate her focus on diversified media and lifestyle branding:

  • 'Hollywood Squares' Reboot (2025): Barrymore is set to join the reboot of the classic game show Hollywood Squares on CBS, with a premiere scheduled for January 9, 2025. This move puts her back into a major primetime television role outside of her daytime talk show.
  • The Drew Barrymore Show Renewal (2025-2026): Her syndicated daytime talk show, which focuses on positive news, celebrity interviews, and lifestyle segments, was renewed for a sixth season, securing its spot in the 2025-2026 television lineup.
  • REAL SIMPLE Home Design (2025): Continuing her foray into lifestyle and home goods, Barrymore is designing a "Feel-Good Room" for the 2025 REAL SIMPLE Home. This project aligns with her Beautiful Cookware line and her personal brand of wellness and positive living.

Drew Barrymore's connection to *E.T.* is not just a nostalgic footnote; it is the foundation of her public identity, representing a magical, if complicated, start. Her current success, however, is purely her own, built on resilience, business acumen, and a genuine desire to connect with her audience, proving that the little girl who loved an alien is now a major force in Hollywood.

drew barrymore et
drew barrymore et

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