What Happened to Drew Blythe Barrymore?
Drew Barrymore, a celebrated actress and scion of the Barrymore acting dynasty, has successfully transitioned from a child star and 'wild child' persona to a respected talk show host, producer, and businesswoman. As of 2026, she continues to host her Emmy Award-winning 'The Drew Barrymore Show,' which has been renewed through 2028, and is exploring new acting projects while prioritizing a healthy lifestyle and motherhood.
Quick Answer
Drew Barrymore is currently thriving as the host and executive producer of 'The Drew Barrymore Show,' which was renewed for its seventh and eighth seasons in March 2026, extending its run through 2028. She recently appeared in the film 'Outcome' (April 2026) and is slated to return for a 'Charlie's Angels' reboot. Barrymore, who turned 51 in February 2026, maintains a focus on health and sobriety, and is open to finding love while balancing her demanding career with raising her two daughters.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline16 events
Breakthrough in 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial'
At age 7, Drew Barrymore gained international fame for her role as Gertie in Steven Spielberg's 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,' establishing her as a prominent child star.
Co-founds Flower Films
Barrymore co-founded the production company Flower Films with Nancy Juvonen, marking a significant step towards taking control of her career.
Stars in and produces 'Never Been Kissed'
Flower Films' first major success was the romantic comedy 'Never Been Kissed,' in which Barrymore starred and produced, solidifying her comeback as an adult actress.
Stars in 'Charlie's Angels'
Barrymore starred in and produced the hit action-comedy 'Charlie's Angels,' further establishing her as a bankable star and producer.
Wins Golden Globe for 'Grey Gardens' and directs 'Whip It'
She won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress for her role in the HBO film 'Grey Gardens' and made her directorial debut with the film 'Whip It'.
Launches Flower Beauty
Barrymore expanded her entrepreneurial ventures by launching Flower Beauty, a successful cosmetics line, which later grew into a full lifestyle brand.
Stars in Netflix's 'Santa Clarita Diet'
Barrymore returned to television as the lead in the Netflix original series 'Santa Clarita Diet,' which ran for three seasons.
Launches 'The Drew Barrymore Show'
Barrymore launched her nationally syndicated daytime talk show, 'The Drew Barrymore Show,' marking a new chapter in her career as a talk show host and executive producer.
Reveals Sobriety Journey
Drew Barrymore publicly shared her decision to get sober in an essay for her magazine, Drew, emphasizing her focus on healthy living.
Controversy over resuming talk show during strikes
Barrymore announced her intention to resume 'The Drew Barrymore Show' during the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, leading to significant backlash and picketing.
Pauses talk show amid strike backlash
Following widespread criticism, Barrymore reversed her decision and announced she would pause the show's premiere until the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes concluded.
Discusses turning 50 and slowing acting career
In an interview with AARP, Barrymore opened up about turning 50, expressing happiness and her decision to slow down her acting career to prioritize motherhood.
Reported to return for 'Charlie's Angels' reboot
Reports emerged that Drew Barrymore, along with Cameron Diaz and Lucy Liu, is expected to return for a new 'Charlie's Angels' reboot.
'The Drew Barrymore Show' renewed for two seasons
CBS Media Ventures announced the renewal of 'The Drew Barrymore Show' for its seventh and eighth seasons, extending its run through 2028.
Appears in film 'Outcome'
Barrymore appeared in the black comedy film 'Outcome,' directed by Jonah Hill and starring Keanu Reeves and Cameron Diaz, which was released on Apple TV.
Tattoo segment with Zayn Malik airs on her show
An episode of 'The Drew Barrymore Show' aired featuring a segment where Drew Barrymore and Zayn Malik got tattoos together on live television.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Drew Barrymore's career, spanning over five decades, has seen remarkable transformations. Beginning as a child star in the iconic 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial' (1982), she navigated a tumultuous adolescence marked by early fame and public struggles with substance abuse. By the 1990s, Barrymore successfully reinvented herself as an adult actress, starring in a mix of independent films and mainstream hits like 'Scream' (1996) and 'The Wedding Singer' (1998), solidifying her status as a romantic comedy lead.
In 1995, Barrymore co-founded Flower Films with Nancy Juvonen, a production company that yielded commercial successes such as 'Never Been Kissed' (1999) and the 'Charlie's Angels' franchise (2000, 2003). This entrepreneurial spirit expanded into a lifestyle brand, Flower by Drew, in 2013, encompassing beauty products, a home line, and eyewear. She also ventured into directing with 'Whip It' (2009) and starred in the Netflix series 'Santa Clarita Diet' (2017–2019).
A significant turning point came in September 2020 with the launch of her nationally syndicated daytime talk show, 'The Drew Barrymore Show.' The show quickly gained popularity for its authentic and empathetic approach. However, in September 2023, Barrymore faced considerable backlash when she initially announced the show would resume production during the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, leading to picketing and criticism from unions and peers. She subsequently paused the show's premiere, issuing an apology, before eventually returning after the strikes concluded.
As of 2026, Barrymore continues to be a prominent figure in entertainment. 'The Drew Barrymore Show' was renewed for its seventh and eighth seasons in March 2026, securing its broadcast through 2028 and earning significant time slot upgrades in major markets. She also made a cameo appearance in the film 'Outcome,' released on April 10, 2026, and is reportedly set to reunite with Cameron Diaz and Lucy Liu for a 'Charlie's Angels' reboot. Personally, Barrymore, who turned 51 in February 2026, has openly discussed her commitment to sobriety and a healthy lifestyle, and expressed her openness to dating in 2026, albeit with high standards for a partner who is 'healthy and sober.' She co-parents her two daughters, Olive and Frankie, with ex-husband Will Kopelman, and has indicated a desire to slow down her acting career to focus on motherhood.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Drew Blythe Barrymore made different choices?