Drew Barrymore to her profound musings on the meaning of life. She centered her homecoming on a difficult period that she experienced, when she was merely 13-years-old. In a recent interview, Barrymore recalled that period in life as a “real car crash of a life.” She was no stranger to adversity both in her home life and career. The Dreamgirls actress and former talk show host encouraged everyone to be thankful. She taught me to never take opportunities for granted.
Barrymore, who began her career in the entertainment industry at just 11 months old, quickly rose to fame with her breakout role in the 1982 film “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.” Paradoxically, her early success presented its own challenges. By the time she entered her teens, Barrymore was already faced with her deteriorating mental health. She admitted herself for 18 months into a psychiatric ward. Throughout that process, she faced the impact of her decisions and fought to get her life back on track.
Reflecting on her past, Barrymore candidly admitted, “Nobody wanted to work with me. I understood why, and I took responsibility for myself.” She admitted to her wild teen years. She regularly hotwired her mom’s car and snuck into nightclubs rather than classes. Each of these experiences helped her come to an understanding of what personal resilience and growth means.
Barrymore underscored the lessons she has taken from her struggles, stating, “The most valuable lesson I’ve learned is that nothing is a given.” One big change from her journey has been to teach her to savor each opportunity as it comes. “Don’t take anything for granted. Don’t be cynical, be grateful and hustle like hell,” she told them.
Though she struggled in her childhood, both Barrymore’s character and work ethic have been solidified by her childhood struggles. She noted, “I’ve never stopped working since I was 11 months old, which is crazy in a sense.” It’s her tireless commitment that drives her success in all of her endeavors. She produces the game show “Hollywood Squares” which currently airs on CBS and Paramount+.
Barrymore’s attitude toward her career exemplifies the attitude of someone who appreciates every moment, even the negative ones. She expressed this philosophy succinctly: “I try to look at things as they’re opportunities. I’m incredibly grateful to have them all in my life. One of many people committed to leaving it all on the field because every play matters.
She shared a metaphor for life’s challenges, saying, “It’s all bricks, and eventually, those bricks will build a structure. It will be tangible and sturdy and a good foundation that maybe someone else wants to be in or wants to be a part of.” This theme artfully depicts her conviction that failures can be the best educators.
Aside from her extraordinary creative contributions, Barrymore’s honesty regarding her own mental health challenges has struck a chord with millions. Her motto is “our mistakes are our best teachers.” This all-to-important lesson is about our failure to learn from experience, rather than repeating it.