Drew Barrymore was born in Culver City, Calif., into a revered acting family that includes, among many others, her grandfather John Barrymore. She started performing in commercials before her first birthday. At age 6, she was chosen by director Steven Spielberg to co-star as Gertie in “E.T.: The Extraterrestrial.”
In 1995 she created her own production company, Flower Films, with partner Nancy Juvonen. Their first film was the 1999 comedy “Never Been Kissed,” followed by the box office hit “Charlie’s Angels” in 2000. Firmly established as a production powerhouse, Flower Films subsequently produced the features “50 First Dates,” cult favorite “Donnie Darko,” “Duplex,” “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle,” “Music and Lyrics,” “Fever Pitch,” “He’s Just Not That Into You” and “Whip It” (which she directed and appeared in).