Drew Barrymore
began her career at such an early age, we can say she was
practically born on stage. At just 11 months, she appeared
in a Puppy Choice Dog Food commercial, and got her first movie
role at the age of 2, playing a boy in Suddenly Love.
At 5, she appeared in Altered
States, and made herself into a household name with the blockbuster
E.T. She was described by good friend and director Steven
Spielberg as a teenager who was "13 going on 29."
She was born into a family
famous for its love of being in the spotlight. Her kin include
the legendary Lionel, John and Ethel Barrymore. Troubled times
came for Barrymore, when she tried alcohol for the first time
at age 9, and marijuana at age 10. Soon after, she turned
to cocaine, and stirred controversy with her near nude appearances
in Far From Home, and was forced into ASAP Family Treatment
Center, a drug rehab clinic.
She stole her mother's credit
card, escaped the clinic, and made a break for the Westcoast.
She was unsuccessful, however, and was returned to rehab by
authorities. She made a special appearance in a television
movie warning teens about the dangers of drug abuse, only
to fall back into her addiction...
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