Despite her ups and downs in the public eye, she has always been open about her challenging relationship with her parents and her introduction to Hollywood at a young age.
In a heartfelt conversation on Uninterrupted’s The Shop series, produced by LeBron James and Maverick Carter, Drew joined fellow actor Idris Elba, Paul Rabil, Kyrie Irving, Paul Rivera, and Maverick to discuss her father’s absence during her childhood.
Although her father, John Barrymore, hails from a renowned Hollywood family, Drew was raised solely by her mother, Jaid Barrymore.
When asked how she first pursued acting, she acknowledged the influence of the Barrymores but also highlighted her father’s inability to uphold the family’s acting legacy due to his involvement in the radical hippie lifestyle.
She candidly admitted, “They were all dead and long gone, and my dad was a drug addict who didn’t wear shoes.”
John and Jaid had an on-and-off relationship throughout Drew’s upbringing.
Reflecting on her perception of her father as a child, she described him as “really crazy but like, an awesome character, sort of like Gollum meets Oscar Wilde on drugs.”
Despite his intriguing persona, Drew recognized that her father was incapable of fulfilling parental responsibilities.
She fondly reminisced, “He was just so cool and fascinating, but even at a young age, I could tell he wasn’t reliable.”
Growing up surrounded by her father’s relatives, all actors themselves, Drew made a conscious decision to accept him for who he was without expecting anything more.
This resolution helped her navigate the absence of her father in her life.
During her early teenage years, Drew became estranged from both her parents, but as she matured, she reconciled with them.
In her book, Wildflower, she shared the story of repairing her relationship with her father before his passing from cancer at the age of 72 in 2004.
Despite their lack of a significant bond during her formative years, Drew took on the responsibility of caring for him and covering his medical expenses.
Drew’s journey highlights the complexities of familial relationships and the emotional toll it can have on individuals.
Her willingness to share her experiences allows others to connect with her story and find solace in their own struggles.
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