Drew Barrymore: A child actress talks about life, love and family (2016)

Everyone remembers little Gertie from the movie E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and the actress who played the part – Drew Barrymore. It’s been a long time since she made that film and she’s had her ups and downs since then. Now, as a 40-year-old mother of two, Barrymore talks about her growing up, the problems she had with her family, fending for herself at age 14, and what she’s learned on the way to becoming an accomplished actress and a mature and loving mother.

Because I didn’t have a traditional family so I really believe in the power of, you know it doesn’t have to be blood, it’s who you choose. Again, that word “choice,” it’s so powerful. And when they choose me, I choose them, I really have a deep respect for that. And it’s a very powerful thing. And I do, I love the people in my life. If my whole life is for my daughters, I think up until that point my whole life was really, and will always be to a large extent really, to show the people that I love, I love them.

— Drew Barrymore