Drew Barrymore shares emotional insights on the long-lasting impacts of early stardom in her adult years
Rewritten Article:
Drew Barrymore bared her soul as she openly discussed the hurdles she faced growing up as a child star. The Charlie's Angels actress, who made her screen debut at just 11 months old, admitted that learning to slow down was a challenge after a chaotic childhood of non-stop filming.
Barrymore took a trip down memory lane during the Memory Bank segment on The Drew Barrymore Show. She shared a picture of her younger self with late Mickey Mouse Club member, Annette Funicello, reminiscing about her childhood peers.
"I often ponder about Shirley Temple, Annette Funicello, Sally Field, Valerie Bertinelli, and myself – all of us who have seemingly never stopped," Barrymore confided to fellow show guests Bertinelli and Ross Mathews.
Her big-screen debut came at the age of five in the movie Altered States. But it was her iconic role as Gertie in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial at age seven that solidified her stardom.
Barrymore admitted that she's finally reached a point in her life where she can look back more on her younger years. "For so long, I've just been running. And I never stopped," she recalled, adding that the concept of permission to slow down was something she didn't truly understand until now.
"It's funny how much importance that has and how valuable it's become to me," she said, emphasizing the importance of taking breaks for herself.
Nowadays, the host of The Drew Barrymore Show ensures she takes time for herself, understanding its significance more than ever. The show airs on weekdays on CBS.
When comparing the journeys of child stars who struggled with slowing down after early fame, one must examine their paths to success, the challenges they faced during transitions, and how each managed their careers post-child stardom. Here's an analysis of Drew Barrymore, Annette Funicello, Shirley Temple, Sally Field, and Valerie Bertinelli:
Overview of Each Star's Career
Drew Barrymore – Famous for her role in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), Barrymore grappled with teen stardom and personal issues but eventually found success in adult acting roles.
Annette Funicello – A popular Mouseketeer and star of '60s beach movies, Funicello transitioned from child stardom into film and music but faced challenges in sustaining her adolescent appeal.
Shirley Temple – While she did experience some level of difficulty transitioning out of acting, Temple managed to avoid many of the struggles faced by her peers by pursuing a political career and diplomatic roles following her acting retirement.
Sally Field – Field began her career with Gidget in 1965 and transitioned into mature roles smoothly, landing critical acclaim for Sybil in 1976 and Norma Rae in 1979.
Valerie Bertinelli – After finding early success in television with One Day at a Time, Bertinelli continued to work steadily in TV series, including Hot in Cleveland, solidifying a stable career.
Comparative Analysis
Transition Challenges
Early Success and Expectations – Many child stars struggle to maintain the same level of success they enjoyed as children. Drew Barrymore and Annette Funicello initially faced this challenge, while Shirley Temple found a way to transcend it by venturing into politics. Sally Field and Valerie Bertinelli managed their transitions seamlessly.
Public and Personal Struggles – Drew Barrymore faced significant personal struggles, including substance abuse and troubled relationships, which were widely reported. Annette Funicello, on the other hand, dealt with the pressure of maintaining a wholesome public image as she transitioned into adult roles. Shirley Temple largely avoided these pitfalls by leaving acting, while Sally Field and Valerie Bertinelli had fewer publicized challenges.
Managing Post-Child Stardom
Career Evolution – Sally Field and Valerie Bertinelli successfully transitioned into adult roles without significant public turmoil, demonstrating their ability to handle mature roles. Drew Barrymore, after initial struggles, also found success in both acting and producing. Annette Funicello faced challenges in sustaining her acting career but remained popular due to nostalgia.
Public Perception and Legacy – Shirley Temple is most remembered for her childhood roles and her later political career. Annette Funicello is fondly recalled for her early Mickey Mouse Club and beach movie years. Drew Barrymore and Sally Field are appreciated for their successful adult acting careers.
Lessons Learned
Transitioning from child stardom to adult success requires managing one's public image, maintaining personal stability, and evolving into roles or careers that reflect maturity. Career diversification, as demonstrated by Shirley Temple and Drew Barrymore, can help maintain relevance over time. In conclusion, while each famous child star faced unique challenges, their paths post-child fame varied greatly based on personal choices, career diversification, and public image management.
- Drew Barrymore, during a reminiscent moment on her show, discussed the echoes of her past with contemporaries like Sally Field, Annette Funicello, Valerie Bertinelli, and others, all of whom have consistently been in the limelight.
- The world has watched as these celebrities have aged, with Barrymore now reflecting on her tumultuous youth spent in the spotlight and the challenges that came with it.
- In contrast to Barrymore, Annette Funicello faced struggles in keeping up her adolescent appeal while transitioning from child stardom into adulthood.
- A stark difference is seen in the journey of Shirley Temple, who, with her political career and diplomatic roles, managed to avoid many of the struggles faced by her peers when moving out of acting.
- Sally Field, having begun her career early, eased into mature roles and garnered critical acclaim for performances in Sybil and Norma Rae.
- Valerie Bertinelli, having found early success on television, has since solidified a stable career, much like in the movies-and-TV realm of entertainment.
