All about Drew Barrymore’s parents as actress recalls being “jealous” of kids with traditional upbringing

On March 21, 2025, in an episode of The Drew Barrymore Show, while in conversation with Frank Zappa's daughter, Moon, about her childhood and complex relationship with her parents, Drew Barrymore recalled being jealous of kids who called home when they were sick because she "could never get a hold of anybody."

For the unversed, Barrymore has shared a complicated relationship with her parents John Barrymore (born John Blyth) and Jaid Barrymore (Ildiko Jaid Mako).

During her conversation with Moon, Barrymore mentioned,

"I remember all the kids at school would go into the office to call their parents when they were sick and I could never get a hold of anybody. And I was so jealous of those kids who would call and be like, 'Mom, Dad, come pick me up!’ I just would sit there and be like, 'What's that like?’"

Barrymore, who entered Hollywood at a very young age, was born in 1975 to John and Jaid Barrymore. Both her parents were actors. John Barrymore was born into a family of actors and appeared in many movies and series, mostly in supporting roles. His filmography includes Jericho, Run for Your Life, The Wild Wild West, etc.

Meanwhile, Drew's mother Jaid Barrymore, is known for her work in movies like Searching for Bobby D (2005), Enchanted (1998) and Everything's Jake (2000). Jaid was married to John Barrymore from 1971 to 1984.

Drew Barrymore's complicated relationship with her Mother

Barrymore has been very open about her complicated relationship with her parents. She was raised primarily by her mom, Jaid after her parents separated; her father wasn't a consistent figure in her life. The Scream actress has often expressed how she wished her father was more like the traditional notion of a father. John Barrymore was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and passed away in November 2004.

Drew Barrymore has spoken about having a very unconventional upbringing and recalls partying with her mom from a young age. According to People Magazine, Jaid worked as a waitress six weeks a night to raise Barrymore, but the latter considered that as 'abandonment'. She also did not like how her mother involved herself in her work life (Jaid was her manager).

However, her perspective changed later in life and she started seeing her mother's choices in a different light, especially after she became a mother herself.

After her admission and further release from a psychiatric ward, at the age of 14, Drew was emancipated from her parents. Soon, she cut ties with her mom. Though her estrangement from her mother lasted a long time, she has expressed multiple times that she would always care for her mother and does not wish her ill. In 2021, on her talk show, Drew Barrymore shared that she and her mother are in a "good place".