Drew Barrymore, a celebrated actress, recently shared a heartfelt Father’s Day tribute on Instagram, opening up about her relationship with her late father, John Barrymore Drew, the actor. In a candid post, Drew reflected on growing up with a father she described as unconventional and, at times, complicated.
John Drew Barrymore
In her Father’s Day 2020 tribute, Drew Barrymore posted a throwback picture of her parents, John and Jaid Barrymore, during a night out.
“My mom chose a wild card for my dad,” Drew, 45, penned in her tribute to John Barrymore Drew, who passed away in 2004. Accompanying her words was a charming throwback photograph of her parents, John and Jaid Barrymore, enjoying an evening out before Drew was born. This glimpse into the past offered fans a personal look at the figures who shaped Drew’s early life.
Understanding a “Mad Poet Hedonist Man Child”
Drew Barrymore didn’t shy away from affectionately labeling her father as a “mad poet hedonist man child!” Despite this colorful description, she expressed a deep understanding of him even as a child. “But I understood that as a kid. Somehow I have zero baggage or dad issues,” she admitted. This acceptance is a central theme of her tribute, showcasing a mature perspective on a complex parental relationship.
While acknowledging the less conventional aspects of John Barrymore Drew’s personality, Drew also touched upon what she might have wished for in a father figure. “I think I would have liked to have a dad who didn’t look so out there. Or who stayed. Or was capable of anything really.” This reveals a poignant longing for a more traditional paternal presence. However, Drew quickly pivots to embrace the legacy her father did leave her. “But his wildness runs through me. His gifts are here. His demons to overcome are mine to break!” she declared, acknowledging both the positive and challenging inheritances from John Barrymore Drew.
John and Drew Barrymore
Drew Barrymore shared insights about her bond with her “wild card” father in a Father’s Day remembrance.
Embracing Unconventionality and Parental Influence
Growing up, Drew was keenly aware that her father was different. This awareness seems to have fostered a sense of acceptance and self-awareness in Drew herself. “I love him not for who I wanted him to be, but for who he was,” she stated firmly. Looking at typical Father’s Day images, Drew recognized her own unconventional family dynamic. “And as I look at all the photos of dads today, doing their dad job, sure, there is my tiny self that wished for him to fit in. But he never did. And I’m not sure I did either,” she mused, drawing a parallel between her father’s unique path and her own.
Drew Barrymore has been open about her past struggles, including drug abuse during her teenage years and a difficult relationship with her mother. Now a mother herself to daughters Olive and Frankie, Drew reflects on how both her parents have shaped her approach to parenting.
Drew Barrymore and daughter Frankie Barrymore Kopelman
Drew Barrymore and her daughter Frankie Barrymore Kopelman are pictured attending the 2017 Society of MSK Bunny Hop in New York City.
“Both my parents have played a major role in who I am as a parent. And none of it looks perfect. But it functions with so much love. And togetherness. And availability,” she explained. This highlights her focus on creating a loving and supportive environment for her own children, learning from both the positive and negative aspects of her upbringing.
A Story of Acceptance and Legacy
Drew concluded her tribute by emphasizing pride in her unique family story. “I don’t have a picture of a dad today to show how great everything was. I have a picture to show what it was. And that is my story. And that is perfect in itself,” she affirmed. For Drew Barrymore, celebrating John Barrymore Drew means embracing their shared history, complexities and all. “My dad gave me the gift of life! A wicked sense of humor! And that wildness that I truly do cherish,” she finished, encapsulating the enduring legacy of her “wild card” father.
