Barrymore made her film debut at age 5 in Altered States (1980); two years later, the world loved her as Elliott's little sister in E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial. But after several child-star roles, her personal woes took her offscreen for a while.
The gifted actress resurfaced as a rising starlet in the 1990s with such films as Boys on the Side, Batman Forever, Scream, Ever After, The Wedding Singer and Never Been Kissed. With Charlie's Angels (2001), Barrymore successfully transitioned to action star and had a 2004 hit in 50 First Dates. She earned an Emmy nod and a Golden Globe award for her turn in 2009's Grey Gardens.