Spielberg Says He Felt ‘Helpless’ About Drew Barrymore’s Home Life While Making 2023

While filming 1982’s E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, Steven Spielberg felt “helpless” caring for Drew Barrymore.

After casting Drew in the legendary fantasy film, the Oscar-winning filmmaker told Vulture he felt helpless over her troubled home situation.

Drew Barrymore, who played Charlie’s Angels, wanted Spielberg to be her father as a youngster.

The 36-year-old director declined, instead becoming her godfather. Drew spent weekends with the Spielbergs at theme parks.

“She was staying up way past her bedtime, going to places she should have only been hearing about, and living a life at a very tender age that I think robbed her of her childhood,” the director said.

I felt powerless since I wasn’t her dad.

Drew labeled her father a “abusive drunk” in the interview, recalling her earliest memory of his being “stormed in and tossed her into a wall” when she was three.

“The only person in my life to this day that ever was a parental figure” was Steven, according to 48-year-old Drew.

Spielberg said he sought to keep the enchantment of E.T. alive for Drew, who thought the figure was genuine throughout filming.

“I didn’t want to burst the bubble,” he continued. I answered, ‘It’s alright, E.T. is so amazing. E.T. has eight helpers. I’m the only director.”

In the same Vulture interview, Drew stated she “cannot wait” for closure following her mother’s death, which drew criticism this week.

Monday’s Instagram video accused media outlets of misinterpreting her statements.

Since I was 13, tabloids have messed with my life. I never wished my mum dead. “How dare you put those words in my mouth,” she exclaimed in the recording.

“I have been vulnerable and tried to figure out a very difficult, painful relationship while admitting it is difficult to do so while a parent is alive,” she said. “And that for those of us who have to figure that out in real time, cannot wait—not that the parent is dead.”